Reserve your spot in this free webinar, and get the event replay link plus a 15% discount to ADDitude magazine

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ADHD is not a disorder of willpower; it is a condition of dysregulation. Decades of neurobiological research demonstrate that altered signaling in key neurotransmitter systems — particularly dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin — contribute to the core features of ADHD. These chemical messengers in the brain shape how we focus, prioritize, feel motivated, regulate emotions, and experience reward.

Dopamine is central to motivation, pleasure, reward processing, and goal-directed behavior. When dopamine signaling is adequate, individuals feel calm, satisfied, and capable of sustained engagement. When dopamine tone is reduced or dysregulated, as often observed in ADHD, the brain compensates by seeking novelty, urgency, or high stimulation. This contributes to distractibility, procrastination on mundane tasks, and the pursuit of immediate rewards over long-term goals.

Norepinephrine supports sustained attention, executive functioning, working memory, and impulse control. In the prefrontal cortex, the brain’s executive control center, dopamine and norepinephrine work together to optimize cognitive performance. When these systems are underactive, individuals may experience task initiation difficulties, emotional reactivity, sensory overwhelm, and mental fatigue.

While not traditionally viewed as a “core” ADHD neurotransmitter, serotonin plays a critical modulatory role in mood, sleep, emotional stability, and behavioral inhibition. Serotonergic imbalance can amplify irritability, anxiety, mood swings, impulsivity, and sleep disturbance, complicating the ADHD clinical picture.

In this engaging and scientifically grounded webinar, you will learn:

• About the neurochemical basis for ADHD and understand what is beneath the surface of symptoms
• How ADHD brains differ structurally and functionally from neurotypical brains, including altered activity in the prefrontal cortex, differences in reward circuitry, variations in cortical maturation and connectivity, and dysregulation within the networks that aid cognitive control
• Gain insight into how these neural systems interact dynamically, and how neurotransmitter balance influences real-world behavior
• How excess hormones and neurotransmitters can lead to over arousal, anxiety, and irritability while insufficient signaling affects executive function, procrastination and motivation
• How serotonin modulates emotional regulation, impulsivity, and sleep stability, with clinical examples to illustrate how neurochemical dysregulation translates to everyday functional difficulties

About evidence-based interventions and how they restore brain function, including:

• Stimulant medications that enhance dopamine and norepinephrine signaling
• Traditional non-stimulant treatments that target norepinephrine
• New and novel nonstimulants that modulate serotonin
• Behavioral interventions that leverage reward systems
• Sleep, exercise, and lifestyle strategies that support neurotransmitter balance

Have a question for our expert? There will be an opportunity to post questions for the presenter during the live webinar.

Webinar Sponsor

ADHD isn’t a lack of effort. It’s rooted in differences in how your brain regulates motivation, reward, attention, and emotions. When dopamine and other key brain chemicals fluctuate, it can affect everything from focus and consistency to mood and impulse control. Inflow gets it. Our science-backed program helps you better understand your ADHD brain and apply practical strategies to improve follow-through, emotional balance, and daily functioning. Take the free ADHD traits quiz to get started.

ADDitude thanks our sponsors for supporting our webinars. Sponsorship has no influence on speaker selection or webinar content.

ADHD & Brain Health: Resources

• • • Free Download: Unraveling the Mysteries of Your ADHD Brain
    • Read: ADHD Neuroscience 101
    • Read: Everything You Never Knew About the ADHD Brain
    • Read: Using a Dopamine Menu to Stimulate Your ADHD Brain
      
      

Meet the Expert Speaker

Gregory W. Mattingly, M.D., has been a psychopharmacology Instructor for more than 20 years at The Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri. He earned his medical degree and residency at Washington University, where he received a Fulbright Scholarship. Dr. Mattingly has been a principal investigator in more than 500 clinical trials and his research has been published in numerous national and international journals. He is the CMO for ACCUMIN Neuroscience, a research insights and analytics company. In addition to his clinical and research practice, Dr. Mattingly has worked as a mental health consultant and evaluator for both the National Football League and Major League Baseball. Dr. Mattingly is the Past President for the American Professional Society of ADHD and Related Disorders, serves on the Scientific Program Committee for the World Federation for ADHD and is Co-Chair for the U.S. Psych Congress.

Certificate of Attendance: For information on how to purchase the certificate of attendance option (cost $10), register for the webinar, then look for instructions in the email you’ll receive one hour after it ends. The certificate of attendance link will also be available here, on the webinar replay page, several hours after the live webinar. ADDitude does not offer CEU credits.

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Reserve your spot in this free webinar, and get the event replay link plus a 15% discount to ADDitude magazine

Not available April 2nd? Don’t worry. Register now and we’ll send you the replay link to watch at your convenience.

Emotional distress includes feelings of anxiety, low mood, worry, rumination, and self-criticism. For people with ADHD, as well as those facing chronic stress, it can stem from changes in relationships, work, caregiving demands, health problems, or challenges to life satisfaction. When we feel prolonged uncertainty, our distress can become self-perpetuating. Heightened emotional reactions lead to overthinking and avoidance, which ultimately limit meaningful action and personal growth.

In this webinar, Doug Mennin, Ph.D., introduces ideas aligned with emotion regulation therapy, a research-based approach designed to help people better understand and respond to emotional distress. Rather than trying to erase difficult emotions, this approach focuses on changing how we relate to them so that we can move forward with greater clarity, flexibility, and purpose.

In this webinar, you will:

• Understand emotional distress through a motivation and emotion-regulation lens, including why anxiety and depression often feel so hard to shift
• Recognize common patterns like worry, rumination, and self-criticism that keep distress going
• Build mindful awareness of emotions, body sensations, and internal conflicts without becoming overwhelmed by them
• Develop practical skills to step back from intense thoughts and feelings and see them more clearly
• Use emotion-regulation strategies to support meaningful actions, even when emotions are uncomfortable

Have a question for our expert? There will be an opportunity to post questions for the presenter during the live webinar.

Webinar Sponsor

Emotional dysregulation can make everyday triggers feel bigger and harder to manage. Play Attention, inspired by NASA technology and backed by Tufts University research, strengthens executive function and self regulation so adults can respond with greater calm and control. With a personalized plan and expert coaching, Play Attention supports lasting change. Take our ADHD assessment or schedule a consultation today.

www.playattention.com

ADDitude thanks our sponsors for supporting our webinars. Sponsorship has no influence on speaker selection or webinar content.

Emotional Dysregulation in Adults: Resources

• • • Free Download: Emotional Regulation & Anger Management Scripts
    • Read: Everything You Never Knew About the ADHD Brain
    • Read: Does ADHD Emotional Dysregulation Ever Fade?
    • Read: After the Shame: How to Re-Center Your Bruised Emotions

Meet the Expert Speaker

Doug Mennin, Ph.D., is a Professor of Clinical Psychology and Director of Clinical Training of the Clinical Psychology Ph.D. Program at Teachers College, Columbia University. He earned his Ph.D. from Temple University in 2001 and has previously held positions in the Department of Psychology at New York University, Yale University, and CUNY Hunter College, where he was Co-Director of the Health Psychology and Clinical Science PhD training program. In his academic role, Professor Mennin has trained numerous graduate students and post-baccalaureate research assistants on diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of anxiety and mood disorders. He has published more than 150 articles, chapters, and books and is the developer of Emotion Regulation Therapy (ERT). He regularly leads workshops to help people better understand and respond to their struggles with anxiety, worry, and depression. He currently serves on the editorial board of six journals and has been on the executive boards of the APA Division of Clinical Psychology, the Society for a Science of Clinical Psychology, and is the former Chair of the Scientific Council of the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA).

