ADHD and the spiky nervous system
When we talk about a spiky profile in ADHD, it’s the contrast between amazing strengths – the kind of strengths that some people describe as superpowers –
and at-times debilitating challenges, where even simple tasks can feel impossible.
That big gap between the two is what creates the familiar peaks and dips: the spiky profile so many of us relate to.
But lately I’ve been wondering…
What if there’s another kind of spiky profile we don’t talk about as much?
One that’s less about ability and more about the nervous system itself?
Because for many of us, the spikes show up elsewhere too
Not just in what we can do…
but in how we feel.
Our energy.
Our motivation.
Our emotions.
Our dopamine levels.
They can swing dramatically – sometimes within the same day, even within the same hour.
When something sparks interest → we can feel alive. Focused. Motivated.
When stimulation drops → we can crash. Feel flat. Stuck. Overwhelmed.
Researchers describe ADHD as a dopamine dysregulation condition, meaning our reward and emotion systems don’t always work in a steady, predictable way. For many of us, that can look like:
- higher highs
- heavier crashes
- inconsistent energy
- emotional intensity that feels out of nowhere
A nervous-system rollercoaster that runs alongside the traditional spiky profile of strengths and struggles.
A conversation that brought this into focus
I was chatting to my gorgeous friend and coaching peer Jemma about this recently.
We were comparing notes on the wild swings we sometimes experience, and we agreed on one thing:
What helps most isn’t trying to fix the spikes… it’s normalising them.
Talking about them.
Naming them.
Taking the shame out of them.
Because understanding the why behind our patterns doesn’t make us less capable – it makes us more compassionate towards ourselves.
Gently supporting the nervous system
Once we have the language for this nervous-system spikiness, the next step isn’t to erase it. It’s to support ourselves through it.
For many of us, that looks like:
- routines that create a sense of safety
- creative outlets that soothe the system
- movement that regulates energy
- breaks before burnout, instead of recovery after
- rest that feels allowed, not earned
If your highs and lows feel bigger lately…
You’re absolutely not alone.
Many ADHDers experience these nervous-system fluctuations – we just don’t always have the language or validation for them.
Talking about it helps.
Normalising it helps.
Understanding it helps.
Can you relate to this? I’d love to hear your experience. 💛