The ADHD Iceberg

An iceberg is formed when a piece of ice breaks off a glacier and falls into the ocean. Typically only about 10% of the iceberg can be seen above the water due to the fact the remaining 90% is submerged in water. This visual is commonly used to help represent surface level things have a much deeper meaning. Sigmund Freud famously used the iceberg metaphor to help visualize The Theory of The Mind. And since then the iceberg has been used as a helpful visual for many different things.

As I have been researching recently I stumbled upon a visual of the ADHD Iceberg. This visual was created by Chris A. Ziegler Dendy, an ADHD advocate. (Photo from https://www.chrisdendy.com/iceberg)

I have talked previously that ADHD is much more than the acronym itself, and this visual is a near perfect example of what I meant when I said that. Not only is there a lot more under the surface than can be seen, but whatever part of the iceberg is under the surface can be causing what is going on above the surface.

When we notice things like impulsivity, forgetfulness, or fidgety its really easy to stop there and say that is all that individual is. But the iceberg reminds us that there is normally a deeper meaning to those behaviors. And finding that deeper meaning can be so helpful in understanding why those behaviors are happening.

Not only can this be helpful for people that work with individuals with ADHD to help remember that surface level behaviors may be caused by deeper meanings. But it can be helpful for people with ADHD to help understand why they are feeling the feelings they are having or doing the things the are doing. Always try to ask the question “what is going on, what caused this to happen” instead of asking “what is wrong with this person/me.”

I used to really struggle with my ADHD. I didn’t know why I was feeling what I was feeling or doing the things I was doing. It would really frustrate me and lead to a cycle of feeling shame and confusion about what was going on. But now I have the tools and the ability to take a step back and look at the “why is this happening” and the “what is actually going on here.” The more I am able to learn about what is beneath the surface, the more I am able to show up for myself and others around me.

Learning to look below the iceberg has taught me a lot about self-awareness. Self-awareness is not about fixing myself, it is all about understanding myself. The more I can learn about underneath the surface, the more I learn about how to control and navigate what is above the surface.