ADHD Is Not a Superpower — It’s a Stress Response
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ADHD Is Not a Superpower — It’s a Stress Response
And why we need to stop romanticising it
By Adam Rose | AC - STUDIO.
Let’s cut the fluff: ADHD is not a superpower.
It’s not a quirky trait.
It’s not your brain’s way of being “extra creative” or “spontaneously brilliant.”
It’s a stress response. A survival mechanism.
And pretending otherwise doesn’t help anyone — least of all, those of us living with it.
Here’s the truth:
ADHD can be painful.
It can mean forgetting appointments, zoning out mid-conversation, or spiraling into a five-hour internet rabbit hole instead of doing something that actually matters to you. It can mean panic. Shame. Decision paralysis. Impulsivity. Regret.
And yeah — sometimes we’re creative.
But that’s not because we have ADHD.
It’s because we’re whole people in spite of ADHD.
The Problem With Fantasising ADHD
When we paint ADHD as a superpower, we erase the real-life experience of people who are struggling. We turn a legitimate condition into an aesthetic — a filter over a messy reality. And that does two things:
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It isolates people who don’t feel “empowered” by their ADHD.
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It lets society off the hook from making real changes — like creating systems that actually support neurodivergent minds.
ADHD Is a Nervous System That’s Constantly on Edge
It’s not “fun chaos.” It’s a dysregulated nervous system, often shaped by trauma, overstimulation, or chronic stress. ADHD brains aren’t broken, but they are wired differently. They crave structure but resist it. They seek stimulation but get overwhelmed by it. It’s a contradiction we live inside, every day.
Why Honesty Matters
At AC - STUDIO., I built a business around that reality.
I’m not here to sell you fantasy. I’m here to make one part of life — choosing a frame for your art — less overwhelming.
Because when your brain is already running on overdrive, the last thing you need is 1,000 frame styles and a panic attack in the checkout process.
You need one solid option. A few good colours. Done.
That’s it. That’s the whole point.
What We Actually Need
We need fewer choices, not more.
We need people to stop calling our struggles “gifts” while ignoring our need for accommodation.
We need products, systems, and services built with neurodivergent brains in mind — not built around romanticised versions of us.
The Bottom Line:
ADHD isn’t a badge of honour or a marketing angle. It’s a complex condition that affects every part of life — shopping included.
So no, I won’t call it a superpower.
But I will create calm, curated spaces that make living with ADHD a little bit easier.
That’s what AC - STUDIO. is here for.
That’s what I’m here for.
Want to shop with your nervous system in mind?
Head to acstudioonline.com — one style, seven colours, no drama.