Can a Quiet Person Have ADHD? | Adulting With ADHD (2023)

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“Why am I so quiet?” 20 reasons...

“Why am I so quiet?” 20 reasons why

Can a quiet person have ADHD? Absolutely.

Adulting With ADHD Staff

ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) is a disorder usually identified with hyperactive behavior and impulsiveness. However, there are quite a few exceptions to this rule. In fact, the exceptions are not really “exceptions.”

So, can a quiet person have ADHD? Yes, a quiet person can have ADHD. While the stereotypical person with ADHD is energetic and rambunctious, many people with ADHD don’t exhibit these symptoms. This is because some people with ADHD have inattentive ADHD, which causes the person to appear distracted, forgetful, and aloof.

Inattentive ADHD isn’t as well-known as its hyperactive counterpart, many people suffer from it all over the world. If you’d like to know more about the condition, its diagnosis, symptoms, and treatment choices, keep reading.

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What Is Inattentive ADHD?

Also referred to as ADD, inattentive ADHD is an ADHD subtype that could manifest as disengagement, forgetfulness, or distractibility. In adults, it could be mistaken for a mood disorder or anxiety. Kids with inattentive ADHD typically have a hard time learning things.

Now, just because a child is inattentive doesn’t mean they have inattentive ADHD. Children are dreamers by nature; finding them staring lost in thought isn’t abnormal and not necessarily a sign of ADHD. However, if they are constantly having trouble focusing, there is a possibility that inattentive ADHD could be to blame.

How Is Inattentive ADHD Different From Other ADHD Types?

There are three kinds of ADHD. Besides inattentive ADHD, there is hyperactive-impulsive ADHD and combined ADHD. Inattentive ADHD is synonymous with attention issues. The hyperactive type is identified with, as the name indicates, hyperactivity.

Someone with hyperactive ADHD would constantly be moving or doing something as if they are motorized to do so. People with the combined type exhibit symptoms of both inattentive and hyperactive ADHD.

Inattentive ADHD’s Impact

Since hyperactivity is a sign commonly associated with ADHD, people with inattentive ADHD are hard to diagnose. In fact, the affected person themselves usually won’t know they have such a condition.

As a result, they are likely to live with the disorder all their lives without ever treating it. And since ADHD can hamper an individual’s performance in different walks of life, the affected person may end up believing that they were simply born average or lazy.

People who suffer from this form of ADHD will often deal with the following issues:

  • Likely to fail in school.
  • Unable to do their job.
  • Not able to do household chores in a timely and effective manner.
  • Likely to have a hard time maintaining friendships.

Individuals with the more common form of hyperactive-impulsive ADHD are diagnosed when they are six or seven. In contrast, someone with inattentive ADHD either gets diagnosed later in life or never gets diagnosed at all.

By the time the affected person and the people around them realize and acknowledge the condition, the distressed individual could have developed other health issues due to the ADHD, which may include generalized anxiety or depression.

Inattentive ADHD Diagnosis/Symptoms

To detect inattentive ADHD, it’s imperative to know that such a condition exists and that not all people with ADHD behave hysterically. The following are some major symptoms of inattentive ADHD:

  • Have issues focusing, organizing activities and tasks, and following detailed instructions.
  • Leaving behind incomplete projects or tasks, such as planting a vegetable garden but not watering it regularly.
  • Not listening to people even when the other person is in direct conversation.
  • Becoming apathetic toward activities that warrant loads of analyzing and assessing.
  • Despising work meetings a lot more than your colleagues, and constantly feeling the urge to chew gum, sip coffee, or even stand while the meeting is in progress.
  • Losing or forgetting things easily. Examples include losing your phone, leaving behind the ATM card in the machine, or forgetting to complete a report that’s due the next day.

The spaciness or daydreamy behavior is characteristic of this condition. However, others could misinterpret the actions as apathy or laziness.

