Just in time!!! Thank you for this. I’m struggling a lot right now. I normally don’t do much, just once in a while. Now.... I haven’t done anything in over 2 months. This makes me feel like it’s not just me. I’m not crazy. Thank you to everyone with ADHD who have openly said what they’re up to right now. It has made me feel so much better right now. I love you all, stay safe! 💕
_Ursieminor_ it was a great comment! I love the honesty. We're all struggling here, we're all in this together. 💞We might be in different places but it's all the same journey to figure out how to work with our neurodiverse brains in a neurotypical world. I failed so hard and for so long before I found something that motivates me enough to actually follow through. And even now it's hard. *hugs* thank you for being here.
Can you give me some ideas to keep me from my boredom the only thing I have now is watching your videos and working on school work and texting random people in my room all alone
Me during the day: There is literally nothing in the entire world and I'm dying. Me at 3 am after hyperfocusing on RU-vid for an hour: I must learn 2 instruments, five languages, read six books, binge a TV show, and watch every Lord of the Rings movie RIGHT THIS SECOND
Haha, I'm lucky neuroscience is my special interest! I think I did zone out at the end. I only remember something about a meal plan, which I don't do either...
Omg I had to pause and laugh for a few minutes because i was so zoned until she said that. And then I had to replay that part three times to understand what was being said.
"We didn't have ADHD. We had discipline." *passion intensifies* Edit: Please read the first reply to the this comment *and like it too* because Rochel Leah Solow adds a very important part of the story of how this feels.
so true except for me more like "We didn't have ADHD. We had discipline." *passion intensifies* But then I realize that I can not properly put my passion and thoughts into words which give me enough time to think about whether or no I want to write that comment.
the real question is how someone's 'day' could be before 1775 and they're on the internet (some german doctor called Melchior Adam Weikard wrote about adhd back then)
I literally went from thrilled, straight to bored, and back again in like 1.5 seconds at that part.... 🤣🤪 I love learning about this stuff but if I hear a word I’m not sure how to process my brain quickly switches to “zone” mode 😑
Yeah. I relate to a lot of the things that people with ADHD struggle with. I haven’t been diagnosed, and I don’t THINK I have it, but I love learning about it.
What about when i don't feel like doing anything? I flip through every game i own, i scroll through netflix for hours without picking some thing, i stare at my sketchbook and just don't want to do it. I know I like these thing, i do want to do SOMETHING. But i immediately lose intrest the second i start. It happens every couple of week for my whole life. What do I do then?
That happens to me too. I get decision fatigue. If there's a whole lot I want/need to do at one time, it can be overwhelming trying to decide what to do next, so much so that I end up doing nothing and feeling awful for not doing anything. It's really hard to break out of that. The only thing that really helps is giving yourself grace, forgiving yourself, giving yourself permission to do nothing in that moment, because maybe what you actually need above all else is rest. And that can be hard to do when you have a lot of things staring you in the face. But it's necessary to survive. Hope everything works out for you. 🙂
I believe it's because the unnaturally low stimulation of virtual things. When it's nothing but light on a 2D screen, no smells, no breeze, no tactility, no dimensionality or life...
Being bored hurts! like LITERALLY HURTS! I feel like my brain is spazzing out and I do get irritable. When I'm bored and get depressed it's usually because my mind spiraled and I started ruminating. Also, this editing is perfect. keeping my brain stimulated I can actually focus on the video.
Fuch yeah man I felt relieved I thought am the only one feeling this way. Thank you you just written in words how a feel is clear manner. Thank u so much for sharing!
@@aishwaryar1998 haha yeah it's so weird our brains lmao I'm glad you found the comment relatable... okay not actually glad cuz then you experience this too but yk what i mean ;)
i haven’t worked in almost 2 years bc i would always get bored or overwhelmed and just quit/ghost my jobs and i decided that i need to get help and be able to function better before i even start working again. i don’t wanna be flaky and give up on everything after a few months 😓
I guess I'm not alone with "hoarding activities" - having a lot of books to read when I want to read, tons of games, a guitar to practice on when it's a good time for that, art supplies for when I will be in a mood for it... and these are all backup options, but as such, I have hard time making them active-duty. Like I'm always " I'm not enough bored for that" and it just sits there,,,
"There are probably ADHD kids in time out right now because they got bored and threw a shoe at their sibling" This made me laugh so hard! And it's probably true.
Boredom has actually been the cause of “depression” I thought I had in my early adult hood. Turns out I just am so scared of being bored and restless I get depressed when I don’t do anything in a day. Making music has helped incredibly.
