ADHD hyperactivity and impulsivity can amp up our often bombastic personalities.
We have a very unique and intense lense that we view the world with so we are often excitable and have intense interests. Our racing thoughts, strong emotion, and intense energy might feel overwhelming to others who aren't used to it.
While these traits can be part of what makes us creative, passionate, and unique, they can also leave us feeling like we don’t quite fit in.
We might feel like we're being "too much" when people say something about us excitedly interrupting, getting loud, or talking a lot or fast.
These can all be attributed back to ADHD symptoms like...
Hyperactivity and high energy that can make us excitedly jump topics
Impulsivity when we jump into a sentence before the other person finishes
Working memory to focus on all the details in maintaining a conversation like our volume & the present topic
Emotional intensity can cause us to feel joy, excitement, frustration, or sadness in ways that are deep and immediate
We can feel extremely rejected when our friends, family, or partner tell us to quiet down or relax! (Even if they do it in the nicest possible way, it can still hurt)
Due to the emotional dysregulation that comes with ADHD, We can seriously take these moments personally to heart and dwell on them for years. After so long, We may begin to believe the negative thoughts that echo in our minds.
Feeling like we’re "too much" can be exhausting. It can make us feel like we need to hide parts of ourselves or constantly adjust to fit into environments that don’t accommodate our natural way of being. This can lead to:
Masking: We may start to "mask" our ADHD traits, suppressing energy, creativity, or spontaneity to fit societal norms. While masking might help us blend in, it can be emotionally exhausting and disconnect us from our authentic selves!
Self-Doubt: Feeling like we’re "too much" can erode our confidence over time. We might start doubting our abilities, questioning whether we’re truly likable, or wondering if our energy is a burden on those around us.
Loneliness & Isolation: If we constantly feel misunderstood or rejected, we might isolate or withdraw from social situations, further deepening the sense of being out of place.
If you're an ADHDer that often feels like you're "too much", consider the following...
I'M NOT BAD FOR BEING IMPULSIVE We can easily fall into a mindset of believing that we're inherently bad for repeatedly interrupting or saying things we shouldn't. Impulsive reactions do not define who we are: How we follow it up does.
POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT Don’t be afraid to ask: "Do you think I’m ‘too much’?" Positive reinforcement is often tremendously helpful for ADHD brains in developing a more positive self-mindset.
JUST NOT COMPATIBLE Some personalities just don’t mesh well and that does NOT make you overall annoying or wrong as a person. You cannot force them to feel differently and they cannot make you change who you are.
Master your ADHD symptoms, improve your relationships, and set goals with a confident plan to achieve them with one of our coaches! We'll show you how
Give yourself some love,
Coach Brooke Schnittman
