What Does ADHD Feel Like?

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is often misunderstood. ADHD is far more than simply being "hyper" or easily distracted. It's a neurodevelopmental condition that affects how a person's brain functions, affecting attention, impulse control, and activity levels. This isn't a choice or a character flaw; it's a fundamental difference in how one's brain is wired.

For those who experience it, ADHD shapes everything from managing daily tasks and maintaining relationships to how they perceive themselves in the world.

So, what does ADHD feel like?

Hyperactivity and Restlessness

While hyperactivity in children often manifests as physical restlessness, in adults, it can be more internal and subtle:

A Persistent Need for Movement

You might constantly fidget, tap your foot, bounce your leg, or shift in your seat. Sitting still for long periods can feel profoundly uncomfortable, like an insistent itch that needs to be scratched.

Internal Restlessness

Even if you're physically still, your mind might be buzzing. You might feel "driven by a motor," a constant urge to be doing something, anything, to expend energy.

Excessive Talking or Interrupting

The racing thoughts can manifest as rapid speech, jumping between topics, and difficulty waiting for your turn in conversations. You might blurt out answers or interrupt without intending to, driven by the urgency of your thoughts.

"Hyperfocus"

Paradoxically, ADHD can also lead to hyperfocus, an intense and almost obsessive concentration on a task or interest that genuinely captures one's attention. During hyperfocus, you can lose all sense of time, hunger, or surroundings, becoming completely immersed. While this can be a strength, it also means other essential tasks are neglected.

Acting Without Thinking

Impulsivity in ADHD goes beyond just making rash decisions; it's about a reduced ability to pause, reflect, and consider consequences.

Acting on the Spur of the Moment

This could range from impulsive purchases and sudden career changes to blurting out comments that may be regretted later.

Difficulty with Emotional Regulation

Emotions can feel intense and quickly change. You might experience significant mood swings, low frustration tolerance, and bursts of anger or sadness that seem disproportionate to the trigger. This "emotional dysregulation" can strain relationships and contribute to feelings of shame.

Risky Behaviors

For some, impulsivity can manifest in more significant risk-taking behaviors, such as reckless driving, substance use, or gambling, driven by a desire for immediate gratification or stimulation.

The Emotional Impact of ADHD

Beyond the core symptoms, living with undiagnosed or unsupported ADHD can lead to a range of challenging emotions.

Frustration and Shame

Repeated struggles with organization, deadlines, and social interactions can lead to deep frustration and a sense of shame. You may internalize negative labels such as "lazy," "unmotivated," or "irresponsible."

Low Self-Esteem and Underachievement

Constantly feeling like you're not living up to your potential, or seeing peers succeed more easily, can chip away at your self-worth.

Anxiety and Depression

The constant effort to manage ADHD symptoms, coupled with the impact on daily life, often leads to co-occurring anxiety and depression. Worrying about forgetting something, missing a deadline, or saying the wrong thing can be pervasive.

Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD)

This intense emotional pain in response to perceived or real criticism, rejection, or teasing is common in ADHD. Even a mild perceived slight can trigger overwhelming feelings of hurt, anger, or sadness.

Loneliness and Relationship Strain

Misunderstandings due to communication challenges, forgotten plans, or emotional outbursts can strain relationships, leading to feelings of isolation.

The Strengths of ADHD

Ultimately, ADHD can be thought of as having a different operating system for your brain. It's not broken; it just processes information and experiences the world in a unique way. While it is challenging, it also often comes with strengths such as creativity, innovative thinking, resilience, and the ability to hyperfocus on one's passions. ADHD and anxiety counseling can help you find focus, manage emotions, and unlock your potential. Contact our office to set up an appointment today.