A child who retains the Moro reflex will be hypersensitive to outside stimuli, startle easily, and may appear fidgety or restless — symptoms commonly seen in children with ADHD.
Historically, an exaggerated startle reflex has been associated with a variety of psychopathological disorders including “combat neurosis” and posttraumatic stress disorder [PTSD].
Many of us don't realize, though, that alongside the hyperactivity, inattention, and impulsivity, people with ADHD may experience sensitivity to their environment. And this is totally understandable. Although hypersensitivity can be overwhelming, there are ways to successfully treat and manage the symptoms.
Chronic anxiety disorders can also cause a person to startle easily or overreact to stimuli. It may seem like a person's nervous system would be most active at the height of stress. However, the sympathetic system is actually flowing more strongly all the time, possibly in anticipation of stress.
Coping strategies can ease ADHD symptoms like hyperactivity, impulsive urges, and difficulty focusing. Taking exercise breaks and setting timers can help refocus your thoughts if your mind wants to wander.
Differences in emotions in people with ADHD can lead to 'shutdowns', where someone is so overwhelmed with emotions that they space out, may find it hard to speak or move and may struggle to articulate what they are feeling until they can process their emotions.
Title: Hyperekplexia 1 Definition: Hyperekplexia is an early-onset neurologic disorder characterized by an exaggerated startle response to sudden, unexpected auditory or tactile stimuli. Affected individuals have brief episodes of intense, generalized hypertonia in response to stimulation.
These symptoms can be observed in conditions such as anxiety disorder and stress reactions. Being easily startled would also be accompanied by other signs of stress and anxiety. If you are feeling nervousness or jumpiness that worsens or does not improve, talk with your doctor to determine the cause.
Hyperekplexia or hereditary startle disease is a disorder characterized by excessive startle responses provoked by acoustic or tactile stimuli (Zhou et al., 2002). It is also know as stiff-baby or stiff-man syndrome, because generalized stiffness is a particularly evident symptom.
“Challenges with processing emotions start in the brain itself. Sometimes the working memory impairments of ADHD allow a momentary emotion to become too strong, flooding the brain with one intense emotion.” Thomas Brown, Ph. D., explains why (and how) ADHD sparks such intense anger, frustration, and hurt.
It is brought to their attention again, and the vicious cycle continues. The loudness happens more frequently when a person with ADHD is really excited about something.
Mood swings are common in people with ADHD. People with this disorder can be hypersensitive, too. That means sensations, like touch, that may feel normal to another person can feel too intense for someone with ADHD.
Scientists consider acoustic startle reflex an “auditory phenomenon”. Researchers have also determined that the response originates in the brainstem. The severity can depend on how calm a person is prior to encountering loud stimuli.
Hold your baby close to your body as you lower them down into their crib. The more that your baby feels protected, the less likely they will startle. Lay them down as gently as possible. Once you've laid your baby down in their crib, keep your hands placed on their body for a few moments.
In children and adults, intensity of the startle response may be affected by stress or anxiety. Onset of both major and minor forms of hyperekplexia is usually from birth, but in some patients it does not occur until adolescence or adulthood.
Ludewig et al. (2005) reported an increased general startle reactivity in unmedicated patients with panic disorder. Kumari et al. (2001) found that patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder had an enhanced startle reactivity and shorter latency as compared to those measured in healthy individuals.
In animals, including humans, the startle response is a largely unconscious defensive response to sudden or threatening stimuli, such as sudden noise or sharp movement, and is associated with negative affect. Usually the onset of the startle response is a startle reflex reaction.
After a traumatic event or childhood maltreatment, you may be more easily startled and/or the experience of being startled can be more distressing. If you notice yourself getting startled fairly easily but you haven't had a recent traumatic event, then it is possible that you endured a relationally traumatic childhood.
Often, observers may note an exaggerated startle response or “jumpiness” as another potential indicator of PTSD. To see examples of heightened and exaggerated startle responses, check out this Symptom Media video course. Those who have PTSD may not exhibit the same symptoms all of the time.
Reducing your stress as much as possible can reduce nervous system reactivity. Controlled relaxed breathing can calm down the nervous system, making it less reactive. Avoiding simulants can also allow the nervous system to fear down. Getting good sleep can calm an overly reactive nervous system.
Atypical Presentation of ADHD Symptoms
Sleep disturbances (has trouble with sleep initiation, sleep deprived, can't wake up easily, etc.) Weak executive function (poor recall of information, internalizing language, controlling emotions, problem-solving, etc.)
With ADHD, a child or teen may have rapid or impulsive speech, physical restlessness, trouble focusing, irritability, and, sometimes, defiant or oppositional behavior.