Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder - ADHD

When not overstimulated, the highly sensitive lack all of the outstanding DSM characteristics of ADHD. That is, the characteristics for ADHD with be noticeably lacking: inattention to details and a lack of sustained attention during activities, not seeming to listen when spoken to, not following instructions or finishing tasks, not being able to organize work, avoiding sustained mental effort, losing things necessary to a task, and being generally forgetful.

Further, ADD and ADHD are almost surely related to excess dopamine, which is associated with impulsivity and high risk taking rather than the opposite strategy of “do it once and do it right” associated with high sensitivity (and probably serotonin levels).

Generally, the sensitive person will eventually establish priorities and finish some projects, letting others go. In addition, both might complain of being scattered or overwhelmed, but upon inquiring about their “to do” list, the ADD person’s will be much longer—if there even is a list! The sensitive person’s will be a normal length or even shorter than normal. The source of a sensitive person’s distress will be the desire to have everything done.

There is more blood flow to the right side of the brain in most HSCs, more to the left in those with ADD. Children with ADD probably have very active go-for-it systems and relatively inactive pause-to-check systems.

ADD is a disorder because it indicates a general lack of adequate “executive functions,” such as decision making, focusing, and reflecting on outcomes. 

Children with ADD find it very difficult to learn to prioritize, to return their attention to what they are doing once they have glanced outside or know the teacher is not talking to them personally.

Guilt, shame and self-judgment are commonly heard in interviews of adults with attention deficit disorder. While features of many other chronic and troubled psychological states, such as depression, for example, low self-esteem and merciless self-criticism are so much part of the ADD personality that it would be difficult to know where ADD ends and low self-esteem begins.

Self-esteem does require a degree of self-regulation, which the neurophysiology of ADD sabotages.