Recently, I've been reading a lot about ADHD and I've learned a lot — which is surprising considering I've been diagnosed with it since seventh grade! Despite being one of the most commonly diagnosed learning disabilities in America, (second to dyslexia), there are many components of living with ADHD that are left out of society's common knowledge.
1. RSD
RSD, otherwise known as Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria, is a hypersensitivity to rejection or criticism. 98-99 percent of people with ADHD experience RSD and around 30 percent of those people report it to be the most difficult to deal with out of all their symptoms. RSD can be the source of large amounts of discomfort for those who suffer from it. The feelings of shame associated with RSD can hinder a person's ability to function outside of just comfort and leave them worse off in school/work, social, and recreational situations because they are preoccupied with avoiding painful rejection and embarrassment.
The reoccurring feelings of shame associated with RSD can also lend to the formation of depressive thought patterns, therefore making people with ADHD more susceptible to depressive episodes, especially if they don't understand the cause. For such a prevalent symptom, it's surprising so few people are aware of it. I personally only learned about RSD this year, and being able to hear about experiences like mine as well as how to deal with them has done so much good for my mental health!
2. Emotional Dysregulation
Shame and embarrassment aren't the only feelings people with ADHD have trouble managing, however. Outside of RSD, more general emotional regulation problems seem to be correlated with ADHD. Though it is not in the DSM-5, mood regulation problems are so pervasively reported among individuals with ADHD it is important to keep in mind so they can more easily find resources to manage feelings that seem unbearable, and so that wrongful diagnosis of mood disorders can be avoided.
3. Sensory issues
People with ADHD get overwhelmed easily and are prone to sensory overload, a state in which certain sensations such as loud, sudden, and/or overlapping noises, touching certain textures, or being touched in any capacity cause extreme discomfort and irritability. This can make settings like school unpleasant and hard to deal with while maintaining concentration on their work. Believe it or not, sensory issues can also affect a person's diet. People with ADHD can develop aversions to certain foods because of the way they feel to eat. For the most part this inconsequential but it can create challenges in maintaining a healthy diet and even put people with ADHD at a slightly higher risk of developing restrictive eating disorders.
4. Hyperfixation
Although ADHD is characterized by trouble with concentration a majority of the time, there are also periods when people with ADHD intently focus on a topic or special interest. This can get in the way of productivity of course, but a more unforeseen symptom of hyperfixation is social trouble. People with ADHD tend to sort of dump information about their hyperfixations. This sort of unusual enthusiasm for sometimes very niche topics combined with trouble reading social cues that would indicate the people around them becoming bored of that particular topic of conversation can alienate them from their peers, making hyperfixation an important component of ADHD to be aware of and sensitive to.
It is important that mainstream culture is aware of all aspects of ADHD so people with it can have an easier time getting help for themselves and so that people can more easily understand and accommodate their ADHD students, employees, children, friends, and significant others. Also, keep in mind that not everyone with ADHD experiences the condition in the same way, and many of these traits and symptoms are not exclusive to ADHD. Lastly, neurodivergent or not, do your best to practice self-care and to not neglect your own mental health.
