#neurodiversity — Public Fediverse posts
Live and recent posts from across the Fediverse tagged #neurodiversity, aggregated by home.social.
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Rest is more than sleeping. Anything that gives you energy counts as restorative.
Here are more than 80 ideas of activities from real Autistics, to feel good, so you have the energy to cope when things happen that are more challenging to deal with: https://www.autismchrysalis.com/restorative-activities-autistics/
#ActuallyAutistic #Autistic #Neurodiversity #BurnoutRecovery
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Rest is more than sleeping. Anything that gives you energy counts as restorative.
Here are more than 80 ideas of activities from real Autistics, to feel good, so you have the energy to cope when things happen that are more challenging to deal with: https://www.autismchrysalis.com/restorative-activities-autistics/
#ActuallyAutistic #Autistic #Neurodiversity #BurnoutRecovery
-
Rest is more than sleeping. Anything that gives you energy counts as restorative.
Here are more than 80 ideas of activities from real Autistics, to feel good, so you have the energy to cope when things happen that are more challenging to deal with: https://www.autismchrysalis.com/restorative-activities-autistics/
#ActuallyAutistic #Autistic #Neurodiversity #BurnoutRecovery
-
Rest is more than sleeping. Anything that gives you energy counts as restorative.
Here are more than 80 ideas of activities from real Autistics, to feel good, so you have the energy to cope when things happen that are more challenging to deal with: https://www.autismchrysalis.com/restorative-activities-autistics/
#ActuallyAutistic #Autistic #Neurodiversity #BurnoutRecovery
-
Rest is more than sleeping. Anything that gives you energy counts as restorative.
Here are more than 80 ideas of activities from real Autistics, to feel good, so you have the energy to cope when things happen that are more challenging to deal with: https://www.autismchrysalis.com/restorative-activities-autistics/
#ActuallyAutistic #Autistic #Neurodiversity #BurnoutRecovery
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Every time you shed a bit more ableist-NT baggage from the CAN’T world, (the C̲apitalist, C̲olonized, A̲bleist, N̲eurotypical, and T̲raumatized world), you’ll get a bit of your energy back, and can transfer that to building your PLAN world (a p̲ositive l̲ife for your a̲utism and n̲eurodivergence).
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Every time you shed a bit more ableist-NT baggage from the CAN’T world, (the C̲apitalist, C̲olonized, A̲bleist, N̲eurotypical, and T̲raumatized world), you’ll get a bit of your energy back, and can transfer that to building your PLAN world (a p̲ositive l̲ife for your a̲utism and n̲eurodivergence).
-
Every time you shed a bit more ableist-NT baggage from the CAN’T world, (the C̲apitalist, C̲olonized, A̲bleist, N̲eurotypical, and T̲raumatized world), you’ll get a bit of your energy back, and can transfer that to building your PLAN world (a p̲ositive l̲ife for your a̲utism and n̲eurodivergence).
-
Every time you shed a bit more ableist-NT baggage from the CAN’T world, (the C̲apitalist, C̲olonized, A̲bleist, N̲eurotypical, and T̲raumatized world), you’ll get a bit of your energy back, and can transfer that to building your PLAN world (a p̲ositive l̲ife for your a̲utism and n̲eurodivergence).
-
Every time you shed a bit more ableist-NT baggage from the CAN’T world, (the C̲apitalist, C̲olonized, A̲bleist, N̲eurotypical, and T̲raumatized world), you’ll get a bit of your energy back, and can transfer that to building your PLAN world (a p̲ositive l̲ife for your a̲utism and n̲eurodivergence).
