# Self‐directed speech and attention deficit hyperactive disorder‐like behaviours

## TL;DR

People with ADHD-like traits tend to engage in more self-directed speech, which might help them cope or hide their symptoms.

## Contribution

The study shows a link between ADHD traits and increased self-directed speech across multiple experiments.

## Key findings

- Participants with ADHD-like behaviors reported significantly more self-directed speech.
- The effect was consistent across overt and covert speech types.
- Self-directed speech may serve as a displacement activity or camouflage for ADHD traits.

## Abstract

One of the behaviours associated with Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) is talking in a manner considered to be socially inappropriate. It follows, therefore, that self‐directed speech, including inner dialogue, will be particularly prevalent among adults who exhibit traits typical of ADHD. In three experiments, we tested this prediction. Participants completed the ASRS‐v1.1 together with either the Self‐Talk Scale (Experiment 1; N = 198) or the Varieties of Inner Speech Questionnaire (Experiment 2; N = 198). Results from both experiments revealed that participants with behaviours typical of an ADHD diagnosis reported significantly more self‐directed speech than those whose behaviours were not typical of ADHD. A third experiment (N = 198) replicated these findings and also found that the effect does not distinguish between overt and covert speech. Overall, these data suggest that self‐talking is more prevalent in individuals with relatively high levels of ADHD traits. We speculate that talking to oneself may represent a useful displacement activity or acts as a camouflage technique for those with the condition.