Can’t Get Anything Done? Why ADHD Brains Become Paralyzed in Quarantine

6 Comments: Can’t Get Anything Done? Why ADHD Brains Become Paralyzed in Quarantine

1. I like it!

2. lhatch:

   Unfortunately, no 🙁

   In my experience, I have found my medication to be extremely helpful. It provides me with a much-needed boost in concentration necessary for a variety of daily activities. Concentrating on a task becomes easier, and my short-term memory skills improve immensely. Medication only provides the focus, though; the motivation is still your responsibility.

3. Is this all true even if you are medicated??

4. Thanks, Otterbear! So kind of you to reply and to share your story. It is a familiar story, indeed. And your mention of letting yourself off the hook is a reminder for me to do the same.

   Since writing my original comment, I’ve gotten better at doing just that. Or, at least being more aware of when I’m going off the rails and spinning out of control; sometimes taking my foot off the brakes and just watching takes some of the burden off of trying to be someone I’m not.

   Again, thank you for reaching out.

5. jchucker1

   That was said very well, and I think you are saying what a lot of others are feeling as well.
   I was also diagnosed later in life. I’m in my mid 50’s.

   I too, was not initially intimidated by the thought of a few days at home, but I also started to beat myself up over my lack of productivity after a while. This only furthered my anxiety, and the downward/upward spiral of arousal and stress began, or continued.

   While not a panacea for all my problems; I have started accepting that there are days where I just cannot function productively at all.

   I have found that letting myself have a “day off” or two, and not beat myself up over my lack of performance on those days, has helped me feel and be, more productive on those days when I can function better. I’m getting better at it. It wasn’t my normal response, but it has helped.

   Thanks for sharing your situation with the rest of us. It does help me alot(and I’m sure others as well), to read these. It helps remind me that I’m not alone in my struggles.

   Peace.

6. Thank you for this timely, and critically important, article. Heading into the quarantine, I was fully aware of the trouble I’d be facing: no scaffolds in the form of appointments, or events, or routines involving other people.

   I looked upon this positively, as if I was going to a silent meditation retreat, which can be difficult (the actual one, by the way, was cancelled), but would provide a wonderful opportunity for personal insight.

   However, just coming off of a life-changing period of over five months living in strange places while my home was undergoing renovation, my stress levels had not yet receded. I soon launched into the hyperarousal state and could not return to that peaceful middle ground. And just as the article described, by days end I would be so mentally and emotionally exhausted that I couldn’t accomplish anything. This has only worsened through the months.

   The guilt, shame, and who-knows-what-other-emotions were crushing. This was exasperated by getting reports from friends and family of their daily successes: “Cleaned out another room today!” “Caught up on all my paperwork!” “Set up a system for my office space!” And the worst: “I bet you’re all moved in and settled now!” [No. Garage is filled with boxes, my new “library” space has papers and boxes everywhere.] “Really?? I charge right in and get it all done, artwork up, boxes out, as soon as I can.”

   Even when I wasn’t talking with them, when trying to return to that peaceful middle ground, well-entrenched internal voices would crush me: “Becky is baking for the neighborhood, Bonnie & Gary are doing daily workouts, cleaning out the garage, and planning their daughter’s wedding…”

   I’ve been fighting back with all that I”ve got (meditation when I can force myself to sit, birding out in nature with a friend, gardening, some biking, and a group of us reunited with an outdoor exercise class twice a week).

   Nevertheless, every morning despite waking up cheerful (after the Ritalin kicks in) and energetic, the entrenched neural habits start to kick me into overdrive within an hour or two, transforming the hyper-energetic mode into self-flagellating madness for the sheer oppressiveness of it. Oh yes, and anxiety is a mere step behind when the overdrive starts. I’ve noticed that I even get somewhat lightheaded during this time. I get nothing done that would give me the positive feedback that I’m a mature adult who can manage her own finances, household, friendships, etc.

   I fear that this stress is adding up. Undiagnosed most of my adulthood, and now in my sixties, I already have medical issues from the stress of going through life without the correct narrative, which would have allowed me to find out more about who I am and thrive, rather than be in a constant “trying to keep up” state.

   Hence, this article’s content is extremely important for people–women especially–with ADHD to REMEMBER, in order to quiet the mind from self-judgment. But we need more help. Those who might be reading this, who live largely on their own without others whose very presence provides a scaffold!–I’d appreciate getting feedback and/or just hearing how you are doing. (I haven’t sat still this long in ages, but the article hit home. Sound familiar re: what gets your attention?)

   I’m self-conscious about having written this. I recognize that in large part it’s therapeutic as well as a call for help. However, as I just mentioned above, I do hope others can find comfort in relating to my story, at least in part.

   Wishing all peace.