Understanding Adult ADHD

Hey there! If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve recently been diagnosed with ADHD, are wondering if you might have it, or maybe just stumbled here because Google told you “ADHD symptoms” and you clicked. Either way—welcome! I’m April Sawyer, a Licensed Professional Counselor, and at Free Your Mind Counseling and Consulting Services, I specialize in helping adults navigate ADHD, anxiety, depression, and everything in between.

Let’s get real: ADHD in adults can feel like trying to herd cats while juggling flaming swords… blindfolded. You might be late constantly, forget appointments, lose things all the time, or feel emotionally overwhelmed for no apparent reason. That’s not you being “lazy” or “disorganized”—that’s ADHD doing its thing.

So, what exactly is ADHD?

ADHD, or Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects how your brain regulates attention, impulses, and executive functioning skills—basically your brain’s “CEO” skills. Common ADHD traits include:

• Time blindness: Losing track of time like it’s a magician’s disappearing act.
• Executive functioning challenges: Struggling with planning, organization, prioritizing tasks, and following through.
• Working memory difficulties: Forgetting what you were doing mid-task or losing important information.
• Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD): Feeling criticism, rejection, or perceived failure more intensely than others.
• Hyperfocus: Being so absorbed in something you love that the world disappears… sometimes along with your responsibilities.
• Emotional dysregulation & impulsivity: Acting or reacting before your brain can say, “Wait, maybe not.”

Common questions I get from adults just learning about ADHD:

Q: Can ADHD really show up later in life?
Yes! Some people get diagnosed in childhood, others in adulthood. Life changes like college, a new job, or parenting can make symptoms more noticeable.

Q: I’m forgetful and distracted—does that mean I have ADHD?
Not necessarily. Many things can look like ADHD. That’s why a comprehensive evaluation is important—it’s about understanding your patterns, not labeling you.

Q: What can I do to manage ADHD?
There’s no one-size-fits-all solution, but strategies often include:

• Behavioral strategies to improve organization, planning, and time management
• Mindfulness and emotional regulation skills to manage impulsivity and RSD
• ADHD coaching or therapy to support executive functioning and working memory
• Sometimes, medication in consultation with a prescriber

At Free Your Mind, therapy is personalized. That means we meet you where you are, mix in some humor because adulting with ADHD is often funny in retrospect, and give you practical tools you can actually use in your day-to-day life. Think of it as a collaborative approach: you bring your experiences, I bring my expertise, and together we figure out what actually works for you.

Why work with me?

Therapy can feel intimidating, but my clients often tell me that our sessions are warm, relatable, and occasionally hilarious (in a “I can’t believe I just admitted that” kind of way). I combine empathy with evidence-based ADHD strategies so that you’re not just surviving—you’re learning to thrive with ADHD.

If any of this resonates, or if you’ve been quietly Googling ADHD symptoms for hours and need some guidance, you’re in the right place. We’ll break it down, laugh a little, and give your brain the tools it deserves.

Next Steps:

Schedule a session or reach out for a consultation. Let’s take that first step in understanding your ADHD, creating strategies that actually stick, and—most importantly—freeing your mind.

April Sawyer, LPC, NCC, CAMT, ADHD-CCSP