Confidence Dumping and Info Dumping: ADHD Behaviours Spotlight

Demi Aspey
4 mins read
Dec 26, 2023

Do you ever find yourself sharing every achievement as if it's headline news or deep-diving into topics with anyone who will listen?

It’s like your thoughts are trying to run a marathon when you only want a leisurely stroll.

Confidence dumping and info dumping are common traits for ADHD folks - but what do these terms mean, and what impact do they have?

What is Confidence Dumping ADHD? 🔍 

Confidence dumping is the act of sharing achievements more than usual.

For people with ADHD, It's driven by a deep-seated need for external validation and recognition.

Imagine someone frequently talking about their successes, not out of arrogance, but from a desire to be seen, heard, and appreciated.

Those of us with ADHD often engage in confidence dumping with the people we trust the most - our closest friends and family.

achievements everywhere adhd confidence dumping meme

Why does ADHD confidence dumping happen?

It's a blend of combating stigma, dealing with rejection sensitivity, and the desire to be recognised. 

In a world that often misunderstands ADHD, your brain becomes your own hype person, trying to bolster your self-esteem.

Confidence dumping is like a protective shield, one that guards against the frequent misinterpretations and judgments faced by those with ADHD.

It's an unconscious strategy to assert worth in a society that might not always recognise the unique traits that come with ADHD.

Confidence dumping isn’t boasting or arrogance. It’s a nuanced, emotional response to a complex social environment.

What is Info Dumping ADHD? 🔍

Picture your brain as a library bursting with books, and you've just got to tell someone about every single one. 

only highlight important information adhd meme

That's ADHD info dumping. 

It’s your mind spilling over with facts, figures, and stories about topics you love.

Info dumping happens because ADHD minds are wired to dive deep into interests, often leading to an enthusiastic (and sometimes overwhelming) flow of information.

Info dumping is more than just sharing information; it’s sharing with intense detail.

It’s our brain’s way of saying, “This is fascinating, and I want you to be as excited about it as I am!”

What is an example of info dumping?

Let’s say you’re super passionate about video games, and you want to share this passion with your friends.

Instead of simply explaining the basics, you find yourself drilling down into some serious detail: the character backstories, gameplay hacks, cheat codes. 

Or maybe you’re the next Gordan Ramsey. 

You’ve cooked up a storm in the kitchen and want to share the process with your guests: the ingredients, the steps, the history of the dish…the list goes on!

Being enthusiastic is no bad thing: it’s great when we find our passions in life.

But giving so much information at once can feel a little like information overload for those around you.

Are ADHD Confidence Dumping and Info Dumping Related? 🤔

In short, yes. But there are differences between the two.

Confidence dumping is all about self-perception and self-affirmation.

Info dumping is about sharing our passions through an unfiltered lens.

Both are forms of expression that stem from the same source – our neurodiverse ADHD brains. 

ADHD and Self-Confidence 🌟

The dance between ADHD, self-esteem, and societal perceptions is intricate and often challenging. 

Living with ADHD means navigating a world that isn’t always designed for ADHD folks.

Every forgotten task, interrupted conversation, or misunderstood impulse can feel like a blow to our self-worth. 

This is where confidence dumping comes into play – it’s a subconscious effort to counterbalance the scales of self-esteem that ADHD often tips.

It’s a way of saying, “I may struggle in some areas, but look at all the amazing things I can do!”

If you’re in need of a lil’ confidence boost or if you’re struggling with low self esteem, the Deepwrk community is here for you 💜

We’ve got plenty of handy resources on the Deepwrk body doubling website.

Or if you need to stay accountable for completing tasks, check out our ADHD coworking sessions.

That’s a wrap! 🎬

It’s important to say that confidence and info dumping are not official psychological terms.

They’re terms used in the ADHD community to describe our lived experiences. 

Remember: if you’re struggling with your ADHD and need some support, check out our Access to Work ADHD guide.

Before we go, let's do a quick flyby recap:

Confidence dumping is like your brain's own personal marketing campaign, showcasing your awesomeness to the world (and sometimes to yourself). 

It's a way to balance out those moments when ADHD might make you feel less than stellar.

Then there's info dumping, where your brain becomes a super-enthusiastic tour guide, excitedly leading you through the intricate details of your favourite subjects.

Remember: neither confidence dumping nor info dumping are anything to be ashamed of.

They’re just a part of the fabric that makes up our neurospicy ADHD brains! 

Until next time: let’s keep breaking down that ADHD stigma together! 🌟🚀

Frequently Asked Questions ❓

What does confidence dumping mean?

Confidence dumping is when an individual with ADHD effusively shares achievements or strengths, often as a way to feel seen and to counteract feelings of inadequacy or low self-esteem.

What does info dumping mean?

Info dumping is enthusiastically sharing detailed information on specific topics, a common trait of individuals with ADHD.

Where can I find more resources?

Head on over to our ADHD blog for oodles more ADHD resources.

Info dumping is one of the 5 neurodivergent love languages, so this article might be for you.

If you enjoy podcasts and love consuming information on the go, check out our article with the best ADHD podcasts of 2024.

Fan of reading? Here are our top ADHD books suggestions.

Looking for ADHD life hacks? Here you can find 17 ADHD hacks that actually work and an ADHD cleaning checklist to transform the chaos into order.

And if you want to up your productivity game, check our article with the 15 best ADHD products & gadgets or the 20 best ADHD productivity tools and apps.

Find your flow with Deepwrk. An ADHD body doubling platform to get more done solo, not alone!
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Demi Aspey
Demi is the founder of the creative agency, Sonder Script, a culture columnist for House of Coco magazine, a part-time lecturer, and a soon-to-be Doctor in screenwriting. She is a scriptwriter by speciality and a copywriting cultivator by trade. Demi is a mental health advocate and was diagnosed with ADHD as an adult.