Being PRODUCTIVE with reaching our GOALS make us FEEL like LIFE is WORTH LIVING. Each time we complete an objective on our list of goals, we feel like it was a DAY WELL SPENT !! That is why you feel good about yourself !! - - Congratulations !
lmao my first doctor thought it's depression that caused losing interest in everything. i know it's the opposite cuz i sought thrilling so desperately while typical depression simply destroy one's willpower including being willing to charge dopamine.
When someone says "I want a stress free life so i can totally relax " What they fail to realize is that zero stress means zero excitement or stimulation. This lack of stimulation usually leads to boredom.
okay, so the "painfully bored" thing reminded me of this: When I'm trying to focus on something I really don't want to do, like get through a textbook reading for class, I feel like there's this buzzing that happens in my head. It's not like a headache, and it's not really coming from my eardrums or something, but it just feels like there's this physical kinda buzz coming from my brain because it's trying to focus so hard. Does anyone else experience that?
I don't have ADHD, but absolutely. I used to use white noise or ambient music to drown it out, but I recently found binaural tones and it's like earplugs for my poor grey matter.
YES. It's not audible so not tinnitus as someone suggests, it's just this overwhelming, uncomfortable "itchy" feeling (buzzing feels right for the description as well). I'm not diagnosed with ADHD (working myself up to go schedule and appointment and see if I get the diagnosis) but I remember having this feeling as early as primary school. My parents used to yell at me for not being able to focus and sit still to the point I was on the brink of tears cause I just physically COULDN'T do it....
How to ADHD, I love your videos! They are so helpful towards helping me and my loved ones understand my ADHD better. Props to you and to those who support and helps you on this youtube journey!
@@HowtoADHD Do you ever feel anxiety when your Vyvanse is wearing off? I did and that’s why I stopped taking it I’ve read online though that that could be a normal side effect
I’m not diagnosed, but have felt that I’ve had adhd for a while now. Your videos have helped me learn more and I am starting to use some of the techniques to keep myself on track! Now I’m staying on top of my homework and not putting it off. Thank you!
It’s the observe part that is so hard. Sometimes I stop... like, I realize I’m not being productive or whatever, but having the motivation to go do the “boring” thing can feel like choosing to renter a nightmare.
I'm actually completely NOT bored of your videos and watch them for hours because my brain finds your style and content so important. Especially since I found out I've got ADHD 3 weeks ago and I'm learning how to live with it!
what i hate is that i HAVE to repeat every word that someone says in my head and it gets really overwhelming but also i can’t just stare i need me be able to do something while listening to someone talk that’s how i stay focussed sometimes
Woah I repeat everything in my head to make sure I hear them too. Sometimes I repeat the same thing a few times because I don't comprehend it and then lose track of what they are saying because they are still talking.
Being stuck in the house is literally making me a bit crazy. My extreme boredom is leading to some anxiety and depression. I like the idea of planning ahead to keep my dopamine up. Thank you Jessica!
Hang in there Tiffany. I'm right there with you at times. This lockdown is a completely different challenge for all of us. I wake up with such productive intentions for my day and it's often hit or miss. It may seem trivial, but I actually invested in a whiteboard. On it, I lay out my goals/intentions for the week. If I don't get something done, I leave it up for the next week. There's no shaming if it doesn't get done. I just reevaluate why I think it didn't get done and is there a different approach I could possibly take. Either way, erasing goals from the board is extremely therapeutic. Some days will be more productive than others and that's okay. As my grandmother used to say, if it was sunny 365 days out of the year, we wouldn't appreciate the sunshine. And it's so true. The fact you're following this channel is proof that you're trying so keep going. Stay strong and I wish you positive vibes for the months ahead.
I just stumbled on your TedTalk and broke down crying of how much I related to your story. I'm 30 and just got diagnosed with ADHD. I've always felt like I've never been able to live up to my potential, but I'm starting to now. When I spoke with my counselor about dealing with it she said to spend time with like minded people. Here I am now hanging out with my new friends
Be my friend too- i an super intelligent but I get bored easily or dont like repetition making it hard to finish my job/ tasks and not living to my potential.
This totally explains why I have been spending so much time on social media lately... being stuck at home with zero routine, suddenly furloughed from a new job. It's the immediate hits of dopamine when I start posting and get people interacting. The problem is that the stimulation there lasts all of like 0.001 seconds so I cycle through Facebook, Twitter, IG, endlessly and then suddenly it's been 4+ hours and I realize I haven't eaten, showered, changed clothes... I'm a mess.
I still do this after the pandemic! Sometimes my daily usage is like 5 or 6 hours. It's awful. My therapist is giving me homework to cut down to 1 hour per day but I'm yet to do it.
