Let’s talk about some little understood symptoms of ADHD. These come straight from some emails I’ve gotten in the past week. People wondering if their behaviors and habits are normal for ADHD adults.
Is This Normal for ADHD or Not Question #1
“My head is constantly full of thoughts. It never stops. Is this normal for ADHD?”
Yes, a constant flow of thoughts is normal for ADHD. My coaching clients report this, and I live it every day, too.
The better ADHD is controlled through medication and self-care like an ADHD-friendly diet, the quieter the brain becomes. Before I had my ADHD well-managed sometimes the thoughts came so fast and furious it was almost painful.
Now, it’s not so bad.
I jokingly call my busy brain Dana Radio. It’s like a radio station playing quietly in the background. Usually not enough to bother me. When I pay attention to it, like I am now, I realize it’s going all the time. Sometimes ‘Dana Radio’ is words like a talk radio station. Often a song is playing in the background. Hopefully a song I like!
So, don’t worry about your noisy thoughts. They’re normal for ADHD. Though they may be a sign you could have better brain care.
Is This Normal for ADHD or Not Question #1
“I can’t sit still. Is it normal for ADHD adults to wiggle all the time?”
Wiggling isn’t just for hyperactive little kids. Adults with ADHD can’t sit still either. We’re just more subtle about it. Even if you have Inattentive Type ADHD you probably jiggle your foot or shift in your chair.
Fidgeting and wiggling is a subtle way of providing that stimulation we constantly seek.
Again, the fidgets get better with medication and good self-care. But I’ve never found that the wiggles completely vanish.
My pattern is to wiggle my foot and shift in my seat. Something is usually moving.
Way before I knew about my ADHD I can remember being very self-conscious in movie theaters. Those were the days before stadium seats. I was the tall woman shifting positions every couple of minutes. That’s calmed over the years as my ADHD is better controlled.
It’s normal for adults with ADHD to fidget and wiggle.
Has this taken away some of the mystery about your ADHD symptoms? Knowing if your behavior or habit is normal for ADHD or not is a useful thing to know.
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I am 48 & take 60mgs of adderal i. The morning & 30mgs in the afternoon & that helps me so much i was off my med. For 8yrs & i got very sick i was put on antidepressants & anxity meds which made me worse finally i got back on the adderal & i cant belive the differance it makes i feel & act like a normal person again its wonderful i just dp not fuction like a normal person without this med. Now i can get my life back in order im a little overwheemed i still struggle everyday with little things like getting orgazied staying orgized being on time & remembering things i hope by reading all your info will help with that. Do you think im doing the right thing
Hi Amy, I am thrilled to hear the Adderall is helping and you finally have your life back. Deciding to take medication is a very personal decision. Now that your brain is working better to support you, you can focus on learning the skills like being organized and being on time. Yes, it sounds like you are doing the right thing for you. I wish you all the best! Dana