THE ADHD Iceberg: What's Hidden Beneath

When people think of ADHD, the first things that often come to mind are being forgetful, fidgety, or easily distracted. These are the behaviours most visible on the surface – the 'tip of the iceberg'.

But just like an iceberg, what you see above the water is only a fraction of the full picture; beneath the surface lies a whole range of challenges that are far less obvious but often cause far more of an impact on the individual.

For many with ADHD, that part beneath the water includes things like emotional sensitivity, rejection sensitivity dysphoria, difficulties with sleep, chronic feelings of overwhelm, or the exhausting effort of masking symptoms. It can also mean struggles with self-esteem, decision fatigue, or carrying years of frustration from feeling misunderstood.

Because these feelings aren’t as visible to others, they’re often dismissed or overlooked leaving people to carry them quietly; that is why conversations about ADHD need to go deeper than stereotypes. Awareness of the hidden challenges not only reduces stigma, but also makes space for compassion and better support.

So next time you think of ADHD, remember the iceberg - what you see above the surface is only part of the story. The real understanding comes when we take the time to look beneath.