How ADHD might show up

Traits Struggles Strengths
Difficulty regulating attention
  • Trouble focusing on uninteresting or difficult tasks
  • Making frequent mistakes in tasks
  • Hyperfocus – intense periods of focus where "time disappears"
  • Interest-motivated – connecting a task to something authentically interesting makes it easier!
Difficulty with time perception
  • Trouble estimating how long things take
  • Missing deadlines
  • Starting/finishing late (or much too early, to avoid being late!)
  • Excellent under time pressure/when close to a deadline
  • Working in "sprints" (rather than marathons)
Emotional dysregulation
  • Getting easily frustrated
  • Becoming easily upset when feeling criticised
  • Rejection sensitivity – intense emotional reactions to rejection
  • High "justice sensitivity" (Schafer and Kraneburg 2012)
  • Empathetic
  • Eager to please/be liked (a double-edged sword!)
Impulsivity
  • Speaking without thinking
  • Risk-taking
  • Creative thinking
  • Problem-solving in unexpected ways
Trouble with working memory
  • Short-term forgetfulness
  • Needing additional prompting to get things done
  • Spontaneity and flexibility – able to "pivot" quickly
Hyperactivity
  • Difficulty sitting still
  • Racing thoughts
  • Fidgeting
  • Bursts of energy which can be followed
  • Thinking better while moving around
  • Lots of ideas!