Are People With ADD/ADHD Unusually Prone to Burnout?

With an estimated 4.4% of American adults diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), often called attention-deficit disorder (ADD), many people cope with the range of symptoms associated with this condition. For example, those who have ADHD may indulge in impulsive behaviors, procrastinate, have trouble staying organized, become distracted easily, or struggle with a short attention span. Moreover, experts now know that ADD/ADHD can trigger an array of physical consequences and may carry frustrating side effects on overall life quality, including workplace issues, romantic relationship problems, addiction, and even financial difficulties.

But there is another lesser-known danger for those who contend with ADD/ADHD: burnout. Though the exact definition can be difficult to pinpoint, burnout generally refers to a trio of general symptoms—alienation from activities, exhaustion, and poor performance—that can strike at work or in the home and may be confused with depression. Here are just some of the ways in which the characteristics of ADHD can contribute—all of which can combine to create a snowball effect, ultimately leading to the utter depletion known as burnout.

6 ADHD Characteristics That Lead to Burnout

1. Impulsively saying yes.

Impulsivity is a common manifestation of ADD/ADHD, and when that behavior leads to volunteering for more than you can handle, burnout may occur in the not-too-distant future. Taking on too many tasks without thinking through the effort involved leaves you exhausted, overwhelmed, and even resentful. These tendencies stem from the same area of the brain: ADD/ADHD typically occurs as a result of neurological dysfunction in the prefrontal cortex, while saying yes without considering consequences is associated with low activity in the prefrontal cortex. Signing up for an overload of responsibility often leads to anxiety and, eventually, burnout.

Beat burnout: Practice saying, “Let me think about it” before reflexively saying yes.

2. Trouble with organization.

Alongside saying yes without thinking, disorganization is one of the bad habits that can derail forward progress in life—and those with ADD/ADHD are particularly prone to it. When faced with a lack of organization in the home or workplace, it takes greater effort to stay on track and complete tasks. This can trigger a cumulative effect: When those disorganization-fueled derailments pile up, they may further exacerbate procrastination and ultimately lead to the desire to give up completely.

Beat burnout: Ask a friend or family member to help you get organized or to teach you how to use organizational systems.

3. Difficulty concentrating.

Those with ADD/ADHD can display remarkable concentration when delving into their passion projects. But, on the other side of the coin, staying focused can frequently pose a challenge. Though not all attention issues are caused by ADD/ADHD, this condition often leads to the feeling that the brain is “all over the place,” unable to home in on a specific target. There is a reason for this inability to concentrate: Brain imaging at Amen Clinics has found that when people with ADD/ADHD try to concentrate, blood flow actually decreases in the prefrontal cortex—the opposite of a healthy brain, in which blood flow increases during concentration.

Beat burnout: Start a daily meditation practice, as brain imaging research shows that it enhances function in the PFC and improves focus.

4. Lack of motivation.

Those with ADHD may often be written off as lazy, but they’re often just misunderstood—because this condition appears to be closely tied to a lack of motivation. One study even concluded that ADD/ADHD is a disorder marked not only by lack of attention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity but also by a deficit in motivation. The study noted that this appears to reflect a low-functioning dopamine reward pathway, which therefore makes it difficult to summon the motivation needed to tackle tasks. This deficit can make someone want to give up altogether—another telltale sign of burnout.

Beat burnout: In order to boost dopamine naturally, your body needs tyrosine, which can be found in avocados, almonds, bananas, eggs, fish, beans, and dark chocolate.

5. Difficulty prioritizing.

When it’s time to start a project, a person with ADD/ADHD may have trouble knowing how or where to begin—or, for a project that’s already underway, how to prioritize during the process, in order to follow through and complete it. This lack of initiative or continuity understandably causes anxiety, which can contribute to feelings of burnout.

Beat burnout: For tasks such as work projects, hobbies, or schoolwork, employ helpful learning strategies to push back against these potential pitfalls.

6. Stress from overcompensation.

Especially in school or the workplace, comparison with others—and feeling like you aren’t measuring up to your colleagues—easily leads to increased stress over time. This all can add up to working harder and putting in longer hours to do what others can do more efficiently in less time. One study found that the persistent hyperactivity associated with ADHD may lead to emotional exhaustion and poor work performance. The findings demonstrated that ADHD is also likely an underlying factor of emotional exhaustion syndrome and burnout. Because burnout itself creates a hyperactive phase, it can be difficult to differentiate from the hyperactivity caused by ADHD, but the condition makes someone extra vulnerable to stress, which can easily result in burnout.

Beat burnout: Practice stress-management strategies and challenge automatic negative thoughts (ANTs) such as, “I’m not good enough” or “I’m not as smart as my colleagues.”

ADD/ADHD and other mental health issues can’t wait. At Amen Clinics, we’re here for you. We offer in-clinic brain scanning and appointments, as well as mental telehealth, remote clinical evaluations, and video therapy for adults, children, and couples. Find out more by speaking to a specialist today at 888-288-9834 or visit our contact page here.