ADHD brains enjoy novelty and spontaneity, the archnemeses of routine. The consistency and stability of a routine can transform the task of sticking to that routine into a monotonous, unsatisfying chore. Schedule opportunities for fun. Who says you can't bring spontaneity and joy into routines?
Some adults with ADHD say they feel suffocated by a lack of flexibility in their days. They thrive with a flexible and customized daily schedule that increases creativity and channels their hyperfocus. Others say they need the structure of a rigid work schedule to hold them accountable and prevent procrastination.
Adults (and even children) with ADHD are familiar with procrastination. These people have gotten used to putting off important assignments until the very last minute. Procrastinating ends with a stress-driven burst of energy, which is commonly not the healthiest way to operate.
Attention Magazine February 2022
Establishing and maintaining routines can be difficult for individuals with ADHD. They are also especially prone to being thrown off easily by deviations from routine, and often experience increased trouble getting back on task.
But many kids and adults with ADHD are the opposite — they're messy most of the time. And it can cause problems at home, school, and work.
It's not that those who are diagnosed with ADHD don't want to clean - they enjoy a clean space as much as the next person, but to get someone with ADHD to complete tasks that bore them is a feat in itself. What can you do to solve this problem? The best way to go about it is to take breaks!
Clutter Can Be Normal for an ADHD Brain. If you have ADHD and notice that you seem to be having a hard time organizing things and decluttering, you're not alone. Apparently, some adults with ADHD really struggle with decluttering.
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 ...
Adults with ADHD who have desk jobs or have to do repetitive tasks may find themselves feeling bored or restless.
Adults with ADHD may find it difficult to focus and prioritize, leading to missed deadlines and forgotten meetings or social plans. The inability to control impulses can range from impatience waiting in line or driving in traffic to mood swings and outbursts of anger.
People with ADHD can get distracted easily, due to having an increased awareness of sensory stimuli within their environment. However, this does not mean they are never able to focus on a task. Rather, their ability to focus will vary depending on the day or task at hand.
Many people with ADHD experience daytime sleepiness and difficulty waking up as a result of poor sleep. Others experience restless, non-refreshing sleep with multiple nighttime awakenings.
Sleep deprivation amplifies ADHD symptoms. The exact same areas of the brain are impacted. That means that when you don't sleep- your brain has even less fuel in its executive function stores causing you to reach that “I've got absolutely nothing” point before you even get started.
It is essential to understand that not all individuals with ADHD require solitude, and those who do may require it in varying degrees. It is crucial to identify and respect an individual's need for solitude and not force them into social situations that may trigger anxiety or stress.
Boredom is a feeling people with ADHD know all too well. Writing emails seems like an impossible task and looking at (someone else's) spreadsheet feels mind-numbing. An ADHD brain wants immediate relief from boredom and will chase it at the expense of your priorities.
ADHD brains struggle to maintain attention. This means that they struggle to remain engaged with something, and when we aren't engaged, our brains are less stimulated and we get bored. Novelty Seeking: ADHD brains are intrigued and stimulated by novelty, interest, competition, and pressure.
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.)
Common ADHD-Related Problems
Impulsive spending or overspending. Starting fights or arguing. Trouble maintaining friendships and romantic relationships. Speeding and dangerous driving.
With ADHD, a child or teen may have rapid or impulsive speech, physical restlessness, trouble focusing, irritability, and, sometimes, defiant or oppositional behavior.
Several ADHD traits can make it hard to maintain personal hygiene. Being easily distracted can make you forego things like taking a bath or brushing your teeth. Being sensitive to hygiene products can also pose a challenge. Of course, there are instances of being forgetful with activities that concern cleanliness.
This frustrates parents, who can't understand why these kids have so much trouble cleaning their room. The problem is that children with ADHD struggle with executive functioning skills, which enable us to plan, prioritize, manage our time and get things done.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) can affect someone's ability to focus on their schedule, tasks involving organization, and ability to manage their time. In particular, chores with ADHD adults can be challenging. We might feel overwhelmed with tasks, which can lead to stress at the mere thought of them.