Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a mental health disorder affecting children and adults alike. It is characterized by a lack of focus and concentration, hyperactivity (fidgety) and impulsivity (being hasty without thought). It impacts many areas of your life, including your professional life, relationships with others, and daily functioning. Individuals with ADHD may encounter moments of paralysis that can feel frozen and stuck in a time machine and can’t move or get out. They become so overwhelmed by their environment that they struggle to complete tasks.
ADHD Paralysis can look like procrastination, but it is the complete opposite. Procrastination is deliberately delaying starting a task until the last minute. ADHD paralysis is the inability to commence a goal due to cognitive overload. Symptoms of ADHD paralysis can include brain fog, irritability, poor time management, exhaustion, social isolation, and inability to make decisions or to listen actively.
The Impact of ADHD Paralysis
The impact of ADHD paralysis on a person’s daily life is massive. They may worry that they cannot complete challenging projects at work and feel that their boss may question their ability to do their job. This may lead them to fear being passed over for promotions. A person with ADHD paralysis may socially isolate themselves because they feel they cannot be present or engaged in conversations with their friends. They may be scared to pursue a romantic relationship. They may live a life of regret as they may feel that they could not pursue their personal goals to reach their full potential. Life can feel like an internal struggle for someone with ADHD paralysis. The frustration they experience from seeking mental clarity can put them in constant inner turmoil.
If you are experiencing this, please know you are not alone, and you should get support to address it.
Strategies to Overcome ADHD Paralysis
Brain dump all of your thoughts before you start your day. This frees up brain space and helps you to organize your ideas for the day.
Break down your goals into smaller actionable steps. Keep track of the actions by crossing them off your to-do lists as you complete them. Seeing the steps crossed out as completed gives you an internal feeling of accomplishment.
Plan your schedule by task. Seeing your program at once for the day can be overwhelming, but designating time per task makes it simpler.
Progress, not perfection. The goal is to progress to completion, not to be perfect at it. This alleviates any pressure that would add to your inability to focus.
Take a break between tasks to give your brain time to rest. Remember that your brain will be tired from the overload.
Reward yourself for accomplishing milestones. Focus on completing a task, and celebrate your wins.
Try something new once in a while. This creates the excitement of being engaged outside your daily routine.
Engross yourself in the things you love. This builds your internal happiness and reduces any frustration.
How to Diagnosis ADHD
If you are experiencing signs of ADHD paralysis, you should consult a therapist who specializes in neuropsychological assessments so a diagnosis can be made. Neuropsychological Assessments identify cognitive difficulties or diagnose disorders so that you can move forward with a treatment plan that is right for you.
At The Center for Cognitive Health, we start listening the moment we meet. Our job is to make sure you feel heard, cared for and get the help you need from the time you walk through our real or virtual door until your treatments are done.
Start getting the help you need.
