ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder) is usually diagnosed in early childhood. The condition often continues into adolescence and adulthood, with a lifetime prevalence of 8.7%, as reported by NIMH. The symptoms associated with ADHD can lead to a condition referred to as ADHD paralysis. Learning how to overcome this condition when you have ADHD can make it easier to manage your tasks and responsibilities.
What Is ADHD Paralysis?
ADHD paralysis is not an official medical diagnosis, however, it can impact one’s ability to accomplish tasks and responsibilities. This condition can make it difficult for people to focus, concentrate, and complete specific tasks.
People who experience ADHD paralysis often feel overwhelmed by their tasks and responsibilities. Instead, they allow themselves to focus on other things, and before they know it, time has flown by, and nothing has been accomplished.
Is ADHD Paralysis Real?
For anyone who has ADHD, they know that ADHD paralysis is real. When someone has to deal with uncomfortable situations or tasks, they find complex or challenging, they can shut down and freeze. Essentially, it is a reluctance to exert energy to focus and pay attention to tasks and responsibilities when feeling extremely overwhelmed. Instead, the person would rather exert their energy on other things they find more enjoyable and enticing, such as scrolling social media channels, watching their favorite program, or playing video games.
What Causes ADHD Paralysis?
ADHD paralysis occurs based on natural body responses. In people without ADHD, when faced with stressors and overwhelming situations, the flight-or-fight response kicks in. People then either address the situation head-on or retreat from it.
When someone has ADHD, they also face the added challenge of what action to take, which can cause them to freeze up and not make any decisions whatsoever – which is ADHD paralysis. This happens because people with ADHD usually have low levels of dopamine, and the imbalance makes it more difficult to make any type of decision.
How Does ADHD Paralysis Feel?
Those with ADHD paralysis often describe different feelings depending on how this condition is affecting them, including:
- Heavy brain fog
- Becoming stuck on the same activity or task
- Being enticed by other, more enticing distractions
- Getting stuck in a cycle of indecision
- Inability to focus
The feelings one experiences can be further divided into three different categories:
- Choice paralysis: The individual becomes overwhelmed when presented with too many options and choices and is required to make a decision. They can freeze or get caught in a loop where they overthink each choice and potential outcome and never decide.
- Mental paralysis: This type of paralysis can occur from sensory overload. The person can become distracted and feel overwhelmed. They can get caught up internally and be distracted by their emotions and thoughts.
- Task paralysis: The person avoids the task by doing other things because they are unmotivated or reluctant to complete the task.
How to Get Out of ADHD Paralysis?
Getting out of ADHD paralysis does require the person to make some effort to become unstuck. Several effective methods can be used to help, such as:
- Break tasks down into small steps: It is easier to focus on smaller tasks than bigger ones. Taking a big task and breaking it down into small steps can help a person overcome ADHD paralysis. Instead of having to deal with the big task, they just need to focus on one small part of it.
- Limiting time spent on one task: When someone is attempting to focus on a single task for too long, it can cause paralysis. It is better to create a start and stop time for each task. At the end time, if the person is still focused, then they can continue working on the task for the same time period. If they are not, then it is time to move on to a different task, but after taking a short break, doing something rewarding.
- Write it down: Making a list of tasks and activities that need to be completed can help people with ADHD stay focused. When writing down tasks, make sure to break them down, as mentioned previously.
- Utilize apps: Some people find that using different apps on their smartphones makes it easier for them to avoid ADHD paralysis, such as their calendars, notepads, and more.
- Exercise daily: Daily exercise can help release dopamine and other endorphins that can make it easier to focus and concentrate.
- Medications: Some people can benefit from various FDA-approved ADHD medications that help balance dopamine levels and address other related symptoms.
- Individual therapy: Individual therapy can help people identify potential triggers that cause ADHD paralysis. They can also learn effective coping strategies they can use.
- Group therapy: Group therapy can be beneficial as it allows people to hear how others deal with and manage their ADHD paralysis. It also provides peer support, motivation, and encouragement.
- Holistic therapies: Different types of holistic therapies, such as yoga, meditation/mindfulness, art therapy, and music therapy, can make it easier for people with ADHD to improve their focus to accomplish tasks and activities, as well as get unstuck when dealing with ADHD paralysis.
Conclusion: ADHD Paralysis
ADHD paralysis can seem real to the person experiencing this condition when they are overwhelmed. Getting unstuck is possible using various methods and techniques to make it easier to manage various tasks and activities.
Start ADHD Treatment at Montare Behavioral Health Today
Do you have ADHD and are struggling with ADHD paralysis? Find comprehensive and personalized treatment at Montare Behavioral Health. We have multiple locations in Southern California to help you develop effective coping skills and techniques to reduce and prevent ADHD paralysis. Contact us today to schedule a consultation or for further information about our ADHD treatment programs.
Published 11/13/2024
