This article will review ADHD and burnout, some of the causes, symptoms, and coping strategies you can employ to manage ADHD burnout symptoms.

Introduction

What is ADHD burnout? This refers to a state of stress that is common among those with ADHD. When people with ADHD are forced to sit and focus, stay on task, and remember things for lengthy periods of time, it can cause high stress, leading to what is called ADHD burnout. There are several causes, most of which have to do with ADHD symptoms and high stress, but thankfully, there are also coping skills that can be used to prevent the risk of burnout.

This cycle can have a serious impact on the daily lives of individuals grappling with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). By exploring the notion of ADHD burnout, we seek to provide a deeper appreciation of the unique challenges that individuals with ADHD encounter.

What is ADHD burnout?

ADHD burnout is a cycle. It starts when you commit to completing a task, something that might be simple at first. However, this task often requires you to overcome many of the basic ADHD symptoms, and this can cause great stress.

When your ADHD symptoms make it difficult to focus or be productive, this builds stress and leaves you feeling overwhelmed and exhausted.

This build-up of stress results in unhealthy coping strategies like self-medicating with drugs or alcohol, avoidance, and procrastination.

Eventually, this leads to withdrawal, where you withdraw from your commitment, giving up on the tasks you want to complete.

Causes and Triggers of ADHD and Burnout

ADHD and burnout are caused by unmanaged ADHD symptoms. External stress and unhealthy coping skills can exacerbate these causes.

ADHD symptoms

If you have symptoms of ADHD that aren’t being properly managed, it can make it very difficult for you to sit still, stay focused, or complete tasks. Masking symptoms or not being honest with others about the way ADHD impacts performance can both create additional stress, which makes burnout more likely.

Workload

When someone with ADHD struggles with a heavy workload and important, upcoming deadlines, they are more likely to be overwhelmed and find it difficult to stay on task or focus. Basic tasks like reading and writing become much more time-consuming, and this leads to ADHD burnout.

Overcommitment

Another trigger/case of ADHD burnout is trying to please everyone by over-committing. People with ADHD often take on too much responsibility when they are optimistic and full of energy, but that level of commitment might not reflect their ability to get things done.