Is it an ADHD thing to need time alone more than neurotypical people do? And if so, how do make sure you get it?
I haven’t been diagnosed with ADHD but am starting to suspect that I have it.
One thing I know about myself is that I REALLY struggle if I can’t have time alone and it’s also the main thing that I know that the people in my life struggle to accept about me. It makes me feel really bad not getting enough time alone and not feeling like it’s OK with other people if I take it.
Not sure if this is something people with ADHD relate to. Maybe you guys can tell me?
May be more of an AuDHD spectrum thing rather than pure adhd…
Socializing requires executive focus. I have to listen and think about what the person is doing, then figure out how to respond, which needs active thought as I’m (probably) on spectrum. It interrupts my normal brain flow. That gets tiring very quickly when it is already a lot of mental work to maintain task focus while alone.
Now that you explain it, that makes a lot of sense.
In written form I can consume the info and place it into context.
Listening actively, I am managing not just storing and responding, but also engagement, expressions, tone, volume, tangential thoughts (me too), and external information.