I absolutely loved the bit where you enacted the STOP technique. Usually when you get advice, they only tell you how to do a certain technnique but you don't get real life examples for it. In this case I could see how such a situation usually plays out. Thanks a lot for that✌️
I joked for a long time that, were I a kid now, I'd probably be diagnosed with AD/HD as it wasn't really a known thing in Atlantic Canada in the 70s and 80s. My (now ex) wife used to send me AD/HD self diagnosis tests, because she was sure I had it. For a long time as an adult, I just kinda dealt with it and ignored it. Then I discovered your channel and watched a bunch of videos and felt "holy shoot, it's no joke THIS IS ME." I mentioned it to my doctor, and we were going to proceed with diagnosis and everything before all this corona stuff happened. It's been so helpful for me to finally give words and names to things I have struggled with all my life - that I'm not lazy, or thoughtless, or rude - I just lack motivation, my brain is messed up and I hyperfocus. You are such a nice, pleasant and thoughtful person in your videos, it's really helpful to have a kind voice to dump this serious information with. Thank you so much for all you are doing here. As a junior high teacher, I have directed some of my Healthy Living students to your channel and I have even shown a few when we were discussing AD/HD. I wish this existed when I was a kid. I'm realizing now how much all my problems can be directed back to undiagnosed AD/HD for my entire life.
I have a kind of "radio" running in the background of my mind during boring tasks as a replacement to a real radio if I can't listen to music. "Autopilot" describes it best. ♥️ And as I just got diagnosed and used to hiding/minimizing my inattentive ADHD your videos are such a great reminder/confirmation that I have it. ♥️
Haha. That’s an interesting way of putting it. But more like...brains trying to achieve homeostasis. The right balance. And we’re not great at it. Sometimes we end up getting too *much* stimulation and we get overwhelmed and melt down. Whiiich I did today 😅
"Am I still doing it because I want to, or am i doing it because im bored?" Went to bed an hour earlier the last two days just by asking myself that question.
I play hungry or bored a lot. At the moment I'm playing bord or tired. I decided to lie down on the couch and see if sleep is the answer. If it doesn't come to me in a few then I'll get up and do something else.
Omg the STOP technique is what I taught myself when I was struggling in college to focus! I didn’t know there was an actual acronym for it, but observing your inner thoughts and feelings is very helpful with ADHD. If I felt like my attention was going off course because of boredom, I’d stop myself, observe the thoughts and feelings, breath and count to 5, then at 5 I’ll force myself to pay attention and let go of that past thought. It’s really hard to focus with ADHD and there were times when I’d confront a road block and this method didn’t work. In this case, you have to take a break but make sure the activity isn’t too stimulating and won’t take up too much time. Switching between a high stimulating to low stimulating activity is realllly hard for me.
I’ve been procrastinating and bored all day and on my phone all day ... I can’t seem to get off my phone though even though I’m not enjoying this and am bored outta my mind
Thank you so much! I am 40years old and was just diagnosed with ADHD, I've been researching NONSTOP and it's SO OVERWHELMING but also fascinating and exciting. I appreciate these videos so much right now!
THANK YOU!! I’ve been so confused in the past like “wait I’m so bored so I’ve been watching RU-vid for 5 hours because I actually forgot all the things I wanted to do being bored” lol
Watching these videos actually make my heart expand. ADHD is a struggle in its' own right, but actually becoming aware to it is such a game changer in terms of quality of life. To have this channel simplify the science behind it really aids the process between building fundamentally healthy patterns of behaviour. In other words, Jessica you rock. Everyone who contributed to this, you rock. Thanks for the continued efforts, especially during a rather tricky time for everyone. Positive vibes to everyone in the months ahead.
I have a carroussel of five knitting projects. Every time I finish something on my study to-do list, I get 30 minutes of knitting. It makes me the master of progress.
@@HowtoADHD this reminds me of the year I read the most I ever had, because when I got restless (and I guess that's bored) I switched to another book, and then back again. 😅
This is huge. I get stuck doing things that started out as dopamine seeking but after a point I just can't stop even when it's time to go to bed or go to work or whatever
I want say thank you making these videos. Because I was diagnosed with ADD in childhood. I have noticed as an adult I do a lot of different things over the years not keeping jobs and not having friends. I was getting depressed and felt I couldn't do anything right. I have been doing research for years to figure out what is wrong with me. Yesterday I was RU-vid and the video about adhd and anger. A light bulb went off my head 😂. It was my inattentive adhd this whole time. I'm so glad I not alone in this battle with inattentive adhd. So continue making these videos. You got another subscriber it's ME!!!