As per the National Institute of Mental Health, inattentive ADHD symptoms cannot be easily recognized by medical professionals, teachers, and parents, which renders getting proper treatment at the right time difficult. This, as aforementioned, leads to lifetime apathy, shame, and academic frustration.

Before the treatment could begin, the doctor will often suggest some tests to confirm or rule out inattentive ADHD. These tests focus on:

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  • Vision or hearing problems
  • Learning disabilities
  • Depression or anxiety

Once these tests confirm the condition, different treatment methods could be prescribed.

Treating People Suffering From Inattentive ADHD

Though the symptoms vary, the treatment used for the hyperactive kid and quiet adult with ADHD is often the same. The treatment process usually starts with medication. Medications, and other ADHD treatments/therapies, are devised to help bring down the symptoms and boost functioning. They help manage the symptoms and do not necessarily offer a cure.

Medication

For most people with inattentive ADHD, medication helps increase their ability to learn, focus, and work. The pills could also help with physical coordination. There are different medicines and dosages for ADHD.

You may have to try out a few and work on the dosage plan before being able to find the medicine and its composition that truly does the trick. Most importantly, you should be taking these medicines as per a doctor’s recommendations.

Stimulants

Medication for ADHD can be broadly classified as stimulants and non-stimulants. Stimulant medication is the most common kind used to treat ADHD. The stimulant works by increasing dopamine and norepinephrine (brain chemicals), which are crucial to sound thinking and attentiveness. Though there are side effects and risks attached to stimulants, you should be fine if you strictly follow your doctor’s instructions.

If you administer a dose that’s higher than what’s prescribed, you could experience increased heart rate, blood pressure, and/or anxiety. If you already have health issues – such as high blood pressure, heart disease, seizures, kidney disorder, liver disease, etc. – it’s imperative you let your doctor know about them all. Some minor side effects stimulants could cause include sleep problems, decreased appetite, headaches, stomach aches, etc.

Non-Stimulants

Some ADHD medications are non-stimulants. These are not as popular as stimulant medicines, primarily because they take more time than stimulants to work.

However, once they come into effect, they also help address focus and attention issues. Doctors usually prescribe non-stimulants when stimulant drugs are causing bothersome side effects or are not effective. At times, non-stimulant and stimulant medicines could be used in tandem.

Antidepressants

Though not FDA-approved for ADHD treatment, certain antidepressants could be combined with a stimulant or used alone to treat ADHD. Like non-stimulants, antidepressants are also usually prescribed when the more conventional medicines are proving to be ineffective.

Also, antidepressants could be prescribed if the patient has other medical issues, such as depression, anxiety disorder, or any other form of mood disorder.

If you do not want to go the medication route, there are a few other treatment methods or techniques to reduce the influence of ADHD on everyday life, such as psychotherapy, education/training, and self-help tricks.

Psychotherapy

There are several past accounts of psychosocial interventions having helped patients manage their ADHD symptoms. Psychotherapy is all about parents (for kids) and family and friends (for adults) intervening, understanding, and guiding the affected person to reach their complete potential and succeed.

For school-going kids, blame, frustration, and anger could have internally accumulated over time. Their parents would need specialized assistance to overcome those negative thoughts in their kids. For instance, mental health experts could educate parents about their children’s condition and how that could impact their kids. The professionals would also help the kid and their parents develop fresh skills, perspectives, etc.

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Behavioral Therapy

A kind of psychotherapy, behavioral therapy helps the affected change their behavior. It could entail practical helping methods, such as helping complete schoolwork, organizing certain tasks, or getting through emotionally taxing events.

Parents, family members, and teachers could also chip in and provide their feedback (positive or negative) on specific behaviors and help set up chore lists, clear rules, and other organized routines.

Therapists could also teach social skills to kids, such as the proper way to await turns, the significance of sharing things with others, how to respond to teasing, how to seek assistance, etc. The social skills training could also throw light on slightly more complex topics, such as reading facial expressions or recognizing the tone in others’ speech.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapies are designed to teach people meditation or mindfulness techniques. The goal is to help the affected individual learn spatial awareness and accept their feelings and thoughts so that they could improve their concentration and focus levels. The therapist also helps the person adopt certain behaviors such as not taking unnecessary risks or thinking twice before acting.