Certificate of Attendance: For information on how to purchase the certificate of attendance option (cost $10), register for the webinar, then look for instructions in the email you’ll receive one hour after it ends. The certificate of attendance link will also be available here, on the webinar replay page, several hours after the live webinar. ADDitude does not offer CEU credits.

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If RSD has thwarted your networking and job-seeking efforts, take these steps to manage discomfort and reframe your thoughts.

Think Differently About Networking

Sure, networking can feel awkward and embarrassing, especially if you struggle with low self-esteem. Remember that networking is about making connections and providing mutual help, no matter the career stage.

[Free Download: 8 Dream Jobs For Adults with ADHD]

If networking seems daunting, try setting up informational interviews. These one-on-one meetings emphasize learning, not landing a job, and are a casual, low-pressure way to pick someone’s brain, demystify job titles, and practice people skills. (Many professionals are happy to share their expertise.)

Reach out to professionals on LinkedIn or within your circle whose career trajectories interest you. Your college career center can connect you with alumni who will talk with you.

Don’t Take It Personally

If you haven’t landed a job, it’s not because you’re flawed. Perhaps you were up against strong applicants, or maybe your resume or cover letter needs work. Each of these factors can be addressed. Enroll in skill-building courses, carefully review feedback from hiring managers, and enlist help from friends, family, professionals, or your college career center.

Realize that the hiring decision often comes down to fit and not a judgment of your skills, worth, or potential. As you job search, try not to interpret rejection as a personal attack.

[Self-Test: Could You Have Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria?]

Make a Plan

Applying for jobs is time- and effort-intensive. Creating structure will ease overwhelm and fuel persistence.

• Keep a schedule for writing cover letters, updating your resume, searching job boards, building skills, and so on.
• Schedule breaks, exercise, meals, and other activities that keep you regulated — including time off social media, which can trigger unhelpful comparisons.
• Start and end your day with affirmations that reduce RSD.
  • A ‘no’ to my application is not a ‘no’ to my worth.
  • Every step I take builds resilience, no matter the outcome.
  • Not everyone will respond to my informational interview request, and that’s okay. At least I tried.
  • I’m focusing on what’s within my control.
• Try a change of scenery. Take your laptop to a coffee shop.
• Consider body doubling, which may boost accountability.
• Join online communities of fellow neurodivergent job seekers for insights and support.

Always remember that you are more than any job title.

Fear of Rejection in Job Searches: Next Steps from ADDitude

• Free Download: Understanding Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria
• Read: 7 Self-Defeating Behaviors That Aggravate ADHD – and How to Fix Them
• Read: 4 Steps to Claiming the Career You Deserve

Sharon Saline, Psy.D., is a clinical psychologist and the author of several books.

SUPPORT ADDITUDE
Thank you for reading ADDitude. To support our mission of providing ADHD education and support, please consider subscribing. Your readership and support help make our content and outreach possible. Thank you.

Living with a compulsive need to please others and avoid conflict can be emotionally exhausting. With ADHD in the mix, self-esteem and communication skills can also suffer.

To achieve a healthier balance in your relationships, follow these seven steps.

1. Identify Root Causes

People-pleasing behaviors often stem from fear of rejection, low self-esteem, or past experiences in which you felt emotional safety hinged on accommodating others.

Perhaps you felt you had to fulfill your parents’ demands, no matter how unhealthy, or risk harsh punishment and emotional upheaval. Maybe you experienced rejection from your parents, peers, and other adults whose standards felt impossible to reach. A therapist can help you explore and understand the root causes of your people-pleasing behaviors and develop solutions for overcoming them.

[Read: How ADHD Impacts Sex and Marriage]

2. Set Boundaries

Self-respect grows from setting healthy boundaries and prioritizing self-care. This doesn’t mean you care less about your family; it means you care enough about yourself to make sure your needs are being met. Start with minor requests, learn to say no, and express your desires.

3. Speak Up

Have an honest conversation with your husband and family. Express your desire to change, A supportive partner will understand and help you with this transition. Effective communication can also prevent misunderstandings.

4. Reframe Thoughts

Many compulsive people-pleasers harbor negative thoughts and self-criticism. Are your fears based on proven facts or speculation? Cognitive behavioral techniques can be particularly helpful in reframing negative thinking patterns.

[Webinar Replay: Stop People Pleasing! Halting the Cycle of ADHD Self-Doubt, Perfectionism and Procrastination]

5. Practice Assertiveness

Being assertive means expressing your thoughts, feelings, and needs directly and respectfully. This can be challenging if you’re used to avoiding conflict, but there are many books, workshops, and therapies to help you build these skills. Participating in role-playing scenarios with a therapist or trusted friend can also help.

6. Embrace Self-Compassion

Be kind to yourself as you work through these changes. It’s normal to make mistakes and revert to old patterns occasionally. Instead of beating yourself up, acknowledge your progress and remind yourself that change take time.

7. Prioritize Mutual Respect

Healthy relationships are built on mutual respect and understanding. When you and your husband contribute equally to the relationship, it creates a more satisfying partnership and reduces the pressure to constantly please.

Breaking free from the cycle of pleasing people and avoiding conflict is not easy, but with patience, self-awareness, and support, it’s possible.

Stephanie Sarkis, PhD., is the author of Healing from Toxic Relationships: 10 Essential Steps to Recover from Gaslighting, Narcissism, and Emotional Abuse.

SUPPORT ADDITUDE
Thank you for reading ADDitude. To support our mission of providing ADHD education and support, please consider subscribing. Your readership and support help make our content and outreach possible. Thank you.

The sensitive ADHD brain is wired to overreact. Big feelings flood your brain and fill it to capacity, blunting your ability to cope. Co-occurring conditions, like anxiety and mood disorders, may also intensify RSD and further degrade your coping abilities.

Use the following strategies to control your emotions, including RSD, in real time. Remember that key to better regulation is to practice coping skills even in times of calm.

⚡ Free Download! Scripts to Use When Emotionally Dysregulated

1. Turn Down the Volume

When RSD is coming at you fast, slow down those intense emotions — and allow the rational part of your brain to recover — with the following strategies:

• Acknowledge that you’re activated, then look for a healthy distraction; if you’re in a social setting, find a friend who can take your focus off your internal noise.
• If you’re caught off guard, buy yourself time to respond to an offhand remark or question with a canned response like, “That’s interesting. Let me think about it and get back to you.”
• Try a few rounds of triangle breathing; breathe in for four counts, hold it for four counts, exhale for six.
• Think QTIP (“quit taking it personally”). Consider the source — sometimes, a comment is simply a thoughtless one.
• Close your eyes and think of somebody who cares about you. What would they say to you in this moment?

2. Change Your Relationship to Worry

• Adopt a nickname for your worry. Always remember that you are not your worry; you are simply experiencing it. To help you disentangle from worry, treat it like a visitor.
• Talk to the feeling.  Say, “Worry, I understand that you feel like I can’t handle this, but I’ve got it. You can quiet down now.”
• Rejection may be the price of entry. In the interest of self-preservation, RSD might drive you to avoid situations where rejection and criticism are expected, as in the case of learning a new skill or standing up to lead a group. Do your best to look at your “why” when facing these situations. Think, “I’m willing to take a risk and see what happens.”
• You’ve survived it all. You’ve demonstrated resilience every time you survived and succeeded in the face of discomfort, rejection, and failure. Dig through your memory bank for those moments and think of the steps you took then to cope and overcome.

