ADHD Terms and Definitions
ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder)
A neurodevelopmental condition that affects attention, impulsivity, and executive function. It comes in three main presentations: inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive, and combined. ADHD is not a behavior problem or a lack of willpower — it’s how the brain is wired.
Executive Function
A set of mental skills that help with planning, organizing, remembering, prioritizing, regulating emotions, and starting/stopping tasks. Think of it as the brain's "management system" — and in ADHD, it's often glitchy.
Time Blindness
A difficulty perceiving and managing time. People with ADHD often struggle to estimate how long things take, remember deadlines, or feel urgency until something is immediate.
Emotional Dysregulation
Difficulty managing emotional responses. This can look like intense feelings that come on fast, are hard to calm down from, or seem out of proportion — and it’s a common (but often overlooked) part of ADHD.
Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD)
A severe emotional reaction to perceived or actual rejection, criticism, or failure. It can feel physically painful and overwhelming — like a sudden wave of shame or despair.
Hyperfocus
An intense, often involuntary state of focus on something interesting or rewarding. Can lead to hours of productivity or zoning out — often at the expense of other priorities.
Masking
The act of consciously or unconsciously hiding ADHD traits in order to appear more “normal” or acceptable. It’s exhausting and can contribute to burnout and late diagnosis — especially for women, queer folks, and BIPOC.
Body Doubling
A strategy where having someone present while doing a task helps improve focus and follow-through. It’s not about accountability — just having another person there (even virtually) can make things easier to start.
Executive Dysfunction
When the brain struggles with starting, organizing, or completing tasks — even if you want to. It’s not laziness — it’s a breakdown in the brain’s self-management system.
Task Paralysis
Feeling frozen when faced with something you need to do — even something small. It can happen when tasks feel overwhelming, unclear, or emotionally loaded.
Stimming (Self-Stimulatory Behavior)
Repetitive movements or sounds that help regulate emotions, focus, or sensory input. Examples: fidgeting, tapping, pacing, humming. Common in neurodivergent folks, including ADHDers.
Comorbidity
When two or more conditions occur at the same time. ADHD commonly coexists with anxiety, depression, autism, and learning differences.
Dopamine
A neurotransmitter that plays a major role in reward, motivation, focus, and mood. ADHD brains often have lower or irregular dopamine levels, which affects how we prioritize and engage with tasks.
Wall of Awful
The Wall of Awful is the emotional barrier built from repeated failures, especially around tasks that feel overwhelming or historically difficult. Every time we fail or feel shame, guilt, or disappointment — a new “brick” is added to the wall. For people with ADHD, who often experience more failure (especially in school, work, or relationships), that wall can grow big and heavy.
Stimulant
A stimulant is a type of medication commonly used to treat ADHD. It works by increasing levels of certain neurotransmitters (like dopamine and norepinephrine) that help with focus, attention, and impulse control. Examples include Adderall, Vyvanse, and Ritalin. Despite the name, stimulants often have a calming, focusing effect on ADHD brains.
Non-Stimulant
Non-stimulants are another type of ADHD medication that work differently in the brain. They tend to be slower-acting and may be helpful for people who don’t respond well to stimulants or have side effects from them. Examples include Strattera (atomoxetine), Intuniv (guanfacine), and Kapvay (clonidine).
DSM-V
The DSM-V (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition) is the official manual used by mental health professionals in the U.S. to diagnose conditions like ADHD. It lists the symptoms and criteria required for a diagnosis — but it’s not perfect. Many ADHDers, especially women, BIPOC folks, and queer folks, experience symptoms that aren't fully captured by the DSM-V’s behavioral checklist.
Body Doubling
A strategy where a person with ADHD works alongside someone else (virtually or in person) to stay focused and accountable. The presence of another body helps activate attention and reduce distractions.
Sustaining Effort
The ability to stay engaged and persist through a task, especially one that’s boring or long-term. Individuals with ADHD often struggle with maintaining effort once initial motivation fades.
Hyperfixation
A state where a person with ADHD becomes intensely focused on a specific interest or task, often to the exclusion of everything else (e.g., forgetting to eat or sleep). It can be productive but also overwhelming or disruptive.
Working Memory
The mental ability to hold and manipulate information temporarily. People with ADHD often have limited working memory, making it hard to follow multi-step instructions or remember details during conversations.
Self-Regulation
The broad ability to manage attention, behavior, and emotions. ADHD impairs self-regulation, making it difficult to pause, redirect, or reflect before acting.
Emotional Regulation
The capacity to manage and respond to intense emotions appropriately. In ADHD, emotional responses are often more intense and harder to control, leading to outbursts or mood swings.
Mental Flexibility
The ability to shift thoughts and strategies when circumstances change. People with ADHD may get "stuck" in one way of thinking or doing things, making transitions challenging.
Inhibition
The skill of stopping oneself from acting impulsively or inappropriately. ADHD often includes poor inhibitory control, making it hard to resist urges or distractions.
Prioritization
The ability to identify what tasks are most important and to focus on them. ADHD can cause all tasks to feel equally urgent—or equally overwhelming—making prioritizing very difficult.
Time Awareness
The sense of how time is passing and how long tasks take. Often impaired in ADHD, leading to lateness, overcommitment, or time blindness.
Adaptable Thinking
The capacity to change perspective, approach, or problem-solving strategies. ADHD can make flexible thinking harder, especially under stress or when routines are disrupted.
Self-Monitoring
The ability to notice and assess one’s own behavior, performance, or progress in real-time. With ADHD, people may be unaware of mistakes or how they’re being perceived until it's pointed out.
Self-Control
The ability to manage impulses, emotions, and desires in order to meet goals or conform to expectations. This is a central challenge in ADHD and impacts decision-making and long-term success.
Impulsivity
Acting quickly without thinking about the consequences. In ADHD, impulsivity shows up in speech (interrupting), actions (risky behaviors), and decision-making (buying something on a whim).
Hyperactivity
Excessive movement, fidgeting, or inner restlessness. It may appear as bouncing, talking non-stop, tapping, or feeling an internal “motor” that’s hard to turn off. It’s more common in children but still affects many adults with ADHD.