Though ADHD paralysis manifests differently in different people, it's generally associated with the following symptoms: Overthinking or overanalyzing problems. Unable to start a project, even when high-priority. Unable to prioritize and manage tasks. Unable to maintain focus and easily distracted.
ADHD mental paralysis.
A state of overwhelm from too many converging thoughts and emotions. It may make it challenging to speak, move, or convey what's going on in your mind at the moment.
ADHD paralysis makes tasks that sound unappealing feel daunting and intimidating, causing you to feel overwhelmed and freeze or shut down. The reaction can snowball as the task or choice is avoided and guilt starts to accompany these feelings of dread and unease.
Some triggers linked to ADHD Paralysis are executive dysfunction, emotional dysregulation, overstimulation, and perfectionism (or a fear of failure). For individuals living with ADHD, there are differences in the wiring in brain areas that are responsible for executive function, known as executive dysfunction.
We know through research and experience that at the core of ADHD are difficulties with motivation, arousal, and alertness. Science also tells us that some people with ADHD have difficulty establishing a sleep cycle that is “in sync” with the rest of the world – their circadian rhythms are off.
Some children who have ADHD show symptoms of narcolepsy. These include excessive daytime sleepiness, sudden loss of muscle tone triggered by strong emotions (cataplexy), seeing or hearing things that aren't there (hallucination), and sleep paralysis.
Brain MRI is a new and experimental tool in the world of ADHD research. Though brain scans cannot yet reliably diagnose ADHD, some scientists are using them to identify environmental and prenatal factors that affect symptoms, and to better understand how stimulant medications trigger symptom control vs. side effects.
This can make it difficult to get work done, connect with loved ones, or even just enjoy your hobbies and interests. Additionally, mental paralysis can lead to anxiety and depression as well as physical health problems such as headaches and stomachaches.
So I invite you to be open to what science has to say about it. America's top doctors, psychologists, psychiatrists and researchers have all unequivocally concluded that adult ADHD is a debilitating neuro-developmental disorder especially when it's not properly treated.
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.
What Is Time Blindness? A good sense of time is one critical executive function. It involves knowing what time it is now, how much time is left, and how quickly time is passing. People with ADHD tend to be "time blind," meaning they aren't aware of the ticking of time.
Too many feelings: Emotional Overwhelm
Because ADHD is, at its heart, an issue with regulation, ADHD brains struggle to feel anything just a little bit. It gets bowled over, flooded, and submerged by the feelings it feels.
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.
The most impairing symptoms in one person might be that they blurt things out in anger or take too many risks while driving, while another person may daydream too much. Many might identify from time to time with such symptoms.
This is what's known as ADHD masking. It happens when a person tries to hide their ADHD symptoms to blend in with the crowd and protect themselves from judgment. This is done by mimicking the behaviors of those around them. In some instances, it can be a helpful strategy.
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.
If you've been skipping working out or leading a sedentary life, you might feel your ADHD symptoms are more severe on some days. You could feel stressed, restless, or upset and with less ability to focus.
No matter what age, gender, or race you are, ADHD feels different for everyone. For a person with ADHD, it can be a constant struggle to organize everything: from the thoughts inside my head or the never-ending list of tasks to do to sorting my stuff, often leading to trouble locating misplaced things.
Type 6: Ring Of Fire ADHD
People with Ring of Fire ADHD typically show patterns of high brain activity and have trouble “shutting off” their minds, which can make thoughts and emotions overwhelming. Stimulant medications alone may make ADHD symptoms significantly worse.
There are several types of professionals who typically diagnose ADHD. These include: physicians (especially psychiatrists, pediatricians, neurologists), psychologists, social workers, nurse practitioners, and other licensed counselors or therapists (e.g. professional counselors, marriage and family therapists, etc.).
Differences Between an ADHD Brain and a Non-ADHD Brain
Since the two go hand-in-hand, experts believe that lower levels of dopamine and norepinephrine are both linked to ADHD. An imbalance in the transmission of dopamine in the brain may be associated with symptoms of ADHD, including inattention and impulsivity.
Executive functions have other roles which affect how someone thinks. In people with ADHD, these executive dysfunctions impact thinking in numerous ways. People with ADHD don't really think faster than people without it, but it can sometimes seem like they do. People with ADHD do think differently though, in a sense.
Tips for waking up easier with ADHD
practicing good sleep hygiene, such as avoiding screens before bedtime and keeping to the same sleep-wake cycle if possible. getting exercise each day. taking melatonin in the evening to help regulate circadian rhythms.
Yet, we know one of the hallmark challenges for ADHD adults is self-regulation, which involves multiple executive functions, including, yes, internalized self-talk.