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Holly Fowler was a radio host in Melbourne. Then she built Wable, an app for neurodivergent people to find dates, friends and inclusive jobs. Hear her story on my AXSChat podcast. #neurodiversity https://buff.ly/sY4ZFpO
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Holly Fowler was a radio host in Melbourne. Then she built Wable, an app for neurodivergent people to find dates, friends and inclusive jobs. Hear her story on my AXSChat podcast. #neurodiversity https://buff.ly/sY4ZFpO
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Holly Fowler was a radio host in Melbourne. Then she built Wable, an app for neurodivergent people to find dates, friends and inclusive jobs. Hear her story on my AXSChat podcast. #neurodiversity https://buff.ly/sY4ZFpO
-
Holly Fowler was a radio host in Melbourne. Then she built Wable, an app for neurodivergent people to find dates, friends and inclusive jobs. Hear her story on my AXSChat podcast. #neurodiversity https://buff.ly/sY4ZFpO
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Holly Fowler was a radio host in Melbourne. Then she built Wable, an app for neurodivergent people to find dates, friends and inclusive jobs. Hear her story on my AXSChat podcast. #neurodiversity https://buff.ly/sY4ZFpO
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When neurodivergence goes unrecognized for a long time, many people experience repeated burnout. Our conversations offer a safe, compassionate space to feel understood, reconnect with yourself, and begin to heal. More information see link in bio.
✨
#mentalhealth
#ADHD #AuDHD #Neurodiversity
#Work #Family #Leadership #Burnout -
When neurodivergence goes unrecognized for a long time, many people experience repeated burnout. Our conversations offer a safe, compassionate space to feel understood, reconnect with yourself, and begin to heal. More information see link in bio.
✨
#mentalhealth
#ADHD #AuDHD #Neurodiversity
#Work #Family #Leadership #Burnout -
When neurodivergence goes unrecognized for a long time, many people experience repeated burnout. Our conversations offer a safe, compassionate space to feel understood, reconnect with yourself, and begin to heal. More information see link in bio.
✨
#mentalhealth
#ADHD #AuDHD #Neurodiversity
#Work #Family #Leadership #Burnout -
When neurodivergence goes unrecognized for a long time, many people experience repeated burnout. Our conversations offer a safe, compassionate space to feel understood, reconnect with yourself, and begin to heal. More information see link in bio.
✨
#mentalhealth
#ADHD #AuDHD #Neurodiversity
#Work #Family #Leadership #Burnout -
When neurodivergence goes unrecognized for a long time, many people experience repeated burnout. Our conversations offer a safe, compassionate space to feel understood, reconnect with yourself, and begin to heal. More information see link in bio.
✨
#mentalhealth
#ADHD #AuDHD #Neurodiversity
#Work #Family #Leadership #Burnout -
#ADHD friends, check out the ADDitude newsletter. Their website is full of useful articles and resources, too
▪ ADHD & Medical Gaslighting
▪ “I Work Better Under Pressure”
▪ Out of Sight, Out of Mind: Solving This Problem -
#ADHD friends, check out the ADDitude newsletter. Their website is full of useful articles and resources, too
▪ ADHD & Medical Gaslighting
▪ “I Work Better Under Pressure”
▪ Out of Sight, Out of Mind: Solving This Problem -
#ADHD friends, check out the ADDitude newsletter. Their website is full of useful articles and resources, too
▪ ADHD & Medical Gaslighting
▪ “I Work Better Under Pressure”
▪ Out of Sight, Out of Mind: Solving This Problem -
#ADHD friends, check out the ADDitude newsletter. Their website is full of useful articles and resources, too
▪ ADHD & Medical Gaslighting
▪ “I Work Better Under Pressure”
▪ Out of Sight, Out of Mind: Solving This Problem -
#ADHD friends, check out the ADDitude newsletter. Their website is full of useful articles and resources, too
▪ ADHD & Medical Gaslighting
▪ “I Work Better Under Pressure”
▪ Out of Sight, Out of Mind: Solving This Problem -
Some #poems about both the pernicious and also a piano player #poetry
https://www.patreon.com/RobinInce/posts/poems-for-under-170887725 #cornell #gaslighting #adhd #autism #neurodiversity #neurodivergence #womensrights
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Some #poems about both the pernicious and also a piano player #poetry
https://www.patreon.com/RobinInce/posts/poems-for-under-170887725 #cornell #gaslighting #adhd #autism #neurodiversity #neurodivergence #womensrights
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Some #poems about both the pernicious and also a piano player #poetry
https://www.patreon.com/RobinInce/posts/poems-for-under-170887725 #cornell #gaslighting #adhd #autism #neurodiversity #neurodivergence #womensrights
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Some #poems about both the pernicious and also a piano player #poetry
https://www.patreon.com/RobinInce/posts/poems-for-under-170887725 #cornell #gaslighting #adhd #autism #neurodiversity #neurodivergence #womensrights
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Some #poems about both the pernicious and also a piano player #poetry
https://www.patreon.com/RobinInce/posts/poems-for-under-170887725 #cornell #gaslighting #adhd #autism #neurodiversity #neurodivergence #womensrights
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https://www.europesays.com/ie/711304/ You might be interested in…Autism #ADHD #Autism #DrRayO’Connor #Éire #Health #IE #Ireland #neurodivergence #Neurodiversity #YouMightBeInterestedIn
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AuDHD folks, what does 𝙨𝙪𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙚 𝙨𝙪𝙘𝙘𝙚𝙨𝙨 actually look and feel like for you (sensory and neurodivergent needs factored in)?
