Mythbusters: The Truth Behind ADHD Paralysis and Hyperfixation

By Dr. Caitlin Stamatis, Director of Medical Affairs

Research Roundup

As someone with ADHD, have you been told you “just need to try a little harder” or to “stop being lazy”?

Unfortunately, stigma against people with ADHD remains pervasive, and the neurodevelopmental disorder is often mistaken for having a lack of motivation or willpower. In this article, we’ll dig into why the myth of ADHD laziness, the phenomena called ADHD paralysis and hyperfixation, and explain what the scientific research says about laziness and motivation in ADHD. 

Hyperfixation

ADHD is a complex psychiatric condition involving deficits in attention and executive functioning, which are the processes that help us do things like prioritize tasks and stay organized. Despite general difficulties with attention, people with ADHD often report hyperfixation (termed “hyperfocus” in the scientific literature1), or the tendency toward periods of highly focused attention when doing an engaging task. This aspect of ADHD may lead friends or loved ones to feel confused or frustrated when they see the person with ADHD highly engaged in one task, but unable to focus on something else—and to assume that since they’re capable of focusing on certain things, they’re just being lazy in other areas.

The reality is that hyperfixation is part of the clinical diagnosis and not something that people with ADHD can easily control. It’s essential to recognize that the struggle to focus on certain tasks with ADHD is not rooted in a lack of effort or willpower, but a manifestation of the unique ways ADHD brains function.2 

ADHD paralysis or “freeze mode”

Many patients with ADHD often report the tendency to experience what they call ADHD paralysis or “freeze mode.” This state of mental inertia can be frustrating, both for the person with ADHD and for those around them, who may perceive the inaction as an indicator of low motivation, laziness, or a lack of willpower.

While relatively few formal scientific studies have been conducted on ADHD paralysis, clinicians believe it may be linked to sensory overload,3 where the brain becomes overwhelmed with stimuli, leading to a temporary shutdown.

Recognizing that these signs are not an indication of laziness, but rather a product of the unique neural functioning in ADHD, is critical to creating a supportive environment that accommodates individual needs. 

The take home

ADHD is not merely a lack of motivation or discipline, and people with ADHD are not lazy. In fact, people with ADHD are often working overtime to manage a complex interplay of cognitive processes and symptoms in their daily lives. Understanding and reframing the perception of laziness as a symptom of ADHD opens the door to empathy and support.

About the Author

  • Dr. Caitlin Stamatis, PhD, is a clinical psychologist and researcher focused on novel uses of technology for mental healthcare. Her 40+ scientific publications have been featured in leading journals such as Nature Partner Journal: Mental Health Research, Depression & Anxiety, and Emotion. Dr. Stamatis has spent her career leading clinical research and product development to build and evaluate new digital mental health treatments, at both big companies like Google and more rapidly growing, specialized digital therapeutics companies like Akili.