I recently talked with a college student from Durham who had just visited New York City. His first impressions made me wonder what would a New Yorker think after visiting North Carolina?

With 525,600 minutes in a year, it’s easy to forget how much context shapes our reactions.   Context matters - traffic, a bad hair day, geogrphic differences and expectations, or even a stain on your shirt. Without that context, the Dunning–Kruger effect can make us think we fully understand something or are being fully understood when we’ve only seen a small slice of it.

That’s why self-awareness matters. When you know your strengths are strengths, you stay confident, avoid misunderstandings, and move through new places with a clear sense of who you are.

Sometimes what looks like ADHD may actually be something else — something called Hurry Sickness. It’s not listed in the DSM-5, and it’s not psychosis. It’s a stress response that can develop after one or more of life’s five greatest stressors: major loss, financial strain, work overload, relational conflict, or health challenges.

People with Hurry Sickness often feel as though they’re constantly racing against time — mentally, emotionally, and physically. Even naturally extroverted individuals can begin to appear withdrawn or experience forced introversion (often misdiagnosed as Asperger’s Syndrome, social anxiety disorder, depression, Bipolar Disorder, or avoidant personality disorder) as their brains attempt to reduce environmental overload from chronic stress.

Micro stressors — those small, daily pressures we often overlook — can be difficult to recognize without authentic self-awareness. If left unaddressed, they can lead to anxiety, depression, headaches, irritability, short temper,  sleep disturbances, high blood pressure, and burnout.

The key difference with Hurry Sickness is that when you remove the stressor, change the environment, or even allow space for intentional introversion, symptoms can fade or disappear.

Unfortunately, not all physicians are familiar with this term or its effects.  Confirmation Bias may even cause onlookers to assume it is ADHD or Bipolar Disorder.  That’s why it’s important to seek an agile, open-minded clinician — one who sees the whole person, not just the behavior.

Here’s the reality:

• ADHD diagnosis for youth - Black and White children (12%) American Indian/Alaska Native children (10%)  Asian children (4%)
•  The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) reports  49.5% of adolescents experience a mental health crisis at some point in their lives
• The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC ) in 2023 reported 40% of students experienced persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, 20% seriously considered suicide, and 9% attempted suicide.  Multiple causes and contributing factors have led to  these feelings.
   

Diagnosis without context can lead to misunderstanding and unnecessary medication. Context and self-awareness are your best defense. Understanding your environment—and how your brain responds to it—can reveal whether what you’re experiencing is truly ADHD or a reversible stress response.

Don't Rush to accept a label. Step back, reflect, and seek physicians who look beyond the surface. Sometimes the fastest way to heal is to slow down.

If you want to understand how context, environment, and mindset shape your focus and performance, start by building a baseline of self-awareness. That’s exactly why I wrote FORWARD: It is Tangible – The Student Edition.

This guide helps readers—students, families, and educators—slow down, notice patterns, and document real changes in their thinking, emotions, and habits. It’s not about labeling yourself; it’s about learning how your brain and body respond to different situations so you can advocate clearly and confidently for what you need.

🟢 Whether you’re managing school stress, supporting a child’s growth, or trying to understand your own focus patterns, FORWARD: It is Tangible gives you a structure to start strong.

📘 Learn more or get your copy here:
FORWARD: It is Tangible – The Student Edition

 North Carolina is the fifth most popular moving destination. Its geographical diversity highlights the importance of communication clarity and strength-based self-awareness in schools and social settings. Marla, a Speech Pathologist in the Durham County School System, discusses how Geographical Differences and inquisitiveness are often misperceived.
https://www.cbs17.com/news/north-carolina-news/north-carolina-is-the-5th-most-popular-moving-destination-study-finds/