ADHD and the Myth of Laziness

Does this scenario sound familiar? Maybe it’s 6 pm and you’re still in your pajamas, you’ve been wanting to tackle that stack of dishes all day, but yet, they remain on your counter, unwashed and crusted over. Or maybe you’ve known that you really should fold that mountain of laundry, but you just don’t move? This may indicate ADHD.

Oh, the agony and angst of a homework assignment with a hard deadline. And what about those plans you made last week, because, it seemed so far away at the time, that now loom over you? But yet you sit there. Staring at your phone, scrolling through cat videos. Contentment and hyperfocus soon give way to the gnawing guilt. It whispers “You’re lazy” in your ear. And maybe other people in your life confirm that sentiment.

If you have ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), this struggle is all too familiar. But here’s the truth, and it’s good news: you are not lazy, despite what you may think and may have been told by a parent, spouse, boss, or teacher. Laziness is often the label someone gets when it appears that they are procrastinating or not putting in the appropriate amount of effort to accomplish that thing they need to do.

But ADHD is not a problem with willpower, though that is what is popularly believed. And though it is not a battle with laziness, ADHD behavior can be deceptive and look like laziness to those around you. Why? Because ADHD causes your brain to access motivation differently giving the appearance of laziness to those whose brains work differently.

Why does ADHD look like laziness?

Several characteristic behaviors in people with ADHD can mimic laziness. Here are a couple of ways that these behaviors can be mislabeled:

Executive Dysfunction

Most people think motivation is a matter of desire. They think that if you want something, you’ll do it; if you want a cookie, you’ll stand up to get it or if you want to know more about ADHD and laziness, you’ll search on the web for it. But that isn’t always how it works, especially in those with ADHD.

ADHD affects a part of the brain called the executive function system, which helps you plan, prioritize, and start tasks. Think of it as a tiny traffic light in your brain. For most people, the light turns green, and they jump into action. But for people with ADHD, that little light stays red or flashes yellow all the time, even when they desperately want to do a task.

For example, you might love God, your family, and even your work, but still struggle with basic tasks such as going to church, remembering appointments (“Sorry, dear spouse, I really did forget our dinner date”), answering emails, or keeping a room clean.

While ADHD may cause the executive function system to react differently and your presumed laziness might be frustrating for both you and those who live with you, it doesn’t mean you’re broken.

Time Blindness

Another interesting manifestation of ADHD is time blindness. Those with ADHD often struggle to accurately perceive time. This can cause delays in starting tasks or make it hard to estimate how long something will take to complete. This can lead to last-minute rushes or missed deadlines.

For example, you might know you have to be at a party at five o’clock, but you may struggle to calculate how much time you realistically need to get ready and travel there. You may think it will only take you ten minutes to get ready when in actuality, it takes you thirty.

If you have ADHD

If you have ADHD you’re probably used to being misunderstood. Your executive dysfunction and time blindness are likely too often mistaken for laziness. It’s easy to view your pile of unwashed dishes as a personal failure, but there is a big difference between this symptom and laziness.

Your behavior stems from neurological differences, not from a lack of interest or effort and it’s important to remind yourself of that, every time you are confronted with an unfinished task. What is even more important to realize is that God made you the way you are for a reason. He loves you and it doesn’t matter if your bed is unmade, or your homework gets turned in late.

Talk to someone who understands: Christian Counseling in Frisco, Texas

If you want to learn more about how ADHD behaviors can be mislabeled or want to explore strategies to help you learn to compensate for your executive dysfunction or time blindness, make an appointment to talk with a licensed therapist in Frisco, Texas. The professional Christian counselors in Frisco can not only help you understand your ADHD better but also help you learn to thrive with it! Contact us today at Frisco Christian Counseling in Texas.