Why do ADHD People Have No Filters?

why do ADHD people have no filters?

Since we are neurodiverse, our brains are basically is bombarded by far more information than neurotypicals, and this is why we are very passionate about life and feel more intensively, It’s also why they are overwhelmed a lot of the time and are hyper sensitive to noise.

In essence, the ADHD brain's reduced filtering is a double-edged sword: it can be challenging in environments that demand focus, yet it also allows for a deeper connection with the world around you. If you are a woman with ADHD, you may have been told many times in your life that you feel too much, you are over sensitive or over emotional, or too much or too intense. This explains why many women with ADHD often feel emotions and experiences with intense passion and vivid clarity.

Think of the ADHD brain as a high-speed information hub with fewer “traffic controllers” than a neurotypical brain. In neuroscience terms, this means that the brain's filtering system—the executive functions managed by the prefrontal cortex—doesn't limit incoming data as much. Here's how that plays out:

• Information Overload: While neurotypical brains filter out less-relevant information, an ADHD brain absorbs a constant stream of sensory inputs, thoughts, and emotions. Imagine your brain as a room with many windows. For neurotypicals, a few windows are open to let in just the right amount of fresh air. For someone with ADHD, all the windows might be open at once, flooding the room with energy and stimuli.

• No Filter = Intensity: With so much information coming in, every emotion, sensation, or thought can feel amplified. This heightened sensitivity often translates into a deeper passion for life. When you experience something—a song, a sunset, or a conversation—the detail and intensity can be overwhelming, which is why many with ADHD feel things more deeply and passionately.

• Positive and Negative Effects: This lack of filtering isn’t just about challenges like distractibility; it’s also about a unique richness in emotional experience. That same neural trait that leads to feeling overwhelmed can also lead to a more vibrant, nuanced engagement with life. When you're excited about something, your passion is palpable because you're experiencing it at a level many might miss.

by

Carlita Shaw

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