Some older studies suggest that people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have higher levels of justice sensitivity than those without the condition.

Justice sensitivity is a measure of how sensitive a person is to perceived injustice or victimization. It includes two broad types:

  • victim justice sensitivity, which is the extent to which someone feels they have experienced injustice
  • perpetrator justice sensitivity, which is the extent to which a person feels they have caused injustice to others

So far, studies have consistently found that those with ADHD have more of the former.

For example, a 2012 pilot study found that victim justice sensitivity was higher in those with ADHD than those without. There was no difference in perpetrator justice sensitivity.

However, a 2014 study of over 1,200 German adolescents found that those with ADHD symptoms had significantly higher victim justice sensitivity but lower perpetrator injustice sensitivity.

There are a few theories about why people with ADHD may have this trait. For example, it could relate to:

  • Rejection sensitivity: Some researchers theorize that justice sensitivity could relate to another trait in people with ADHD known as rejection sensitivity. This is the perception of being rejected or excluded by peers. Both sensitivities and the resulting feelings of injustice may overlap or have similar origins.
  • Stigma and misunderstanding: People with ADHD can feel misunderstood by others, who may construe their behavior as intentionally forgetful, careless, or reckless. They can also experience stigma and discrimination as a result of ableism. This may make them particularly attuned to, or anxious about, injustice.
  • Coping mechanisms: The authors of the 2012 study suggest that sensitivity to injustice may be a coping mechanism that allows those with ADHD to better sense what behavior is appropriate and what is not.

There is not much research on how justice sensitivity specifically affects those with ADHD. Anecdotally, though, people report feeling:

  • frustration about arbitrary rules
  • anger over everyday inconveniences
  • fear of experiencing victimization in the future
  • rage, sadness, or hopelessness about injustice that affects others
  • guilt if they feel they have caused injustice

In some cases, justice sensitivity may be positive, motivating people to stand up for causes they believe in or to behave compassionately toward others.

But it could also be disruptive, causing a person to feel strong emotions that are difficult to manage or creating anxiety about victimization when a person is safe.

A 2020 study found that in the general population, higher justice sensitivity has associations with general anxiety and social anxiety.

Learning to channel justice sensitivity in a healthy way while managing mental health could be beneficial for people with this trait.