Differences Between HSPs and ADHD HSPs tend to think before they act, while people with ADHD tend to be a little more impulsive and can act before thinking things through. In calm environments, HSPs can be well-focused. Those with ADHD can have trouble focusing and may even appear bored in calm environments.
Hypersensitivity, also known as being a “highly sensitive person” (HSP), is not a disorder. It is an attribute common in people with ADHD.
High Sensitivity is therefore a form of neurodiversity as the brain is working differently from the expected norm. Just as with other forms of neurodiversity, people with High Sensitivity are more prone to stress as their systems can be overloaded with too much sensory input.
Sensory processing issues are common in neurodevelopmental disorders such as ADHD and autism. The overstimulation of one or all five senses can trigger sensory overload. Learning what triggers sensory overload and making accommodations using sensory-friendly items can help alleviate a meltdown.
While some disorders may benefit from medication, it is important to note that having the trait of Sensory Processing Sensitivity, commonly referred to as the highly sensitive person (HSP), is NOT a disorder. Some common misdiagnoses can be Bipolar, ADHD/ADD, Borderline Personality Disorder, Depression, Anxiety, etc.
A child with ADHD, for example, may display impulsivity in response to an overwhelming environment, but a sensitive child would more likely pause and reflect before taking action. Brain activity also delineates the difference between the two.
The diagnosis of HSP is almost always based on symptoms. Your pediatrician may do blood and urine tests to help rule out other conditions and to check kidney function. There is not a specific blood test to diagnose HSP. An abdominal ultrasound may be done in patients with severe abdominal pain.
Symptoms of overstimulation
Overstimulation typically happens when one or more of your senses is overstimulated. 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.
Symptoms of Sensory Overload in ADHD
Headaches, dizziness, or light-headedness. Feeling ill, faint, or nauseous. Increased anxiety and stress. Irritability and agitation.
Similarly, people with ADHD can also experience 'meltdowns' more commonly than others, which is where emotions build up so extremely that someone acts out, often crying, angering, laughing, yelling and moving all at once, driven by many different emotions at once – this essentially resembles a child tantrum and can ...
Those of us highest on the sensitivity scale have the same challenges around sensory sensitivities and sensory overload as someone on the spectrum of autism. However, if you look at the current diagnostic criteria found in the DSM, there seem to be broad differences in other areas.
HSPs aren't a personality type in and of themselves, but their qualities do overlap with some of the traits that we use in our 16Personalities framework. With those traits, we can determine which personalities are most likely to belong to people who are highly sensitive.
People with ADHD feel emotions more intensely than others do. When they feel happiness and excitement, it makes them more interesting and engaging. But strong emotion has its downside as well. People with ADHD are impulsive.
Why it happens. If you live with ADHD and find that you're more sensitive to criticisms and critiques, then you might be experiencing rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD). RSD is “a near ubiquitous experience for ADHDers,” says Joel Schwartz, PsyD, an ADHD clinical psychologist in San Luis Obispo, California.
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. People with ADHD do think differently though, in a sense.
People with ADHD may also engage in "happy stimming." This type of stimming done to express happiness rather than as a way to improve focus or impulse control.
For many adults living with ADHD, overwhelm can shut them down and keep them from moving forward.
Sight: Harsh or flashing lights may be a trigger for some people. Sound: Many people with ADHD are hypersensitive to auditory stimulants such as multiple simultaneous conversations, loud music, fireworks, or grating noises. For these individuals, such sounds could result in a stress reaction.
A Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) is an individual who perceives and processes sensory information intensely, exhibits profound emotional responses, demonstrates heightened empathy, requires periods of seclusion for relief, and typically avoids distressing situations. According to Dr.
High sensitivity is thought to have genetic roots, and some specific gene variants have been associated with the trait. But early childhood environments may play a role as well; evidence suggests that early experiences may have an epigenetic effect on the genes associated with sensitivity.
Most highly sensitive people display rare strengths in key areas of emotional intelligence, also known as emotional quotient (EQ) — the ability to recognize and understand emotions in themselves and others. These strengths including self-awareness and social-awareness.
There are many reasons why kids with ADHD have meltdowns. They have difficulty managing impulses, so it may be difficult for them to delay their needs or to hear the word “later.” They've yet to learn how to handle these emotions and express them appropriately because they're kids.