Highly Sensitive Parents and ADHD
As a therapist and coach for HSP parents, I often get the question “does HSP overlap with ADHD?” The short answer is yes, HSP does overlap with ADHD, but there are also some people who have ADHD but are not HSP, and vice versa. The main area of overlap between ADHD and HSP is in the area of sensory sensitivity. Ned Hallowell, M.D., author of Driven to Distraction, states that “[People with ADHD] often are hypersensitive in one of the sensory domains: sound, touch, or smell.” Many HSPs also experience this physical sensitivity. Both Highly Sensitive Parents and parents with ADHD tend to benefit from taking steps to reduce overstimulation, such as wearing earplugs, avoiding overstimulating environments, and avoiding multitasking.
While ADHD and the HSP trait have some overlap (and an individual can have both the HSP trait and ADHD) there are also some major differences between the two.
ADHD is a clinical diagnosis - that is, something that a physician or mental health provider can diagnose. Sensory Processing Sensitivity (SPS), the technical term for the HSP trait, is not a diagnosis, but rather a term to describe a cluster of traits. This doesn’t make one more legitimate or serious than the other, but may impact how they are perceived by medical providers or the general population.
Per Elaine Aron, Ph.D., the researcher who recognized the HSP trait, “HSPs process things, especially social information, more carefully and accurately at a deep level (not just thinking about the task more, but when asked to do it quickly, doing it better automatically). This contrasts with those having schizophrenia, ADHD, or autism, who in other studies were found to have slower reaction times on these tasks.” (this assertion is based on research in Hoffman et. al.’s 2022 study “Sensory processing sensitivity predicts performance in an emotional antisaccade paradigm.” )
While those with ADHD typically have difficulty concentrating and maintaining focus, HSPs tend to be pretty conscientious and focused. However, when faced with a chaotic or overstimulating environment, both HSPs and those with ADHD can face overwhelm and loss of focus. This can create challenges for parents, as parenthood is rife with overstimulating situations (more on that in this blog post)
I want to clarify that the above are not to say that HSPs or those with ADHD are better or worse than one another, or than those without ADHD or HS! In fact, I believe that both HSPs and those with ADHD have many unique and powerful gifts to offer the world - and themselves - as a result of their neurodiversity. For example, many people I know with ADHD have powerfully curious minds and wonderfully complex ways of thinking. Likewise, those with High Sensitivity can understand a variety of perspectives and deeply analyze situations. It’s clear to see that both offer unique and important gifts to their families, workplaces, and communities.
If you’re looking for further resources about High Sensitivity and ADHD, the following articles may be helpful to you:
https://hsperson.com/faq/hs-or-adhd/
https://highlysensitiverefuge.com/how-being-an-hsp-and-having-adhd-collide/
If you are looking for mental health support for diagnosed or suspected ADHD, or to manage HSP traits, please seek out a therapist who is knowledgeable about both High Sensitivity and ADHD. You can find a list of HSP-knowledgeable therapists on her Dr. Elaine Aron’s website, but even simply googling “HSP Therapist in [your state, province, or country]” can yield helpful results.
Disclaimer: This blog post is provided for educational and informational purposes only and is not medical or mental health advice. The information presented here is not intended to diagnose, treat, heal, cure or prevent any illness, medical, or mental health condition. Although Amy Lajiness is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, licensed in the state of California, she is not acting in that capacity here. Amy Lajiness is acting as an HSP Parenting Coach and Educator, not as a licensed medical health professional, mental health professional, or in her professional capacity as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Working with us is not a guarantee of any results. Inner Nature Therapy, Inc. owns all copyrights to the materials presented here unless otherwise noted.
