I wanted to include another post about the difference between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcissism. ADHD can co-occur with autism in families. A family member can have autism and another ADHD, and another can have both autism and ADHD. It is unjust to say individuals with ADHD or autism are narcissistic, and it is possible to have a neurodiversity with narcissism, but they are different conditions and that has to be recognised.
I wrote a post that explained the difference between autism and narcissism because the overlapping traits of empathy and relationship difficulties can cause confusion. I want to do the same for ADHD because of the overlapping traits of inattention, impulsivity and emotional dysregulation. However, the reasons behind the behaviours are very different too.
Inattention
ADHD individuals care about others, narcissistic individuals can, but do not if it does not serve their interests. When narcissistic individuals are not paying attention to others, it is because they are dismissive or the attention isn’t on them, and they ignore the needs of others. With ADHD, noise, thoughts or movement easily distracts them. They lose track of conversations, forget details or miss cues.
Emotional Dysregulation
Emotional dysregulation with narcissism is a reaction to criticism, when their status is affected, loss of admiration or a situation they perceive as being disrespectful, which makes them react with rage. ADHD involves executive function and dopamine, so they feel strong emotions that come on quick, their emotions overreact to a situation, rapid mood shifts, and emotional overwhelm which can lead to impulse words or actions.
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Final Thoughts
The behaviour of an individual with ADHD is not intentional, and it arises from a completely different process. Narcissism is a pattern of selectivity to protect the individual’s self-esteem. It is important to distinguish between the two. This is essential for understanding and support.
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Sources and Further Reading:
Know the Differences Between ADHD and Narcissism | Psychology Today
My Autism Life After Diagnosis 
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