Everyday Things That May Make Someone With ADHD Feel Overwhelmed + How To Cope

Living with ADHD or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder can be a challenge sometimes and if you (or your loved one) has been diagnosed with ADHD then you know how overwhelming ADHD can be.

There might come days where you may create a long to-do list but then find yourself unable to follow through with those tasks. Or you may procrastinate until the last minute and then feel bad when the deadline arrives because you didn’t spend enough time perfecting your task.

And it’s OK.

Feeling overwhelmed with ADHD and getting distracted are all symptoms of the disorder and quite a common occurrence. According to the DSM-5, people with ADHD may experience symptoms such as:

• Restlessness
• Trouble focusing
• Forgetfulness
• Being impatient
• Impulsiveness
• Difficulty in emotional regulation

ADHD can make your thoughts loud and scary, making it harder for you to focus on the task at hand. Getting distracted and easily overwhelmed is common in ADHD but did you know there are little everyday things that may feel overwhelming when you have ADHD? At least, more overwhelming than other things.

Let’s take a look at some of the most common ones!

Things That May Feel Overwhelming With ADHD

1. Looking For Things

If you’re an easily overwhelmed ADHD individual then you may find it difficult to stay organized (at home and work). Not being organized can make it challenging to find things when you need them such as your car keys, your wallet, your documents, etc. Such disorganization is likely to make you feel anxious and overwhelmed.

2. Being On Time

Yes, people with ADHD feel overwhelmed when it comes to keeping up with schedules. Some negative emotions may also be linked with forgetfulness or scrambling to be on time. People with ADHD are likely to get negative feedback about their forgetfulness and may take the feedback personally.

3. Catching Up With Deadlines

Deadlines require organization and time management, the few things people with ADHD have trouble with. Catching up to deadlines can become even more overwhelming when other responsibilities such as kids, family, and social life are mixed in,

4. Following A Routine

It can be hard for people with ADHD to follow a routine, even healthy ones that include taking their medications on time and exercising. If you have ADHD, then you’re prone to put off actions that don’t have immediate consequences. It’s common to feel overwhelmed with the following routine when you have ADHD. You tend to prioritize things with an early payoff than the ones that have later benefits.

5. Reading

Yes, you read it right. Reading can also be one of the little everyday things that may make a person with ADHD feel overwhelmed. If you have ADHD, you may read and re-read a single line over and over because you get lost in your thoughts easily.

6. Finishing A Task

We all have trouble finishing our tasks but when you have ADHD it can be even more challenging. People with ADHD have a hard time organizing things and prioritizing tasks. This can go from organizing your workspace to running a marathon.

How To Cope When Feeling Overwhelmed?

1. Professional Help

It’s easy to manage feeling overwhelmed with ADHD when you have the right professional help and treatment plan. Your treatment plan can include:

• Therapy
• Medications
• Lifestyle changes

If you’re prescribed medications for ADHD, it is recommended you speak with your doctor about the side effects of the medications and only take prescribed medications for the treatment.

2. Work On Your Weaknesses

ADHD and feeling overwhelmed go hand in hand and one of the best ways to tackle this is to focus on your strengths and work on your weaknesses. Try to find strategies that help you improve your weaknesses. You can work with a coach, read books on ADHD, follow ADHD influencers, etc.

3. Reframe Your Thinking

When you change the way you think, it can also help you cope with feeling overwhelmed. When you challenge your negative and unhelpful thinking, it can significantly reduce your anxiety and stress about not being able to focus and other symptoms.

4. Mindfulness Can Help

People with ADHD feel overwhelmed are often distracted and lack focus or the ability to stay present and focused on the task at hand. There are ways to help and one of them is mindfulness.

Exercising mindfulness can help you stay in the present moment and you can do more by removing distractions from your surroundings. You can try this grounding technique here when you feel overwhelmed with ADHD.

People with ADHD feel overwhelmed with simple everyday tasks and it’s OK. There are productive ways to help cope with feeling overwhelmed. If you have ADHD and are feeling overwhelmed, then you can reach out to your healthcare provider for help.

For more, you can also connect with us at info@calmsage.com or leave us a message on our social media. You can also share your thoughts with us in the comments section below!

Take Care!