Most people associate Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD, with individuals who are hyper, loud, and very talkative. So, people are usually surprised to learn that I (a calm, introverted teenager) am diagnosed with the disorder, and they are even more surprised when I explain to them that a ton of individuals with ADHD possess no hyperactive traits at all. 

While men with ADHD tend to present as hyper and impulsive, women often show symptoms of forgetfulness and distractibility rather than hyperactivity. The misconception that all individuals with ADHD are disruptive and loud, as well as the fact that the general public lacks knowledge of the countless other symptoms of ADHD, contributes to the underdiagnosis, misunderstanding, and isolation of those with the disorder. 

To help combat these consequences of the lack of public understanding of ADHD, I decided to dedicate my first blog post to highlighting some of the lesser-known traits of people with this disorder. 

Sensory Issues 

Sensory issues and sensory processing disorders, which typically cause hyper-sensitivity to sensory information, are prevalent in people with ADHD. The effects of sensory issues can range from picky eating habits (like avoiding foods with certain textures or smells) to the dislike of specific fabrics or clothing items to sensitivity to loud noises.

Time Blindness

Time blindness, which is the inability to sense the passing of time, presents itself in various ways in people with ADHD. Constantly losing track of time, having difficulty estimating how long ago an event happened, and chronically missing deadlines or arriving late (even for events one is excited about) are all effects of time blindness.

Memory

Those with ADHD often have problems with their memory that affect their daily lives.​​ For example, they may frequently lose or misplace important items, like their wallet or keys, or forget to turn in upcoming assignments or projects. They may miss important events or forget what they were planning to do that day. 

Emotional Dysregulation

Those with ADHD might have a harder time regulating their emotions. As a result, they may experience and display emotions more intensely and report increased psychological distress from their emotional experiences. 

ADHD can affect every aspect of a person’s life, and the lists of the traits of people with this disorder include much more than the symptoms in this blog post. However, I hope this post helped to expand your knowledge and understanding of those with ADHD.