You may already know the major signs of ADHD. But ADHD doesn’t just impact focus and self-control. Here are three surprising skills ADHD can affect.
1. Managing emotions
Emotions can feel more intense with ADHD. They can even get in the way of everyday life. People with ADHD may be quick to get frustrated by seemingly minor things. And they might have trouble calming down when they’re angry or upset.
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2. Getting things done
The ADHD brain makes it hard for people to get organized and get things done. It’s especially hard to get started on tasks they have little or no interest in. This isn’t a matter of willpower. It’s about how ADHD affects brain chemistry.
3. Hyperfocus
ADHD can make it hard to focus. But it can also make it hard for people to stop focusing on something they really enjoy, like playing a video game. ADHD can also make it hard to stop thinking about something that’s worrying them. That’s because ADHD makes it hard to choose what to pay attention to at any given moment. And it can explain why people with ADHD might be so absorbed in something that they don’t notice their name being called loudly.
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About the author
The Understood Team is made up of passionate writers and editors. Many of them have kids who learn and think differently.
Reviewed by
Reviewed by
Elizabeth Harstad, MD, MPH is a developmental-behavioral pediatrician at Boston Children’s Hospital.