Family/Marital Therapy

Family/marital therapy could help members of a family and spouses come up with better techniques to manage disruptive behaviors, so that there is a change in behavior in the affected and they have more cordial relationships or interactions with others.

Parenting Skills Training

Parenting skills training basically teaches parents of the affected kid the skills they should encourage in their kids and how to reward positive behaviors in them. In other words, parents learn how to incorporate the rewards and consequences system to help change the behavior of their kid.

Parents learn how to give positive and instant feedback for favorable behaviors and redirect or ignore behaviors they would want to discourage. Also, they may learn structuring circumstances in ways that desired behavior gets appreciated.

Classroom Management Interventions

These classroom interventions are designed to help manage specific symptoms and improve the functioning of the kid with peers at school.

These strategies typically consist of reward programs implemented by teachers. Daily report cards could be employed for the purpose. The school could even make certain accommodations to serve the child’s requirements better.

Support Groups

Support groups could help families and parents connect with other people and with other parents who have similar issues and concerns in their families. These groups regularly meet to share their frustrations and also success stories, so that they could learn from each other and get inspired. The information exchanged usually revolve around recommended strategies and the specialists they’ve been consulting with.

Education/Training

Coaching can help the affected develop better memory and organization skills. Based on the coach’s expertise, pretty much all aspects relating to organizing and remembering things could be covered – right from social skills to financial planning.

Self-Help Tricks

If coaching sessions seem expensive and onerous, you could incorporate certain self-help tricks that could restore some of your long-gone sanity.

  • If you are finding it difficult to complete a boring task, set a timer so that you could take breaks in between and get back after you’ve had your mini-retreat.
  • Listen to some high-octane music so that you could charge yourself up for a meeting or chore that you’re sure would be long, difficult, and likely to cause your mind to wander.
  • Pull in a friend or family member to check on you at regular intervals so that you stay focused on a project or task and do not abandon it midway.
  • Move to a location that’s not distractive or head out briefly for a change of perspective.

Tip: Get a pair of high-quality wireless earbuds for listening to music on the go or when you’re at home.

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Can You Diagnose Your Inattentive ADHD by Yourself?

It’s important to note that you can’t self-diagnose yourself; you need the guidance of a doctor to figure out whether you or a loved one is suffering from inattentive ADHD. However, there are certain personality traits you could look for in yourself or others that might cause you to go to the doctor for further evaluation:

You are Always Late

You are always frantically rushing through things in the bid to catch up. You are:

Late to wake up (the snooze button is your friend)

  • Late to pay bills
  • Late for office
  • Late to complete projects
  • Late to make to doctor appointments
  • Late to fill out forms, etc.

You swear by the last minute. And even if you manage to make it to a place or finish an activity/task well before time, there invariably arises a last-minute hiccup or fumble that could spoil it all.

You Are Not Confident Enough to Make Your Own Decisions

Making decisions turns into a time-consuming and brain-draining affair. Creating a to-do list, choosing a time or route to leave home, ascertaining the set of clothes to wear or what to eat, or ruminating over the things to communicate via an email message, etc. would consume too much of your time and resources.

You Are Not Consistently Productive

When it comes to getting tasks done, you could be at either end of the spectrum. On one day, you would be hyper-focused on tasks. On another day, you would be glaring at your to-do list, not sure how to get started. The days when you’re out and down are not few and far between. In fact, you regularly teeter between fecundity and rustiness.

You Clutter and Postpone Things

Tidying up things doesn’t require too much effort or thinking. But, for some reason, even hanging up your jacket or taking your shirt off seems like work to you. You have the tendency to postpone the smallest of tasks – the worst part is that the time to actually get things done never comes. This means your clothes do not go to the laundry often, sitting all piled up on a chair in the corner. Also, couches, laundry baskets, and/or chairs turn into drawers.

