Many people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) feel constantly bogged down by logistical tasks, whether it's managing a household, planning a vacation, or simply remembering to pay the bills. The constant stream of small decisions can be paralyzing, and it's easy to become overwhelmed and give up.
But ADHD brains not only get overwhelmed more often but they also get MORE overwhelmed than other brains. And, actually, it doesn't end there- because when ADHD brains get overwhelmed they're more likely to spiral- tumbling down, head-over-heels, smack into a wall of awful.
Is becoming easily overwhelmed a symptom of ADHD? Becoming easily overwhelmed and distracted can sometimes be hallmark symptoms of ADHD. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition, people with ADHD might experience symptoms like: restlessness.
It is often characterized by feelings of overwhelming fatigue, reduced productivity, and a sense of hopelessness or despair. Those experiencing ADHD burnout may find it even more challenging than usual to initiate and complete tasks, maintain focus and attention, and regulate their emotions.
Working out is perhaps the most positive and efficient way to reduce hyperactivity and inattention from ADHD. Exercise can relieve stress, boost your mood, and calm your mind, helping work off the excess energy and aggression that can get in the way of relationships and feeling stable. Exercise on a daily basis.
Stressors and Emotional Regulation
People with ADHD often find it hard to regulate emotions, because their brain is different from other people's. New stressors trigger negative emotions associated with past events.
In adults, the main features of ADHD may include difficulty paying attention, impulsiveness and restlessness. Symptoms can range from mild to severe. Many adults with ADHD aren't aware they have it — they just know that everyday tasks can be a challenge.
Similarly, people with ADHD can also experience 'meltdowns' more commonly than others, which is where emotions build up so extremely that someone acts out, often crying, angering, laughing, yelling and moving all at once, driven by many different emotions at once – this essentially resembles a child tantrum and can ...
Some people with ADHD can get overwhelmed with too much sensory information. This can be why they cannot handle the same amount of sensory inputs as well as others. As a result, numerous things might cause them to feel exhausted and they may become affected by these events more quickly than other people.
ADHD is mentally, emotionally, and physically draining. When you feel thoroughly worn out by tough symptoms, recharge with a massage, a medication change, or these other strategies.
With ADHD, a child or teen may have rapid or impulsive speech, physical restlessness, trouble focusing, irritability, and, sometimes, defiant or oppositional behavior.
Common ADHD-Related Problems
Impulsive spending or overspending. Starting fights or arguing. Trouble maintaining friendships and romantic relationships. Speeding and dangerous driving.
Trouble with focus and impulsivity are the most common. But one challenge that isn't mentioned as much is trouble managing emotions. People with ADHD have the same emotions as other people. What's different is that they often feel these emotions more intensely.
ADHD burnout is often something a little deeper. It refers to the cycle of overcommitting and overextending that leads to fatigue in people with ADHD. It involves taking on too many tasks and commitments, and then the subsequent exhaustion that happens when we're unable to fulfill all of our obligations.
Why Can ADHD Make Burnout Worse? The symptoms of ADHD – like not being organized, trouble paying attention, and poor time management – add to burnout. ADHD burnout is a specific kind of burnout, says Amber Meeks, who has ADHD and is a mental health advocate from Murfreesboro, TN.
Hyperactivity (talks a lot, fidgets, always on the go, etc.) Impulsivity (blurts out, interrupts, lies, angry outbursts, difficulty waiting, etc.) Inattention (forgetful, loses things, disorganized, makes careless mistakes, etc.)
Symptoms of predominately hyperactive-impulsive ADHD may include: fidgeting, squirming, or difficulty staying seated. extreme restlessness, or in children, excessive running and climbing. excessive talking and blurting out.
Adults diagnosed with ADHD often blame themselves for their problems or view themselves in a negative light. This can lead to self-esteem issues, anxiety, or depression.
All types of ADHD may include weaknesses in executive functioning. Thus, children with ADHD are more likely to have problems getting started on things, and have difficulty with planning, problem-solving, and time management.
Research has found that people with ADHD have more creativity and idea generation than people without the disorder. 3 This can lead to outside-the-box thinking that is so important for innovation. Hyper-focus: Many people with ADHD become hyper-focused on things that interest them.
Though all workplaces are different, most expect you to be organized, on time, attentive, focused, and do the work you're asked to do. ADHD can make all of these harder. As a result, you may not be able to live up to your employer's expectations. So it may be a struggle to keep a job.
The Emotional Side of ADHD. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can trigger certain emotions. For example, you might feel guilty or ashamed because of the way you think other people see you. You may get stressed if your loved ones say you don't listen and you feel you've let them down in some way.