INTEROCEPTION

H1: Interoception and ADHD Women

Interoception is the ability to notice internal cues such as hunger, tension, emotion, and energy. Many ADHD women struggle with interoception and blame themselves for “ignoring signs.”

This is a skill, not a moral issue.

Why Interoception Is Hard

ADHD affects body awareness, attention switching, sensory processing, emotional interpretation, and stress patterns. Signals feel faint, fast, or confusing.

What This Looks Like

Missing hunger cues, missing early overwhelm signs, emotional waves that feel sudden, difficulty identifying feelings, or being surprised by shutdown.

You are not disconnected. Your signals are different.

What Helps

1. One check-in a day

“What is my energy level?”
“Where is my tension?”
“How is my breathing?”

2. Use external cues

Timers, visual prompts, environmental changes.

3. Make feelings literal

“My chest is tight.”
“My stomach is tense.”

Literal language makes cues clearer.

The Flourish Way

Flourish teaches interoception through sensory lists, check-ins, and gentle awareness practices.

Want to explore more?

Flourish has a full workbook available.