ADHD or Just Me? The Blurred Lines Between Symptoms and Self
Who are you, really?
If you’ve been diagnosed with ADHD, you may have found yourself asking this question more often than you’d like. When you start to understand your symptoms—impulsivity, distractibility, hyperfocus, emotional intensity—it’s hard not to wonder: Is this just my ADHD, or is this who I truly am?
The Identity Dilemma: Where Do You End and ADHD Begins?
ADHD isn’t just something you have—it’s something that shapes how you interact with the world. It influences the way you think, feel, and respond to your environment. But when so many of your habits and tendencies are shaped by ADHD, it’s easy to fall into an unsettling question: If my brain functioned differently, would I still be me?
Would you still be the same person if you didn’t interrupt conversations? If you never lost track of time? If you weren’t always chasing the next exciting idea?
These questions can feel heavy, even existential. But let’s explore a few perspectives that might help untangle this confusion.
Perspective 1: ADHD as a Lens, Not an Identity
ADHD affects how you experience life, but it doesn’t define who you are. Imagine two people looking at the same painting—one with glasses that sharpen the details, the other with tinted lenses that enhance certain colors. The painting remains the same, but the way it’s perceived is different. Your core self—your values, passions, and relationships—exist beyond the way your brain processes information. ADHD is a lens, but it’s not the whole picture.
Perspective 2: Embracing the Intertwining of ADHD and Identity
For many, ADHD is inseparable from who they are. It shapes creativity, spontaneity, humor, and passion. It fuels deep curiosity and unconventional thinking. Instead of seeing ADHD as an external force separate from your identity, consider this: What if it’s just part of your unique blueprint? No one questions whether their natural talents, quirks, or interests are "really them"—why should your ADHD-related traits be any different?
Perspective 3: The Power of Choice
Regardless of whether you see ADHD as a separate condition or as an integral part of your identity, one thing remains true: You have the power to shape your own story. Understanding ADHD gives you the ability to work with your brain rather than against it. You can lean into the strengths it brings while developing strategies to manage its challenges.
So, Where Do You Go From Here?
If these questions resonate with you, you’re not alone. Navigating the blurred lines between ADHD and selfhood can be confusing, but you don’t have to do it on your own. Therapy can provide a space to explore these questions, develop self-compassion, and find ways to live in alignment with both your neurodivergence and your core values.
At Humble Roots Counseling, I help adults with ADHD unpack these big questions and create lives that feel authentic and fulfilling. If you’re ready to explore what it means to be you—ADHD and all—schedule a consultation today. Let’s make sense of this, together.
