ADHD & COVID-19: How You May Be Affected & What to Do Now
How are you? Really. It may have been a while since someone stood face to face and asked you how you’re doing. In fact, you may be longing for the days when standing face to face was a free and easy thing.
Nevertheless, despite ushering in a brand new year, our pandemic problem persists. And with it, your life is affected in ways you couldn’t have imagined a year ago.
Managing your ADHD and COVID-19 isn’t easy. The pandemic precautions and restrictions likely feel diametrically opposed to your ADHD coping methods. You may be frustrated, anxious, and exhausted by it all.
You aren’t alone in your feelings. But there is hope and you don’t have to wait until a vaccine to feel better.
Let’s explore how you and your ADHD may be impacted right now and what to do about it:
ADHD & COVID-19: How You May Be Affected
The risk of contracting COVID may be higher.
Recent research indicates that, among mental health conditions, only ADHD was found to be higher in individuals who tested positive for COVID-19. Why? According to the Journal of Attention Disorders, researchers believe this may be linked to these more common characteristics of the condition:
inattention
impulsivity
forgetfulness
risky behavior
poor judgment
poor attention to detail
difficulty following through
All of these traits make strict adherence to COVID-19 restrictions more difficult.
The disruption may feel intolerable.
Anxiety may be a constant right now. The uncertainty in our society, the upheaval in your daily life, and the restricted social contact are painful for people managing ADHD symptoms. You may feel tempted to ease the stress with risky behavior like gathering impulsively without following health directives.
Moreover, without a calming and predictable daily structure, you may be struggling to stay motivated. Right now, the goals and connections that matter most may feel increasingly out of reach. Persistent, low moods or anger may be giving way to noticeable depression.
The additional stressors may be taking a physical toll.
The combined stress of ADHD and COVID concerns may be wearing you down. You may find you are stuck in a cycle of poor sleep, inadequate nutrition, and restricted activity. Due to the shifts in your schedules and your usual struggle to see things through, you may have even forgotten how important basic self-care is to your state of mind.
As a result, you may find that you’re irritable and you’re ADHD symptoms are exacerbated. Also, you may feel run-down and exhausted which compromises your immunity and puts you at risk for COVID infection.
ADHD & COVID-19: What to Do Now
Don’t give up on treatment.
COVID-19 won’t last forever. You want to be physically and mentally healthy when all is said and done. Though it is difficult to understand that treatment is vital.
Keep working with your care providers. Keep sharing your concerns and challenges with trusted loved ones and your therapist. Stay abreast of COVID issues and Combined, these factors are the lifelines that will keep you safe and strong.
Do reset your routines, social time, and other helpful strategies.
Things aren’t the same. That doesn’t mean, however, that you can’t recover and reset for a life that meets or exceeds your needs. To move forward, accept the current situation and build a new framework for yourself and your relationships.
Work, school, family time, and socializing now need new schedules and parameters. Work with your loved ones and therapist to determine what they will look like.
Don’t allow inattention to your body to undermine your mental health.
ADHD is already taxing on your mental health. It is extremely important now to fight off the agitation of anxiety, the fatigue of depression, and a viral attack of COVID-19 with physical health measures. Take steps like these to maintain optimal health:
Establish a solid sleep routine. Set alarms. Create a”wind-down” procedure to ensure calm and optimal rest.
Eat nutritious food and stay hydrated. Talk to your physician and therapist about foods and supplements to boost your immunity and mental health.
Breathe deeply and move your body. Social distancing and stay-at-home restrictions are not a call to sedentary behavior. Your brain and body need optimal blood, hormone, and oxygen circulation. The benefits of breathwork, exercise, and stretching should not be discounted.
ADHD & COVID-19: Support Matters
You should know that however you are doing right now is okay. It takes time to adjust. Your ADHD has, no doubt, taught you that over time.
Your ADHD may have also taught you how difficult is to live life without support. Don’t let COVID convince you otherwise. There are still ways to operate with help and a sense of community. Therapy, online or safely executed, is an important resource right now.
I’m here to help. Let’s figure this out together. Please read more about my ADHD services and contact me for a consultation.