You Continuously Ramble From Within

Perhaps the most painful sign is inward and something which others cannot see – you are never quiet from within. You have a continual movement of thoughts in your head, which hit and consume you unexpectedly and involuntarily. The thoughts you get are not solutions to problems you may have. They are purely based on your imagination, which you have little to no control over.

You Spend Too Much Time and Effort Empathizing

Caring about and for other people is a great quality to possess. However, if your compassion and empathy excessively consume your mind, body, and time, then you have a problem. Your anxiety and worry, in fact, grow so strong that you end up unable to focus, communicate, or function. Also, your desire to help others invariably clouds your judgment, or you are unable to carefully assess the situation before helping the affected.

Kindly note these signs are purely indications you could have inattentive ADHD. Do not come to a conclusion based on these signs alone or do not self-treat.

Conclusion

Inattentive ADHD is hard to deal with compared to the more recognizable ADHD type. If you are diagnosed with the condition, you could be at the receiving end of several snide remarks from others. And if the taunting and criticizing continues, your self-esteem may take a blow, and you could gravitate toward the recluse life. Even a proper diagnosis, at this point, may not put your lingering doubts to rest.

To effectively deal with inattentive ADHD and overcome all the challenges it brings along, it’s imperative you do not hide things and get help immediately. The assistance could be from a professional, or you could just get talking with your spouse, family member, or a friend. If you or someone you know has been performing poorly at school or work despite all the efforts, get a diagnosis immediately to confirm or rule out inattentive ADHD.

Sources

FAQs

Can a Quiet Person Have ADHD? | Adulting With ADHD? ›

While some people still believe that ADHD can only manifest as hyperactivity - that's not always the case. That means inattentiveness is a main symptom, too! They may present shyness or are timid and still have ADHD.

Can you be a quiet person and still have ADHD? ›

One type of this disorder is called ADHD Inattentive Type. This condition often is overlooked by parents, teachers and coworkers. Therefore, health care professionals often do not diagnose it until the person is older. Sometimes, individuals with ADHD Inattentive Type will be mischaracterized as shy or withdrawn.

Is it possible to have ADHD and be introverted? ›

Can you be introverted and have ADHD? Absolutely. People with ADHD have a diverse range of presentations and personality traits. This 2017 study of children with ADHD found that 58% of participants were introverted.

What are people with inattentive ADHD good at? ›

Conversational skills and humanity

People with ADHD are often great conversationalists. This ability applies especially to those who have more of the inattentive type of ADHD. Those with ADHD are often talkative , which means that they can spark an intriguing conversation in most scenarios.

Do people with ADHD struggle with conversation? ›

People with ADHD have a hard time with conversation. They might get distracted and lose track of what the other person is saying. They might ramble, and monopolize the conversation, said psychotherapist Terry Matlen, ACSW. They might interrupt.

What is a silent type of ADHD? ›

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Inattentive Type in Adults. People with ADHD of the inattentive type have trouble paying attention to details, are easily distracted, often have trouble organizing or finishing tasks and often forget routine chores (such as paying bills on time or returning phone calls).

Can people with ADHD talk to themselves? ›

When a person has ADHD, it is common for her to engage in negative “self-talk,” a constant stream of thinking that is self-critical. This can lead to or aggravate depression, anxiety, or feelings of hopelessness.

What personality type are most ADHD people? ›

A recent review of findings on ADHD and FFM personality suggests that, in general, ADHD has associations with the FFM traits of Neuroticism (positive), Agreeableness (negative) and Conscientiousness (negative).

Can people with ADHD be socially awkward? ›

Individuals with ADHD often experience social difficulties, social rejection, and interpersonal relationship problems as a result of their inattention, impulsivity and hyperactivity. Such negative interpersonal outcomes cause emotional pain and suffering.

What personality type do most people with ADHD have? ›

Studies using the Big 5 Personality Factors show that ADHD is strongly tied to both extraversion and to neuroticism.