❗ Essential Read: How to Stop Catastrophizing

3. Prioritize Self-Care and Wellbeing

Continue to build your foundational toolkit. Your RSD strategies will work best when your mental health is being treated. Take your prescribed ADHD medication (and meds for other conditions), practice mindfulness, reduce stress, and do more of what you love.

Build satisfying social connections. The loving presence of caring and supportive friends and family is kryptonite to RSD. Surround yourself with like-minded people who accept you unconditionally. When meeting new people, take the pressure off by enjoying connection for connection’s sake. Show genuine curiosity and know that everyone has insecurities.

Redirect your attention to all things good. RSD warps perceptions and can make you feel like there is something fundamentally wrong about you. Tip the scales by noticing positives in yourself and around your life — an exercise both in mindfulness and resilience. Make it a daily habit to think of three good things that happened to you. And instead of catastrophizing, think, “What could go right?”

The content for this article was derived from the ADDitude ADHD Experts webinar titled, “RSD Toolkit: Strategies for Managing Your Sensitivities in Real Time” [Video Replay & Podcast #476] with Sharon Saline, Psy.D. which was broadcast on October 19, 2023.

SUPPORT ADDITUDE
Thank you for reading ADDitude. To support our mission of providing ADHD education and support, please consider subscribing. Your readership and support help make our content and outreach possible. Thank you.

The habit of deliberate mind wandering may help explain heightened creativity in adults with ADHD traits, according to a new observational study presented at the recent European College of Neuropsychopharmacology Congress.¹ The study found that spontaneous, unintentional mind wandering, by contrast, may mediate the association between ADHD traits and functional impairments.

“The study indicates that different subtypes of mind wandering may influence individuals with ADHD in different ways,” the researchers explained in their conference abstract. “By exploring factors linking ADHD with both creativity and functional impairments, our study may open new avenues for fostering strengths and mitigating functional impairments in ADHD.”

Mind Wandering and Divergent Thinking: New Research

The research team conducted two studies, using two different groups of adult patients with ADHD symptoms, and controls, totaling 750 participants. Creativity, mind wandering, ADHD symptoms, and functional impairment were all self-reported and measured using various scales. In the second study, divergent thinking, one type of creative thinking, was assessed through a task that measures fluency, flexibility, and originality.

Divergent thinking refers to the ability to think of many ideas from a single starting point; it is believed to be strong in neurodivergent individuals. Divergent thinking tasks might include inventing creative new uses for everyday objects, or brainstorming new features for an innovative cell phone device. This stands in contrast to convergent thinking, another form of creativity, which is more goal-oriented, and not as commonly associated with ADHD symptoms.

Participants with more pronounced ADHD symptoms also reported higher levels of mind wandering, which the researchers said suggested mind wandering as a possible factor connecting ADHD and creativity.

“Mind wandering is heterogeneous, and can be deliberate or spontaneous,” explained Han Fang, a Ph.D. candidate from the Radboud University Medical Centre in the Netherlands, first author on the study. “Deliberate mind wandering is positive, and spontaneous may be related to impairments. We hope mindfulness can teach people how to capture spontaneous mind wandering and transfer it to deliberate mind wandering.”

Creativity and ADHD: Previous Research

Several studies have explored the complicated relationship between ADHD and creativity, with mixed results. It’s a challenging area of inquiry because there is no single way to measure both creativity and ADHD, and because confounding factors inevitably influence results.

In his review of the existing research on ADHD symptoms and creativity, Russell Barkley, Ph.D., emphasized the importance of noting whether the studies involve participants with ADHD diagnoses or those who self-report ADHD traits.

Generally speaking, studies involving participants with ADHD diagnoses have not found a correlation between an ADHD diagnosis and increased creativity.^{2, 3, 4} However, studies involving participants who report ADHD symptoms or traits, such as disinhibition and mind wandering, have found these traits associated with increased creativity.^{5, 6}

“It depends on how you measure ADHD,” Barkley said in a YouTube video. “And one must be able to control for various confounding factors if we’re going to get any meaningful results.”

One of the key confounding variables is IQ. It’s well-established that higher IQ is correlated with higher levels of creativity and, unless this is controlled for, it’s not possible to discern what effect this variable has on the relationship.

Embracing a Strengths-Based Approach

Regardless of research findings, many within the ADHD community argue that creativity is, indeed, an inarguable strength associated with neurodivergence.

“I think of creativity and ADHD as a Venn diagram,” said Holly White, Ph.D., a cognitive psychologist and faculty member at the University of Michigan, who has researched ADHD and creativity extensively. “There is a whole lot of creativity that has nothing to do with ADHD and a whole lot of ADHD stuff that has nothing to do with creativity, but there is an area where they overlap. Along with a whole lot of limitations, there are some traits and tendencies that tend to be higher in people with ADHD that facilitate a whole lot of good creative stuff.”

In the recent ADDitude webinar “All You Can Be with ADHD: How to Uplift Kids Who Think Differently,” Penn Holderness, author of ADHD is Awesome, spoke candidly about the influential role his sense of creativity has played in his life.

“I mess up a lot. I leave things everywhere. My executive functioning breaks down,” Holderness said. “My brain works differently — but that can be a gift. All of the issues with mental drift and even spacing out — this can lead to inspiration and creativity.”

He offered a suggestion for parents, teachers, or anyone who spends time with children who have ADHD. “If you see your kid doing something really creative, make sure and let them know, ‘Hey, this is special.’ Because the average ADHD child gets corrected 10,000 times. And I don’t think we’re giving them 10,000 compliments,” Holderness said. “I think even 100 compliments could make a big difference for some of these kids, who are feeling kind of beaten down by a world that wasn’t created for them.”

Sources

¹European College of Neuropsychopharmacology. “New research reveals how ADHD sparks extraordinary creativity.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 13 October 2025. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251012054608.htm.

²Hoogman M, Stolte M, Baas M, Kroesbergen E. Creativity and ADHD: A review of behavioral studies, the effect of psychostimulants and neural underpinnings. Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2020 Dec;119:66-85. doi: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.09.029. Epub 2020 Oct 6. PMID: 33035524.

³Healey D, Rucklidge JJ. An exploration into the creative abilities of children with ADHD. J Atten Disord. 2005 Feb;8(3):88-95. doi: 10.1177/1087054705277198. PMID: 16009657.

⁴Paek, S. H., Abdulla, A. M., & Cramond, B. (2016). A Meta-Analysis of the Relationship Between Three Common Psychopathologies—ADHD, Anxiety, and Depression—and Indicators of Little-c Creativity. Gifted Child Quarterly, 60(2), 117-133. https://doi.org/10.1177/0016986216630600 (Original work published 2016)

⁵White, H., & Shah, P. (2016). Scope of semantic activation and innovative thinking in college students with ADHD. Creativity Research Journal, 28(3), 275–282. https://doi.org/10.1080/10400419.2016.1195655

⁶Abraham, A., Windmann, S., Siefen, R., Daum, I., & Güntürkün, O. (2006). Creative Thinking in Adolescents with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Child Neuropsychology, 12(2), 111–123. https://doi.org/10.1080/09297040500320691

RSD wouldn’t be RSD if it didn’t alter people’s perceptions. This is precisely how it functions and multiplies. A sideways glance or a mumbled response can trigger a misinterpretation that leads to an exaggerated response. Either way, with RSD, real or perceived rejection and disapproval cause extreme emotional pain.

