Am I the only one who feels physically unsettled in a quiet office?

You’re not alone. For many people with ADHD, quiet can actually be under stimulating. Without background noise or movement, the brain may struggle to regulate alertness, leading to restlessness, discomfort, or an urge to fidget or leave. This isn’t anxiety and it’s not a preference issue. It’s sensory regulation. Some people concentrate better with low level noise, music, or movement because it provides enough stimulation to keep the system balanced. Clinicians often hear this described as “too quiet feels loud.”