At what age does inattentive ADHD peak? ›

Peak severity of impulsive behaviour is usually at age 7 or 8. There is no specific age of peak severity for inattentive behaviour.

Do people with inattentive ADHD sleep a lot? ›

Many people with ADHD experience daytime sleepiness and difficulty waking up as a result of poor sleep. Others experience restless, non-refreshing sleep with multiple nighttime awakenings.

Do people with ADHD think faster? ›

Executive functions have other roles which affect how someone thinks. In people with ADHD, these executive dysfunctions impact thinking in numerous ways. People with ADHD don't really think faster than people without it, but it can sometimes seem like they do.

Are people with ADHD talkative or quiet? ›

For starters, not everyone with the hyperactive side of ADHD is loud and talkative. While talking non-stop is part of ADHD for some people, there are many other ways hyperactivity can express itself.

Do people with ADHD have trouble answering questions? ›

Pragmatics and ADHD

Blurting out answers, interrupting, talking excessively and speaking too loudly all break common communication standards, for example. People with ADHD also often make tangential comments in conversation, or struggle to organize their thoughts on the fly.

What does an ADHD shutdown look like? ›

Differences in emotions in people with ADHD can lead to 'shutdowns', where someone is so overwhelmed with emotions that they space out, may find it hard to speak or move and may struggle to articulate what they are feeling until they can process their emotions.

What could be mistaken as ADHD? ›

If your child seems hyperactive--fidgety, impulsive, and inattentive--don't automatically assume that they have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Anxiety, depression, learning disorders, physical health, and many other conditions can cause symptoms that look like ADHD but aren't.

What is hidden ADHD? ›

Invisible ADHD symptoms

emotional dysregulation. time blindness, or not being aware of time. racing thoughts. intrusive or self-defeating thoughts.

What is the rarest ADHD? ›

What is the Rarest Type of ADHD? The rarest type of ADHD diagnosed is the hyperactive-impulsive type with no indication of inattentive or distracted behavior, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine.

Do people with ADHD cut people off while talking? ›

Many people with ADHD tend to talk faster than others, too, which can lead to them inadvertently cutting off others while speaking.

Do people with ADHD like to talk a lot? ›

Excessive talking is a common symptom for kids with ADHD (attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder), who often have trouble inhibiting and controlling their responses. 1 They may blurt out whatever first comes to mind, whether appropriate or not, without thinking through how their words may be received.

Does everyone with ADHD talk a lot? ›

People with ADHD tend to talk — a lot. We talk because we're excited or nervous, or because we just want to be a part of the conversation. Sometimes we talk simply to fill the silence because silence is hard for us.

What does untreated ADHD look like in adults? ›

Untreated ADHD in adults can lead to mental health disorders like anxiety and depression. This is because ADHD symptoms can lead to focus, concentration, and impulsivity problems. When these problems are not managed effectively, they can lead to feelings of frustration, irritability, and low self-esteem.

What is the IQ of ADHD people? ›

Does ADHD affect IQ? A popular misconception is that all children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are naturally smarter and have a higher IQ than children without ADHD. However, there is no correlation between this condition and intelligence.

What personality quirks do people with ADHD have? ›

People with ADHD have a hard time staying in the moment, predicting the outcomes of their current actions, and learning from past experiences. Their impulsive behavior often makes them risk without thinking. Their hyperactive minds keep switching from one task to another.

Do people with ADHD say things they don't mean? ›

People with untreated ADHD may have a tendency to speak before they think and often say things that are considered rude, either because of how they were said or their content. This is related to a lack of impulse control and can often be improved with medication or mindfulness training.

Why do people with ADHD struggle to make friends? ›

ADHD is linked with the development of low self-esteem. 4 Low self-esteem can make it even more challenging to meet new people and make friends. You might not have the confidence to put yourself out there. Maybe you don't think anyone would want to be your friend, which can hold you back from making connections.