When somebody fears rejection, they scan for signs of it everywhere. They misinterpret social cues, and then try to protect themselves by avoiding provocative situations. Curiously, they may even act in ways that increase the likelihood of rejection, assuming it’s inevitable.

If you are anticipating emotional upheaval at all times, your perception is bound to become distorted. Teens with ADHD are especially likely to misperceive situations and react strongly to events that may not truly warrant a response.

Follow these steps to help your teen understand and manage RSD.

Broaden the Scope

Approach your teen about RSD when she’s calm. Say, “I heard a talk about this thing that might be related to our family.” (If one family member has ADHD, chances are that others in your immediate family also have ADHD and could benefit from this information.)

Then explain that there is nothing wrong with feeling things deeply. When she feels pained by a situation, validate her feelings and ask questions. This will help her think critically about what happened and, perhaps, re-evaluate her sense of the situation.

Encourage her to discuss her thoughts with someone outside the situation who can offer a more neutral perspective.

Understand Triggers

To improve your teen’s ability to handle RSD, help her plan ahead:

• What situations trigger her, and how does she know she’s becoming upset?
• What are the signs of discomfort?
• What can she do to create distance and slow down when she feels upset? Perhaps go for a walk, take some deep breaths, or say a few calming phrases?

Support Working Memory

Individuals with strong working memory are less reactive to events and more capable of accurately assessing emotional situations than those with relatively weak working memory. Help your teen learn to externalize information, avoid multitasking, and repeat instructions back to you to build this skill. Work with her to recall successful responses to distressing situations from the past and brainstorm how to apply these in the present or the future.

This article was derived from the ADDitude ADHD Experts webinar, “Big Kids, Big Emotions: Helping Teens with ADHD and Rejection Sensitivity Improve Emotional Regulation [Video Replay & Podcast #563] with Sharon Saline, Psy.D., which was broadcast on June 11, 2025.

SUPPORT ADDITUDE
Thank you for reading ADDitude. To support our mission of providing ADHD education and support, please consider subscribing. Your readership and support help make our content and outreach possible. Thank you.

Puberty and ADHD: Article Contents

• The Biology of Puberty
• How Hormonal Changes Drive Behavior
• The Role of ADHD Medications
• Supporting Teens Through Puberty

Puberty is a hurricane of emotional, physical, behavioral, and social changes — and ADHD is the undercurrent that fuels its strength and intensity.

Already prone to impulsivity and intense emotional reactions, teens with ADHD experience higher highs and lower lows while their brains continue to develop in puberty. Hormonal changes in boys and girls, we now know, can significantly alter ADHD symptoms and responses to treatment, creating a perfect storm that demands specialized understanding and support.

The Biology of Puberty

Puberty is powered by a complex interplay of biological and environmental factors.

Major Hormonal Changes: Hormonal pathways activate the production of estrogen and progesterone in females, and testosterone in males. Aside from ensuring sexual maturation, these hormones act on the brain, organizing neural circuits to create long-lasting functional and structural changes that impact behavior.

Novelty and Thrill-Seeking: Adolescent brains also undergo synaptic pruning, the refinement of neural connections to increase brain efficiency. In other words, teen brains are primed to learn, which is part of the reason we see increased novelty and thrill-seeking, identity exploration, and boundary-pushing. Even sleep patterns change in puberty partly because the brain resists stagnation. But the quest for new experiences can also lead to poor decision-making and other challenges.

Dopamine Rush: The thrill-seeking drive of adolescents is partly tied to dopamine, the neurotransmitter that plays a key role in cognition, motivation, pleasure, and reward. Though their baseline levels of dopamine are relatively low, teens’ responses to stimuli or rewards exceed those of adults’. This combination is particularly concerning for teens with ADHD, who already struggle with impulsivity and are at greater risk for substance use disorder and other addictive, sensory-seeking behaviors.

Learning and Growing: While the adolescent brain is primed for learning, it’s only about 80 percent matured. The prefrontal cortex, which directs judgment, reasoning, impulse control, emotional regulation, and decision-making, develops more slowly in ADHD brains. This exacerbates regulation issues.

Reward Over Risk: During adolescence, the ventral striatum, involved in motor control, learning, reward processing, and some decision-making, tends to dominate. This part of the brain focuses on immediate rewards rather than future outcomes, leading teens to prioritize rewards over risks. So, while teens understand risks, they are no match for the prospect of rewards, which light up an eager brain.

Read: How ADHD Impacts Adolescents

Precocious Puberty

Children who mature earlier or later than their peers may encounter confusing social expectations as they are treated in a way that is older or younger than they are, and as they (and others) compare their bodies to peers’. In central precocious puberty, puberty strikes early and floods a still-developing, young brain with hormones before key emotional, cognitive, and other neural circuits have matured. This mismatch, whereby the body develops faster than the brain is ready for, increases the risk for depression, anxiety, and other conditions, especially in girls.¹

It’s important to watch for signs of early puberty, like acne, pubic hair, and increased body odor before age 10. Breast development before age 8 and menstruation before age 10 are also signs, as is testicular enlargement in boys before age 9. Hormone-suppressing medications can temporarily delay puberty and allow a child to reach a more appropriate age so that their bodies and minds align better for pubertal changes.

How Hormonal Changes Drive Behavior

The onset of menstruation brings monthly fluctuations in estrogen levels, which influences dopamine activity. High estrogen levels increase dopamine activity, which improves cognitive function and emotional regulation. Conversely, the perimenstrual decline in estrogen results in decreased dopamine activity, lowering cognitive function and attention.

These fluctuations are significant in the context of ADHD. High-estrogen states stimulate the prefrontal cortex, enhancing control over the limbic system, or the emotional nervous system, and improving symptom control all around. In low-estrogen states, the prefrontal cortex is understimulated, which often translates to poorer regulation, impulse control, and mood, and a worsening of ADHD symptoms.²

Understimulation may also drive the brain to seek stimulation in other ways, like through big reactions and impulsivity. Lower estrogen levels also impair executive function, attention, and memory.

Hormonal fluctuations can affect ADHD symptoms to such a degree that some girls may only meet diagnostic criteria at certain points during their menstrual cycle. ADHD symptoms may also overlap with depression or anxiety, which commonly emerge in adolescence, emphasizing the need for differential diagnoses and holistic treatments.

Progesterone, secreted alongside estrogen to regulate the menstrual cycle and ovulation, protects dopamine neurons but decreases dopamine activity in the prefrontal cortex. Even if estrogen levels rise slightly post-ovulation during the luteal phase, progesterone can negate its positive effects on attention and hyperactivity symptoms.

Testosterone, the primary male sex hormone, also influences dopamine activity by increasing dopamine turnover and release in response to rewarding stimuli. Though ADHD-specific research is limited, studies show that testosterone can heighten impulsivity and risk-taking behaviors, which many boys with ADHD already struggle with.

Read: Hormonal Changes & ADHD — A Lifelong Tug-of-War

The Role of ADHD Medications

As puberty invariably influences ADHD symptoms, some teens may require treatment with medication for the first time and others may benefit from adjustments. ADHD medication use is particularly important at this stage because it reduces the risk for addiction and risky behaviors such as unsafe driving and unprotected sex.

Prepare to Adjust: For teens already taking medication, adjustments may be necessary to meet changing symptoms, physical growth, and other factors. The increased demands of school, extracurriculars, and social activities may mean longer days, requiring more medication coverage, for example.