When watching your channel is honestly the only time I feel truly understood. I have actually tried this really hard for two days and I am getting better at stop doing things when I need to go to the bathroom or eat but I still need to work on my temper
Remembering to use the bathroom and eat is hard for me too when I'm focused on something else. Making meals ahead of time (like baking a weeks worth of chicken) has helped me with dinner a lot.
You uploaded this in the nick of time! Around now, I bet a LOT of ADHD brains are starting to struggle with the feeling of utter and frustrating boredom, we experience it on another level, thanks a lot!
I just can't express how amazing I find your perspective and the way you manage to frame information in a way that both empahsizes the serious consequences our brain differences can have yet also doesn't add to the sense of being overwhelmed we're already drowning in ourselves. Carefull phrasing, like "Mindfulness is not about forcing ourselves to make different choices, it's about creating awarness so we have choices." is just perfect.
same here. my mother started this thing where she would come up with an acronym for the word bored. something like this Beautiful Outstanding Ravishing Exciting Dazzling the whole thing would get me super annoyed
Me: I have to study for my chemistry final tomorrow morning My brain: studying is boring let's play animal crossing Edit: time to yeet my phone across the room and get to work wish me luck
As an extrovert I've been really struggling with boredom during this pandemic, normally I've got stimulation coming from one of my jobs or take time for friends. Now when not working or socializing (in person at least) and it's been taking a toll. Thanks for the video, it really helps
Hey Jessica! Thank you soooo much for posting the studies. I am writing an essay in University about ADHD and wanted to mention Dopamine... You are the best! keep on the good work!!!!
Me too! If I try to make myself do an assignment when my brain isn't cooperating I will get so tired, a headache, and my brain absolutely will /not/ focus. Glad to know I'm not just a crazy person 😂
I fell asleep at my desk and then went and took a 3 hour nap because of this and the fact that I've been consistently falling asleep last 2 or 3 in the morning because trying to fall asleep is so boring
How To ADHD, perfect timing! With lockdown on, we ADHD brains aren't just bored we are super advanced bored! Especially when our go to sources of dopamine hits have been taken away. Like for example: the library, dance class. You totally called me out on this one. No wonder I've been picking fights!
I was recently diagnosed. These videos are very helpful and answer many questions i have on a daily with why am I like this. Please keep making these very helpful videos! 🙏
EVERY video has explained something deeper no body could ever give to me. I have been seeking a lot of self help lately. Most of it is to generalized for for me. This definitely more suitable to my needs. I appreciate you and your videos
Jessica’s face at 2:40 when she’s about to go in on the ignoramus that denies the legitimacy of ADHD 😂😂😂 thank you so much for not only making me smile & laugh during such a difficult time, but for making me feel less alone & helping me understand myself. I don’t know where I’d be without you & this amazing ADHD community. Sending you so much love & positivity! 💙
2:38 "Use STOP" Me agreeing and listening carefully. *next 40 seconds or so go past without the reveal of the 'P' in STOP, as I internally scream and debate to myself whether I heard correctly or if I really know how to spell!* 3:19 - 'P' is revealed. *Deep calming exhale* Okay she DID say STOP 👍🏽
Wonderful tip as always! Your graphics are so whimsical...and reminded me there are some mugs that need to be washed. Haha. What I personally do to redirect myself is set an alarm every three hours (because every hour would be overkill) just to see whether I am still on track or whether the task I am doing is productive. The strategy has suited me as it's an occasional reminder to pay attention to the daily tasks on my whiteboard. Thank you for alleviating our boredom and inner discouragement during the pandemic. Stay safe!
I actually set those timers a lot, but I tend to keep delaying them. I’m like “okay I’ll watch this video and then I’ll work on school.” But after the video I click on another video and another video while I keep repeating that sentence. Does anyone have tips to beat this bad habit?
This really hit home. I have been binge eating and playing video games too much to counteract boredom and stress from staying home when there are much better alternatives for my time. Thanks for the wake up!
Ugh, yes. Don't know about you, but it really hit home with the depression and frustration bit when I get mired in a project that requires a lot of learning curve and trial and error and spend hours sitting doing something that I'm not at all enjoying and is actively making me feel bad physically and mentally. It's so hard to STOP, but this video was a great reminder.
Yeah. Two things that REALLY don't get along too well with each other. Because AUTISM: I desperately need things to be the exact same way ALWAYS because the smallest deviation overloads my circuits and I'm unable to function properly. ADHD: Okay after three weeks I roughly managed to stick to a flossing routine and now it bores the sh*t out of me I need to change my whole life. AUTISM: ...I hate you. *buries herself in her bed crying*
@Stephonie Erenberg I agree strongly. Autism wants me to do things PERFECTLY while studying and ADHD hyper focuses until I get bored and stop 3 weeks later.
