Putting off a haircut for months because the salon is just too much?
Why are they so hard?
Haircuts and dentist visits mean touch, noise, bright lights and small talk, all at once. You can’t easily leave, and you often can’t see what’s happening. That’s a lot for a sensitive nervous system.
Dreading them isn’t childish. It’s sensory overload.
Haircuts and dental visits put several difficult things in one place. A stranger is very close and touching you. There is loud equipment, bright light and often small talk. You have to stay still, and you cannot easily leave. For someone with a sensitive nervous system that is a lot, so it is no surprise that many AuDHD people put these appointments off for months. Dreading them is a response to overload.
What gets hard
A quick comparison:
| Autistic side | ADHD side |
|---|---|
| Being touched by strangers | Sitting still for ages |
| Drill and dryer noise | Forgetting to book |
| Bright, glaring lights | Waiting room boredom |
| Small talk in the chair | Fidgeting in the chair |
No wonder they get put off.
What it can look like
It varies from person to person, but it often includes:
- Putting off a haircut for months
- Cutting your own hair to avoid the salon
- Dreading the dentist for weeks
- Hair clippings feeling unbearable
- Needing a quiet evening afterwards
At the hairdresser
- Ask for a quiet slot: First or last appointment.
- Skip the small talk: “I’d prefer to sit quietly.”
- Ask about adjustments: Towel-dry, scissors instead of clippers.
- Bring a fidget: Or headphones.
- Try a home visit: Some hairdressers come to you.
At the dentist
- Tell them you’re AuDHD: Ask for reasonable adjustments.
- Agree a stop signal: Raise a hand to pause.
- Ask what’s happening: Step-by-step explanations help.
- Bring sunglasses: For the bright light.
- Book longer slots: Less rushing, more breaks.
Where to start
Tell the person what helps you. Ask for a quiet time of day, say that you would rather not chat, and agree a signal for when you need a pause. Bring headphones, sunglasses or a fidget. Many hairdressers and dentists are happy to adapt once they know. Plan something calm for afterwards.
The bottom line
Your comfort matters too.
This post is for awareness, not medical advice. Keep up with dental check-ups, and ask your dentist about adjustments that help.
Want the swipeable version? This post is also a carousel on Instagram: follow @johnhasaudhd for more on life with AuDHD.