“They Make Me Feel Like a Massive Weirdo:” On ADHD and Impulsive Thoughts
Most people will experience intrusive thoughts — sudden unwanted, negative ideas and images that are usually bizarre and out of character — from time to time.1 Intrusive thoughts come in many forms, and are often tied to other concepts, like the high place phenomenon.2Intrusive thoughts, especially when they’re frequent and cause much distress, are linked to conditions like obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).3 Stress can also trigger intrusive thoughts.4But what about intrusive thoughts in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)?
There isn’t much research on the relationship, though one small exploratory study found that participants with ADHD reported experiencing more intrusive and worrisome thoughts than did the participants without ADHD.5 The conditions tied to intrusive thoughts, furthermore, also tend to co-occur with ADHD.
Interestingly, the distinction between intrusive and impulsive thoughts is sometimes unclear — and a topic of great recent attention.Anecdotally, many ADDitude readers (with ADHD and with complex ADHD) say intrusive thoughts have always been with them — and they are surprised to know that they’re not alone in this regard. “Knowing that other people have them has made me feel so much better about myself,” said one reader.Below, read more* from ADDitude readers on their experiences with unwanted thoughts.
Read more on additudemag.com
