The visible symptoms of ADHD (restlessness, impulsivity, trouble focusing) were often the real source of stigma. These behaviors drew negative attention, leading to feelings of embarrassment or inadequacy. Because these symptoms conflicted with cultural expectations of self-control and attentiveness, they were frequently interpreted as laziness or irresponsibility. This highlights how stigma emerges not from the condition itself, but from the social norms that define certain behaviors as unacceptable.