If a teen is no longer responding adequately to methylphenidate, switching to an amphetamine may help. While both types of stimulants help recycle dopamine in the brain, amphetamines increase dopamine release, which could lead to more powerful effects.

The Role of Non-Stimulants: Not everyone responds optimally to stimulant medication. Non-stimulants like atomoxetine and alpha agonists may help. Atomoxetine reaches a steady level in the body that lasts throughout the day, providing more even symptom coverage. These medications are also often used for teens who have trouble sleeping or who have difficulty managing symptoms in the morning when their stimulant hasn’t yet activated.

Hormonal Status Matters: For some girls, a medication’s efficacy depends on their hormonal status. For example, girls respond better to stimulants right before ovulation, when estrogen and dopamine are high and progesterone is low. Estrogen may prime the brain to respond better to stimulants, particularly amphetamines. When estrogen is low, an increased dose of stimulants can improve symptoms without increased side effects.³

Compared to boys, girls report a stronger effect from short-acting methylphenidate earlier in the day, but it also wears off much sooner,⁴ , a phenomenon potentially explained by daily estrogen fluctuations. This suggests that girls may benefit more from long-acting stimulant formulations. Atomoxetine also appears to produce a greater effect on girls’ emotional regulation, hyperactivity, and impulsivity compared to boys.⁵

When adjusting the ADHD medication, dosage, or timing isn’t enough to counteract the impact of hormonal fluctuations, especially around periods, birth control medications and other interventions to help modulate the hormonal cycle may be warranted.

Supporting Teens Through Puberty

Understanding how puberty impacts mental health and behavior is key to supporting adolescents with ADHD through this time of transition. Consider doing the following:

• Keep communication open. Share this article and others at additu.de/adhd-teens to help your adolescent better understand the impact of hormones on ADHD.
• Establish expectations. Set limits and privileges to serve as much-needed guardrails to offset impulsivity and help regulate behaviors.
• Foster self-regulation. Practice delaying gratification to help teens exercise better control over stimulation-seeking behaviors.
• Validate feelings. Teens face enormous social pressures and expectations related to school, identity, body image, relationships, and more. Fluctuating hormones add to these challenges. Listening to your teen as they express their feelings and letting them know their experiences are understandable can promote calm and regulation.

Paul Mitrani, M.D., Ph.D., is the medical director and senior child and adolescent psychiatrist at Child Mind Institute.

SUPPORT ADDITUDE
Thank you for reading ADDitude. To support our mission of providing ADHD education and support, please consider subscribing. Your readership and support help make our content and outreach possible. Thank you.

Sources

^{1 Graber J. A. (2013). Pubertal timing and the development of psychopathology in adolescence and beyond. Hormones and Behavior, 64(2), 262–269. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yhbeh.2013.04.003}

^{2 Peters, J. R., Schmalenberger, K. M., Eng, A. G., Stumper, A., Martel, M. M., & Eisenlohr-Moul, T. A. (2025). Dimensional affective sensitivity to hormones across the menstrual cycle (DASH-MC): A transdiagnostic framework for ovarian steroid influences on psychopathology. Molecular Psychiatry, 30(1), 251–262. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41380-024-02693-4}

^{3 de Jong, M., Wynchank, D. S. M. R., van Andel, E., Beekman, A. T. F., & Kooij, J. J. S. (2023). Female-specific pharmacotherapy in ADHD: premenstrual adjustment of psychostimulant dosage. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 14, 1306194. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1306194}

^{4 Sonuga-Barke, E. J. S., Coghill, D., Markowitz, J. S., Swanson, J. M., Vandenberghe, M., & Hatch, S. J. (2007). Sex differences in the response of children with ADHD to once-daily formulations of methylphenidate. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 46(6), 701–710. https://doi.org/10.1097/chi.0b013e31804659f1}

^{5 Kok, F. M., Groen, Y., Fuermaier, A. B. M., & Tucha, O. (2020). The female side of pharmacotherapy for ADHD-A systematic literature review. PloS One, 15(9), e0239257. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0239257}

Many children with ADHD endure misunderstanding, criticism, or unfair treatment from family members, teachers, siblings, and/or peers who don’t fully grasp the roots of their behaviors. These experiences can leave kids feeling discouraged, isolated, or “less than.”

As a parent, it’s tough to know how to talk with your child about ADHD — and how others may respond to it. “The Empathy Playbook for Parents” will provide practical scripts and advice for having honest, compassionate conversations about ADHD without being defeatist, while also helping your child handle tricky relationships they cannot avoid. You will also learn how to navigate negativity toward your child from adults in their lives. Together, we’ll explore how to model empathy, strengthen resilience, and strategize solutions for difficult conversations.

In this webinar, Dr. Sharon Saline will explain how to:

• Talk with your child about ADHD in realistic, supportive, and empowering ways
• Help your child navigate unfair treatment from family members, teachers, and peers.
• Teach your child how to establish boundaries, self-advocate, and protect their self-esteem in difficult relationships.
• Engage in productive conversations with other adults who do not understand ADHD and its effect on your child’s behavior and performance.

Watch the Video Replay

Enter your email address in the box above labeled “Video Replay + Slide Access” to watch the video replay (closed captions available) and download the slide presentation.

Download or Stream the Podcast Audio

Click the play button below to listen to this episode directly in your browser, click the symbol to download to listen later, or open in your podcasts app: Apple Podcasts; Spotify; Amazon Music; iHeartRADIO

Explaining ADHD: Resources

• • • Free Download: Questions to Get Your Child Talking
    • Read: How to Explain ADHD in Positive, Empowering Terms
    • Read: Your Emotionally Reactive Child Needs Empathy — Not Punishment
    • Read: How to Invest In Your Child’s “Emotional Bank Account”
      
      

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Meet the Expert Speaker

Sharon Saline, Psy.D., is a clinical psychologist and author of the award-winning book, What Your ADHD Child Wishes You Knew: Working Together to Empower Kids for Success in School and Life and The ADHD Solution Deck (#CommissionsEarned)
specializes in working with children, teens, emerging adults and families living with ADHD, anxiety, learning disabilities, autism, twice exceptionality and mental health issues. Her unique perspective, as a sibling in an ADHD home, combined with decades of experience as a clinical psychologist and educator/clinician consultant, assists her in guiding families and adults toward effective communication and closer connections. She lectures and facilitates workshops internationally on topics such as understanding ADHD, executive functioning, anxiety, motivation, different kinds of learners, and the teen brain. Dr. Saline is a regular contributor to ADDitude and Psychology Today, a featured expert on MASS Appeal on WWLP-TV, and a part-time lecturer at the Smith School for Social Work. Her writing has been featured in numerous online and print publications including MSN, The Psychotherapy Networker, Smith College Studies in Social Work, Attention Magazine, ADDitude Magazine, Psych Central, and Inquirer.com. Learn more at www.drsharonsaline.com. 

#CommissionsEarned As an Amazon Associate, ADDitude earns a commission from qualifying purchases made by ADDitude readers on the affiliate links we share. However, all products linked in the ADDitude Store have been independently selected by our editors and/or recommended by our readers. Prices are accurate and items in stock as of time of publication.

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ADDitude thanks our sponsors for supporting our webinars. Sponsorship has no influence on speaker selection or webinar content.

