The Unmasked Life™

Glossary

Plain language definitions for every term used across the course. Each term is anchor-linkable — lessons link directly here so you never lose your place.

A

ADHD

ADHD stands for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. It is a neurodevelopmental condition that can affect attention, impulsivity, activity levels, emotional regulation, executive functioning and everyday life.

Alexithymia

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AuDHD

AuDHD is a community term often used by people who are both autistic and ADHD. This course focuses primarily on ADHD. AuDHD deserves its own dedicated space.

Autism

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D

Dopamine

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Dysregulation

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E

Emotional regulation

Emotional regulation refers to the ability to notice, manage and recover from emotional states. ADHD can make emotions feel fast, intense or hard to settle.

Executive function

Executive function refers to brain-based skills involved in starting, planning, organising, prioritising, remembering, switching tasks, managing time and following through.

F

Fawn response

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Freeze response

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H

Hypervigilance

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I

Interoception

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M

Monotropism

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N

Neurodivergent

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Neurotypical

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P

PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance)

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Proprioception

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R

Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD)

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S

Sensory processing

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Shutdown

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Stimming

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T

U

Unmasking

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B

Body doubling

Body doubling means doing a task while another person is present, either in person or online. The other person does not need to help directly. Their presence can make starting or staying with the task easier.

Burnout

Burnout refers to deep physical, emotional or mental exhaustion often linked to prolonged stress or overextension. ADHD-related burnout can be shaped by masking, overcompensating and unsupported functioning.

C

Cognitive load

Cognitive load refers to the amount of mental effort being used. Too much load can make remembering, deciding, regulating and starting tasks harder.

L

Late diagnosis

Late diagnosis refers to receiving an ADHD diagnosis in adulthood rather than childhood. It can bring relief, grief, confusion and a re-reading of earlier life experiences.

Terms are added as each week's content is finalised. If a term you need is missing, let Leah know.