Thank you for everything you do with this channel. You’re content is one of the MAIN reasons I saw a doctor and talk to him about ADHD. I was diagnosed 2 years ago at 26 and it has made me get more understanding of why I am the way I am, that I’m not the only one and explain why I have such a hard time with things when they seem so easy for everyone else. Thank you Jessica, you are awesome!
WELL SAID WHY LIFE IS.HARD FOR ME WHEN EASIER FOR OTHERS NEUROLOGICAL IMBALANCES LOW DOPAMINE SEEKING STIMULUS JUST TO FUNCTION BUT NO STOP AND THINK BEFORE IMPULSIVITY IS ON FAST AHEAD SAY DO NOT GOOD CHOICES .....NOT INTENTIONALLY.....JUST REACTING WITHOUT ANY SELF WARNING SELF DISCIPLINE TOTALLY UNAVAILABLE IN OUR BRAIN.....ITSSSS DEPRESSING AND ITS EXHAUSTING VERY HARD WORK... EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE EVERYDAY IS A REALLY BIG CHALLENGE....WHEWWW
I actually had to use this during the video because I stop what I'm doing to process information like if I'm reading a book good book and it's a page-turner I actually have to put the book down and go pace around and think about what's happening. I almost got myself into doing something I didn't want to be doing or eating candy which I use for rewards for myself sometimes and then used STOP to come back down and finish the video so I can move on to my homework. [Edit] I actually struggle with self control sometimes in terms to what I should be doing with my time to achieve my goals. I think a large part isn't actually that I'm lazy or that I want to give in to bad desires, it's that I get stuck and only taking a pause to think about what I've gotten into seems to help ( of the ideas off the top of my head). I'm unmotivated because I'm bored. Thank you very much for making this very informed, helpful, educational and understanding video. Your content is greatly appreciated.
@@HowtoADHD your videos actually help me other than what I taught myself and small tips I've gotten from other people. ADHD is something I was diagnosed with when I was younger but I never really knew what it was. My therapist recommended I should look into your channel. She said she hadn't seen all your videos but it was something I could look into and it's was very helpful and didn't upset me like some other things I've seen so I subscribed and I don't regret it at all.
I found your channel through stumbling upon your TedTalk. Thank you a lot. I’ve cried a few times just hearing certain comforting things you’ve said. I feel alone a lot because what others find overstimulating - certain parties, events, outings, performances, I find... I guess I can say it now: Boring. Way under stimulating. And I’ve always just figured, I didn’t fit in or wasn’t interested in the same things. These videos are huge helps in understanding more. Thank you.
Thank you so much for your videos. I barely have anyone to talk to about ADHD and no support groups, but your videos are so well done and always on point.
This is so timely! I'm getting really fed up with working from home because I have the same kind of interaction with my students every day ... So I buy books. A lot. I'm really lucky that my partner let me be moody and distracts me with tasks which he disguises as 'talking' about the books I'm reading. Also he's funny so that helps a lot. I really needed this reminder 💛
Omg this is exactly what I need I’m starting to drive everyone around me crazy-- boredom and hyperactive impulsivity are not a good mix... I think it’s starting to actualy damage my relationships but the hyperactivity is a really really bad this year and I don’t know how to manage myself
So you just described my situation, my new job novelty is wearing off an i'm hella bored, this video helped a lot understanding myself. Thank you dearly
I have been feeling exactly the same for around 5 years. I did not know what is this before I watch your videos. Many thanks for this video and your ADHD videos.
Me: "Get off Twitter." Brain: *scrolling* "Yeah." Me: "Did you hear me? I said get off Twitter!" Brain: "Ok." *scrolling* Me: "We have to be up in less than 6 hours!" Brain: "Is that right?" *scrolls more* Me: "GET OFF TWITTER AND GO TO SLEEP!" Brain: "YOU AREN'T THE BOSS OF ME!"
@@anitacrumbly I literally thought that right before I checked the replies! 😂 so relatable. 😅 I hate how much time I've wasted just reading comments or randomly scrolling but I don't know how to stop!
This is me. You do so well to explain ADHD in a educational and entertaining and real way. Love this channel. I'm not diagnosed yet but have ALL the symptoms 👊💪🙌
I started using mindfulness for my ADHD and anxiety about 8 months ago and you did a great job explaining it. I have had difficulty with understanding how some aspects of mindfulness work. You helped me make more sense of it. Thanks!
3:48 most helpful thing you've ever said .... and you've said a lot of helpful things in the last hundred-something videos I've watched since discovering this channel