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Poor working memory and attention control may help explain why people with ADHD experience boredom more often and more acutely than do their non-ADHD peers. “Part of the reason individuals with ADHD often experience boredom is due to difficulty controlling their attention and using their working memory effectively, leading to interpretations of that situation as boring,” explains a study published last month in the Journal of Attention Disorders.¹

In the small study, young adults completed self-reported measures of ADHD symptoms (using the Barkley Adult ADHD Rating Scale and the Wender Utah Rating Scale) and propensity for boredom (on the Short Boredom Proneness Scale). They also submitted performance-based cognitive measures of working memory and attentional control. Based on their ADHD symptom self-reports, 31 participants were placed in the ADHD traits group and 57 in the control group.

Participants in the ADHD group experienced significantly higher levels of proneness to boredom compared to the control group (d = 2.09), confirming previous research findings. Researchers also discovered that proneness to boredom and inclusion in the ADHD trait group were associated with significantly worse performance on working memory and attention control tests. “Both attention control and working memory factors partially mediated the relation between ADHD and boredom, accounting for 5.8% and 6.4% of the variance in ADHD-related boredom, respectively,” researchers explained.

The findings of the study, the first to connect ADHD traits and boredom to performance-based executive function measures, support the Cognitive Theory of Boredom, which suggests that the experience of boredom is a result of the inability to direct attention on the task at hand.

One of the researchers who originated this theory, John Eastwood, Ph.D., co-author of Out of My Skull: The Psychology of Boredom, discussed the close association between boredom and ADHD in the recent ADDitude article, Why ADHD Brains Go Over-Bored,

“Boredom points to our need to have agency, to be the captain of our own ship,” Eastwood says, adding that the struggle to be self-directed is common among people with ADHD, who are often corrected and directed by parents and teachers from a young age.

“When a feeling like boredom is uncomfortable, we are sometimes unable to hear its deeper message because we just try to make the feeling go away,” explains Eastwood. “But boredom often has a message for us. I would encourage people to take boredom seriously, try not to be afraid or intolerant of it. There may be an opportunity to see how you can live in a way that gives fuller expression to who you are.”

Eastwood also offered pragmatic interventions for those who experience chronic boredom, recommending adaptive, intentional responses to replace automatic, stress responses.

• Instead of using avoidance-based coping strategies, such as a long break in the bathroom during a lecture, try engagement-based strategies, such as gamifying the experience – for instance, noting whenever the professor uses a three-syllable word.
• Strategies that help people tolerate intense emotions with a minimal stress response, such as active forms of mindfulness, such as yoga or mindful walking, may also be effective with boredom

Sources

¹Orban, S. A., Blessing, J. S., Sandone, M. K., Conness, B., & Santer, J. (2025). Why Are Individuals With ADHD More Prone to Boredom? Examining Attention Control and Working Memory as Mediators of Boredom in Young Adults With ADHD Traits. Journal of Attention Disorders, 0(0). https://doi.org/10.1177/10870547251356723

In fact, a study conducted by researchers at University of Virginia found that, when placed alone in a room with nothing to do for 15 minutes, half of participants opted to give themselves mild electric shocks. Doing something, even if painful, was preferable to doing nothing.¹

Here, ADDitude readers share the most absurd, exciting, dangerous, or otherwise memorable things they’ve done to avoid boredom. The following stories of hi-jinx, mishaps, and snap decisions involve travel, speed, heights and even Jell-O wrestling.

[Read: Livin’ on the Edge – Stories of ADHD Adrenaline Rushes]

“I was given a day off work and didn’t know what to do with myself, so I got a tongue piercing.” —An ADDitude Reader

“I made myself bleed in order to get out of a boring date.” —Susan, New Hampshire

“I have a work phone and a personal phone. In long meetings, I have sometimes called myself from my other phone to excuse myself so I can walk around outside for a few moments.” —Lee

[Read: Bored at Work? Motivation to the Rescue] 

“I decided to drive to the West Coast from Minnesota one March with my three kids. It was so nice, we moved there.” —Katie, Oregon

“I was questioned by the police once after trying to climb out of a kitchen window at a house party that I just didn’t want to be at. I was hiding in the kitchen, and didn’t want to explain to the host or other guests why I needed to go. I climbed into the sink to get to the window, and managed to get one leg out when the police, who were responding to another situation close by, spotted me. They thought I was a burglar and questioned me in the back of their car.”  —Tom

“21 jobs in 19 years.” —Ora, Ireland

“Once I have hit my limit of boredom, I just leave. It could be in the middle of an important exam, waiting in line holding items I really want to buy, or in the middle of a ballet performance. I can’t take it anymore so I just put the stuff down or stand up and leave.” —Staci, Canada

 “I was bored by work in the ‘70s and saw a newspaper ad for a volunteer nursing job in Yemen. I didn’t know anything about it or even where Yemen was, but I applied, got the job, and spent two amazing years there.” —Susan, United Kingdom

“I just start laughing uncontrollably and when people ask what I’m laughing about, I just laugh harder. Before I know it, the whole room is laughing and no one knows why. I have used this several times in my years and it has always worked like a charm.” —Christine, New Hampshire

“I was doing an exercise at university which required manual calculations that I estimated would take a few hours. Nope. Instead, I spent the same amount of time writing a program to do the calculations, because getting the code to work was much more interesting to me.” —Tony, Australia

“I have done avoided boredom by Jell-O wrestling, kicking a dancer off a pole at a nightclub, and wandering through the countryside, only to get lost and have the police called.” —Natasha, Australia

“One evening in my early 20s I was feeling exceptionally bored. I convinced my boyfriend to go cliff jumping with me in the dark at a nearby lake.” —Kelsey, Minnesota

“I’d been sitting in traffic on an expressway for what seemed to be forever with three other adults. I was so bored, I felt nauseous and claustrophobic. My mouth felt like sandpaper and I had an awful urge to dart away. Out of nowhere I shouted, “Fire drill!” jumped out of the car, leaving the door hanging wide open, ran around the car, and hopped back in. I closed the door, snapped my seatbelt, and felt as if I had ‘leveled out.’”—Christine, Iowa

Boredom & Impulsive Decisions: Next Steps

• Watch: Boredom and the ADHD Brain
• Read: “A $400 Adrenaline Rush” Stories of Impulse Buying with ADHD
• Watch: Impulsivity and the ADHD Brain – Neural Networks, Explained!

SUPPORT ADDITUDE
Thank you for reading ADDitude. To support our mission of providing ADHD education and support, please consider subscribing. Your readership and support help make our content and outreach possible. Thank you.

Sources

¹Wilson, T. et al. Just think: The challenges of the disengaged mind.Science345,75-77(2014).DOI:10.1126/science.1250830

What is it like to be a man living with ADHD in a culture shaped by long-established ideals and expectations of masculinity? Research and treatment have historically centered on boys with ADHD, but has the field adequately listened and responded to the voices of men? How they mask their symptoms due to fear of failure or not meeting expectations? How they long to express their emotions but fear being perceived as weak? How they feel shame when they lose emotional control, forget to pay the bills, or think that they’ve let down their family? How they question their intelligence, or harbor self-doubt, because they struggle with professional goals, planning, and time management? ADDitude has convened a special roundtable with men who have ADHD to discuss their lived experiences—and to increase understanding and support. You might recognize a few of these men; they have their own podcasts about navigating life with ADHD.

Watch the Video Replay

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ADHD Symptoms in Men : Resources

• Free Download: 3 Defining Features of ADHD That Everyone Overlooks
• Read: For Men With ADHD — and Those Who Love Them
• Read: We Demand Attention on Sex Differences in ADHD
• Read: Face It — People with ADHD Are Wired Differently
  
  

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Meet Our Panelists

Brendan Mahan, M.Ed, M.S.