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AuDHD folks, what does 𝙨𝙪𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙚 𝙨𝙪𝙘𝙘𝙚𝙨𝙨 actually look and feel like for you (sensory and neurodivergent needs factored in)?
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AuDHD folks, what does 𝙨𝙪𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙚 𝙨𝙪𝙘𝙘𝙚𝙨𝙨 actually look and feel like for you (sensory and neurodivergent needs factored in)?
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AuDHD folks, what does 𝙨𝙪𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙚 𝙨𝙪𝙘𝙘𝙚𝙨𝙨 actually look and feel like for you (sensory and neurodivergent needs factored in)?
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AuDHD folks, what does 𝙨𝙪𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙚 𝙨𝙪𝙘𝙘𝙚𝙨𝙨 actually look and feel like for you (sensory and neurodivergent needs factored in)?
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DATE: September 28, 2026 at 09:00AM
SOURCE: PSYPOST.ORG** Research quality varies widely from fantastic to small exploratory studies. Please check research methods when conclusions are very important to you. **
-------------------------------------------------TITLE: How adults feel about their ADHD depends heavily on their specific symptoms
URL: https://www.psypost.org/how-adults-feel-about-their-adhd-depends-heavily-on-their-specific-symptoms/
A new study published in the Journal of Attention Disorders suggests that how adults feel about their attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder depends on their specific symptoms. Researchers found that individuals with higher levels of hyperactive and impulsive symptoms tend to view their condition more positively, while those with primarily inattentive symptoms are less likely to see their diagnosis as an advantage. These findings highlight the diverse ways people experience and interpret their neurodevelopmental differences.
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, commonly known as ADHD, is a condition that begins in childhood and often continues into adulthood. The diagnosis is based on two main categories of symptoms. The first is inattention, which involves difficulty focusing, sustaining attention, or staying organized. The second category is hyperactivity and impulsivity, characterized by excessive physical movement, restlessness, or acting without thinking. For many years, medical and psychological research focused heavily on the negative impacts of these symptoms, such as difficulties in school, struggles with emotional regulation, and challenges in relationships.
Recently, the rise of the neurodiversity movement has encouraged scientists to look at the other side of the coin. Earlier qualitative studies gathered personal stories showing that people with ADHD often identify real strengths and silver linings in their condition. For example, a study covered by PsyPost in 2025 found that adults diagnosed with ADHD reported experiencing notable personal strengths, identifying positive themes like high energy, unconventional thinking, and a drive for novelty. Similarly, a 2018 interview-based study revealed that many adults with ADHD identify distinct personal strengths and resilience linked directly to their diagnosis.
This qualitative foundation sparked recent efforts to study these positives numerically. A 2024 study took early steps to measure these strengths, finding that people with more ADHD traits in the general population also scored higher on traits like cognitive flexibility and sensory processing sensitivity. The new research, led by Gili Katabi of Tel-Aviv University, builds on this momentum by creating a formal scale to measure positive attitudes toward ADHD. The authors wanted to test whether these positive feelings depend on whether someone’s symptoms are mostly hyperactive or mostly inattentive.
