ADHD Paralysis: Why Simple Choices Can Seem So Hard
ADHD paralysis is a term used to describe the feeling of being completely unable to initiate action towards a goal. Rather than act, a person with ADHD may ruminate on the best way or order to execute a task or obsess over the specifics of mundane details. While it’s not a clinical term recognized in medical journals, it is a commonly used phrase in the ADHD community. It is part of a collection of symptoms that make functioning with ADHD challenging. The purpose of this article is to shine a light on ADHD paralysis and, in doing so, uncover some tools and coping strategies for anyone struggling with ADHD.
What is ADHD Paralysis?
ADHD paralysis is a mental state in which a person feels overwhelmed by starting a task, overthinks details, and ultimately fails to take any action. It’s like deciding to throw a party, starting to plan, and realizing it’s way more work than you thought, so you immediately cancel the party. Now, take that same example and apply it to almost everything in your daily life.
People unfamiliar with ADHD may assume this person is lazy or unorganized. However, when you examine the underpinnings of how ADHD works, paralysis is just one common symptom among many that people with ADHD struggle with every day.
Other Symptoms That Accompany Paralysis
ADHD comes in several subtypes, each with its own unique set of symptoms. However, in general, there is a collection of similar symptoms most people with ADHD will present with. They include:
Being unable to sit still/constantly fidgeting
People with ADHD will tend to fidget, squirm, or bounce in their seats during activities. The movement stimulates dopamine production, which helps keep the brain activated during tasks they deem uninteresting.
Trouble focusing or completing tasks
The classical ADHD type starts a hundred projects and finishes none. They will begin to read books, projects, or other endeavors and lose interest before seeing it through.
Trouble initiating tasks
Unless it’s something they’re very interested in, it often takes people with ADHD a long time to muster up the willpower to do tasks they consider boring. This is why they tend to be disorganized.
Losing things and being generally disorganized
As mentioned above, people with ADHD aren’t the best at regularly completing mundane tasks like cleaning or laundry. They tend to organize things in piles, a practice often called “doom piling” and frequently lose or misplace things like keys or glasses.
Addictive tendencies
The primary means of medicating ADHD is via stimulant medication. If a person isn’t adequately medicated, they often seek to self-medicate with caffeine, nicotine, or other substances. These all produce dopamine, which we will address as a common cause of ADHD.
Overwhelm
Overwhelm is an extension of paralysis and often occurs together. People with ADHD have a hard time keeping the whole picture in frame, and because of this, they usually feel a great sense of overwhelm. It’s not as if they’re unaware of their tendencies. Frankly, they’re often hyper-aware of their shortcomings in certain situations, further contributing to a sense of overwhelm.
Causes of ADHD
The underlying mechanisms of ADHD paralysis are multifaceted and can vary from person to person. Here are some primary causes:
1. Executive Dysfunction
ADHD comes with a classic combination of executive functioning deficits. Executive function involves things like planning, organization, and critical thinking. Frontal lobe functions are another commonly used phrase to describe these activities. This is one of the reasons why people with ADHD can struggle with functioning in traditional work or school settings.
2. Working Memory Deficits
Working memory is the place you hold information while you think about it. For example, when someone tells you a phone number to remember, you have that in your working memory until you can dial it. ADHD generally comes with working memory deficits, which challenge things like long projects or remembering where you put your keys. Activities like meditation are practical for ADHD because they train you to hold information in your working memory for more extended periods.
3: Dopamine Metabolism
People with ADHD don’t necessarily make less dopamine. Their synapses absorb and clear it faster than normal people’s, leading to deficits in availability at the synapse. Many medications work to prevent this uptake. Dopamine isn’t just involved with motivation and reward. It also enables movement. Think of Parkinson’s disease, which occurs when the brain can’t produce dopamine for movement. This need for dopamine is why people with ADHD will fidget, twitch, and generally have a high appetite for movement.
4. Co-Morbid Conditions
ADHD can stem from other conditions like anxiety, depression, or OCD. It can also happen the opposite way, where ADHD creates mental health issues. Either way, these conditions make managing ADHD significantly more difficult as they each come with their own set of challenges. The combination can also overwhelm them, causing them to shut down and disengage.
Coping Strategies for ADHD Paralysis
Although ADHD paralysis can be incredibly frustrating, several strategies can help manage and mitigate its effects:
1. Structure and Organization
– Chunking: Break down tasks into smaller, more manageable pieces to make them less overwhelming.
– Prioritization: Use tools like lists or apps to prioritize tasks based on urgency and importance.
-Timers: short, focused bouts of energy work better than long, drawn-out periods of semi-productive time
-Routine: Having a specific routine helps with burnout and feeling overwhelmed.
2: Mindfulness
Mindfulness and other meditation techniques are helpful for ADHD in various ways. They can help calm the mind, refocus its energy, and ease anxiety. Different forms of medication include TM, neurofeedback, and activities involving deep breathing, like yoga.
3: Using External Supports
Accountability Partners: Share goals with a friend or family member to enhance accountability.
-Professional Help: Consult with ADHD coaches or therapists skilled in helping individuals develop coping strategies.
4: Supplements
-Omega-3 fatty acids: Omega-3 supplements, particularly those containing EPA and DHA, have been studied for their potential benefits in managing ADHD symptoms.
– Zinc: Some studies suggest that zinc supplements may help improve symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsivity in individuals with ADHD.
-Iron: Iron deficiency has been linked to ADHD symptoms so that iron supplements may be beneficial for individuals with low iron levels.
-Magnesium: Magnesium is involved in brain function and may play a role in managing ADHD symptoms. Some individuals with ADHD may benefit from magnesium supplementation.
-Vitamin D: Low vitamin D levels have been associated with ADHD, so ensuring adequate vitamin D levels through supplements or sunlight exposure may be helpful.
Medications and Support
Sometimes, even the most rigorous collection of lifestyle modifications could do better. Sometimes, medication is the best and fastest way to move the needle and see results. When this is the case, work closely with your doctor to ensure the dosing is correct and your mental health remains intact.
Additionally, support groups of other people struggling with the same issues can be helpful mentally and emotionally. Sharing your struggles and finding others who relate to them not only helps you feel less isolated but also allows you to collect resources and strategies to cope better.
Conclusion
ADHD paralysis is a real thing, even if the scientific literature hasn’t caught on yet. It’s hard to function when you feel it’s impossible to decide. We hope this article helps validate some of your struggles and provides you with some tangible things that can help right now. While ADHD is a struggle some days, there are abundant resources to help people like you improve and manage their symptoms.
If you have questions about where to turn, click here to schedule a complimentary consultation with one of our doctors. We’ve treated hundreds of complex neurologic cases and can help piece together the missing pieces in your recovery.
*Note: The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute a doctor-patient relationship. Patients should consult their medical provider or primary care physician before trying any remedies or therapies at home.
