From ‘dopamining’ to ‘squirreling’ – A guide to ADHD terminology
October is ADHD Awareness Month and we’re taking a dive into the evolving language used to describe life with ADHD.
Published 23 October 2024
It can be tricky to keep up with terminology as it’s constantly changing, and people use different words and phrases when talking about how they experience living with ADHD. These are some of the terms people might use when talking about ADHD.
ADHD / Task Paralysis
Overwhelm or anxiety leading to an inability to start, continue, or complete tasks, often due to executive dysfunction.
AuDHD
A term used to describe individuals who are both autistic and have ADHD.
Body Double / Accountability Partner
A person who helps someone with ADHD stay on task by being present while they work, even without direct involvement.
Doom Piling
The habit of repeatedly moving tasks or objects without properly organising them, leading to clutter. (DOOM – Didn’t Organise, Only Moved!)
Dopamining (Dopamine Seeking)
The tendency of individuals with ADHD to seek out stimulating activities that provide a dopamine boost, which may lead to impulsive behaviour.
Executive Function
Cognitive processes that involve planning, organising, managing time, and decision-making, which can be challenging for people with ADHD.
Habit Stacking
Building new habits by linking them with existing routines, a strategy used to improve consistency.
Hyperfixation
Deep, obsessive focus on one interest or activity, often to the detriment of other tasks.
Hyperfocus
Intense, prolonged concentration on a task, often to the exclusion of other responsibilities. This can include eating, drinking, or using the toilet.
Inattentive
A lack of sustained attention or focus, a common trait in ADHD, especially the inattentive subtype.
Info Dumping
Sharing large amounts of detailed information about a topic of interest, often a form of enthusiasm for ADHD individuals.
Masking
Hiding or suppressing ADHD traits to fit societal expectations, which can be exhausting and lead to burnout.
Perfection Paralysis
The inability to start or complete a task due to fear of it not being perfect, a common experience for people with ADHD.
Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria (RSD)
Extreme emotional sensitivity to actual and perceived rejection or criticism, often causing intense feelings of pain or shame.
Spoons
A metaphor used to represent energy levels or mental capacity, often referencing how many "spoons" someone has left to complete tasks.
Squirrelling
Jumping rapidly between different tasks or interests, often a result of distractibility in ADHD.
Stimming
Repetitive movements or sounds, often used by people with ADHD to self-soothe or focus.
Time Blindness
Difficulty perceiving the passage of time and how long is needed for tasks, leading to challenges with time management and punctuality.
Waiting Mode
A state where a person with ADHD feels stuck, waiting for the right moment to act but unable to initiate tasks until something prompts them.
Working Memory
The ability to hold and manipulate information in mind over short periods. This may be impaired for people with ADHD, leading to forgetfulness or task-switching.
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