ADHD & Boredom
ADHD and Boredom: It’s Not Just About Being Restless
When people hear the word “bored,” they often picture someone simply uninterested or disengaged. But for people living with ADHD, boredom can feel a lot more intense and a lot more distressing. It’s not just a momentary lack of stimulation. It can feel like a full body experience that’s uncomfortable, frustrating and sometimes even painful.
The ADHD brain in wired to seek novelty, stimulation, and reward. It craves interest like it’s oxygen. So when a task feels dull, repetitive or meaningless, your brain does not just check out, it protests! This might look like procrastination, impulsivity and bouncing between five half finished things just to escape the drag of doing something boring. And then, of course, comes the guilt. “Why can’t I just do this simple thing?” “Why am I like this?” You’re not lazy. You’re not broken. You’re trying to function in a world that often doesn’t match the way your brain is built.
Many adults with ADHD have spent years being shamed for zoning out, for not finishing tasks, or for constantly seeking something new. But what is often missing from those stories is the why. The ADHD brain does not regulate dopamine the same way neurotypical brains do and that makes it harder to stay engaged with low stimulation tasks. Even if those tasks are important, urgent or meaningful.
The tricky part is that life is full of boring stuff. Laundry, emails, paying bills, waiting in lines. The goal isn’t to eliminate boredom altogether, because that’s impossible. The goal is to work with your brain, not against it. That might mean breaking tasks into smaller steps, adding a bit more novelty, or pairing something boring with something enjoyable like music, movement or even a friend on speakerphone.
If boredom feels unbearable sometimes, you’re not alone. You’re navigating a world that wasn’t built with your brain in mind. But with compassion and the right supports, it’s possible to create a life where even the most boring tasks are possible.
