Is it ADHD or Trauma? It’s Probably Both
If you have ADHD, you know that living with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) often means navigating a complex web of symptoms and behaviors that can significantly impact your daily life. Living with ADHD is trying to survive in a world that wasn’t made for you. Unfortunately, some of us may not only have ADHD but also Trauma as well and not even know it. ADHD and Trauma symptoms can be so interwoven, it can be easy to miss the role of Trauma in understanding our bodies and systems. If you have Trauma but are just focused on ADHD, you’ll be missing a very important part of your story. Here are a few ADHD symptoms that can be Trauma related.
Trauma related ADHD Symptoms
1. Emotional Dysregulation
Emotional dysregulation is a hallmark symptom of ADHD, but it can also be a response to trauma. People with ADHD often experience intense emotions, which can fluctuate rapidly and be difficult to control. Those of us with ADHD have smaller anterior cingulate cortexes, which is responsible for regulating and managing our emotions. It makes sense that, due to our brain neurology, that people with ADHD can struggle with emotional regulation. However, this heightened emotional state can be exacerbated by traumatic experiences, which then leads to an even more pronounced emotional reaction. Trauma can make it harder for us to manage our emotions, as Trauma often alters the brain’s stress response system. The amygdala, which is responsible for processing emotions, can become hyperactive. If the amygdala is in overdrive (from Trauma) and the anterior cingulate cortex is not as robust (from ADHD), it makes emotional regulation especially difficult for those of us with ADHD and Trauma.
2. Hypervigilance
Hypervigilance, or the state of being constantly on alert, is a common symptom for those with both Trauma and ADHD. Individuals with ADHD often exhibit symptoms of hyperactivity and restlessness, but when these behaviors are paired with a history of Trauma, they can also manifest as hypervigilance. Hypervigilence is the body’s strategy of protecting itself from any threats in the environment, which is often a survival mechanism that becomes ingrained in our bodies after traumatic experiences. For someone with ADHD and Trauma, this hypervigilance can look like an inability to relax or an exaggerated startle response. You might be easily distracted, not just by external stimuli, but also by an internal sense of impending danger.
3. Avoidance Behaviors
Avoidance is a very common coping mechanism for dealing with Trauma, but it can also be a manifestation of ADHD. Avoidance can stem from a desire to escape situations that trigger traumatic memories or emotions. This can lead to a cycle of avoidance and guilt, where the we feel ashamed of our inability to complete tasks, further impacting our self esteem and mental health. Generally, Trauma and ADHD motivated avoidance behaviors can present as procrastination, a tendency to evade certain tasks or situations, or an unwillingness to confront uncomfortable emotions. For those with ADHD, these behaviors can be misattributed to distractibility or a lack of motivation. While it might be easy to dismiss these avoidance behaviors as a lack of motivation, doing so misses the painful part that may be driving the avoidance, a part that may be rooted in a deeper, trauma-related fear. Recognizing the role of trauma in these behaviors can help tailor therapeutic interventions to address both the avoidance and the underlying trauma.
4. Dissociation
Dissociation, or the feeling of being detached from oneself or reality, is a trauma response that can be particularly confusing for those of us with ADHD. This response can manifest as daydreaming, zoning out, or feeling disconnected from the present moment. While daydreaming and inattentiveness are common ADHD symptoms, dissociation is more severe and can be a coping mechanism for dealing with traumatic experiences. For someone with ADHD, dissociation can be mistaken for simply having a wandering mind. However, the key difference lies in the purpose of the dissociation: it's a way to escape from painful memories or emotions. Recognizing dissociation as a trauma response rather than just an ADHD symptom is an important first step for us to recognize that there may be Trauma parts of us that need our care, compassion, and attention.
5. Perfectionism
Perfectionism might seem like an unlikely companion to ADHD, which is often societally characterized by disorganization and impulsivity. However, Perfectionism can be a Trauma response, particularly for those of us with ADHD who strive to overcompensate for our perceived shortcomings. If you have ADHD, you probably have experienced a lifetime of being told by society that you are not performing ‘quite right’. To compensate for this insidiously traumatic experience, we may develop a Perfectionist Part, driven by a fear of failure, rejection, or criticism.
For people with ADHD, Perfectionism can manifest as an intense need to get things "just right," leading to procrastination, anxiety, and decision paralysis. We might spend excessive amounts of time on tasks, trying to ensure everything is perfect. to avoid any potential negative outcomes. This Perfectionism can be debilitating, as it often results in burnout and a sense of never being good enough. Understanding the Trauma roots of Perfectionism can help us access compassion towards ourselves when we get stuck in a loop of ‘I’m not good enough’.
What To Do about the Intersection of ADHD and Trauma
Understanding the interplay between ADHD and Trauma is crucial, but it’s only the first step. It’s essential to recognize that these conditions can exacerbate each other, creating a cycle that can be challenging to break. Here are some next strategies in addressing the intersection of ADHD and Trauma:
Holistic Assessment: A comprehensive evaluation that considers both ADHD and trauma history can help identify the overlapping symptoms and their root causes.
Integrated Therapy: Our mental health does not exist in silos. There’s no ‘ADHD Silo’ and ‘Trauma Silo’ - they all interact with each other, and it’s imperative to work with a therapeutic approach that embraces that.
Mindfulness Practices: Mindfulness and meditation can help people with ADHD and Trauma to become more aware of our emotional and physical responses. Knowledge is half the battle - once you are more aware, you are that much better equipped to manage these symptoms.
Medication Management: In some cases, medication can help manage ADHD symptoms, which in turn can reduce the intensity of trauma responses. It's important to work with a healthcare provider to find the right balance.
Support Systems: Building a strong support network of friends, family, and professionals can provide the necessary encouragement and assistance to navigate the complexities of ADHD and Trauma.
By acknowledging the relationship between ADHD and Trauma, we can better understand our behaviors and responses, leading the way to more self compassion. If you are curious about how ADHD and Trauma may be influencing your life, please reach out for a free phone consultation.