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ADHD Fatigue Is a Real (Exhausting) Thing

ADHD is mentally, emotionally, and physically draining. When you feel thoroughly worn out by tough symptoms, recharge with a massage, a medication change, or these other strategies.

9 Comments: ADHD Fatigue Is a Real (Exhausting) Thing

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  1. This article was a more of a Pollyanna view about ADHD and fatigue. Some of us can’t afford a spa visit much less chiropractic. There’s financial burden on just about everyone these days; barely making ends meet or going into credit card debt to survive the month. Some hold down more than one job and rarely get to spend quality time with family and/or friends. Others, like myself, have doctors, psychologists, psychiatrists who think it’s all depression and anxiety; prescribing meds with considering ADHD. Get a planner, set alarms, post sticky notes, make to-do lists and prioritise, meditate to stop racing thoughts, etc. These work for some and others struggle to even make lists. I’m not making excuses; there is work to be done and some of it is hard. I’d rather read real life articles than this idealistic puff piece.

  2. Where is the talk of the exhaustion of trying to fit neurodivergent’s into neurotypical boxes? There needs to be acknowledgement of this and that it is a major cause of fatigue and burnout for many.
    We also need to recognise that medication isn’t a cure all and game changer for all and these people are being left behind even more because they can’t fit themselves into NT boxes even more.

  3. I would like to present a more realistic view of ADD and ADHD that is not being portrayed correctly in this post. We the people with ADHD and ADD are not as productive with or without our meds as you suggest. We suffer greatly just applying for a job, keeping a job, and struggle have a normal life with or without family. ADD/ADHD are not the only issue as side effects from the meds cause anxiety and even without meds many of us have debilitating anxiety. The lack of affordable resources means that we are more likely to live off grid and less likely to get the help we need. Our doctors only care if they are paid a large sum of money to give us minimal help or a booster. Fatigue is a serious factor in living with ADD/ADHD and very little activity or thinking is required to feel exhaustion. Having a great diet, exercise, and plenty of high quality vitamins do not help either as I am the living proof of it.

  4. Work. Family. Politics. More work?? How is that possible when most of us with ADHD cannot even get passed the word work!
    If you are on meds often you rely on the meds to give you boosters, and with medication comes fatigue and less appetite, and even lesser energy. For me boosters are more effective without meds, because I have not already exhausted my mind, have a regular appetite, feel calmer, and have a more normal routine. After I stopped taking meds I had to rebalance my mind, and body which took about one year, then I quickly realized that without boosters I will simply not have enough drive to keep motivated. Martial arts, and cycling is great for the ADHD brain, but it never ends there. Being inventive with our boosters to prevent boredom is essential to getting through the day.

  5. I tend to experience fatigue when I’m pulled in too many directions at work. Some of my work is interesting enough that I will get hyperfocus (although not a lot of it lately) and other parts are pretty tedious. Overall though it is fairly mentally taxing and I do experience a bit of fatigue by the late afternoon most days. I’m thinking about finding or buying my favourite Math Textbook from uni days (Thomas Calculus) as prior to being diagnosed with ADHD I used to do calc in my spare time as a way to stimulate my brain outside of fairly menial service and admin jobs. I’m just wondering if seeing as I’m now in a more taxing job (mentally) and being treated for ADHD – could I potentially make the fatigue worse or could something like Calculus for fun actually be an ADHD brain booster..? It doesn’t really align with any of the suggestions in this article… should they be more physical things and less mentally challenging things?

  6. Aenkh- Try a Q-flex in lieu of an expensive massage. I got mine at Walmart for about 10-12 Dollars (I do not sell them, or work for the company that makes them) It looks like a large purple hook- kind of like a question mark. It’s about 29 inches long and I found it in the Pharmacy section. It helps me with neck and back pain that causes me to get tension headaches that drain my energy and make it hard to focus/concentrate. It works pretty well for me and you only have to pay for it once.

    As far as the paid coaching/organizing… I have found the ADDitude Magazine really helpful in those areas.
    If I need help with tackling a onerous job, on occasion I have hired a college student or mature High School student to help with that- at minimum wage. Or in a pinch a friend or relative can give a hand, or offer at least a fresh perspective on a persistent problem. This may or may not work for everyone, but it has helped me on a number of occasions.

    My best to you.

  8. These are great solutions… if you have money and time for them. Some of us can’t afford about 80% of the activities mentioned here. What do you suggest for those of us that can’t afford a massage once a month, let alone twice a week?

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