I have ADHD that is so severe I rely on the highest FDA-approved long-acting dose of amphetamines, yet I still struggle to function in everyday life. Navigating life with ADHD during a pandemic has made the already daunting task of adulting exponentially more challenging, just when those skills are essential. It’s a frustrating cycle: I can drive others crazy, and they can do the same to me. ADHD often goes hand-in-hand with anxiety, particularly among women, creating a feedback loop where one condition exacerbates the other. Caffeine is my lifeline, though it ironically prevents me from staying hydrated. I frequently forget the simplest things, including what day it is or even what week we’re in.
A Snapshot of ADHD in a Pandemic
I’m penning this piece at 3 am, the day after it was due. Why? I can’t sleep. This is not uncommon. According to ADDitude Magazine, around 75% of people with ADHD report difficulties turning off their minds at night. During a pandemic, this issue is magnified. My thoughts either spiral into pandemic-related worries or veer towards other distractions as a means to cope. While I often fall asleep quickly, I inevitably wake up around 3 am with a flurry of thoughts racing through my mind. Now that I’m awake, I might as well write.
I also completely lost track of the date. Yes, genuinely forgot it. The jokes about time losing meaning during COVID-19 ring particularly true for those of us with ADHD; without external cues, time feels like an endless ocean rather than a flowing river. Even if I had remembered the date, I still might not have known if my work was due. I found myself frantically searching online while belting out “Substitute,” a quintessential ADHD multitasking moment.
Obsessive Hobbies
Writing is my passion, and I dive into it deeply—sometimes to the detriment of other daily activities. This phenomenon is known as hyperfocus, described by Healthline as an intense concentration experienced by some people with ADHD. The pandemic seems to amplify this tendency. Perhaps it’s our way of escaping reality or coping with isolation. With no ability to drive around and sing “Under Pressure,” we find other outlets.
My partner, who also has ADHD, has taken to building various projects in our garage. While I tap away on my keyboard, he’s constructing tables, bookcases, and even a UV sterilization box involving an assortment of materials I can no longer keep track of. Our kids, who also share our ADHD traits, have become engrossed in playing Metroid on the old Nintendo console. My middle child even paid his brother to play the game yesterday, illustrating the peculiar dynamics of ADHD during lockdown.
The Complex Relationship with Caffeine
My relationship with caffeine has become rather intense. I either look at my coffee cup as my only friend or glare at it resentfully, a contradiction that encapsulates the ADHD experience. I start my day with coffee and continue to rely on it throughout the day; without it, I face a significant energy crash. I find it challenging to hydrate properly, often resorting to sugar-free blue Gatorade as a substitute. When I’m preoccupied with writing or parenting, I frequently forget to drink altogether.
Misplacing Essential Items
It may seem trivial, but losing vital items like keys, wallets, or sunglasses can be incredibly frustrating. When you don’t go out often, it’s easy to misplace things you need for leaving the house. I often misplace my CBD vape pens, and my writing pens are perpetually disappearing—thanks to my kids, of course.
Distractions at an All-Time High
If you thought distractions were an issue before, just imagine now. I can easily video-call friends during the day, which leads to endless conversations. Or, I can get sidetracked by showing my kids an old video, only to fall into a rabbit hole of creating T-shirts with clever slogans on Canva. This kind of online detour can consume hours, especially if TikTok is involved—I had to uninstall it for my sanity.
In summary, life with ADHD during a pandemic is like turning everything up to eleven, while maintaining a house that feels perpetually chaotic. Cleaning is simply not interesting enough to warrant my focus, so laundry piles up, and the kids are left to sift through their baskets for clean clothes.
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