Fatigue and Exhaustion in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) versus Normal Burnout

Fatigue and Exhaustion in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) versus Normal Burnout

It's come to light that both neurotypical and neurodivergent folks can grappled with burnout, but there's a crucial distinction between the two. While both ADHD burnout and ordinary burnout can lead to physical, mental, and emotional weariness, they usually stem from different roots and display distinct patterns of symptoms.

ADHD burnout, for instance, originates from the struggles of managing ADHD symptoms, and the consistent effort necessary to function in a world poorly designed for neurodivergent minds. Although the term 'ADHD burnout' is gaining traction, it's not an official diagnosis. However, burnout as a syndrome, with specific symptoms, is commonly associated with chronic workplace stress.

Can an individual encounter both ADHD burnout and run-of-the-mill burnout? Absolutely. The symptoms of each can overlap, and having ADHD might make an individual more susceptible to regular burnout due to the strains of handling ADHD symptoms and the impact these symptoms have on their work.

Now, let's delve into some differences between ADHD burnout and regular burnout:

Distinct Causes

While general burnout is typically linked to occupational stressors and an imbalance between resources, ADHD burnout is rooted in the inherent challenges of managing ADHD symptoms.

Now, here are some causes specific to ADHD burnout:

• Executive Function Deficits: ADHD is characterized by deficits in executive functions, such as planning, organizing, time management, and regulating attention. These deficits make it harder to juggle daily tasks, leading to increased stress and a higher likelihood of burnout.
• Masking/Camouflaging: People with ADHD often attempt to mask or camouflage their ADHD traits to fit in and meet societal expectations. This can include forcing themselves to concentrate for prolonged periods, suppressing their natural energy, or feigning organization and punctuality—all of which is physically exhausting and contributes to burnout.
• Emotional Dysregulation: Those with ADHD may experience heightened anxiety and emotional intensity when faced with challenging situations, resulting in mood swings, impulsivity, and a possible meltdown/shutdown response. This can deplete coping resources and lead to exhaustion.
• Sensory Sensitivities: Some individuals with ADHD may experience sensory sensitivities (mainly to noise and light), which can contribute to feelings of overwhelm and burnout.

On the other hand, regular burnout might be sparked by an escalating workload and high demands that put pressure on organizational skills, resulting in high stress levels. It can also emerge from chronic exposure to workplace stress that depletes coping resources.

While environmental changes can provoke both, ADHD burnout is often exacerbated by difficulties in managing time, organization, and emotions. Regular burnout, however, may be more connected to excessive workloads and workplace stressors.

Temporal Differences

Those with unmanaged or unaccommodated ADHD may display burnout-like symptoms from the onset of their employment due to the constant effort necessary to manage their symptoms. This differs from regular burnout, where individuals may perform well under pressure initially before exhibiting burnout symptoms.

Regular burnout typically develops after a period of sustained pressure and stress. The duration of burnout could also last longer for those with ADHD, and these individuals might find themselves stuck in a cycle of burnout where they start with high energy, take on too many tasks, burn out, then need to recover.

Signal Differences

ADHD burnout and regular burnout show overlap in symptoms, but there are key differences. Here's what to look for:

Signs of ADHD burnout:

• Intensified ADHD symptoms: Increased inattention and disorganization.
• Amplified emotional reactivity and mood swings.
• Disguising fatigue and the need to overcompensate for ADHD traits.
• Feelings of being overwhelmed, followed by a shutdown response.
• A sense of deep inadequacy when it comes to task completion.
• Inner battles that seem to surpass workload concerns.

These signs may be amplified for people like Marnie, who has undiagnosed ADHD (or may be unaware of ADHD), because, with a lack of understanding of what causes their struggles, burnouts can become frequent. It might also be misunderstood as experiencing signs of depression.

Signs of regular burnout:

• Physical and emotional exhaustion primarily related to work.
• Cognitive weariness, with difficulties concentrating.
• Detachment and cynicism towards work and studies.
• Neglect of responsibilities.
• Reduced professional efficiency, with feelings of being ineffective.
• Sleep issues and feelings of dread.

As Dr Floriana Reinikis, a Clinical Psychologist specializing in neurodivergence, explained, "in burnout, what we [often] see is different from neurotypicals. They may still look quite hyperactive, quite restless. While in neurotypicals, we find burnout tends to slow people down."

1. The origins of ADHD burnout differ from general burnout, stemming primarily from the struggles of managing ADHD symptoms and the inconsistencies of a world designed for neurotypical minds.
2. One of the specific causes of ADHD burnout is executive function deficits, which include difficulty in planning, organizing, time management, and regulating attention.
3. People with ADHD often mask or camouflage their ADHD traits to fit societal expectations, leading to physical exhaustion and contributing to burnout.
4. Emotional dysregulation, characterized by heightened anxiety, emotional intensity, mood swings, impulsivity, and possible meltdown/shutdown responses, can also lead to burnout in individuals with ADHD.
5. Sensory sensitivities, such as noise and light, can contribute to feelings of overwhelm and burnout for some individuals with ADHD.
6. Regular burnout often results from an escalating workload and high demands that strain organizational skills, leading to high stress levels.
7. The constant effort necessary to manage ADHD symptoms may cause those with ADHD to display burnout-like symptoms from the start of their employment, and they may experience a recurring cycle of burnout.
8. While both ADHD burnout and regular burnout share overlapping symptoms, those with ADHD may experience intensified ADHD symptoms, amplified emotional reactivity, disguised fatigue, and feelings of being overwhelmed due to their condition, making it essential for healthcare professionals to consider the unique needs of those managing both conditions within the broader context of health-and-wellness and mental-health science.

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