Brendan is the producer and host of the ADHD Essentials Podcast, an internationally recognized ADHD/Executive Function expert, and an engaging, sought-after speaker. He helps individuals, families, schools, and businesses manage the challenges of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder through an approach that blends education, collaborative problem-solving, and accountability with compassion, humor, and a focus on strengths and growth.

Shane Thrapp

Shane is a Certified ADHD and AuDHD Life Coach, founder of Creating Order from Chaos, and Operations Director for the nonprofit Men’s ADHD Support Group. Through his private practice and his work with ScienceWorks Behavioral Health, Shane provides executive function coaching and parent support to individuals and families navigating ADHD and AuDHD — at home, in school, at work, and in relationships. He leads several peer-driven communities on Facebook, including the Men’s ADHD Support Group, the ADHD Parent Support Group, and serves on the board of Dueling Minds, a nonprofit supporting the AuDHD community. As a speaker and advocate, Shane focuses on building systems that work for neurodivergent minds.

Jesse J. Anderson

Jesse J. Anderson is a creator, writer, speaker, and author of Extra Focus: The Quick Start Guide to Adult ADHD. (#CommissionsEarned) Through his weekly newsletter Extra Focus, he helps more than 70,000 readers navigate their ADHD journeys or better understand their loved ones. His ADHD Writers newsletter helps authors with ADHD find support and guidance. Jesse’s YouTube channel publishes educational content about ADHD, and he’s spoken about ADHD at events including SXSW, NeuroDiversion, The Executive Function Online Summit, The ADHD Growth Summit, and The Annual International Conference on ADHD. He also cofounded Wavepal, an app to help you keep in touch with the people who matter most.

Kyrus Keenan Westcott

Kyrus Keenan “Ky” Westcott is the creator and host of The Vibe With Ky, a digital platform reaching more than 1.8 million people across TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and beyond. Diagnosed with ADHD at age 34, Ky blends humor, honesty, and personal storytelling to make conversations about ADHD, introversion, anxiety, and mental health approachable. He is the author of multiple ADHD digital guidebooks, and he is a sought-after speaker featured at events like the White House Creator Economy Summit and WHO’s Global Mental Health initiatives. Named one of Feedspot’s Top 10 ADHD Influencers in 2025, Ky’s mission is simple: help adults feel seen, validated, and empowered to live authentically, even on the messiest days.

Marc Almodóvar

Marc Almodóvar is the founder of the Men’s ADHD Support Group, a safe space where men could be vulnerable without judgment. It is the largest online community dedicated to men with ADHD and has since grown into a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, reshaping how the world views ADHD and men’s mental health. Diagnosed at 16, Marc turned his own challenges into advocacy, becoming a certified life coach at 23. He has been featured in Forbes and on top podcasts like I Have ADHD, and the ADHD Essentials Podcast.

#CommissionsEarned As an Amazon Associate, ADDitude earns a commission from qualifying purchases made by ADDitude readers on the affiliate links we share. However, all products linked in the ADDitude Store have been independently selected by our editors and/or recommended by our readers. Prices are accurate and items in stock as of time of publication.

Follow ADDitude’s full ADHD Experts Podcast in your podcasts app:
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It comes as no surprise that kids and adults with ADHD, who crave stimulation, get bored more easily and more frequently than do their neurotypical counterparts. And the lengths to which some people will go in order to feel something, anything, is shocking.

Literally.

Researchers at the University of Virginia and Harvard University conducted a series of experiments that asked participants to sit alone in a laboratory and then fill out surveys about the experience. In one such study, researchers wanted to see if the study subjects would rather do an unpleasant activity than nothing at all. They left adult participants alone in a room with a button that would give them a mild electric shock if pressed. More than half opted to press the button rather than doing nothing for 15 minutes.¹

“What is striking,” the study authors wrote, “is that simply being alone with their own thoughts for 15 minutes was apparently so aversive that it drove many participants to self-administer an electric shock that they had earlier said they would pay to avoid.”

[Read: Escape From Boredom]

Boredom Through the Lens of Neuroscience

The association between boredom and risk-taking, from substance use to thrill-seeking activities, is not exclusive to those with ADHD. But because people with ADHD tend to experience ennui more frequently, risky exploits born of boredom are a common phenomenon among them.

“People with ADHD are used to feeling emotions at a 9 or a 10,” says Tamara Rosier, Ph.D., founder of the ADHD Center of West Michigan. “When there’s a lack of emotional intensity, they interpret this as negative and call it boredom. They either move into hypoarousal, where they numb out, or hyperarousal, where they try to push themselves out of orbit.”

Boredom has also been found to be especially stressful in individuals with ADHD traits. Matt Parker, Ph.D., a neuroscientist at the University of Surrey in England, and James Clay, Ph.D., a postdoctoral fellow at Dalhousie University and University of Victoria in Canada, were part of a team that investigated differences in responses to boredom between impulsive and non-impulsive adults.

The study initially found that people who self-reported as impulsive were more prone to boredom, confirming previous findings that people with ADHD had higher rates of task-related and chronic boredom than people without ADHD. When the team investigated further, it found that the impulsive study subjects experienced higher levels of stress while bored, evidenced by elevated levels of cortisol in their saliva.²

[Read: Impulsivity and the ADHD Brain – Neural Networks, Explained!]

It’s similar to what we see in fight-or-flight situations,” Parker says. “It suggests that the lived experience of boredom feels more intense and aversive for people who are highly impulsive, transforming into an overwhelming need to escape.”

This urge is the result of a massive feedback loop, Parker explains, in which impulsivity leads to boredom and stress… and stress and boredom lead right back to impulsivity, continuing the cycle.

To break free from boredom, ADDitude readers reported trying everything from jumping off a cliff to car racing. For some, these exploits led to regret. For others, they led to a new life.

How to Cure Boredom (Or Bear it Better)

Research is limited on how people most susceptible to boredom might better tolerate it. Once recent small study found that treating children with ADHD with methylphenidate for three months reduced proneness to boredom (and improved ADHD symptoms). When the medication was discontinued, boredom resurfaced.

Nothing can eliminate boredom, but these strategies may help people with ADHD build up tolerance.

1. Reframe the Feeling

The first step, Rosier advises, is to acknowledge the boredom without judgement. “If you’re feeling bored, that doesn’t mean you’re lazy or incapable,” she says. “Let’s not moralize it. Let’s accept it as it is.”

2. Resist the Stress Response

“Interventions designed to help people tolerate boredom without triggering a stress response could be useful,” says Parker, who suggests active forms of mindfulness, such as yoga or mindful walking.

John Eastwood, Ph.D., co-author of Out of My Skull: The Psychology of Boredom, says that people with a low boredom tolerance tend to choose avoidance-based coping strategies, such as a long break in the bathroom during a tedious lecture. Instead, use strategies that promote engagement, such as gamifying the experience – noting whenever the teacher uses a three-syllable word, for example.

3. Identify the Cause of Boredom

“When a feeling like boredom is uncomfortable, we are sometimes unable to hear its deeper message because we just try to make the feeling go away,” Eastwood says. “But feelings point to needs, like compasses. Sadness tells us we’ve lost something of value; anger tells us we need to assert ourselves.

“Boredom points to our need to have agency, to be the captain of our own ship,” he says, adding that the struggle to be self-directed is common among people with ADHD, since, from a young age, they’re often corrected and directed by teachers, parents, and peers.”

