RISE AND GRIND
 If you have ADHD, you’re probably intimately aware of the symptoms. You live them on a daily basis, right? We can’t get through the day without struggling with forgetfulness, impulsivity, fidgeting, zoning out (and back in. And back out), and a host of other challenges that can make even the simplest tasks feel like monumental achievements. It's not just about being a little distracted; it's a constant battle to stay on track, manage time effectively, and maintain focus in a world that often demands unwavering attention. Yet, despite these hurdles, we navigate our unique paths with resilience, finding creative solutions and strengths within our neurodiverse minds. Understanding and embracing these experiences is crucial not just for those of us with ADHD, but for everyone who interacts with us, helping to foster empathy and support in our shared environments.  But even if you’ve had ADHD (and known about it forever), there are probably some things that you didn’t know were related to ADHD. And I’m not talking about the fast facts that most of us have heard: yes, there are 3 types of ADHD, we tend to be messy, and there’s that whole cliché about ADHD and squirrels. Beyond these common tidbits, ADHD can influence many aspects of life in ways that are less widely recognized. For instance, did you know that people with ADHD might experience heightened emotional sensitivity, have a higher risk of developing certain physical health issues, or exhibit unique patterns in their sleep habits? The interplay between ADHD and various life domains is complex and often surprising, revealing just how deeply this condition can shape our experiences and behaviors. Here are 9 things you may not know about ADHDPeople with ADHD tend to be more Justice Oriented  As kids, we were the ones more likely to insist on things being fair. And, in my case, to keep insisting on and on and… It turns out, that’s an ADHD thing! Our sense of fairness is often stronger than others, which can be both a blessing and a curse. It can propel us to seek justice for those who have been wronged and victimized, driven by an unwavering commitment to equity. Our sense of fairness is often oriented as much toward seeking it for others as it is seeking it for ourselves. However, it can also lead to a strong desire for vengeance when we’ve been wronged, whether by actively pursuing retribution or obsessively thinking about it. Letting go of injustice that we cannot right is often extremely difficult for us, making the struggle for balance and peace of mind a unique challenge. We tend to be Creative Thinkers and Innovators  You may have heard that people with ADHD tend to be more creative. I’ve heard a lot of people struggle with that because they don’t see themselves as creative. While it’s true that we may be more creative with crafts and other “creativity-based hobbies,” what this really means is that the way we think tends to be more creative. When your brain bounces all over the place, it turns out that it can help us make connections that other people don’t make. That might look like inventing new things, or it might mean that we provide a different angle to consider an issue that others are overlooking. This unique way of thinking allows us to approach problems and situations with fresh perspectives, often leading to innovative solutions and insights that others might miss. So, even if you don’t see yourself as traditionally creative, your ADHD brain is still a powerhouse of original ideas and unconventional approaches. We’re More Likely to Become Entrepreneurs  Some of the benefits of being your own boss work really well for those of us with ADHD. It often allows us more flexibility to work on the things that we are super excited and interested in, and (at some point) delegate the tasks that we really hate doing. It allows us the freedom to use our creative thinking and pursue different angles that a boss often stifles. Maybe that’s why many of us become self-employed. Of course, ADHD also offers some challenges like struggling to do things you need to do but really don’t want to do, meeting deadlines, being organized enough to function, etc… which can be especially hard before we’re able to delegate or find accommodations for the challenges. Those with ADHD, Often Have Other Health Challenges, too  It turns out ADHD is often comorbid with many other health conditions such as fibromyalgia, sleep disorders, other mental health conditions like anxiety, Parkinson’s, learning disorders, substance use disorders, migraines, neurological conditions, digestive problems, binge eating disorder, and many others. Obviously, a single individual with ADHD will probably not develop all of these, thank goodness. But unfortunately, many of us are cursed with a few of them. I personally have problems with digestion, sleep, and migraines. It’s a definite downside of ADHD, adding layers of complexity and challenge to an already demanding condition. Managing ADHD often means navigating a landscape of additional health issues, requiring extra care and attention to maintain overall well-being. People with ADHD tend to be Good in Crisis  This is often true, but not universally true. For many people, it may depend on the type of crisis as to whether or not they are better suited to handle it. But overall, we tend to be calm and keep our wits when emergent situations occur. That can look many ways: the person