When most people think of ADHD, they picture the familiar traits of distractibility, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. But for many, these are just one part, albeit a considerable part of something more complex. For many people, there are additional struggles which can appear random or unconnected: unusual levels of muscle tension, restless legs, challenges around posture, battling sleep issues, irregular eating patterns or challenges with specific tastes or textures.
Research suggests these issues can be connected to how the ADHD brain and body process the world. And this in turn creates an additional layer to how the ADHD person feels, moves, and experiences day-to-day life.
Understanding this bigger picture can help to explain why people might find it so hard to:
“Just relax”
“Just go to bed earlier”
“Sit up straight”
“Stop being so picky”
The research reveals these aren’t failures of willpower, nor wilful disobediences – rather the impact of neurological differences.
Recognising this can help people make small but meaningful changes to support themselves. Simple adjustments like stretching regularly to ease muscle tension, keeping water close by to counter dehydration, or building routines around sleep and nutrition can all make a significant difference in the day-to-day life of the ADHD person.
Making sense of lifelong patterns
This is why identifying ADHD can be such a turning point for so many people. For adults who discover their diagnosis later in life, not only can it suddenly make sense of years of confusion or self-criticism, but it can also begin to link together all those experiences that once felt separate or inexplicable. It can reframe a lifetime of questions and self-blame.
This clarity can be deeply healing. When people realise these patterns are not personal character failings but features of their neurotype, self-compassion grows. Knowing that they are part of how their brain and body communicate can transform how they speak to themselves. It opens up space to consider what they need, rather than what they think they “should” be able to do.
From there, it becomes easier to seek support. Coaching, therapy, occupational support, or nutritional advice can all help, replacing years of self-criticism with something far more sustaining: acceptance, curiosity, and compassion.