“I don’t want another diagnosis… there’s already enough wrong with me.” This is one of two responses that I tend to hear when I first introduce the idea of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder to my therapy clients. The other answer often is something like, “I don’t have that… I did really well in school.” And this reminds me just how much we’ve missed in the field of diagnosing.

ADHD is so drastically misunderstood that people truly believe it’s caused by sugar and red dye #40. Don’t @ me… I used to be on this side of the camp. I know what it’s like to want desperately for something to make sense. PS YES I know that red dye #40 has been shown anecdotally and in the research to make ADHD symptoms worse, but it doesn’t cause ADHD. Other ADHD misconceptions include:

An icon of a woman having confused & overwhelming thoughts. Representing how ADHD & chronic illnesses can leave you feeling wondering what's wrong with you. Our ADHD therapists in Atlanta, GA are here to help you!

ADHD is a behavioral disorder (myth)
Only hyperactive boys have ADHD (myth)
People with ADHD can achieve focus, time management, etc. if they just try harder (myth)
ADHD medication turns kids into zombies (myths)
Medication is a “crutch” (myth)
You will outgrow your ADHD (myth)
ADHD is caused by bad parenting (myth)

These BS myths keep people from getting the help they need and deserve.

Wanna know what’s true?

Getting accommodations for ADHD improves life satisfaction and the ability to function in the world.
ADHD support decreases depressive symptoms.
Medication improves focus, decreases impulsivity, and overall improves quality of life (see blog here)
ADHD is underrecognized in girls, likely due to social constructs that conform girls into being more agreeable.
ADHD is widely understood to have strong genetic components.

So why does this matter for you if you’re living with chronic pain, fatigue, or brain fog?

Reduced Cognitive Resources

ADHD demands constant mental effort to manage focus, organization, and impulses. This depletes the brain's "fuel tank," leaving fewer cognitive resources to cope with and manage the additional tasks required of us to take care of our chronic pain. On any given day, there are numerous tasks required of you to care for yourself, and living with chronic pain and fatigue makes that incredibly difficult. So, even if you don’t have ADHD, the level of exhaustion from pain alone can lead to the same symptoms of ADHD, like exhaustion, forgetfulness, inability to task-switch, engage in daily living activities like brushing your teeth and showering, and so much more.

An individual writing a to-do list for the day. This represents the misconception that individuals with ADHD can just be more organized to help their ADHD. An ADHD therapist in Atlanta, GA is here to tell you that's false.

Emotional Disruption

These frustrations create feelings of stress, low self-esteem, and overwhelm, all of which contribute to utter fatigue. Negative emotions (which we don’t actually control, more on that here…) exacerbate physical pain in the body. Whether it’s your pain or ADHD that’s actually causing the emotions is irrelevant. All that matters is the outcome: stress and chronic negative experiences make ADHD symptoms AND chronic pain symptoms worse.

Disrupted Sleep

Sleep: Both ADHD and chronic pain affect our ability to sleep well. And like a sick joke, poor sleep quality makes ADHD symptoms AND chronic pain symptoms worse. Sleep is the most critical ingredient in the healing process. Good sleep is required for

Tissue Growth and Repair. During sleep, your body increases the production of proteins that build and repair tissues, including muscles, bones, and skin.
Hormone Release. Essential hormones like growth hormone, which promotes cellular regeneration and repair, are released primarily during deep sleep.
Immune System Boost. Your immune system relies on adequate sleep to function at its best. Sleep deprivation weakens immune responses, potentially hindering your ability to fight off infections and recover quickly.
Memory Consolidation. Sleep is essential for processing memories and learning information. This aids in recovery involving the brain, whether it's following a concussion or relearning tasks during physical therapy.
Emotional Regulation. Sleep deprivation makes it harder to manage stress and emotions. Adequate sleep helps you process emotional experiences and promotes resilience. This is vital when dealing with the frustrations and discomfort of the healing process.
Reduced Pain Perception. Studies suggest that sleep deprivation increases pain sensitivity. Getting sufficient sleep helps regulate pain signaling and promotes a greater sense of well-being overall.

When you’re living with sleep disruption, whether it’s due to physical pain, ADHD, or other life stressors, the fact remains that it can quickly become a vicious cycle and our energy levels are zapped.

Loss of Control & Spiraling Thoughts

Chronic pain can feel unpredictable and uncontrollable, and ADHD adds to this feeling with impulsivity, difficulty planning, and inaccurate time perception. This combination leads to increased anxiety and worry, making mental focus harder and increasing the negative perception of pain, which is why it’s so important to target your symptoms from multiple angles.

This is why proper ADHD testing can be a critical part of your chronic pain journey.

So what can you do to help yourself? Seeking ADHD therapy

I hope that simply understanding the source of these combined struggles can bring relief. Your challenges are incredibly real. They’re not personal failures. Ironically, seeing it as a personal failure can hinder your ability to overcome some of the aspects of these conditions that you actually have control over.

Working with a pain specialist who understands neurodiversity can make or break your ability to get the right kind of help for you. Since treatment is so individualized to each person and can be filled with trial and error, a licensed professional counselor like the therapists at The Chronic Illness Therapist can be a critical piece to your ADHD and chronic pain management. We help our clients keep track of which medical treatments they’ve tried, and how those treatments have affected their lives (for good and bad), and work to get clear about what next steps to take.

Take control of your chronic pain & ADHD today!

Are you feeling overwhelmed by ADHD symptoms, chronic pain, and fatigue? At The Chronic Illness Therapist, we understand the intricate connections between ADHD and chronic pain, and we're here to support you. Our ADHD therapists in Atlanta, GA offer personalized strategies to manage both conditions effectively. Don't let misconceptions and self-doubt hold you back any longer. Follow the steps below to reclaim control over your life.

Reach out to us today to schedule a session.
Learn strategies that can help your chronic pain and ADHD.
Live your life brain-fog and fatigue-free!

Other Online Services We Offer Anywhere in Georgia

At The Chronic Illness Therapist, we offer a range of therapeutic services to support individuals facing various challenges. Our grief therapy provides compassionate support for those navigating loss, while our chronic illness therapy offers tailored assistance for managing complex chronic illnesses. Additionally, our anxiety and depression therapy can help you regulate your nervous system.

Mind-Body Connection: Understanding the Intersection of ADHD and Chronic Illness