Do You Have ‘Task Paralysis’? This Frustratingly Common Issue Could Be A Sign Of ADHD.
HuffPost
Experts weigh in on the phenomenon and why it’s so prevalent among people with ADHD.
Ever choose to skip the dishes one night because you were too stressed after an event-filled work day? Have you ever put off that grocery run you promised you’d get done because you couldn’t bring yourself to get dressed and out the door?
These are universal situations that every person is familiar with. However, for people with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder or ADHD, the seemingly relatable situation of putting off a task can trigger an emotionally distressing cycle that can cause one’s mind and body to shut down.
Though not a clinical term, this experience has been coined “task paralysis.”
What task paralysis looks like for people with ADHD
Task paralysis is believed to be related to sensory overload, and generally looks like “over-analyzing, the inability to get started on a project, trouble making decisions and feeling unable to sort out details,” according to Dr. Cynthia Seng, a psychiatrist at Cleveland Clinic’s Center for Adult Behavioral Health.