Are people with ADHD flaky? ›

People who have ADHD commonly struggle with the following social issues: Difficulty taking initiative to make plans. Not taking steps to maintain contact with friends they don't otherwise see regularly. Forgetfulness or canceling plans last-minute (and thus being perceived as “flaky”)

Are people with ADHD a good judge of character? ›

It means you can easily relate to other people, have a natural empathy to how they are feeling and are able to act accordingly. It also means that you are a good judge of character, which in turn has many benefits too.

Do people with ADHD change personality? ›

ADHD symptoms could affect our personalities as people compensate for those symptoms. Treating ADHD symptoms might even make some traits that seem like someone's personality become less noticeable or disappear.

Do people with ADHD have a higher than average IQ? ›

There's a common misconception that a person with ADHD automatically has a low IQ. Other people may believe that ADHD is always associated with high IQ. But neither of these assumptions is true. Depending on the severity of symptoms, ADHD can affect a person's ability to function at school and work.

What is the hardest age for ADHD? ›

At what age does ADHD peak?
  • The median age of onset for ADHD is 6 years old, with symptoms typically appearing between ages 3 and 6 .
  • The more severe the symptoms, the earlier the diagnosis, with 4 years old being the median age of diagnosis for severe ADHD.
Jul 7, 2022

What is the average lifespan of a person with ADHD? ›

ADHD can reduce life expectancy by as much as 13 years, but its risk is reversible.

What age is ADHD most noticeable? ›

Symptoms of ADHD tend to be noticed at an early age and may become more noticeable when a child's circumstances change, such as when they start school. Most cases are diagnosed when children are under 12 years old, but sometimes it's diagnosed later in childhood.

What does ADHD brain fog feel like? ›

ADHD brain fog causes people to feel unfocused and mentally exhausted. Brain fog can also cause anxiety, depression, low productivity, forgetfulness, and problems communicating with others. When all these factors combine, it becomes virtually impossible for the person to function normally.

Does ADHD affect hygiene? ›

Personal hygiene can be significantly affected for a person with ADHD because of the symptoms we tend to experience. The Mini ADHD Coach Medical Advisor says: "Overwhelming stress, difficulty organizing, and a lack of prioritization – which are typically related to ADHD - can contribute to poor grooming and hygiene.

What does it feel like to have inattentive ADHD? ›

Inattentiveness (difficulty concentrating and focusing)

making careless mistakes – for example, in schoolwork. appearing forgetful or losing things. being unable to stick to tasks that are tedious or time-consuming. appearing to be unable to listen to or carry out instructions.

Why do ADHD brains think faster? ›

Shankman: Simply put, ADHD is the brain's inability to produce as much dopamine, serotonin, and adrenaline as “regular” people's brains produce. Because of that, our brains have become “faster.” When managed right, that becomes a superpower. Have you found that you tend to think faster than most people? Yes.

Can ADHD be seen on a brain scan? ›

Though brain scans cannot yet reliably diagnose ADHD, some scientists are using them to identify environmental and prenatal factors that affect symptoms, and to better understand how stimulant medications trigger symptom control vs. side effects.

Do people with ADHD fall in love harder? ›

While all kinds of people can fall in love, the experience of people with ADHD falling in love can be more intense for them. This is because the person with ADHD can hyperfocus on the person they are in love with.

What are the 3 main symptoms of ADHD? ›

The 3 categories of symptoms of ADHD include the following:
  • Inattention: Short attention span for age (difficulty sustaining attention) Difficulty listening to others. ...
  • Impulsivity: Often interrupts others. ...
  • Hyperactivity: Seems to be in constant motion; runs or climbs, at times with no apparent goal except motion.

Do ADHD people not like noise? ›

Research suggests that hypersensitivity is common in people living with ADHD, similar to those who live with autism spectrum disorder. If you have hypersensitivity, you may be reactive to: loud and sudden noises.

What are some ADHD texting habits? ›

Forgetting to check or reply to messages. Perfectionism; overthinking your texts, sometimes erasing them completely. Misinterpreting tone of voice (sarcasm, joking, etc.) General social anxiety.