To explore this, the researchers developed the Positive Attitudes Toward ADHD Scale. This questionnaire was designed to capture how individuals perceive the positive aspects of their own condition, based on themes from previous interviews like creativity, dynamic energy, and resilience. Participants rated their agreement with various statements on a five-point scale. The team then recruited three distinct groups of adults with ADHD to test the scale and see how scores related to symptom types.
The first sample included 84 young adults in Israel with formal ADHD diagnoses who completed the questionnaires in a laboratory setting. This initial group helped the researchers confirm that the new scale was reliable and captured a wide range of attitudes. The second sample involved 125 adults in Israel who also participated in the lab. For this group, the researchers conducted structured clinical interviews by phone to verify that the participants still met the criteria for ADHD at the time of testing, while excluding those with heavy alcohol or cannabis use.
The third sample was an online group of 126 English-speaking adults residing in 24 different countries. These participants provided detailed written information about their diagnosis and treatment history to confirm their status. Across all three groups, participants filled out the new attitude scale alongside a widely used checklist that measures the frequency of their inattentive and hyperactive/impulsive symptoms over the past six months.
When analyzing the results, the researchers found that more frequent ADHD symptoms overall were associated with more favorable attitudes toward the condition. However, breaking the symptoms down into the two main categories painted a more detailed picture. Across all three samples, a higher frequency of hyperactive and impulsive symptoms strongly predicted more positive attitudes toward having ADHD.
In contrast, inattention symptoms showed a very different pattern. Higher levels of inattention tended to associate with less positive attitudes toward the condition, though this negative association was not statistically significant across every sample. The researchers also ran a follow-up test with 35 participants from the second sample to measure their general life satisfaction. They found that the link between hyperactive symptoms and positive attitudes remained distinct, indicating that the new scale was capturing specific feelings about ADHD rather than just a generally happy outlook on life.
The findings are in line with research covered by PsyPost in 2024, which found that young adult hyperactivity and impulsivity predicted higher relationship and job satisfaction later in life. Together, this body of research suggests that the physical and mental energy associated with hyperactivity might foster traits like curiosity and enthusiasm that people learn to appreciate over time.
There are a few things to keep in mind about these findings. The new scale relies entirely on self-reporting, meaning it captures how people feel about their own condition, not objective measurements of their abilities. Endorsing statements about creativity or flexibility does not necessarily mean a person would score higher on a behavioral test of divergent thinking. The study focuses on subjective opinions, which are important for understanding self-esteem and coping, but are separate from observable advantages.
Another detail to consider is the potential for reporting biases based on how society views different symptoms. Hyperactive and impulsive traits might be easier to reframe in a positive light, such as viewing restlessness as boundless energy. Inattentive traits, like spacing out or forgetting things, might feel less socially acceptable and harder to spin positively. Additionally, the researchers noted that their scale did not include questions about hyperfocus, a common experience where people with ADHD become intensely absorbed in tasks they find interesting, which might have skewed the results away from the inattentive dimension.
Future studies could incorporate reports from friends or family members to provide a more rounded view of how these traits manifest in daily life. Scientists might also test whether these contrasting attitudes exist in children and adolescents, or if they are unique to adults who have had more time to adapt to their neurodevelopmental differences.
The study, “ADHD Individuals’ Positivity About Their Condition Varies by Their Levels of Hyperactivity/Impulsivity Versus Inattention Symptoms,” was authored by Gili Katabi, Merav Huss, Steve Lukito, Tycho J. Dekkers, Edmund Sonuga-Barke, and Nitzan Shahar.
