Clinicians working with people with ADHD view hypersensitivity, both physical and/or emotional, as a common
comorbid condition
. “[People with ADHD] often are hypersensitive in one of the sensory domains: sound, touch, or smell,” says Ned Hallowell, M.D., author of Driven to Distraction (#CommissionsEarned).
How do you tell if you’re overstimulated ADHD?
- sensitivity to certain textures, fabrics, clothing tags, or other things that may rub against the skin.
- unable to hear or focus over background sounds.
- dislike of certain food flavors or textures.
- urge to cover your ears or shield your eyes from too much stimuli.
- extreme irritability.
Is tactile sensitivity a symptom of ADHD?
Studies have shown increased “tactile defensiveness” in ADHD, a common symptom of
hyperresponsiveness
(Ghanizadeh 2008), but to date, there has been no extensive investigation of specific tactile abnormalities in children with ADHD.
What is sensory overload in ADHD?
Sensory overload happens
when something overstimulates one or more of the senses
. There’s suddenly too much information coming in for the brain to process. It’s common in people with sensory processing issues.
Can ADHD cause sound sensitivity?
Besides core ADHD symptoms (inattentiveness, hyperactivity, impulsivity), ADHD also affects the ability to perceive and process sounds. Both
hypersensitivity and hyposensitivity to loud sounds
are common symptoms in ADHD patients.
Why am I so sensitive to noise ADHD?
It means that physical and emotional stimuli may feel overwhelming at times. 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.
Is ADHD a form of autism?
Answer: Autism spectrum disorder and ADHD are related in several ways.
ADHD is not on the autism spectrum
, but they have some of the same symptoms. And having one of these conditions increases the chances of having the other.
What worsens ADHD?
Common triggers include:
stress, poor sleep, certain foods and additives, overstimulation, and technology
. Once you recognize what triggers your ADHD symptoms, you can make the necessary lifestyle changes to better control episodes.
What should you not say to someone with ADHD?
- “Having ADHD isn’t an excuse.” …
- “Everyone gets distracted sometimes.” …
- “ADHD will make you more creative.” …
- “If you can focus on fun things, you can focus on work.” …
- “You’ll outgrow ADHD.” …
- “Nobody needs to know you have ADHD.”
What do ADHD meltdowns look like?
Similarly, people with ADHD can also experience ‘meltdowns’ more commonly than others, which is where emotions build up so extremely that someone acts out, often crying, angering, laughing, yelling and moving all at once, driven by many different emotions at once – this essentially resembles
a child tantrum
and can …
Is hypersensitivity a mental illness?
What Is Hypersensitivity? Hypersensitivity — also known as being a “highly sensitive person” (HSP) —
is not a disorder
. It is an attribute common in people with ADHD.
Is HSP a disorder?
HSP
isn’t a disorder or a condition
, but rather a personality trait that’s also known as sensory-processing sensitivity (SPS). To my surprise, I’m not an odd duck at all. Dr. Elaine Aron states that 15 to 20 percent of the population are HSPs.
What makes someone hypersensitive?
HSPs feel
as if they register more details of their environment than less sensitive people do
—including sounds, sights, or emotional cues. Though such stimuli can feel overwhelming, modifying the environment to suit their needs can be empowering.
How do you fix overstimulation in ADHD?
Calm down, analyze the situation, and rethink it; pause for reflection. Block it out — To avoid sensory overload and anxiety, always have
earplugs
and a headset with you to block out noise. Make sure you’ve had enough sleep — If not, take a nap, before facing a situation that will be highly stimulating.
What is sensory anxiety?
Sensory overload and anxiety are
mental health conditions that are deeply related to one another
. When a person feels anxious or already overwhelmed, they may be more prone to experiencing sensory overload in certain situations. Likewise, experiencing sensory overload can make you feel a sense of anxiety.
Are people with ADHD Neurodivergent?
The conditions of ADHD, Autism, Dyspraxia, and Dyslexia make up ‘
Neurodiversity
‘. Neuro-differences are recognised and appreciated as a social category on par with ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, or disability status.
