Understimulation is when there is not enough sensory input or feelings, so the person may stim their own stimulation of their senses. Overstimulation is where there are too many sensory inputs, and the person may stim to control the overwhelmed feeling they have.
Research suggests that people with ADHD produce less dopamine from positive stimulation than neurotypicals1, which can lead to feeling understimulated in situations that others are typically comfortable in.
Here are some possible signs that someone may be understimulated: Lack of interest or enthusiasm in tasks or activities they used to enjoy. Difficulty staying focused or being easily distracted. Sluggishness or lethargy.
If going about your daily life feels more like “existing” than “living”, chances are you're experiencing understimulation. This state occurs when you're feeling uninspired by your surroundings which can lead to boredom, lack of motivation and even depression if prolonged.
“Today's children are often over-stimulated or under-stimulated in early childhood environments... sometimes both at the same time!
Individuals with ADHD tend to seek out intense experiences and find boredom very uncomfortable. They may create stimulation such as fidgeting, laughter, conflict or noise if none is available. People with ADHD may pursue pleasurable rewards as a form of self-medication.
It happens when an ADHDer is hyper-sensitive to the sensory information their brain receives, causing them to experience certain sensations more intensely or longer than normal. This leads to overstimulation and a “fight or flight” response, which may affect how a person functions daily.
Some signs that you might be understimulated include: Lack of motivation. Physical hyperactivity. A sense of unease, making you feel "flat" or irritable.
Bored or under-stimulated ADHD brains may become restless and demand an immediate reward and more stimulation. While you may think your child's fidgeting, noise, laughter, yelling, or conflict-making behaviors are inappropriate and unprovoked, their under-aroused brains, needing stimulation, are demanding it.
What are the symptoms of overstimulation? “Common symptoms of overstimulation include irritability, stress, agitation, insomnia, loss of focus, overwhelming feelings and thoughts, and anxiety,” Hoang says. “It may be difficult to block out or ignore sensory input. One may experience uncomfortable feelings in the body.”
Get stimulated: ADHD minds often feel understimulated which can lead to dropping boring tasks for more exciting ones. Add in a fidget spinner, soothing music, slime, exercise, a podcast or anything that helps you get going. It's perfectly ok to pair activities as long as it helps you move closer to your goal.
Boredom isn't a symptom of ADHD. It's a common result, though. Kids and adults with ADHD need more stimulation than most people. Not having it can lead to behavior that's confusing and challenging.
In contrast to over-stimulation, under-stimulation occurs when there's not enough going on in our environments to keep our attention or keep us interested. In other words, situations that are boring can be anxiety provoking! One common example of under-stimulation is standing in line.
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.
People with ADHD tend to experience life more intensely than others. This means that even if you're hyper-focusing on a certain task or assignment in front of you, you can still have many other thoughts and ideas coursing through your brain. It can feel like there's always a lot going on, which may become overwhelming.
ADHD meltdowns are sudden outbursts of frustration and anger that seem to come out of nowhere. If your child is struggling to control their emotions, there are ways to help them. For children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), impulsivity can present in many ways.
If you have ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), your brain consistently seeks stimulation and you likely crave mental and physical tasks that hold your interest. When you get bored, you might suddenly zone out on the task at hand, fidget, or seek interest elsewhere.
If your child seems hyperactive--fidgety, impulsive, and inattentive--don't automatically assume that they have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Anxiety, depression, learning disorders, physical health, and many other conditions can cause symptoms that look like ADHD but aren't.
People with ADHD have at least one defective gene, the DRD2 gene that makes it difficult for neurons to respond to dopamine, the neurotransmitter that is involved in feelings of pleasure and the regulation of attention.
Some ADHD stimming examples include humming, pacing, teeth grinding, and rocking, though there are many others. Stimming is normal in ADHD, but can be problematic if it disrupts everyday functioning or results in self-harm or injury. Medication, self-control techniques, and environment changes may help.
Stims include humming, tapping, or nail biting unconsciously.
Some people with ADHD often do vocal stimming when they are lost in thought or trying to focus on something. We tend to do this when we are having trouble with our ADHD symptoms, particularly while doing repetitive tasks for long periods. I repeat sounds or words in my head to ease my anxiety.
Executive functions have other roles which affect how someone thinks. In people with ADHD, these executive dysfunctions impact thinking in numerous ways. People with ADHD don't really think faster than people without it, but it can sometimes seem like they do.
Symptoms may include: sensitivity to certain textures, fabrics, clothing tags, or other things that may rub against the skin. unable to hear or focus over background sounds. dislike of certain food flavors or textures.
When we feel like we are constantly unable to do tasks asked of us, it can lead to feelings of anxiety and worthlessness, which can lead to a meltdown, too. Meltdowns may occur when deep breaths and time-outs aren't working and angry outbursts are imminent ? .