URL: https://www.psypost.org/how-adults-feel-about-their-adhd-depends-heavily-on-their-specific-symptoms/
-------------------------------------------------
Private, vetted email list for mental health professionals: https://www.clinicians-exchange.org
Unofficial Psychology Today Xitter to toot feed at Psych Today Unofficial Bot @PTUnofficialBot
-------------------------------------------------
#psychology #counseling #socialwork #psychotherapy @psychotherapist @psychotherapists @psychology @socialpsych @socialwork @psychiatry #mentalhealth #psychiatry #healthcare #depression #psychotherapist #ADHD #HyperactivityImpulsivity #Inattention #ADHDPositivity #Neurodiversity #ADHDSymptoms #MentalHealthResearch #AttentionDisorders #PositiveAttitudesADHD #AdultADHD
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DATE: September 28, 2026 at 09:00AM
SOURCE: PSYPOST.ORG** Research quality varies widely from fantastic to small exploratory studies. Please check research methods when conclusions are very important to you. **
-------------------------------------------------TITLE: How adults feel about their ADHD depends heavily on their specific symptoms
URL: https://www.psypost.org/how-adults-feel-about-their-adhd-depends-heavily-on-their-specific-symptoms/
A new study published in the Journal of Attention Disorders suggests that how adults feel about their attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder depends on their specific symptoms. Researchers found that individuals with higher levels of hyperactive and impulsive symptoms tend to view their condition more positively, while those with primarily inattentive symptoms are less likely to see their diagnosis as an advantage. These findings highlight the diverse ways people experience and interpret their neurodevelopmental differences.
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, commonly known as ADHD, is a condition that begins in childhood and often continues into adulthood. The diagnosis is based on two main categories of symptoms. The first is inattention, which involves difficulty focusing, sustaining attention, or staying organized. The second category is hyperactivity and impulsivity, characterized by excessive physical movement, restlessness, or acting without thinking. For many years, medical and psychological research focused heavily on the negative impacts of these symptoms, such as difficulties in school, struggles with emotional regulation, and challenges in relationships.
Recently, the rise of the neurodiversity movement has encouraged scientists to look at the other side of the coin. Earlier qualitative studies gathered personal stories showing that people with ADHD often identify real strengths and silver linings in their condition. For example, a study covered by PsyPost in 2025 found that adults diagnosed with ADHD reported experiencing notable personal strengths, identifying positive themes like high energy, unconventional thinking, and a drive for novelty. Similarly, a 2018 interview-based study revealed that many adults with ADHD identify distinct personal strengths and resilience linked directly to their diagnosis.
This qualitative foundation sparked recent efforts to study these positives numerically. A 2024 study took early steps to measure these strengths, finding that people with more ADHD traits in the general population also scored higher on traits like cognitive flexibility and sensory processing sensitivity. The new research, led by Gili Katabi of Tel-Aviv University, builds on this momentum by creating a formal scale to measure positive attitudes toward ADHD. The authors wanted to test whether these positive feelings depend on whether someone’s symptoms are mostly hyperactive or mostly inattentive.
To explore this, the researchers developed the Positive Attitudes Toward ADHD Scale. This questionnaire was designed to capture how individuals perceive the positive aspects of their own condition, based on themes from previous interviews like creativity, dynamic energy, and resilience. Participants rated their agreement with various statements on a five-point scale. The team then recruited three distinct groups of adults with ADHD to test the scale and see how scores related to symptom types.
The first sample included 84 young adults in Israel with formal ADHD diagnoses who completed the questionnaires in a laboratory setting. This initial group helped the researchers confirm that the new scale was reliable and captured a wide range of attitudes. The second sample involved 125 adults in Israel who also participated in the lab. For this group, the researchers conducted structured clinical interviews by phone to verify that the participants still met the criteria for ADHD at the time of testing, while excluding those with heavy alcohol or cannabis use.
The third sample was an online group of 126 English-speaking adults residing in 24 different countries. These participants provided detailed written information about their diagnosis and treatment history to confirm their status. Across all three groups, participants filled out the new attitude scale alongside a widely used checklist that measures the frequency of their inattentive and hyperactive/impulsive symptoms over the past six months.
