Justice Sensitivity and ADHD
Understanding Justice Sensitivity in ADHD
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is commonly associated with difficulties in focus, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. However, there’s another aspect of ADHD that often goes unnoticed: justice sensitivity. This refers to a heightened awareness and intense emotional response to perceived unfairness or injustice. Understanding this can help parents and caregivers support their neurodivergent children more effectively.
What is Justice Sensitivity?
Justice sensitivity is the tendency to perceive and react strongly to unjust or unfair situations. Individuals with high justice sensitivity often experience intense emotions when they witness or experience injustice, whether directed at themselves, others, or even a group they care about.
In children and teens with ADHD, this sensitivity can manifest in several ways:
• Personal Sensitivity: They might feel personally wronged or unfairly treated, even when others do not see any injustice.
• Empathic Sensitivity: They may react strongly to unfairness directed towards others, often stepping in to defend or advocate for those they perceive as victims.
• Moral Sensitivity: They might be particularly attuned to moral issues, feeling deeply about what they believe is right or wrong.
Why is Justice Sensitivity More Common in ADHD?
Several factors contribute to the heightened justice sensitivity often observed in individuals with ADHD:
1. Emotional Dysregulation: ADHD is often accompanied by difficulties in managing emotions. This can lead to intense reactions to perceived injustices, making it harder for these individuals to “brush off” situations that seem unfair.
2. Executive Functioning Challenges: Individuals with ADHD may struggle with impulse control and problem-solving, which can make it harder to navigate complex social situations. When they perceive an injustice, they might react impulsively without taking the time to assess the situation entirely.
3. Hyperfocus on Values: People with ADHD can sometimes hyperfocus on specific ideas or values. If fairness and justice are important to them, they might zero in on these issues more intensely than their peers.
How Can Parents and Caregivers Help?
Understanding that justice sensitivity is a real and valid experience for many individuals with ADHD is the first step in supporting them. Here are some strategies to help:
1. Validate Their Feelings: Acknowledge their emotions and let them know it’s okay to feel strongly about fairness. This validation can help them feel understood and supported.
2. Teach Perspective-Taking: Help them see situations from multiple viewpoints. This can be done through role-playing or discussing different scenarios where fairness might be perceived differently.
3. Develop Coping Strategies: Work on building emotional regulation skills. Techniques like deep breathing, mindfulness, or stepping away from a situation to calm down can be effective.
4. Encourage Advocacy in Healthy Ways: Guide them towards positive actions when they feel something is unfair, such as talking to a trusted adult or getting involved in causes that promote justice.
5. Provide Structure and Predictability: Since unpredictability can heighten feelings of unfairness, creating a structured environment where clear expectations can help reduce anxiety and frustration.
Justice sensitivity in ADHD is not a flaw but a reflection of a deep commitment to fairness and morality. By understanding and addressing this sensitivity, parents and caregivers can help their children navigate their emotions and advocate for fairness in a healthy, constructive way. In doing so, they empower their children to use their sensitivity as a strength rather than a source of distress.