I have ADHD to the extent that I rely on the maximum prescribed dosage of long-acting stimulants, and I still find it difficult to manage everyday tasks. The onset of the pandemic has made basic living skills and adult responsibilities feel like monumental challenges, especially when those skills are crucial. My ADHD can drive others mad, and they, in turn, can drive me up the wall. The interplay between ADHD and anxiety is particularly pronounced in women, with one often exacerbating the other. Caffeine serves as my lifeline, yet it also keeps me from staying adequately hydrated. My memory is a sieve—I frequently forget what day it is, let alone the week.
A Pandemic Example of ADHD in Action
I’m currently writing this piece at 3 AM, the day after it was due. Why? For several reasons. First off, I can’t sleep, which is a common complaint. According to ADDitude Magazine, approximately 75% of those with ADHD report struggles with “turning off their minds at night.” During a pandemic, this challenge is magnified. You might find yourself fixating on the crisis or obsessing about other distractions to avoid thinking about it. In my case, I may fall asleep quickly (thank you, modern medicine), only to awaken around 3 AM with a whirlwind of thoughts. Since I’m awake, I might as well write.
I also forgot what day it was—literally. There’s a running joke that the pandemic has turned time into a nonsensical concept. For those of us with ADHD, time management was already tricky; without external cues, it feels like swimming in a vast ocean. Even if I had remembered the date, I would still be uncertain whether my work was due that day. I found myself singing “Substitute,” panicking, and scrolling through my phone all at once. Multitasking is a hallmark of ADHD.
Hobbies Morphing into Obsessions
I’m a passionate writer. When I’m not in a pandemic, I write excessively, often at the expense of other activities. This phenomenon is known as hyperfocus—the intense concentration some people with ADHD experience, as noted by Healthline. The pandemic appears to fuel this tendency further. Perhaps it’s a mental escape we crave, or maybe we are grappling with social isolation. When we can’t drive around belting out “Under Pressure” to calm our nerves, we resort to other outlets.
My partner, Ethan, shares a similar struggle with ADHD. While I tap away on my keyboard in the hammock, Ethan has transformed our carport into a bustling workshop, creating everything from tables to elaborate UV sterilization boxes involving wood, mylar, duct tape, and other peculiar Amazon purchases I’ve stopped questioning.
Our children, who also have ADHD, are currently engrossed in Metroid on an old-school Nintendo console. My oldest plays, my middle son navigates, and the youngest watches in awe. In fact, my middle son recently paid his brother to keep playing. It’s fascinating how ADHD during a pandemic can manifest in such unexpected ways.
ADHD and My Intense Relationship with Caffeine
My connection with caffeine has reached new heights: I either declare, “Caffeine, you’re my only friend,” or glare at my cup while muttering, “Hello darkness, my old friend.” I rely heavily on coffee to start my day and keep going throughout. If I don’t grab an afternoon energy drink, I hit a wall. With my focus scattered among writing, parenting, and a dozen other tasks, I often forget to hydrate properly.
Misplacing Essential Items
It may sound trivial, but losing everyday items like my wallet, keys, or sunglasses in my own home happens all too often. If you don’t use it for a week, it vanishes. With limited outings during the pandemic, I find myself misplacing items essential for leaving the house. My CBD vape pens seem to disappear regularly, and my pens? They’ve been hijacked by my perpetually bored kids.
The Distractions Are Real
You wouldn’t believe how easy it is to get sidetracked. I can hop on a video call with friends and lose track of time, or I can spiral into making a T-shirt on Canva inspired by my kids’ gaming. This deep dive into the internet can consume hours, especially if TikTok enters the fray—I had to remove that app from my phone to regain my focus.
In essence, living through a pandemic while managing ADHD feels like amplifying everything to eleven. My house remains cluttered because cleaning is about as appealing as watching paint dry. For those of us with ADHD, we save our attention for more stimulating tasks, and, unfortunately, laundry doesn’t make the cut.
In conclusion, navigating adult ADHD during a pandemic has transformed everyday life into a rollercoaster of challenges and strange obsessions. For further insights on home insemination, check out this article on Home Insemination Kit or explore the excellent resources available at Hopkins Medicine for pregnancy guidance. For those considering self-insemination, Make a Mom provides expert advice on at-home kits.
Keyphrase: Adult ADHD during the pandemic
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