ADHD and the Nervous System

ADHD and The Nervous System: Going Beyond Behaviors

As a therapist with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder I understand the process of battling my brain on a very personal level. I understand the stigma, the judgement, the thoughts and feelings of “why is this so hard for me when it seems so easy for everyone else?”

Growing up, I only ever heard ADHD discussed in terms of behaviors– being told that I need to focus, pay better attention, stop making small mistakes, remember where I put that random piece of paper someone passively handed me, and that if I just tried harder I could do so much more. As though if I could just find the willpower, everything would be easier. And now, as an adult, and as a therapist, I understand that ADHD is so much more than a behavioral issue, or a choice to not focus. It’s a difference in how our brains function and make sense of the world around us.

How is ADHD connected to our nervous system?

The nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord, and a complex network of nerves, plays a key role in our processing of information, emotion regulation, stress responses, and impulse control– all of which are affected in ADHD. So let's break down some of the neurological and physiological differences that can be found between those who are neurotypical and those who are neurodiverse.

Challenges with Executive Function:

    Executive function involves higher-level thinking processes including planning, problem solving, time management, organization, and focus. It’s responsible for our working memory, cognitive flexibility, reasoning, and inhibitory control. The prefrontal cortex is the part of our brain that is primarily responsible for executive function; and in those with ADHD, it may be underactive or out of sync with other parts of the brain.

Dopamine Dysregulation:

    Dopamine and ADHD go hand in hand. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter tied to motivation, pleasure, and reward. In those with ADHD, dopamine levels tend to be lower or used less efficiently. As a result, people with ADHD often seek stimulation or struggle with delayed gratification.

Nervous System Reactivity:

    If you’ve read any of our other blog articles, you’ll see constant reference to our nervous systems, particularly the role of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system. People with ADHD often have a more sensitive and more reactive autonomic nervous system, especially prone to a more activated sympathetic nervous system state– the part of our system responsible for flight or flight. Because of this over activation, people with ADHD may find themselves more sensitive to stress, more easily overwhelmed, or may struggle with regulation following an activating event. As a result, people with ADHD may encounter more emotional outbursts, anxiety and chronic tension.

Sensory Processing and Regulation:

    Taking a look at the nervous system as a whole, one can see how each part of the nervous system may be impacted in individuals with ADHD. Differences in the prefrontal cortex, the thalamus, and dopaminergic systems impact a person’s ability to process sensory information, can lead to challenges with emotion regulation and can increase sensory and emotional sensitivity. When each part of your nervous system is on alert and struggles to differentiate between important sensory information, everything starts to feel more intense.

The ADHD System and Strengths:

    Now before you assume that having ADHD and a nervous system that functions differently is a guarantee for a hard life, let’s take a look at how people with ADHD can benefit from these differences.

Creativity and Problem-Solving

    As previously discussed, those with ADHD utilize parts of their brain differently than their neurotypical peers. As a result, individuals with ADHD have a tendency to make more spontaneous and non-linear connections. Environments that allow for exploration and innovation are ideal for the ADHD brain that is constantly seeking new information and scanning for novelty. This allows individuals to experiment and push boundaries that neurotypical individuals may feel less inclined to pursue.

Hyperfocus

    When people think about ADHD, they tend to immediately think about challenges with attention. And though it is true that individuals with ADHD may struggle to focus on tasks that they find boring or uninteresting, they have a tendency to hyperfocus on activities that capture their attention. During periods of hyperfocus, the ADHD brain allows someone to tap into intense concentration, sometimes at the exclusion of everything else.

    The neural mechanisms that make it challenging to concentrate, are also responsible for the ability to hyperfocus. As discussed before, the ADHD brain is always on the hunt for more dopamine, which means that when something is particularly interesting an individual can become so absorbed in a task that they lose track of any other outside distractions. In this way, hyperfocus can be a powerful tool in careers or hobbies that require deep concentration or creativity.

Resilience and Adaptability

    The ADHD brain is consistently processing new information and working to form new connections, which can foster mental flexibility. This can allow an individual with ADHD to adapt quickly in an ever changing world. Whether it be learning a new skill at work, moving into a new position, picking up a new hobby, or adjusting to a new environment, people with ADHD tend to be resilient, creative, and resourceful.

Empathy and Emotional Sensitivity

    Due to having a highly responsive nervous system, those with ADHD are often sensitive to emotional cues. Though this can sometimes result in increased anxiety and nervous system dysregulation, it also means that individuals may be deeply empathic to the feelings of others. Their sensitivity to all emotions can lead to greater emotional intelligence and an increased ability to connect with others on a deeply emotional level, making them wonderful friends and partners who are emotionally aligned with the needs of those around them.

ADHD: A Deeper Understanding

    ADHD is complex and under discussed in the ways that the nervous system is impacted. Despite posing challenges with attention, nervous system regulation, and dopamine utilization, it can offer advantages regarding creativity, resiliency, empathy, and curiosity. By understanding the critical role the nervous system plays in ADHD, there’s a greater capacity to learn, accept and adapt in order to allow the ADHD brain to succeed and be understood.