Trauma Therapist: Is it ADHD or PTSD or Both?
Trauma Therapist: Is it ADHD or PTSD or Both?
Written by: Lauran Hahn, LMHC
You want to focus, but you can't. You're distracted, and anxiety pulses through your body with a constant message: stay alert, don’t let your guard down. By the end of the day, you feel wrung out like an old wet towel.
You wonder, What’s going on with me? You've read articles about ADHD and think, Hmm, this sounds like me. Then, while scrolling through TikTok, you come across content about PTSD and think, This also sounds like me.
Now, you're left scratching your head, trying to figure out which one it is.
As a veteran trauma therapist and the owner of a highly specialized trauma therapy practice, Mindful Living Counseling Orlando, I’ve seen many clients ask the same question: Do I have ADHD, PTSD, or both?
A few years ago, I wrote An Inside Look at ADHD & PTSD, where I shared a conversation with Dr. Brady Bradshaw, a local Orlando psychiatrist, about the complexities of having both ADHD and PTSD.
Since then, I’ve seen more and more clients struggling with both conditions. Through this work, I’ve uncovered an even more nuanced understanding of how the symptoms overlap.
In this blog post, I'll dive deeper into the intersection of ADHD and PTSD. We'll explore the ways ADHD can make you more susceptible to PTSD and how EMDR Therapy can help alleviate many of the symptoms exacerbated by having both conditions. First, let’s cover the basics.
What is ADHD?
ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (though, in my opinion, this name doesn’t do the diagnosis justice—but more on that later). There are three subtypes of ADHD: hyperactive, inattentive, and combined.
Hyperactive: This subtype emphasizes hyperactivity and impulsivity.
Inattentive: Characterized by inattention and distractibility, but without impulsivity.
Combined: This subtype includes both hyperactive and inattentive traits. (In my experience, I’ve never met anyone with the hyperactive subtype who doesn’t also meet the criteria for the inattentive subtype.)
Now, here’s my issue with the name. From what I’ve seen, a person with ADHD doesn’t actually have a lack of attention. What they struggle with is managing the “on” and “off” switch of their attention.
People with ADHD can get completely lost in an activity they enjoy, often losing track of time for hours—this is the “off” switch. There’s no deficit of attention here; in fact, this is what’s known as hyperfocusing, which is quite common in ADHD. On the flip side, they can find it difficult to focus on tasks they find boring or uninteresting—the “on” switch. This can make initiating or completing tedious tasks, like paying bills or folding laundry, a challenge. The real issue lies in the ability to control attention.
People with ADHD struggle with executive functioning. Referring back to my conversation with Dr. Bradshaw, we identified three main areas of impairment:
Working Memory
Mental Flexibility (e.g., black-and-white thinking)
Inhibitory Control (self-regulation)
Below is a list of common symptoms that people struggling with ADHD struggle with (though this is by no means exhaustive):
Core Symptoms:
Memory problems
Time-management problems
Inattention
Hyperfocus
Procrastination
Emotional dysregulation
Impulsivity
Disorganization
Inability to multitask
Difficulty completing projects
Sleep disturbances
Sensory sensitivities
Associated Symptoms:
Family problems
Social difficulties
School/work problems
Learning Challenges
Low self-esteem
Low self-confidence
Low self-worth
Shame
Is it Nature or Nurture When It Comes to ADHD?
When we talk about nature, we're referring to biological inheritance, and nurture refers to the environment that may influence or perpetuate symptoms. My answer to this question is: it's both. The core symptoms of ADHD are a product of nature.
ADHD is organic, meaning it’s related to the structure and function of the brain—simply put, you're born with it. Let’s put this into perspective. A child is born with ADHD, and by the time they are around 3 years old, their parents start noticing differences in how their child behaves socially and emotionally compared to other “typical” children. The child with ADHD may struggle to play well with others, have more frequent meltdowns, and not respond to typical redirection or discipline (more on that later).
Even the most well-intentioned parents can become frustrated, and embarrassed, and start to wonder, What am I doing wrong? or What’s wrong with my child? The child, in turn, picks up on their parents' dissatisfaction and frustration.
How the Environment Can Create Associated Symptoms
Let’s fast forward a bit. Now this child starts kindergarten, where they’re expected to follow a schedule, sit at a desk, learn new things, and adhere to social rules. But this child has the executive functioning challenges we discussed earlier. Naturally, they will struggle to keep up with these expectations.
The child then goes home to parents who are equally frustrated. What happens next? The parents, unsure of how to respond, may punish their child for not following directions or for not performing well academically.
Are you Starting to See The Bigger Picture Here?
Research shows that children with ADHD receive 20,000 more negative messages than neurotypical children by the time they are 12! This is astonishing and gives insight into how the environment can amplify feelings of shame, frustration, and low self-worth in children with ADHD.
Why Are People with ADHD More Prone to Trauma?
Children with ADHD have different needs regarding their emotions, sensory input, physical outlets, learning styles, and structure and routine, just to name a few. When these unique needs aren’t adequately met by caregivers or the environment, children may experience developmental trauma, which occurs when their emotional and physical needs are not fulfilled.
Day in and day out, they are met with external messages like:
“What’s wrong with you?”
“Why can’t you just do what everyone else does?”
Over time, these external criticisms turn into internal beliefs:
“I’m so stupid.”
“I am broken.”
How adults respond to these struggles plays a crucial role—this is the nurture aspect. Some might argue that having ADHD itself can be traumatic, and I find myself agreeing with this perspective.