When analyzing the results, the researchers found that more frequent ADHD symptoms overall were associated with more favorable attitudes toward the condition. However, breaking the symptoms down into the two main categories painted a more detailed picture. Across all three samples, a higher frequency of hyperactive and impulsive symptoms strongly predicted more positive attitudes toward having ADHD.
In contrast, inattention symptoms showed a very different pattern. Higher levels of inattention tended to associate with less positive attitudes toward the condition, though this negative association was not statistically significant across every sample. The researchers also ran a follow-up test with 35 participants from the second sample to measure their general life satisfaction. They found that the link between hyperactive symptoms and positive attitudes remained distinct, indicating that the new scale was capturing specific feelings about ADHD rather than just a generally happy outlook on life.
The findings are in line with research covered by PsyPost in 2024, which found that young adult hyperactivity and impulsivity predicted higher relationship and job satisfaction later in life. Together, this body of research suggests that the physical and mental energy associated with hyperactivity might foster traits like curiosity and enthusiasm that people learn to appreciate over time.
There are a few things to keep in mind about these findings. The new scale relies entirely on self-reporting, meaning it captures how people feel about their own condition, not objective measurements of their abilities. Endorsing statements about creativity or flexibility does not necessarily mean a person would score higher on a behavioral test of divergent thinking. The study focuses on subjective opinions, which are important for understanding self-esteem and coping, but are separate from observable advantages.
Another detail to consider is the potential for reporting biases based on how society views different symptoms. Hyperactive and impulsive traits might be easier to reframe in a positive light, such as viewing restlessness as boundless energy. Inattentive traits, like spacing out or forgetting things, might feel less socially acceptable and harder to spin positively. Additionally, the researchers noted that their scale did not include questions about hyperfocus, a common experience where people with ADHD become intensely absorbed in tasks they find interesting, which might have skewed the results away from the inattentive dimension.
Future studies could incorporate reports from friends or family members to provide a more rounded view of how these traits manifest in daily life. Scientists might also test whether these contrasting attitudes exist in children and adolescents, or if they are unique to adults who have had more time to adapt to their neurodevelopmental differences.
The study, “ADHD Individuals’ Positivity About Their Condition Varies by Their Levels of Hyperactivity/Impulsivity Versus Inattention Symptoms,” was authored by Gili Katabi, Merav Huss, Steve Lukito, Tycho J. Dekkers, Edmund Sonuga-Barke, and Nitzan Shahar.
URL: https://www.psypost.org/how-adults-feel-about-their-adhd-depends-heavily-on-their-specific-symptoms/
-------------------------------------------------
Private, vetted email list for mental health professionals: https://www.clinicians-exchange.org
Unofficial Psychology Today Xitter to toot feed at Psych Today Unofficial Bot @PTUnofficialBot
-------------------------------------------------
#psychology #counseling #socialwork #psychotherapy @psychotherapist @psychotherapists @psychology @socialpsych @socialwork @psychiatry #mentalhealth #psychiatry #healthcare #depression #psychotherapist #ADHD #HyperactivityImpulsivity #Inattention #ADHDPositivity #Neurodiversity #ADHDSymptoms #MentalHealthResearch #AttentionDisorders #PositiveAttitudesADHD #AdultADHD
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DATE: September 28, 2026 at 09:00AM
SOURCE: PSYPOST.ORG** Research quality varies widely from fantastic to small exploratory studies. Please check research methods when conclusions are very important to you. **
-------------------------------------------------TITLE: How adults feel about their ADHD depends heavily on their specific symptoms
URL: https://www.psypost.org/how-adults-feel-about-their-adhd-depends-heavily-on-their-specific-symptoms/
A new study published in the Journal of Attention Disorders suggests that how adults feel about their attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder depends on their specific symptoms. Researchers found that individuals with higher levels of hyperactive and impulsive symptoms tend to view their condition more positively, while those with primarily inattentive symptoms are less likely to see their diagnosis as an advantage. These findings highlight the diverse ways people experience and interpret their neurodevelopmental differences.
