Why ADHD Feels More Exhausting as an Adult?

When you, as an adult with ADHD, reach your 30s or 40s, your exhaustion becomes continuous. You experience more chronic fatigue, sleep disturbances, and burnout as compared to the general population. In fact, research shows that more than 70% of adults with ADHD report tiredness, even after getting enough sleep. 

It is not something that goes away after a long rest period. Instead, it messes up your work performance, relationships, and mental health.

And, the result? Even worse. There are missed deadlines, emotional instability, and mental fog. What makes it especially concerning is that adult ADHD fatigue is often misunderstood. 

Most people assume that people with ADHD are not good at time management, are not motivated, or lack self-discipline. However, in reality, their nervous system is functioning as it does in a healthy person. 

So, what is ADHD actually, and why does it get worse rather than improve over time?

How to Know You Have ADHD Symptoms?

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is considered a developmental disorder because symptoms show up in childhood. However, most adults also have ADHD. It makes the body hard to function, no matter where they are. Adults with ADHD usually experience – 

• Inattention – They find it difficult to pay attention, stay focused on a task, or be organized. 
• Hyperactivity – When you experience restlessness even during engagement in quiet activities. 
• Impulsivity – They act without a second thought or have trouble with self-control. 

ADHD can be diagnosed in childhood or adulthood. But adults start showing symptoms much earlier, before the age of 12. 

The main difference between diagnosing ADHD in children and adults is the number of symptoms they have. Adults over 16 years usually have five symptoms of inattention or hyperactivity and impulsivity. These often occur with other mental disorders and can become hard to treat. 

How Does ADHD Affect The Brain?

Adults with ADHD usually have lower levels of dopamine. It is a chemical in the brain that helps regulate attention and motivation. Other parts of the brain included are – 

• The Prefrontal Cortex – It is responsible for executive functions. Those include planning, organizing, and paying attention. People with ADHD often have difficulty with these executive functions. 

• The Striatum – It is located somewhere deep in the brain center and is involved in reward processing and motivation. People with ADHD are less sensitive to rewards. So, it becomes harder for them to stay motivated. 

• Neutral Networks – People with ADHD have differences in how some areas of their brains communicate. It becomes difficult for them to focus and ignore distractions. 

What Causes ADHD?

The exact reason is not known. However, there are some factors, including – 

Genes and Heredity 

ADHD can run in families, which means it can be inherited. It has been seen that various genes play a major role in regulating brain chemicals and can contribute to ADHD. 

Brain function 

Some research suggests that people with ADHD have differences in brain structure and function. These differences can affect attention, self-control, and impulsivity. 

Environment

Studies have found higher rates of ADHD among people who were exposed to some substances or conditions in the environment. Mostly during prenatal development or in early childhood. 

What Are Other Symptoms and Patterns?

Adults with ADHD usually struggle with daily tasks, work, and relationships. These challenges can lead to feelings of frustration and underachievement. People with ADHD sometimes struggle to manage their time, keep their finances on track, meet deadlines, and maintain stable home and social lives. It looks like – 

• Always forgetting important items, such as wallets, keys, and phones. 
• Struggling to listen closely, follow instructions, or pay attention to the details. 
• Forgetting appointments, neglecting bills, or not returning calls. 
• Feeling restless and being unable to sit still for a long time. 
• Interrupting others or answering someone’s question before they finish asking. 

Does ADHD Get Worse With Age?

It is very unlikely to get worse with age. However, the increasing responsibilities and challenges of adulthood sometimes make it look that way. For example, connecting yourself with work, family, and personal responsibilities becomes difficult. 

You lack focus or organization. However, in reality, the external demands are exposing the ADHD symptoms.

The symptoms evolve with time, but they don’t necessarily mean that your condition is getting worse. Instead, you learn which areas need treatment. Most adults hesitate to get help. They believe that ADHD is exclusive to childhood and does not affect when you become an adult. 

So, it is important to break that misconception. ADHD is a lifelong condition that benefits from ongoing management and intervention.

The good news is that with professional help, you can easily manage your ADHD symptoms. You can even handle the responsibilities of adulthood with greater ease and confidence.

Connect with MindSpa Psychiatry and Therapy today to get the needed care throughout Florida. 

How to Manage The Symptoms?