Imagine sitting at your desk fully aware that you have a million things to do,

yet somehow you can't even bring yourself to start the first one.

Your brain is stuck in what feels like a spinning wheel of doom.

Welcome to ADHD task paralysis, where even the simplest task like, I don't know,

sending an email, turn into an epic saga, complete with procrastination, a side of guilt,

and maybe a little Netflix binge for good measure. It's like knowing you have to climb a

mountain, but the mountain is a pile of laundry,

and every step feels like an Olympic event. But hey, I want to be clear, you're not lazy,

and you're definitely not alone. ADHD task paralysis is real, frustrating, a little ridiculous at times, and we're going to talk about it today.

Welcome back to savvy psychologist. I'm your host, Dr. Monica Johnson. Every week on this show,

I'll help you face life's challenges with evidence-based approaches, a sympathetic ear, and zero

judgment.

ADHD task paralysis is a phenomenon often experienced by individuals, where they find themselves unable to start or complete tasks, even if they recognize the importance or urgency

of those tasks. Psychological research suggests that task paralysis is closely

related to the core challenges of ADHD, such as difficulties with attention regulation,

executive dysfunction, and emotional regulation. One of the defining characteristics of ADHD

is difficulty in regulating attention, which can result in

hyperfocus on some tasks while simultaneously causing avoidance or paralysis when faced with others.

Task paralysis is especially common when the task at hand feels overwhelming, too complex, or lacks immediate personal interest.

This is due in part to deficits and executive functioning, which refers to the cognitive processes that help individuals plan, organize, and execute tasks.

For people with ADHD, tasks that require multi-step planning or long-term effort

can be particularly daunting.

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