who works best under pressure, the one who takes charge in life-or-death situations, or the one able to navigate a scenario that overwhelms others. That’s why a lot of people with ADHD end up in crisis-oriented careers like E.R. doctor, EMT, police officer, firefighter, stockbroker, and others. Our ability to thrive in high-stakes environments can be a significant asset, allowing us to turn what might seem like a chaotic mindset into a focused, effective response when it matters most. We have an Interest Based Nervous System  Those of us with ADHD have a nervous system that prioritizes interest above just about anything else. That’s why, even though taxes may be due next week, you’ll find us obsessing over a new idea that we had. The nervous system of a neurotypical person usually makes taxes feel very important if they are due next week. Unfortunately, the interest-based nervous system that we have doesn’t make taxes feel important until the last possible minute. That’s why we are known for procrastinating and relying on rapidly approaching deadlines to get things done. To add insult to injury, a neurotypical person feels a greater sense of reward after finishing something, even if they didn’t like doing it. That helps reinforce the behavior. But those of us with ADHD don’t get nearly the reward or pleasure of having something finished. So taxes are hard for us to do, and we don’t even get to feel particularly rewarded once it’s finally over. Yay for us. We’re More Likely to Get into a Car Accident  Another bright spot of having ADHD, right? It turns out we are more likely to get injured in a car accident or even at work. Unfortunately, we tend to have more accidents in general than the average person. It makes sense if you think about it. Struggling with attention is particularly problematic if you are driving. If you work with machinery or other potentially dangerous things, struggling to concentrate can be a major problem. The good news is that this association between injury, accidents, and ADHD is diminished when we are medicated or otherwise properly treating our ADHD. With the right treatment, our ability to focus and stay attentive improves, reducing the risk of accidents and making our environments much safer for us. Related: 7 Ways ADHD actually gets WORSE as an Adult ADHD can look different as you age  We all know that some people can age out of ADHD. In fact, back in the 90s, doctors believed that it was purely a childhood condition. I guess they thought that turning 18 suddenly made your brain work differently. Who knew? While some haven’t caught up to the current research, most of us know that ADHD doesn’t go away for a large percentage of us. But interestingly, it can look different at various times in our lives. For some, their symptoms really popped out in elementary school. For others, they were able to navigate it until life got harder: college, becoming a working adult, becoming a mother, owning a business, etc. Our symptoms often get worse when we have more and more responsibility piled on. And hormones impact our ADHD. For some, pregnancy heightens their symptoms while it reduces them for others. And menopause! For some, their symptoms ease, and for others, they get much worse. On a shorter-term scale, many women notice changes in how ADHD affects them based on the time of the month. This dynamic nature of ADHD underscores the importance of flexible, personalized management strategies throughout our lives. We Experience More Intense Emotions  It baffles me that emotion regulation isn’t mentioned anywhere in the criteria for ADHD. Especially when research indicates that stronger emotions are present in nearly everyone with the disorder. Somebody should really do something about that. The ADHD brain struggles with regulation in general, including emotions. It often focuses intensely on a single emotion and magnifies it, leaving us to be completely overwhelmed by anger, or anxiety, or sadness, etc. Then of course, there is Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria. Those of us with ADHD tend to be much more sensitive to criticism or rejection than other people. That sensitivity leads to an overwhelming shame response that can absolutely blow you away with its intensity. Unfortunately, we are also more likely to be criticized, too, which just really sucks. Again…yay us.  Yet, amidst these challenges, there’s resilience. While our emotional landscape might be more intense and volatile, it also fosters empathy and a profound understanding of human struggles. We often develop coping mechanisms and strategies to navigate these tumultuous emotional waters, becoming adept at recognizing triggers and employing techniques to regulate our feelings. Additionally, our heightened emotional awareness can be a source of creativity and insight, enriching our relationships and personal growth journeys. While it’s undeniable that managing emotions with ADHD can be an uphill battle, it’s also a testament to our strength and adaptability in the face of adversity.
Related: Everything You Need to Know about ADHD and Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria ADHD is an interesting beast both to think about and to live out and there’s a lot more to it than most people realize. These 9 things aren’t often taught or learned, even when you’ve struggled with ADHD your whole life.
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