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, commonly known as ADHD, is a condition that begins in childhood and often continues into adulthood. The diagnosis is based on two main categories of symptoms. The first is inattention, which involves difficulty focusing, sustaining attention, or staying organized. The second category is hyperactivity and impulsivity, characterized by excessive physical movement, restlessness, or acting without thinking. For many years, medical and psychological research focused heavily on the negative impacts of these symptoms, such as difficulties in school, struggles with emotional regulation, and challenges in relationships.
Recently, the rise of the neurodiversity movement has encouraged scientists to look at the other side of the coin. Earlier qualitative studies gathered personal stories showing that people with ADHD often identify real strengths and silver linings in their condition. For example, a study covered by PsyPost in 2025 found that adults diagnosed with ADHD reported experiencing notable personal strengths, identifying positive themes like high energy, unconventional thinking, and a drive for novelty. Similarly, a 2018 interview-based study revealed that many adults with ADHD identify distinct personal strengths and resilience linked directly to their diagnosis.
This qualitative foundation sparked recent efforts to study these positives numerically. A 2024 study took early steps to measure these strengths, finding that people with more ADHD traits in the general population also scored higher on traits like cognitive flexibility and sensory processing sensitivity. The new research, led by Gili Katabi of Tel-Aviv University, builds on this momentum by creating a formal scale to measure positive attitudes toward ADHD. The authors wanted to test whether these positive feelings depend on whether someone’s symptoms are mostly hyperactive or mostly inattentive.
To explore this, the researchers developed the Positive Attitudes Toward ADHD Scale. This questionnaire was designed to capture how individuals perceive the positive aspects of their own condition, based on themes from previous interviews like creativity, dynamic energy, and resilience. Participants rated their agreement with various statements on a five-point scale. The team then recruited three distinct groups of adults with ADHD to test the scale and see how scores related to symptom types.
The first sample included 84 young adults in Israel with formal ADHD diagnoses who completed the questionnaires in a laboratory setting. This initial group helped the researchers confirm that the new scale was reliable and captured a wide range of attitudes. The second sample involved 125 adults in Israel who also participated in the lab. For this group, the researchers conducted structured clinical interviews by phone to verify that the participants still met the criteria for ADHD at the time of testing, while excluding those with heavy alcohol or cannabis use.
The third sample was an online group of 126 English-speaking adults residing in 24 different countries. These participants provided detailed written information about their diagnosis and treatment history to confirm their status. Across all three groups, participants filled out the new attitude scale alongside a widely used checklist that measures the frequency of their inattentive and hyperactive/impulsive symptoms over the past six months.
When analyzing the results, the researchers found that more frequent ADHD symptoms overall were associated with more favorable attitudes toward the condition. However, breaking the symptoms down into the two main categories painted a more detailed picture. Across all three samples, a higher frequency of hyperactive and impulsive symptoms strongly predicted more positive attitudes toward having ADHD.
In contrast, inattention symptoms showed a very different pattern. Higher levels of inattention tended to associate with less positive attitudes toward the condition, though this negative association was not statistically significant across every sample. The researchers also ran a follow-up test with 35 participants from the second sample to measure their general life satisfaction. They found that the link between hyperactive symptoms and positive attitudes remained distinct, indicating that the new scale was capturing specific feelings about ADHD rather than just a generally happy outlook on life.
The findings are in line with research covered by PsyPost in 2024, which found that young adult hyperactivity and impulsivity predicted higher relationship and job satisfaction later in life. Together, this body of research suggests that the physical and mental energy associated with hyperactivity might foster traits like curiosity and enthusiasm that people learn to appreciate over time.
There are a few things to keep in mind about these findings. The new scale relies entirely on self-reporting, meaning it captures how people feel about their own condition, not objective measurements of their abilities. Endorsing statements about creativity or flexibility does not necessarily mean a person would score higher on a behavioral test of divergent thinking. The study focuses on subjective opinions, which are important for understanding self-esteem and coping, but are separate from observable advantages.
