ADHD and low energy days: what happens when your battery runs out?

ADHD Coach Katherine Sanders

Today's episode is different: what happens when our energy runs out?

I wanted to share with you the how I responded to a day of zero energy and why I think it's important for ADHD Coaches - and coaches in general - to show up as real humans who have days where our personal growth shows up as love, compassion and permission instead of shiny routines, perky planners and catchy phrases in pep talks. (My clients will confirm I never use any of those...)

There are a few research studies that are relevant, showing that ADHD adults are more likely to report fatigue and experience low energy but the questions for today are simple:

• What do I NEED?
• How can I meet that need? What people, resources, skills are available to me?
• How can I show myself compassion and adaptability?

I hope you enjoy this different episode - I know I liked sharing something personal and more coach-like with you.

Remember to let me know if you have questions - I'll be making a series of 5-10 minute episodes soon to answer them. The website form has had a makeover so head to the podcast page and send them through there.

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Podcast Question form: https://lightbulbadhd.com/podcast/

Takanobu Yamamoto, The relationship between central fatigue and Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder of the inattentive type, Neurochemical Research, 10.1007/s11064-022-03693-y, 47, 9, (2890-2898), (2022).

Martin Oscarsson, Martina Nelson, Alexander Rozental, Ylva Ginsberg, Per Carlbring, Fredrik Jönsson, Stress and work-related mental illness among working adults with ADHD: a qualitative study, BMC Psychiatry, 10.1186/s12888-022-04409-w, 22, 1, (2022).

Nufar Grinblat, Sara Rosenblum, Work participation, sensory processing and sleep quality in adults with attention-deficit hyperactive disorder, Work, 10.3233/WOR-211129, 73, 4, (1235-1244), (2022).

Bert Lenaert, Rebecca Jansen, Caroline M. van Heugten, You make me tired: An experimental test of the role of interpersonal operant conditioning in fatigue, Behaviour Research and Therapy, 10.1016/j.brat.2018.01.006, 103, (12-17), (2018).

Wajszilber D, Santiseban JA, Gruber R. Sleep disorders in patients with ADHD: impact and management challenges. Nat Sci Sleep. 2018 Dec 14;10:453-480. doi: 10.2147/NSS.S163074. PMID: 30588139; PMCID: PMC6299464.