One common ADHD trait that is often misunderstood as rudeness is the tendency to interrupt during conversations—sometimes with thoughts that seem completely off-topic. To others, this can come across as a sign that we aren’t listening or don’t value what they’re saying.
But for many people with ADHD, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Most of the time, we are listening (unless we’ve unintentionally zoned out), and we do care deeply about what you’re saying. The interruptions usually stem from a combination of ADHD symptoms—not a lack of respect or interest.
If you live with ADHD, you may find yourself interrupting others during conversations. This often happens because traits like impulsivity and lapses in attention make it hard to hold onto your thoughts until it’s your turn to speak.
Interrupting can become a frustrating pattern, especially if it starts affecting your relationships or your ability to communicate clearly with those around you. Reaching out to friends or loved ones to talk about this habit can be helpful.
Some practical strategies to manage interrupting include:
Open communication and mindful strategies like these can make conversations feel more inclusive and positive for everyone involved.
The tendency to interrupt others or cut into conversations is often rooted in a constellation of ADHD symptoms, such as poor impulse control, difficulty choosing what to focus on, and lapses in working memory.
When someone with ADHD participates in a conversation, their experience often includes racing thoughts, rapid jumps between unrelated topics, and attention that shifts quickly from one stimulus to another—sometimes without regard to what is most relevant at the time. To outside observers, this may appear as sudden interruptions or tangents, when in reality it reflects the inner workings of an ADHD mind throughout the day.
People with ADHD may interrupt because they struggle to resist the urge to speak immediately, fearing that a thought will be lost if not shared right away. They may also be unable to hold onto an idea long enough to wait for their turn due to deficits in working memory.
This conversation style is sometimes shaped by early family dynamics. For example, in homes where lively, overlapping discussions are common, interrupting might go unnoticed or be considered normal. However, as individuals move into other social settings, this habit can be perceived as overwhelming or impolite. In these situations, participants may wonder if anyone is truly listening when multiple people talk at once. For most people with ADHD, the answer is yes—listening is happening, even if it doesn’t always look that way from the outside.
Interrupting isn’t always an issue in environments where everyone is used to that style of conversation. However, for people who aren’t comfortable with frequent interruptions, it can lead to tension and hurt feelings. These individuals may interpret interruptions as a sign of disinterest or a lack of respect for what they are saying.
Interruptions can also cause difficulties when it’s important to stay focused on a particular topic. For example, in a work meeting, frequent interruptions—especially those that stray from the agenda—can be distracting and make it harder for others to remain engaged with the discussion.
In personal relationships, interrupting during important conversations with a partner or friend can create additional tension, particularly when trying to address or resolve problems.
Even if there is no intention to be rude or dismissive, interruptions in these settings can still have a negative impact on communication and relationships.
Managing interruptions during conversation is a shared responsibility. Developing ways to curb the urge to interject, while others learn to understand your communication style, makes interactions smoother for everyone.
By fostering clear communication, understanding, and practical strategies—both for yourself and those around you—conversations can become more harmonious and rewarding for everyone involved.
In serious conversations or professional settings where it is important to patiently wait for one’s turn to speak, individuals with ADHD can use specific strategies to help manage the urge to interrupt—while still staying engaged and attentive.
These strategies support respectful and effective communication in situations where interrupting is particularly disruptive or unwelcome.
Interrupting can happen to anyone occasionally, but it tends to be more frequent in people with ADHD. Fortunately, there are effective strategies to manage this tendency and reduce its impact on communication and relationships. A key first step is educating friends and family about why interrupting occurs. Using conversation techniques—such as keeping comments brief and asking questions—can also help make interruptions less disruptive and maintain a positive flow in discussions.
