What is ADHD paralysis? What to know and how to overcome it

Do you often struggle to complete tasks? Do you frequently feel overwhelmed by your environment, and find yourself easily distracted? If you have attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), you may have experienced something called ADHD paralysis. This term describes a “freeze” reaction that occurs when someone with ADHD feels mentally stuck or overwhelmed by too many emotions or stressful tasks.

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If you have ADHD (or have a loved one who does), you probably have some questions about ADHD paralysis. For example, are there any preventive measures to reduce the risk of an ADHD freeze? Or, can it be outgrown over time? The good news is that ADHD paralysis can be effectively managed with professional support, behavioral strategies, and environmental modifications.

What is ADHD paralysis?

ADHD is one of the most common childhood neurodevelopmental disorders, affecting nearly 10% of children ages 3 to 17 years old. ADHD is characterized by a combination of persistent symptoms like hyperactivity, impulsiveness, and attention difficulty. For some people with ADHD, their symptoms can also include ADHD paralysis.

ADHD paralysis looks different for different people, but the primary characteristics include inaction, difficulty starting tasks (even when they’re urgent or high-priority), and chronic procrastination.

Other potential signs and symptoms include:

• Brain fog (lack of mental clarity) 
• Poor time management skills
• Difficulty maintaining focus
• Irritability
• Difficulty starting a project, resulting in jumping from one task to another
• Overthinking or overanalyzing solutions to a problem
• Rapid mood changes
• Easily losing train of thought 

Types of ADHD paralysis

There are three types of ADHD paralysis: choice, mental, and task.

• Choice paralysis occurs when people struggle to make a decision, sometimes due to stress or having too many options to choose from.
• Mental paralysis occurs when people are so overstimulated that their brain shuts down. This can cause brain fog, making it difficult to process thoughts, emotions, and information.
• Task paralysis is when people struggle to start or complete tasks. This often occurs with less desirable tasks and leads to zoning out, avoiding the task, or prioritizing unnecessary tasks.

ADHD paralysis vs. procrastination 

Although ADHD paralysis may seem similar to procrastination, there’s a clear distinction between the two. These freezes are involuntary symptoms of a mental health condition, while procrastination is a voluntary decision to avoid or delay responsibilities.

How can ADHD paralysis impact your life?

Many people occasionally struggle with making decisions or feeling overwhelmed. But for someone with ADHD paralysis, feeling frozen or stuck can be particularly debilitating.

Academic performance 

ADHD paralysis can affect a person’s ability to stay organized and meet deadlines. When you struggle to focus your attention on a task, like listening to a lecture in class or completing homework, it can eventually impact your academic performance.

Interpersonal challenges

Without proper support and education, freezes can put a strain on relationships with family members, friends, and romantic partners. Symptoms like mood changes and irritability may rub other people the wrong way if they don’t understand a person’s diagnosis.  

Mental health implications

Research shows that 6 out of 10 children with ADHD have at least one other mental, emotional, or behavioral disorder. For individuals living with ADHD and a co-occurring condition, untreated ADHD paralysis may exacerbate other symptoms and contribute to anxiety and depression.

Emotional well-being 

Living with ADHD paralysis can also be emotionally challenging. When people feel overwhelmed or unable to cope with their symptoms, it can negatively impact their mental health and lead to anger, frustration, and hopelessness.

Four ways to overcome ADHD paralysis

Though ADHD freezes can be challenging, there’s hope in knowing that it’s possible to overcome them.

1. Seek professional support

Overcoming ADHD paralysis and other symptoms of ADHD starts with a diagnosis from a qualified mental health professional. Once your provider confirms the condition, they can create an appropriate treatment plan to effectively manage the condition. 

Treatment typically includes cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), a type of talk therapy that helps people increase self-awareness, change negative thought and behavior patterns, and develop coping skills. If therapy alone isn’t effective, your provider might suggest a stimulant medication to help regulate dopamine and improve focus.

2. Develop organizational skills

• Task breaking: Breaking tasks into smaller items allows people to work toward their goal one step at a time. Whether it’s writing an essay or reading a book, creating smaller tasks can make any activity seem more manageable. Another tip is to start your day with smaller tasks so you feel good about accomplishing something early in the day.
• Executive functioning: Many people with ADHD struggle with planning and time management. Developing strong executive functioning skills, like using a planner and setting calendar reminders to stay organized, is an important step in overcoming ADHD paralysis.
• Goal setting: When you have paralysis, setting goals is more about progress than perfection. It’s helpful to begin with a self-assessment to understand your abilities, limitations, and priorities. From there, you can set specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) objectives to help you celebrate small achievements and slowly work toward a bigger-picture goal. 

3. Practice behavioral strategies

• Pomodoro Technique: The Pomodoro Technique was designed to help people focus on a single task during a 25-minute block of time. Once you choose your task, set a 25-minute timer and focus solely on the task. Take a 5 minute break, then try again. Once you complete this cycle four times, take a longer 15-30 minute break.
• Reward system: It’s always easier to accomplish a goal when you know there’s a treat waiting at the finish line. If you’re struggling to start or complete a task, consider using rewards to encourage yourself to successfully achieve your goal. It’s ok to celebrate your achievements by treating yourself to something that brings you joy. 
• Mindfulness and meditation: Mindfulness and meditation practices have been linked to improved focus and cognitive ability, better working memory, and reduced stress and anxiety. Similar benefits apply to other self-care activities like journaling, a warm bath, or a walk in the park.

4. Experiment with environmental modifications

• Minimal distractions: Having an organized and clutter-free workspace can make a big difference in helping people focus on a task. Find a calm and clean space to work, like a desk in your room or table at the library, and minimize screen time when you’re trying to focus. 
• Time management: There are countless time management apps and tools to help people effectively plan, track, and time tasks. Here are a few programs designed to manage daily living and reduce forgetfulness: Trello, Asana, Microsoft To-Do, Google Keep, and Notion.
• Supportive routines: Fatigue, social isolation, and difficulty making decisions are signs of ADHD paralysis, but having a consistent routine can help reduce symptoms. In addition to improving focus and time management, having an established routine can reduce stress and improve self-esteem. If you’re new to routines, start with one or two key activities and gradually grow from there.

Overcome ADHD paralysis with Rula

If you or someone you know is living with ADHD, speaking with a mental health professional can help. Using Rula, you can easily find a therapist who understands ADHD paralysis, is taking new clients, and accepts your insurance. 

Rula’s platform is designed to make it easy to attend sessions virtually from the comfort of your home. Plus, with Rula, you have access to psychiatric services for medication management (if needed) to ensure effective, collaborative care to support your mental health. 

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