A woman diagnosed with ADHD has opened up about three "defining traits" that are often overlooked by people.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurological disorder that includes a combination of problems, "such as difficulty paying attention, hyperactivity, and impulsive behavior," per Mayo Clinic.
The path to a diagnosis can vary significantly. While some people exhibit symptoms early in life, others, like Jennifer Salzman, may not be diagnosed until adulthood.
That's why Salzman, who goes by @rebelwithoutadrink on TikTok, uses her social media platform to educate her followers about this often-overlooked condition.
This week, the TikToker shared a video about three "defining" ADHD characteristics that everyone "overlooks".
Watch the clip below:Jennifer cited ADHD specialist, Dr William Dodson, sharing: "ADHD doesn't actually cause a deficit of attention, it causes inconsistent attention that is only activated by certain circumstances. Interest, passion, novelty, challenge, or urgency."
Medcircle further explained this trait in a report, noting that those diagnosed with ADHD often prioritize interesting tasks over important ones - even when the latter has consequences or deadlines.
They also gain greater satisfaction from completing difficult assignments that align with their personal interests.
Emotional hyper-arousalThe creator explained that emotional hyper-arousal is having an "Intense, rapid, overwhelming emotional responses to things" - a defining characteristic Salzman says she exhibited for years before her diagnosis.
Dr. Dodson opened up about this further in ADDtitude magazine, explaining that ADHD causes an "internal feeling of hyperarousal" in some people, making it difficult for them to relax, even during simple activities like watching television.
"People with ADHD have passionate thoughts and emotions that are more intense than those of the average person. Their highs are higher and their lows are lower. This means you may experience both happiness and criticism more powerfully than your peers and loved ones do," he added.
Rejection sensitivityIndividuals with the condition often demonstrate a heightened sensitivity to rejection.
"That feeling of intense emotional pain whenever we feel like we're being criticized or rejected," the Tiktoker explained.
Dr. Dodson elaborated that rejection sensitivity dysphoria (RSD) can also be triggered by a "sense of falling short—failing to meet their own high standards or others’ expectations".
This emotion can lead to "a full, major mood disorder complete with suicidal ideation", which can be misdiagnosed as a "rapid cycling mood disorder".
Many of Salzman's followers were left stunned by the three defining traits and took to the comment section to share their responses.
"Um you just described my entire personality," one user said, while another added: "You just defined me. Diagnosed late in life."
