Highlights
- A combination of the freeze stress response and ADHD-related executive dysfunction in the brain can cause ADHD paralysis, also called ADHD freeze, ADHD shutdown, or analysis paralysis.
- The most common ways to deal with ADHD paralysis are self-help techniques, but a healthcare provider may recommend behavioral therapy or medication in particular cases.
- It is important to distinguish between ADHD paralysis, the symptoms of depression, and procrastination. If you struggle to define what you are experiencing, consider consulting with a mental health professional.
It’s Friday evening. You should be looking forward to your friends coming over for dinner, but instead, you’re sitting on the floor, overwhelmed and frozen, staring at the roast burning in the oven. You missed your work deadline today, didn’t get the kids to clean the bathroom, and forgot to buy dessert. Your guests are arriving in 5 minutes; it’s all too much.
ADHD paralysis can make even simple tasks seem impossible, and a bunch of unresolved errands piling up makes you feel overwhelmed. Read on to understand how to take control over your mind in situations like the one pictured above!
What Is ADHD Paralysis?
ADHD paralysis is not a medical diagnosis or term in clinical practice; it is a phrase that people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder use to describe the situation when they feel overwhelmed to the point where they freeze or shut down.
“ADHD, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, is a behavioral condition that makes focusing on everyday requests and routines challenging.” This is how the
Poor focus eventually results in physical or mental (cognitive) overload. So, an adult with ADHD paralysis starts feeling mentally or physically stuck and frozen, indecisive, and unable to start or finish even simple tasks.
What Causes ADHD Paralysis?
Let’s look at science. It is believed that ADHD paralysis occurs because of this sequence of events:
- Firstly, the brain’s executive function glitches.
- Secondly, the stress response takes over.
What does this mean?
People with ADHD are known to have
So, the combination of poor executive functioning and the ‘freeze’ stress response may trigger ADHD paralysis, leaving you frozen and helpless to decide what to do or where to begin.
Symptoms of ADHD Paralysis
Although the symptoms of ADHD paralysis vary from person to person, here are some that you might recognize:
- Brain fog: Mental haziness, lack of clarity, or difficulty organizing thoughts.
- Exhaustion: ADHD paralysis might result in a burnout cycle. This means increased stress causes fatigue, predisposing to more stress and persistent exhaustion.
- Brain crash or freeze: Temporary lapses in thought or mental “blankness,” interrupting cognitive processing.
- Emotional outbursts: There might be rapid mood swings and emotional instability.
- Hyperfocus: This might sound like a contradiction. Doesn’t poor focus define ADHD? But sometimes, people experiencing ADHD paralysis might cope by getting stuck on one task instead of dealing with all the other things they need to do.
Types of ADHD Paralysis
These specific symptom areas help to define the types of ADHD paralysis:
- ADHD choice paralysis: Also referred to as analysis paralysis or decision paralysis. Faced with too many choices feels overwhelming, and there is no clear way to turn; overthinking takes over.
- ADHD mental paralysis: The term describes brain fog and might take over from choice or task paralysis, reducing the ability to think clearly and effectively.
- ADHD task paralysis: Poor focus makes it challenging to start or complete tasks, especially complex or challenging ones. A person with ADHD begins to feel helpless and
tends to procrastinate [4*] .
ADHD Paralysis vs. Depression vs. Procrastination
ADHD and depression are two distinct diagnoses while procrastination is not a medical term. It is a voluntary and unnecessary delay in starting or completing a task even knowing about the harmful consequences of this decision. It is normal to procrastinate from time to time, but if it is recurrent or seriously affects daily life and social connections, it could be due to severe stress or a mental health condition, such as ADHD or depression.
There might be confusion about whether apparent procrastination is due to ADHD paralysis or depression; let’s look at the differences:
- ADHD paralysis is a stress state of ‘freeze’ triggered by poor focus, impulsivity, and other diagnostic symptoms of ADHD.
- Indecisiveness and apathy in depression result from symptoms like prolonged sadness, emptiness, hopelessness, worthlessness, guilt, and loss of interest in activities.