Boredom might also mean thoughtfully reassessing your choices and considering a change in your job, vocation, or school. Alternatively, it might mean reminding yourself why you’re doing what you’re doing. To get through a tedious chemistry lecture, he says, you could remind yourself that, while you don’t care about chemistry, you care about graduating from college so you can become a nurse.

“Boredom often has a message for us,” says Eastwood. “I would encourage people to take boredom seriously, try not to be afraid or intolerant of it. There may be an opportunity to see how you can live in a way that gives fuller expression to who you are.”

Boredom and ADHD: Next Steps

• Watch: Boredom and the ADHD Brain
• Read: Livin’ on the Edge – Stories of ADHD Adrenaline Rushes
• Read: Bored at Work? Motivation to the Rescue

Nicole C. Kear is Consumer Health Editor at ADDitude.

SUPPORT ADDITUDE
Thank you for reading ADDitude. To support our mission of providing ADHD education and support, please consider subscribing. Your readership and support help make our content and outreach possible. Thank you.

Sources

¹Wilson, T. et al. Just think: The challenges of the disengaged mind.Science345,75-77(2014).DOI:10.1126/science.1250830

²J.M.Clay, J.I. Badariotti, N. Kozhushko, M.O. Parker, HPA activity mediates the link between trait impulsivity and boredom, Physiology & Behavior, 284 (2024), 114637, ISSN 0031-9384, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physbeh.2024.114637.

At a crowded pub, a man with ADHD and a history of emotional volatility attacked a patron who he believed was flirting with this girlfriend. The beating left the victim with serious injuries. The attacker is now serving a five-year prison sentence for aggravated assault.

These cases stem from my work as a clinical psychopharmacologist in the criminal justice system and they reveal a harsh reality: Untreated ADHD can lead to life-altering legal consequences. This reality is reflected in the makeup of the U.S. prison population: An estimated 25% to 40% of incarcerated individuals are believed to have ADHD.¹ While most people with ADHD never face legal trouble, it’s critical to know that impulsivity, impaired decision-making, and poor self-control contribute to risk-taking or criminal behaviors for some.

Consequences of Untreated ADHD in Adults

Susan Young, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist who has worked with offenders in prison and mental health settings in London, says that untreated ADHD “can derail lives.”

“Impulsivity, poor emotional regulation, and low tolerance for frustration mean many young people with ADHD are constantly in trouble, often misunderstood, and quick to react without thinking,” she says. “It’s not hard to see how that can spiral into police contact, especially when no one’s ever helped them make sense of their behavior.”

[Read: What ADDitude Readers Wish Police Knew About ADHD]

Studies show that comorbid disruptive behavior disorders contribute to arrests, convictions, and incarcerations among teens with ADHD. There is considerable overlap between ADHD and oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), and anxiety, depression, and/or mood disorders are also common.^{2, 3} Adolescents with ODD and the more serious behavioral condition called conduct disorder (CD) show higher levels of aggression, anger, defiance of authority, drug use, and arrests, than do adolescents without the disorder. Males are diagnosed with these disorders at higher rates than females.

For many girls with untreated or poorly managed ADHD, the path into the criminal justice system often starts with social rejection. They feel like outsiders with a desperate need to belong, Young says. This social isolation can make then easy targets for people with bad intentions.

“They get pulled into the wrong crowds, praised for risky behavior, and ultimately groomed to steal, offer sex, run drugs,” Young says. “It’s not rebellion. To them, it’s survival. And it’s preventable.”

Former inmates with ADHD have higher-than-average recidivism rates.⁴ Why? As a group, people with ADHD experience more conduct disorders and exhibit more antisocial behaviors than their neurotypical peers. Disorganization and forgetfulness may lead to missed parole meetings and other requirements outlined in conditions of release. Impulsivity and poor decision-making may lead to criminal behaviors.

[Read: The Dangers of Undiagnosed Adult ADHD]

Early Intervention Can Prevent Poor Outcomes

A proper ADHD diagnosis and effective treatment are critical for improving outcomes. Early interventions aim to stop the escalation of problems associated with emotional dysregulation and disruptive behavior disorders. Caregivers should pay particular attention to periods of transition, when adherence to treatment may fall off. These include the transitions to adolescence, from high school to work or higher education, and into first jobs and serious relationships.

People who adhere to their ADHD treatment are better able to avoid criminality. In a study using population-based registers, researchers gathered information on about 26,000 adults with ADHD who had criminal convictions in Sweden from 2006 to 2009. The researchers found that when the men had taken their ADHD medication, their crime rate decreased by 32%. The drop in crime was even bigger for women: 41%, according to the study, which was published in the New England Journal of Medicine.⁵

“ADHD isn’t a character flaw. It’s a condition that needs understanding, structure, and empathy,” says Young. “What makes the difference? Being seen, being heard, and being supported. With the right diagnosis, the right support, and a few people who believe in them, individuals with ADHD can thrive. But without that? All too often they’re set up to fail.”

Can ADHD Be Used as a Defense in Court?

If you have a loved one in jail awaiting criminal trial, and you suspect they have ADHD, request a formal evaluation by a clinician. A new diagnosis of a condition such as ADHD, which may have contributed to their criminal actions, could impact their case.

If you’ve been prescribed ADHD medication and find yourself in legal trouble, here’s something you should know: If you are not taking your ADHD medication (which blood levels can indicate), and there is a medical record of a positive response when you are adherent, you could be held negligent on criminal charges – and you might encounter more severe charges and sentences. Minor offenses, citations, and convictions on your record can also worsen the outcome of those cases.

If you or a loved one are transitioning from incarceration into the community, do the following:

• Work with prison staff to understand the release process. Will they schedule follow-up parole appointments, or will it be your responsibility?
• If a social worker is available at the prison, discuss how to access housing, a job or training, and resources for other basic needs.
• Ask loved ones to investigate and inquire with community resources, such as re-entry programs.

Untreated ADHD in Adults: Next Steps

• Study: “Untreated ADHD in Adults Leads to ‘Dire Consequences’”
• Read: Policing the Neurodivergent — Safely
• Read: Prepare Your ADHD Driver for Traffic Stops
  

Clinton W. Wright, Pharm.D., is WebMD’s Medscape Education Director. He is a former psychopharmacologist with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and Texas Youth Commission through a partnership with the University of Houston College of Pharmacy.

SUPPORT ADDITUDE
Thank you for reading ADDitude. To support our mission of providing ADHD education and support, please consider subscribing. Your readership and support help make our content and outreach possible. Thank you.

Sources

¹ Ginsberg, Y., Hirvikoski, T., & Lindefors, N. (2010). Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) among longer-term prison inmates is a prevalent, persistent and disabling disorder. BMC psychiatry, 10, 112. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-244X-10-112

² Reale, L., Bartoli, B., Cartabia, M., Zanetti, M., Costantino, M. A., Canevini, M. P., Termine, C., Bonati, M., & Lombardy ADHD Group (2017). Comorbidity prevalence and treatment outcome in children and adolescents with ADHD. European child & adolescent psychiatry, 26(12), 1443–1457. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-017-1005-z

³ Katzman, M. A., Bilkey, T. S., Chokka, P. R., Fallu, A., & Klassen, L. J. (2017). Adult ADHD and comorbid disorders: clinical implications of a dimensional approach. BMC psychiatry, 17(1), 302. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-017-1463-3

⁴ Mohr-Jensen, C., & Steinhausen, H. C. (2016). A meta-analysis and systematic review of the risks associated with childhood attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder on long-term outcome of arrests, convictions, and incarcerations. Clinical psychology review, 48, 32–42. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2016.05.002

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