Increased Risk of Accidents and Injuries
Due to impulsivity, inattention, and risk-taking behaviors, people with ADHD are more accident-prone and more likely to sustain injuries. This heightened risk translates into more automobile accidents, sports injuries, and other unintentional injuries, as their challenges with focus and impulse control can lead to unsafe situations.
Difficulty Recovering from Trauma
Because people with ADHD often have a dysregulated nervous system—meaning their system is already taxed by day-to-day activities—they have a harder time bouncing back from challenging events. This difficulty in recovery increases their chances of developing PTSD after experiencing a traumatic event.
What is PTSD?
PTSD, or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, occurs in some individuals following a traumatic event. If the stress of the event overwhelms a person's ability to cope, they are more likely to develop PTSD.
Core PTSD Symptoms:
Intrusive memories
Intrusive dreams
Flashbacks
Increased startle response
Avoidance (can look like procrastination)
Memory problems
Hypervigilance (anxiety)
Difficulty concentrating
Emotional dysregulation
Sensory sensitivities
Associated PTSD Symptoms:
Relationship problems
Social withdrawal or difficulties
Work or school problems
Low self-esteem
Feelings of guilt or shame
As you can see, there is a significant overlap between the symptoms of ADHD and PTSD. If you're unsure whether you're struggling with one, the other, or both, it’s important to seek support from a therapist or psychiatrist skilled in treating both conditions.
Treatment for ADHD
The core symptoms of ADHD are most effectively treated through medication management, therapy, or a combination of both. Therapy focuses on developing skills to help manage and alleviate ADHD symptoms, including:
Psychoeducation about ADHD
Mindfulness-based approaches to improve focus and reduce impulsivity and emotional reactivity
Emotional regulation training
Time-management skills
Communication skills
Social skills training
Organizational skills training
What is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a psychotherapy approach designed to help individuals process and heal from traumatic or distressing experiences. It works by stimulating the brain through eye movements, tapping, or sounds which help reprocess traumatic memories so they become less emotionally charged. The therapist leads the client through a series of eye movements or other bilateral stimulation while focusing on the disturbing memory, allowing the brain to naturally heal and reframe the experience. EMDR is particularly effective for treating PTSD, but it can also help with anxiety, depression, and other emotional difficulties by reducing the impact of past traumas on current functioning.
When is EMDR Therapy Needed for Someone with ADHD?
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy is particularly useful for individuals with ADHD who experience emotional distress beyond the core symptoms of ADHD. While ADHD itself is treated with behavioral strategies and medication, many people with ADHD also struggle with associated symptoms such as family or social conflicts, chronic anxiety, shame, or low self-esteem. These emotional and relational difficulties often stem from repeated negative experiences and can create a sense of internalized failure or inadequacy.
For individuals with ADHD who have experienced ongoing emotional trauma, such as constant criticism from caregivers, peers, or teachers, EMDR can help reprocess these negative beliefs and reduce emotional distress. EMDR works by targeting and reprocessing these underlying emotional triggers, helping individuals build a more positive self-concept.
Additionally, if a person with ADHD has experienced significant trauma, such as an accident, injury, or another distressing event, they may develop PTSD-like symptoms, including flashbacks, hypervigilance, and intrusive memories. In these cases, EMDR is highly effective in treating PTSD, allowing individuals to process traumatic memories in a safe and controlled way, ultimately reducing their impact.
In summary, EMDR therapy can be a powerful tool for those with ADHD who experience:
Persistent emotional or relational challenges such as anxiety or shame
Family or social conflicts stemming from ADHD-related behaviors
Trauma from accidents, injuries, or other life-threatening events, leading to PTSD symptoms
By addressing both the emotional and traumatic aspects of their experience, EMDR can help individuals with ADHD not only manage their core symptoms but also heal from the psychological wounds that often accompany the condition.
ADHD and PTSD share a significant overlap in symptoms, making it difficult to determine which condition—or both—an individual may be experiencing. People with ADHD often face unique challenges related to emotional regulation, sensory processing, and executive functioning, which can lead to developmental trauma and heightened susceptibility to PTSD. Additionally, individuals with ADHD are more prone to accidents and injuries, further increasing their risk of trauma. For those with associated symptoms like anxiety, shame, or PTSD from traumatic experiences, EMDR therapy can be a powerful tool for healing emotional wounds and reducing distress. By understanding the relationship between ADHD and trauma, individuals can seek the appropriate support to improve their quality of life.
Interested in How Trauma Therapy Helps?
If you're navigating challenges with ADHD or PTSD, reaching out for therapy can be a great step! Our team offers a welcoming space to support you. If you're ready to take that step, here’s how to get started:
Fill out our New Client Consultation Form
Schedule a consultation call with one of our trauma therapists.
Begin your healing journey!
Not Ready for Trauma Therapy Orlando?
The Mindful Living Counseling team recognizes that you might not feel ready for Trauma Therapy. If you want to learn more before getting started we suggest reading the articles listed below.
Trauma Therapy Orlando Resources
Orlando Therapist Explains How EMDR Transforms Your Life by Alleviating PTSD Symptoms
Orlando Therapist Explores the Difference between Physical Trauma & Attachment Trauma
Understanding the Window of Tolerance
Other Therapy Services Offered at Mindful Living Counseling in Orlando
Did you know we offer a range of therapy options? We offer anxiety therapy, toxic relationship counseling, EMDR therapy, teen therapy, and guided meditation.
Trauma Therapist Spotlight: Lauran Hahn
Lauran Hahn, LMHC, provides trauma-focused therapy in Orlando and has expertise in assisting with anxiety and trauma through EMDR Intensives. She is a Certified Sensorimotor Psychotherapist, a Certified EMDR Therapist, and an EMDRIA Approved Consultant.