Studies show that many people with ADHD are prone to “stimming.” Stimming and other repetitive behaviors help some individuals with ADHD regulate their focus or attention. Kapp et al. (2019) showed that 80% of people diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) engage in “stimming” as a means of sensory regulation. Given the significant overlap in symptomatology of ASD and ADHD, it stands to reason that stimming is common in both conditions.
Although repetitive behaviors are not necessarily harmful, this article will delve into important therapeutic guidelines when behaviors starts to become maladaptive. It is essential to understand the intricacies of ADHD in order to help those experiencing sensory dysregulation, inattentiveness, and executive functioning challenges.
ADHD in Adults
ADHD is not only a childhood condition, and National Geographic recently reported that it can persist long into adulthood, with almost 7% of adults also presenting with the condition. For many, it can disrupt several areas of their daily life, from work to personal relationships. The inattention, possible hyperactivity, and impulsive behavior may cause issues where others do not understand the difficulties they have
The core symptoms of ADHD in adults are as follows:
Inattention often presents as difficulties sustaining focus or listening. It may even lead to a lack of follow-through on tasks, leading to frequent mistakes at work or home.
Hyperactivity can manifest as frequent fidgeting or discomfort in remaining seated. Such symptoms may even occur during adult activities, such as meetings, and result in a person receiving criticism for not paying attention.
Impulsivity leads to adults making hasty decisions without considering the consequences of their actions. In many cases, this manifests as making rash purchases or poorly thought-out decisions in friendships and romantic relationships.
Not all adults display these in the same way or to the same extent. Researchers confirm that this is often due to “masking”, or hiding symptoms that may prove problematic, throughout a person’s life. As such, a trained psychologist frequently needs to perform a careful examination to ensure the correct diagnosis.
Understanding Mechanisms of Repeating the Same Thing Over and Over
For many adults with compulsions or ADHD, repetitive behavior may offer temporary stress relief or distraction from anxiety. Examples include the following:
- “Restless leg syndrome”
- Rocking in a chair
- Dancing in place
- Tapping or spinning a pen
- Fidgeting or fiddling with one’s hands
- Blinking
At a young age, such symptoms often receive admonishment from educators or parents who do not understand what a person is doing, leading to guilt in an adult. These adults may then not exhibit repetitive actions in ADHD as a core symptom, making diagnosis more challenging.
These repetitive behaviors may also occur as comorbidities with other conditions, such as OCD, as attested by Kose et al. (2017).The occurrence of both of these conditions simultaneously can sometimes even make it hard to diagnose the other due to the similarities between stimming and other repetitive actions.
For this reason, individualized assessment is imperative to understanding each patient and addressing these behaviors long-term.
Challenges Leading to Repetitive Behavior
People with ADHD can often have trouble with executive function and other mental processes that help them set or carry out personal objectives. ADHD symptoms can include having difficulties with areas of life such as:
- Planning
- Organizing
- Time management
- Regulating emotions
- Disciplined behavior
Deficits in these areas can cause increased stress due to the potential of failure in missed deadlines, forgotten appointments, or other problems. In some cases, repetitive behavior, such as tapping or rocking during work, might help those with ADHD manage or compensate for these deficits.
Even though such repetitive behavior can prevent dysfunction, over 70% of adults have been told not to partake in the activity, according to Kapp et al. (2019). Such criticism can often have long-lasting effects on an adult’s life, with studies showing those who receive criticism for repetitive behavior often feel:
- Anger
- Nervousness
- Frustration
- Belittlement
- Shame
- Confusion
It is essential to understand the triggers and responses to such behaviors to ensure further harm does not come to those who experience ADHD.
Managing ADHD and Repetitive Behaviors
Nobody with ADHD should conclude that the repetitive behaviors associated with their condition are inherently problematic. Still, the behavior can cause harm in some specific circumstances, including:
- Harmful scratching
- Pulling out hair
- Hand or lip-biting
- Disrupting others’ concentration due to noise
- Embarrassment caused by others noticing the stimming
- Receiving negative comments
Cognitive behavioral therapy for ADHD (CBT) can help individuals identify and challenge specific unwanted thought patterns.For many with ADHD, CBT can be effective in not stopping stimming but enhancing self-awareness related to the activity. They can then divert such actions into other kinds of less-harmful stims.
For others, a therapist can discuss coping strategies or modifications to one’s environment to help reduce the harm repetitive behaviors can cause.
In other circumstances, a therapist can suggest:
- Organizational advice
- Stress management tools
- Recommendations of objects to help one “stim”
- Assistance from friends and family
For many, family therapy may even show promise as it can educate members of the family who might not otherwise understand the difficulties someone is going through.
Ensuring Self-Acceptance and Community Support
Managing ADHD behaviors can be challenging for those experiencing ADHD. For this reason, it is crucial to emphasize that stimming is a natural part of how people with ADHD manage their environment and their emotions.
Adults with ADHD should ensure that they have the self-confidence to recognize that repetitive behavior is a vital tool they have to help them.They should also feel empowered to educate those around them, such as:
- Family
- Friends
- Coworkers
- Employers
Any understanding resulting from this communication should help people feel safe engaging in stimming or discussing solutions to avoid difficulties in a shared space.
Working with a Specialized Therapist to Help with ADHD
Understanding ADHD is important in order to give those experiencing it the tools they need to manage it. For this reason, specialized therapies like CBT and mindfulness can help people act in a way that benefits them even while they continue repeating the same thing over and over.
Working with Advanced Behavioral Health, you can find an experienced clinician offering expert help and tailored therapy for managing ADHD behaviors. Contact the clinic today to learn how they can provide you with a comprehensive assessment and help you manage your ADHD symptoms.