Elon Musk's ex-girlfriend Grimes diagnosed with adult ADHD; early symptoms of the disorder

Canadian musician Grimes, who shares three children with Tesla and SpaceX chief Elon Musk, opened up on her ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) and autism spectrum disorder diagnosis and looked back at her childhood struggles with the disorders, noting that had she known earlier, she could have dealt with her life better as a child.
In the case of Adult ADHD that Grimes suffers from, symptoms begin in early childhood and continue into adulthood. Sometimes, ADHD is diagnosed late, in adulthood. In case of adults, ADHD can manifest as impulsiveness, restlessness and difficulty paying attention.
Responding to an ADHD meme account, Grimes looked back at her struggles with the development disorders.

"Got diagnosed (with) adhd/ autism this year and realized I'm (probably) dyslexic which is why I can't spell at all without spellcheck," she wrote.
"I feel like, had we known this when I was a child, I would have worked so much less hard, been on drugs, and so many of the weird obsessions and motivations I had would have been seen as pathological," she added. "And I could have written off certain things that were very hard for me, but I'm glad I over came them."

Dyslexia is a learning disability that makes it difficult to read and process written language.
Grimes also wrote that her ADHD symptoms were infinitely worse when she wasn't an avid reader." She discouraged people from "self-diagnosing" developmental disorders such as ADHD and warned against "uninformed social media mental health subculture."
Grimes had shared her autistic diagnosis in August 2023. "Someone told me recently the grimes audience is hot autistic women , and now that I'm a few months into knowing I'm autistic (and no longer resent the idea), I rly have to say this is the vibe," she wrote.

People with ADHD struggle with focus and prioritizing, which can lead to missed deadlines and forgotten meetings or social plans. They may have impatience waiting in line or driving in traffic or suffer from mood swings and outbursts of anger.
Adult ADHD symptoms may include impulsiveness, disorganization and problems prioritizing, poor time management skills, problems focusing on a task, trouble multitasking, excessive activity or restlessness, poor planning, low frustration tolerance, frequent mood swings, problems following through and completing tasks, hot temper, and trouble coping with stress.
Hyperfocus: While ADHD is often linked to distraction, some children experience intense focus on activities they enjoy, such as video games, art, or building projects. This deep concentration can make it difficult for them to shift tasks, leading to frustration when interrupted.
Inattentiveness beyond distraction: Children with inattentive ADHD may appear lost in their own world. They can focus for hours on activities they love but struggle with routine tasks like homework, chores, or following multi-step instructions.
Intense emotions and mood swings: Many children with ADHD experience heightened emotional responses. They may feel intense shame or frustration, struggle with self-confidence, and react strongly to perceived criticism, often leading to meltdowns.
Heightened sensitivity: Emotional sensitivity in kids with ADHD can manifest as overreacting to minor criticisms, struggling with rejection, or being easily hurt by comments. They may internalize negative feedback and become anxious about making mistakes.
Difficulty making decisions: Even high-achieving kids with ADHD may struggle with decision-making, experiencing "paralysis by analysis." They can become overwhelmed when faced with choices, fearing they will make the wrong one, leading to delays or avoidance.
Sleep struggles: Research suggests up to 75% of children with ADHD have difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep. Disruptions in their sleep-wake cycle can lead to chronic fatigue, affecting focus, mood, and daily functioning.
Overwhelmed by large tasks: Breaking down big assignments or projects into smaller steps can be challenging. A child may feel paralyzed by the workload, struggle with organization, and avoid starting until the last minute, leading to rushed or incomplete work.
Time management difficulties: Kids with ADHD often have trouble estimating how long tasks will take. They may underestimate the time needed for homework, get sidetracked easily, or struggle with prioritizing tasks, leading to stress and frustration.