Are people with ADHD emotionally sensitive? ›

It is essential to realize that people with ADHD are generally emotionally sensitive and may have strong feelings of shame, preventing them from seeking the medical help they need. Aside from medications, allowing the person to process their emotions before a meltdown is a healthy way to help them cope with rejection.

What does high functioning ADHD look like? ›

High-functioning ADHD could mean: you experience severe symptoms but have developed “work arounds” to carry on with daily tasks and responsibilities. your symptoms are mild, and you're able to function with minimal impairment. symptoms are greatly impairing in some areas but you're highly functional in others.

What does an ADHD episode feel like? ›

Symptoms of ADHD can have some overlap with symptoms of bipolar disorder. With ADHD, a child or teen may have rapid or impulsive speech, physical restlessness, trouble focusing, irritability, and, sometimes, defiant or oppositional behavior.

Are people with ADHD always chatty? ›

Adults with ADHD frequently think being sociable with others is an all-or-nothing part of their lives. Either they're oversharing and talking too much, or they're withdrawn and staying home alone. Hyperactivity in adults is often expressed as being overly talkative and boisterous.

Do people with ADHD dislike noise? ›

2 People with ADHD can experience distress due to sound when it is overwhelming and causes an inability to focus, often leading to increased distress and anxiety. When a person has both sound sensitivity and ADHD, each condition can be even harder to deal with.

What does an ADHD brain feel like? ›

People with ADHD will have at least two or three of the following challenges: difficulty staying on task, paying attention, daydreaming or tuning out, organizational issues, and hyper-focus, which causes us to lose track of time. ADHD-ers are often highly sensitive and empathic.

What is masking ADHD? ›

If you hide your adult ADHD symptoms from other people, that's called masking. Basically, you're trying to seem more “normal” or “regular.” ADHD causes some people to act hyperactive or impulsive. It makes other folks have trouble paying attention. And still other adults have a combination of those symptoms.

Do people with ADHD Overshare? ›

It's common for people with ADHD to overshare information. People may be impulsive and not stop to think about what they're saying. Treating ADHD can help people improve self-control and think about consequences.

What do people with ADHD talk like? ›

Pragmatics and ADHD

Blurting out answers, interrupting, talking excessively and speaking too loudly all break common communication standards, for example. People with ADHD also often make tangential comments in conversation, or struggle to organize their thoughts on the fly.

What senses are ADHD people sensitive to? ›

It is an attribute common in people with ADHD. Symptoms of hypersensitivity include being highly sensitive to physical (via sound, sight, touch, or smell) and or emotional stimuli and the tendency to be easily overwhelmed by too much information.

Are people with ADHD awkward? ›

Some people with ADHD experience social awkwardness due to their symptoms. For instance, being impulsive can make them blurt out words or answers. Being inattentive can make them lose focus on the people talking to them. Hence, if you want to improve your social skills, it's best to manage the contributing traits.

What are the annoying behaviors of ADHD? ›

Kids with ADHD often have behavior problems. They get angry quickly, throw tantrums, and refuse to do things they don't want to do. These kids aren't trying to be bad. The problem is that ADHD can make it hard for them to do things they find difficult or boring.

What does ADHD understimulation look like? ›

Some signs that you might be understimulated include: Lack of motivation. Physical hyperactivity. A sense of unease, making you feel "flat" or irritable.

Do people with ADHD feel left out? ›

Many adults with ADHD report feeling lonely. Loneliness is a state of mind that makes us feel disconnected from others. Loneliness can make you feel depressed, isolated and more prone to addiction.

What does understimulated ADHD look like? ›

Bored or under-stimulated ADHD brains may become restless and demand an immediate reward and more stimulation. While you may think your child's fidgeting, noise, laughter, yelling, or conflict-making behaviors are inappropriate and unprovoked, their under-aroused brains, needing stimulation, are demanding it.

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6. ADHD in Women
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