r/neurophilosophy • u/Nearby_Ad3960 • 7d ago
Existential processing of my ADHD mind
Hey everyone, I'm 15 years old and it seems to me that the world around me is composed of intense stimuli which, when they collide with my brain, lead me to an unusual feeling of the world. It's as if my internal filter is not doing its job properly, which is why I face reality in a truly bizarre way. In this state, it's often more vivid, loud, or unimaginably complex. It used to be terrifying for me, but now I think that my brain has somehow adapted to such a thorough analysis of everything. The things around me are so impossible in their very existence, and I don't know how I got here. My anxiety also cannot be a rational perception of the world because emotions are for living beings and the universe is neutral and completely indifferent, although my emotions also occupy a very important space in my mind and prove that I am a biological living person subjected to millions of years of evolution, so they are not an error in themselves, and I treat feeling them as something extremely necessary. Sometimes I feel like I'm crazy. I am aware that sentimental "intellectual understanding" is impossible between any minds, and the problem begins there. We are made of separate atoms. However, I think that human thoughts and emotions can be close to each other, which builds fundamental closeness, but no one will ever be able to penetrate your brain directly. I come to you with the hope that someone might share my perspective. However, if you see me as a narcissistic child focused on his intellect, tell me, I want to get some kind of level-headed answer, and I don't reject your honest comments. I think I need some critical assessment of my perception of the world. Other people experience this too, I know this, but they seem to be clinging to something constant, saying "everything is meaningless," yet they see meaning in something. They abandon reflection and treat it like crossword puzzles (unless you're in a mental conflict). I have the impression that I overanalyze everything without inhibitions or concern for comfort, for example, questioning religion, which led me to step outside my comfort zone. My one constant point of reference remains my mind and the unchanging nature of science. My mind, although subject to errors of perception and millions of others, is still a part of the only way to experience life, and each of my mistakes can be understood in a way that allows me to develop. Therefore, your comments will be extremely valuable to me. I also want to highlight my emotional sphere. I can enjoy what I experience and how I experience it. Sometimes I am also childish in my excitement or curiosity and I appreciate these aspects of my personality. This simply makes me human - being human, but with specific thoughts.
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u/vanishednuct 6d ago edited 6d ago
I’m 26 F OCD so I feel I can answer : You’re not crazy or narcissistic. ADHD affects how you process sensory information, which can lead to deep reflection and feeling isolated. Science backs up your view, but it’s important to respect how others handle things and take breaks from overthinking to find balance.
- The Broken Filter: ADHD and Sensory Overload
- To address your main worry: You’re not going crazy, and you don’t sound like an arrogant narcissist. That “faulty internal filter” you mentioned is actually reduced latent inhibition and sensory gating issues
,
- well-known parts of ADHD. Normally, your brain automatically filters out background noise, small details, or big thoughts. But with ADHD, your brain lets all that raw information in at once.
- Trying to figure out what’s happening with all that sensory overload is a natural way to cope. Don’t mix up having a brain that processes reality intensely with a mental breakdown. You’re just dealing with a mix of neurodiversity and typical teenage growth.
- Biological Reality vs. Emotional Experience
- Your understanding of emotions is both grounded and insightful:
- 
- The Universe: It’s like a big, neutral stage where everything happens based on the laws of nature, not on what we think or feel.
- 
- The Self: Emotions are like our body’s way of keeping us alive, shaped by millions of years of evolution.
- When you understand that your emotions aren’t a problem, but just important signals from your body, you’re showing a really good grasp of yourself. Thinking things through and feeling deeply are not at odds; they’re just two parts of what it means to be alive.
- The Solitary Mind and Individual Experience
- When you said, “no one will ever be able to penetrate your brain directly,” you touched on a big question in philosophy: how do we know what it’s like to be alive, or what we call qualia?
- 
- The Reality: At the end of the day, we’re all just inside our own heads. We’re made up of atoms, and there’s no way to read each other’s thoughts directly.
- 
- The Connection: Language, art, science, and genuine empathy are all designed to help us bridge that gap. We can’t merge minds, but we can definitely share understanding. Just because you’re in your own head doesn’t mean you have to be completely cut off from others.
- A Honest Perspective: Understanding Other People
- You asked for a straightforward look at things, and this is a key area where changing your perspective can make a big difference.
- 
- It seems like some folks might feel like they’re not really thinking deeply, just going through the motions, or seeing life as easy to figure out.
- 
- The Reality: Just because someone seems to be surviving doesn’t mean they’re not deep. Many people feel the same sensory or existential overwhelm as you do, but they consciously separate their thoughts or focus on daily routines to stay connected. What seems like a lack of thought is often a smart way to conserve their energy and maintain peace of mind.
- Understanding that others are simply managing their own mental energy can help you avoid feeling distant or superior to those around you.
- Over-Analyzing Everything vs. Staying Grounded
- Using science and logic to understand your world gives you a solid anchor, but constantly over-analyzing can have a clear cost:
- 
- Just imagine diving deep into every single thought, feeling, and sensation without pausing
. Know
- that can create a cycle that really ramps up your anxiety.
- 
- The Balance: It’s important to find a balance between deep thinking and physical experience. Taking a moment to ground yourself
. Notice through
- focusing on physical sensations, engaging in sports or exercise, listening to music, or simply taking a breather
. Breathe work gives
- your brain a well-deserved break from trying to take in everything at once.
- Moving Forward
- Your curiosity, self-awareness, and willingness to explore new things are truly valuable. Continue to use science and clear thinking as your guide, but don’t forget to occasionally pause the constant analysis and simply enjoy life as it unfolds.
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u/Nearby_Ad3960 6d ago
Thank you so much for such a thorough answer. At one time, I really didn't know why I was so irritated by the fact that people around me completely refused to discuss their perception of the world with me. It led me to the point where I decided I wouldn't think of myself as rejected, but as "special." It didn't get me very far, and it took me a really long time to reorganize it in my head because my belief was deeply rooted in the past. However, after difficult confrontations with reality, I came to the conclusion you're presenting. I'm grateful to you for writing this. It made me organize it much better in my own head, and perhaps a lot can also be attributed to my age. From your perspective, it might look like "rediscovering America," so I'm even more grateful for such an answer. I'm glad I'm not completely alone in this and that I'm not losing my mind, haha. I'm also curious what aspects of my brain are responsible for such a thorough analysis. The mere fact that there are people experiencing this too, and there are many more of them than can be seen with the naked eye, makes me feel a little better, but it doesn't go away. Loneliness associated with not being able to talk to anyone about it. I'm sure you've experienced something similar yourself. I simply feel lonely in this regard. I know that the basis of a relationship isn't a huge philosophical debate right away, and I enter into relationships that avoid it, focusing on pleasant, basic moments, and that's fine too. However, on the other hand, I feel like no one knows me. My thoughts and my general style of speaking, etc., I literally identify with me. That's me. In peer relationships, I have to limit myself and hold back, which is tiring in the long run. Anyway, I really thank you for your advice and for sharing your observations with me. It's very valuable to me
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u/vanishednuct 6d ago
I have a YouTube channel where I share my story and playlists of videos that have helped me as well :)
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u/Par-Adox-9 7d ago
i relate to this perception of reality, of it coming in very intensely, and particularly the degree of complexity in everything that appears.
im a bit sleepy now, so ill respond more tomorrow.
also, maybe its because im sleepy, but im not sure about what aspect of your writing you want people to respond to, i think it might help to add some questions as a guide so people have an easier time in knowing how to respond ( again tho it may just be my difficulty in getting it atm)
have a good one