Another detail to consider is the potential for reporting biases based on how society views different symptoms. Hyperactive and impulsive traits might be easier to reframe in a positive light, such as viewing restlessness as boundless energy. Inattentive traits, like spacing out or forgetting things, might feel less socially acceptable and harder to spin positively. Additionally, the researchers noted that their scale did not include questions about hyperfocus, a common experience where people with ADHD become intensely absorbed in tasks they find interesting, which might have skewed the results away from the inattentive dimension.
Future studies could incorporate reports from friends or family members to provide a more rounded view of how these traits manifest in daily life. Scientists might also test whether these contrasting attitudes exist in children and adolescents, or if they are unique to adults who have had more time to adapt to their neurodevelopmental differences.
The study, “ADHD Individuals’ Positivity About Their Condition Varies by Their Levels of Hyperactivity/Impulsivity Versus Inattention Symptoms,” was authored by Gili Katabi, Merav Huss, Steve Lukito, Tycho J. Dekkers, Edmund Sonuga-Barke, and Nitzan Shahar.
URL: https://www.psypost.org/how-adults-feel-about-their-adhd-depends-heavily-on-their-specific-symptoms/
-------------------------------------------------
Private, vetted email list for mental health professionals: https://www.clinicians-exchange.org
Unofficial Psychology Today Xitter to toot feed at Psych Today Unofficial Bot @PTUnofficialBot
-------------------------------------------------
#psychology #counseling #socialwork #psychotherapy @psychotherapist @psychotherapists @psychology @socialpsych @socialwork @psychiatry #mentalhealth #psychiatry #healthcare #depression #psychotherapist #ADHD #HyperactivityImpulsivity #Inattention #ADHDPositivity #Neurodiversity #ADHDSymptoms #MentalHealthResearch #AttentionDisorders #PositiveAttitudesADHD #AdultADHD
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Does anyone know any good blogposts / articles (or want to explain themself) about how autistic people socialize with each other? And could you share it with me please?
Search engines aren't helping. It's all about stuff like difficulties in interacting with neurotypical people, or the basic concept of the double empathy problem. Not what I'm looking for whatsoever. I want how autistic social interaction actually works. Of course, I'm pretty familiar with it since I do it myself but my goal is to inform others.
#Autism #Autistic #Neurodiversity #Question -
Does anyone know any good blogposts / articles (or want to explain themself) about how autistic people socialize with each other? And could you share it with me please?
Search engines aren't helping. It's all about stuff like difficulties in interacting with neurotypical people, or the basic concept of the double empathy problem. Not what I'm looking for whatsoever. I want how autistic social interaction actually works. Of course, I'm pretty familiar with it since I do it myself but my goal is to inform others.
#Autism #Autistic #Neurodiversity #Question -
Does anyone know any good blogposts / articles (or want to explain themself) about how autistic people socialize with each other? And could you share it with me please?
Search engines aren't helping. It's all about stuff like difficulties in interacting with neurotypical people, or the basic concept of the double empathy problem. Not what I'm looking for whatsoever. I want how autistic social interaction actually works. Of course, I'm pretty familiar with it since I do it myself but my goal is to inform others.
#Autism #Autistic #Neurodiversity #Question -
Does anyone know any good blogposts / articles (or want to explain themself) about how autistic people socialize with each other? And could you share it with me please?
Search engines aren't helping. It's all about stuff like difficulties in interacting with neurotypical people, or the basic concept of the double empathy problem. Not what I'm looking for whatsoever. I want how autistic social interaction actually works. Of course, I'm pretty familiar with it since I do it myself but my goal is to inform others.
#Autism #Autistic #Neurodiversity #Question -
Does anyone know any good blogposts / articles (or want to explain themself) about how autistic people socialize with each other? And could you share it with me please?
Search engines aren't helping. It's all about stuff like difficulties in interacting with neurotypical people, or the basic concept of the double empathy problem. Not what I'm looking for whatsoever. I want how autistic social interaction actually works. Of course, I'm pretty familiar with it since I do it myself but my goal is to inform others.
#Autism #Autistic #Neurodiversity #Question