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I think there's an important distinction between hyperactive thought and hyperactive outward activity. Most people associate ADHD with the latter when it's real

I think there's an important distinction between hyperactive thought and hyperactive outward activity. Most people associate ADHD with the latter when it's really more about the former, as this essay describes well.

pottertheotter 7y ago
I was diagnosed with ADHD in my 30s because of this. I don't habe hyperactice activity so never thought I could have ADHD. And since I can't see how someone else's brain works, I didn't realize things with me were not normal. It was quite exciting to realize that a lot of things I struggled with could he explained.
- rhombocombus 7y ago
  Same here. My brother has it much worse, and it manifested in him with outward hyperactivity so he got treated and I did not. I got by, but when I finally got into grad school I realized I had a problem that will power couldn't fix.
- dx87 7y ago
  Same for me, got diagnosed in my late 20s after I told my doctor that I was having serious trouble reading and holding conversations. People always thought I was antisocial because I didn't talk much, but it was because I couldn't focus enough to keep up with a conversation.
vonseel 7y ago
Eh, ability to restrain oneself (and keep those hyperactive thoughts internal) comes with age. I don’t think the impulsivity associated with ADHD in children disappears when those children become adults; they just learn to control the outward behaviors. I tend to interrupt people mid-discussion often; I’m guessing it’s related somehow.
- corporate_shi11 7y ago
  That's a good point. I'm reflecting on my own experience as an adult but as a child I was definitely more active than most of my peers. As an adult I've put considerable effort and practice towards controlling myself in social situations.
timw4mail 7y ago
Somewhat pedantic, but ADD and ADHD is a distinction. Both probably have the hyperactive thought, but ADHD is the hyperactive outward activity.
- Mirioron 7y ago
  They're both labeled ADHD nowadays clinically. The ADD you're talking about is called ADHD-PI or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder - Primarily Inattentive.

pottertheotter 7y ago

I was diagnosed with ADHD in my 30s because of this. I don't habe hyperactice activity so never thought I could have ADHD. And since I can't see how someone else's brain works, I didn't realize things with me were not normal. It was quite exciting to realize that a lot of things I struggled with could he explained.

rhombocombus 7y ago
Same here. My brother has it much worse, and it manifested in him with outward hyperactivity so he got treated and I did not. I got by, but when I finally got into grad school I realized I had a problem that will power couldn't fix.
dx87 7y ago
Same for me, got diagnosed in my late 20s after I told my doctor that I was having serious trouble reading and holding conversations. People always thought I was antisocial because I didn't talk much, but it was because I couldn't focus enough to keep up with a conversation.

vonseel 7y ago

Eh, ability to restrain oneself (and keep those hyperactive thoughts internal) comes with age. I don’t think the impulsivity associated with ADHD in children disappears when those children become adults; they just learn to control the outward behaviors. I tend to interrupt people mid-discussion often; I’m guessing it’s related somehow.

corporate_shi11 7y ago
That's a good point. I'm reflecting on my own experience as an adult but as a child I was definitely more active than most of my peers. As an adult I've put considerable effort and practice towards controlling myself in social situations.

timw4mail 7y ago

Somewhat pedantic, but ADD and ADHD is a distinction. Both probably have the hyperactive thought, but ADHD is the hyperactive outward activity.

Mirioron 7y ago
They're both labeled ADHD nowadays clinically. The ADD you're talking about is called ADHD-PI or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder - Primarily Inattentive.