Is it really ADHD?

ADHD shares many similarities with anxiety, depression and a dysregulated nervous system, according to psychiatrist Dr

Ashwini Padhi. “ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder. However, when we talk about a dysregulated nervous system, it’s more like the rhythm of normal regulation patterns gets disrupted, so people cannot respond to life in a flexible and resilient way,” he says.

As it impacts thoughts, feelings and behaviour, it can lead to a disproportionate response to stress (as either an under or overreaction). “For example, if you find yourself absentmindedly staring into the refrigerator, wondering how you got there, or perhaps you can’t sit still for long periods and need to busy yourself, you may well be experiencing a reaction to a stressful interaction or thought process.”

Although nervous system dysregulation can look a lot like ADHD on the surface (restless, mood fluctuations and anxiety, for example), Ashwini says there are key differences – nervous system dysregulation is often linked to unprocessed stress or trauma

(often from childhood), and can be remedied by changing influencing circumstances and habits in consultation with a health professional.

“We all have varying levels of ability to cope with what life throws our way,” says Ashwini. “Generally speaking, those who are dysregulated are unable to regulate themselves because they never had the chance to learn how to, but there are many ways people can learn to master their nervous system responses and harvest energy from them instead of anxiety or despair.”