The ADHD Iceberg
The tip of an ADHD Iceberg represents the symptoms of ADHD that are recognizable. What lies beneath the water are the unseen symptoms. This much larger piece represents the hidden challenges of ADHD that many people are not aware of.
Here’s an overview of what an ADHD Iceberg might look like:
Above the Surface (Visible/Well-known Symptoms):
Inattention: Difficulty focusing, being easily distracted.
Hyperactivity: Fidgeting, restlessness, and difficulty sitting still.
Impulsivity: Acting without thinking, interrupting conversations, and difficulty waiting turns.
Below the Surface (Hidden/Overlooked Symptoms):
Time Blindness: Difficulty perceiving time, leading to procrastination or rushing at the last minute.
Emotional Dysregulation: Difficulty managing emotions, leading to mood swings, frustration, or irritability.
ADHD Paralysis: Feeling overwhelmed by tasks to the point of being unable to start them.
Hypersensitivity: Extreme emotional sensitivity to perceived criticism or rejection (RSD) or becoming overwhelmed by stimuli such as noises, lights, or textures (Sensory Overload).
Low self-esteem: People with ADHD may feel unable to meet expectations in their work, school, or relationships. This, in combination with discouraging comments and criticism, could lead to lower self-confidence.
Sleep problems: Many ADHDers deal with sleeping problems, such as difficulty falling asleep and waking up frequently in the middle of the night. They may also experience restless sleep, breathing difficulties, nightmares, shorter sleeping times, daytime sleepiness, and anxiousness around bedtime.
Co-existing conditions: Research estimates that up to 80% of adults with ADHD have one or more co-existing mental health issues. Examples include depression, anxiety, mood disorders, and personality disorders.
Weaker executive functioning: Struggles with organization, planning, and completing tasks. Forgetting details, misplacing things, or struggling with working memory.
Lacking motivation: Struggle with finding the motivation to start or complete tasks they’re not interested in.