In fact, people with ADHD can also have depression; it makes sense that if you are not functioning well at home and work, it will eventually dip your mood and make you feel hopeless. So, it is important to go through a detailed mental health assessment to make an accurate diagnosis and treat both conditions simultaneously.
How Long Does ADHD Paralysis Last?
There is, unfortunately, no way of predicting this, as every situation is unique. Some factors affecting the duration of an episode include:
- How well the person’s ADHD is controlled
- Their stress levels
- Home and work conditions
For you to snap out of ADHD paralysis quickly, you need high resilience levels. Developing strong coping skills and seeking professional therapeutic interventions when necessary is crucial.
How to Get Out of ADHD Paralysis
If you want to start with trying to manage and avoid ADHD paralysis yourself, here is a helpful to-do list of self-help techniques to get you on track:
- Pursue your passions: Making time for activities you enjoy, particularly when you feel overwhelmed, can increase motivation and general well-being.
- Simplify your work schedule: Use a calendar or diary with designated time slots for tasks and breaks. Improved organization and time management will reduce the need to keep in mind too many things but rather go through them one by one.
- Take time out: Regular breaks prevent mental exhaustion.
- Break tasks down: Complex projects can seem intimidating, so breaking them up simplifies getting started and increases productivity.
- Minimize digital overstimulation: Digital devices can be a significant source of distraction and you need to set boundaries. Use ‘do not disturb’ functions, and turn off unnecessary notifications, and stay focused.
- Eat a balanced diet: Proper nutrition is crucial in managing ADHD symptoms, especially if you are on medication that might decrease your appetite.
- Get support: You can do this by seeing an ADHD coach or joining support groups in the ADHD community. Being among people with similar experiences can improve your self-awareness and bring the needed social ties and understanding.
- Take regular walks: Physical exercise is a great way to manage ADHD symptoms and
improve cognitive function [5*] . Make time in your day to pop out for a 30-minute walk and change your environment to be more focused when you get back. - Write your emotions on paper: This is also called a brain dump and helps to understand and process emotions.
- Seek professional help: If ADHD paralysis or other symptoms are interfering significantly with your daily life, and self-help techniques are failing, it may be necessary to see a healthcare professional for advice and treatment.
When self-help techniques are not helpful, it is better to see a healthcare provider. Get help at MEDvidi in 24 hours.
Effects of ADHD Paralysis on Daily Life
Being unable to prioritize, act, or connect, you may find yourself just sitting around with your daily life falling apart. You may lose precious time overthinking even the simplest matters, miss opportunities, and all this accompanied by the feelings of guilt and shame, creating a vicious cycle. Remember that while it can seem difficult, it is possible to manage ADHD with professional help. With online ADHD treatment, you can receive tailored support to help you overcome challenges and enhance your daily functioning, all from the comfort of your home.
Stigma Surrounding ADHD Paralysis
There is often public
For example, colleagues of people with ADHD may recount a story to friends or loved ones after witnessing an episode of ADHD paralysis at work. This may lead people to believe that ADHD renders people incapable of being productive colleagues, resulting in discrimination. Self-stigma, on the other hand, sets in when a person with ADHD accepts the rumor that they are incapable of contributing positively to their profession as truth.
How MEDvidi Can Support You in Overcoming ADHD Paralysis
If you notice negative effects of ADHD paralysis on your daily life, MEDvidi is here to help you. You can see a healthcare professional specializing in ADHD treatment, go through a detailed assessment, and get personalized recommendations and treatment.
Advice, an accurate diagnosis, and practical suggestions are a click away!
FAQ
What is ADHD task paralysis?
How do I get out of ADHD task paralysis?
What does ADHD paralysis feel like?
Can you have task paralysis and not have ADHD?
What is an ADHD shutdown?
Does ADHD cause mental blocks?
Does ADHD cause decision paralysis?
Untreated and unmanaged ADHD can cause decision paralysis. This can also be a result of poor prioritization and perfectionism. To know if your mental fog or decision paralysis is caused by ADHD, consult with a mental health professional.
