If you have ADHD as well, this “shutdown” might sound familiar to you, too. You don't know where to start, there's too much to do, and you feel as though nothing can be done, because even just thinking of doing what you need to do feels like an insurmountable task.
However, ADHD adults often find large emotions difficult to process, regulate, and express. For some ADHD adults, those emotions cause them to shut down to the outside world.
Differences in emotions in people with ADHD can lead to 'shutdowns', where someone is so overwhelmed with emotions that they space out, may find it hard to speak or move and may struggle to articulate what they are feeling until they can process their emotions.
People with ADHD are often more externally oriented, seeking stimulation in their environments. This pursuit of stimulation can result in being disconnected, dismissive, and unaware of important internal cues that are essential in healthy functioning.
Emotional detachment, or the act of being disconnected or disengaged from the feelings of others, is a symptom of ADHD.
Interpersonal Relationships
Individuals with adult ADHD may appear as one of two extremes: withdrawn and antisocial, preferring to spend their time alone; or overly social and unable to easily endure even brief periods of solitude.
One of the biggest reasons why ADHDers interrupt is likely due to challenges with self-regulation and impulsivity. Impulsive behaviors during conversations might include: Jumping to ask questions before someone is finished talking. Blurting out answers to unfinished questions.
With ADHD, a child or teen may have rapid or impulsive speech, physical restlessness, trouble focusing, irritability, and, sometimes, defiant or oppositional behavior.
It's because of sensory sensitivity, one of the many ADHD symptoms. Sensory sensitivity or simply hypersensitivity is a common characteristic of people with ADHD. It occurs when we are more sensitive to things.
Having ADHD means you have a brain thats hungry for reward, stimulation, something interesting. Uninteresting tasks dont fulfill that need, which is why we tend to have a hard time sustaining focus on them. Essentially, sitting still is the perfect example of an “uninteresting task” thats unrewarding and unstimulating.
Some signs that you might be understimulated include: Lack of motivation. Physical hyperactivity. A sense of unease, making you feel "flat" or irritable.
ADHD can reduce life expectancy by as much as 13 years, but its risk is reversible. Learn how to mitigate the risks in this video, with Russell Barkley, Ph. D. If playback doesn't begin shortly, try restarting your device.
The Mini ADHD Coach Medical Advisor says: “Zoning out is a common core symptom of Inattentive-type ADHD when your brain involuntarily shifts focus from the task at hand. The reason this occurs is due to the differences in connectivity between brain networks that conduct where you should (or want to) focus.
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.
Meltdowns and Shutdowns
Dan describes a meltdown as “an outburst of emotional energy that is pent up inside you” whereas a shutdown is “trying to cope with emotional over-stimulation but trying to hold that in, so you're pushing it down.” Dan also says that people who experience shutdowns lose their sense of hope.
It's one of the challenging or explosive behaviors we see in those who have ADHD. Sometimes it appears as poor self-esteem, yelling, rage, or tears. But sometimes the challenging behavior is your own in reaction to your spouse, child, sibling, or friend who has ADHD: “Why did they not hear me? Now I'm the angry one.”
Manic episodes are not a symptom of ADHD, but a person with ADHD may experience some of the symptoms of a hypomanic episode.
Many people with ADHD tend to talk faster than others, too, which can lead to them inadvertently cutting off others while speaking.
Be on the lookout for nonverbal clues.
These include body language, such as moving away from you, cutting conversations short, or crossing their arms or legs. Also note facial expressions, such as red faces, scowls, tight lips, or hurt or angry eyes.
Oversharing happens because of ADHD symptoms like impulsivity. Experts agree that ADHD medication is one of the best ways to manage symptoms. You can talk with your health care professional about this treatment option.
Mood swings are common in people with ADHD. People with this disorder can be hypersensitive, too. That means sensations, like touch, that may feel normal to another person can feel too intense for someone with ADHD.
ADHD and empathy doesn't have to be a relationship killer. As we've discussed, unfortunately, many people with ADHD tend to have a lack of empathy. This can be addressed, though, through identifying and communicating about each other's feelings.