Adults with ADD: Are You Feeling Blah?

Sometimes, there are weeks in which many of my clients seem to be dealing with a similar challenge. For the past week, that challenge can best be described as "The Blahs."

It's not that things are falling apart, but stress and overwhelm are kicking in for what seems like no particular reason. More than anything, people are feeling tired, bored, and just kinda "blah." Since this is a recurring theme in my coaching, and I have to admit I've felt it a bit myself, too, I can only conclude one thing: this inexplicable blah feeling is a result of season changes.

While not all of us suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (depression often brought on by winter), adults with ADD are more neurologically sensitive than most. So small changes in our environment can have big effects on our mood.

Since the start of Daylight Savings Time this past weekend, the days are already much shorter and, for many of us, the temperatures have dropped significantly. The loss of daylight hours alone is enough to make an ADDer feel sluggish, tired, and moody. In other words: blah.

Slowing down in fall and winter is actually quite normal and natural, just as it's natural to feel more energy in the spring and summer. Rather than beating yourself up over feeling "blah," why not give yourself permission to slow down a bit? If you don't feel up to going out as much, or taking on too many projects, don't push yourself. If you find yourself getting tired earlier in the evening, get some extra sleep.

Humans, like all animals, are programmed to take our cues from nature. So when the sun goes down early, the animals begin to hibernate, and many of the plants around us go dormant, it's natural for us to want to slow down, too. Of course, if at any point you find yourself wanting to sleep all the time or feel extreme sadness or hopelessness, then you may be depressed and it's important to talk to your doctor. For most of us, however, the seasonal blahs will visit us every year around this time.

Instead of pushing yourself to be productive and beating yourself up because you're not getting as much done as you were a month ago, try putting your energy into cooking nourishing meals, enjoying good books, and catching up on the movies you want to see. I'm willing to bet that when you take the pressure off, those seasonal blahs will begin to fade.

How do you manage the seasonal blahs? Share your thoughts in the comments!

Comments

[Ariane Benefit]

Jen, you have such a clear and accurate way of describing what is going on with many of my clients and myself as well. I have definitely been feeling the impact of the changes, slowing down and sleeping a lot more. I usually can't sleep more than 6-7 hours but I'm easily sleeping 8-9 now.

Funny you should mention cooking as a remedy...I actually have started making my soup creations again! I love to experiment with lentils, black beans, and other non-meat proteins to make healthy one dish meals. I used to hate to cook, following recipes bores me. Soups for me are like an adventure! I like to create the base, split it up and season each differently to see how it turns out. I even doctor the leftovers to change the flavor.

Thanks so much for sharing your insights! It's really helpful! I'm going to share this on Facebook.

[Jill Simbari]

The past few days have been days in which I have felt exactly as you described. I attributed it to post election blues(my husband ran for office). I play a lot of tennis; that has not diminished but when I'm off the court, how have I been filling my time? Cooking has been my salvation. I usually love to bake but since I do not want to have that product around my house (for obvious reasons) I am now cooking as much healthy food as possible.
I have been enjoying being home with my dogs and cooking. Fortunately right now my family is away (all spread out) so I am able to take everything down to a slightly slower speed (which is not my usual way).
Thank you so much for this inisght; I will just ride it along.

[Pam Bryan]

Hi Jen,

Oh yes, totally true, and I've been feeling it for a few weeks as we've been having very dull, cloudy weather.

Thank you for 'permission' to be nice to myself. I have been and it feels good.

However, I also swear by my Litebook, a totally natural way to keep me out of the blahs and worse - sleepless nights. I was diagnosed SAD in the mid 90's and used antidepressants for two winters, then discovered the lightbox concept. My first one was the size of a sewing machine and not all that effective.

The Litebook is the size of a paperback, and because it has just the right spectrum of light, works brilliantly. (pun intended, please forgive me) My husband uses it too. He is not diagnosed SAD, but just finds using it every morning while he has breakfast makes his winter days go better.

www.litebook.com I'm not related to them in any way except for also being Canadian. Just a happy customer.

[heyshippy]

I honestly hadn't considered what "that feeling" was until I read this post. THANKS JEN! When the Blahs come on, I find myself watching a ton of TV or sleeping a lot. It's very difficult to get stuff done. I find the Blahs go away when I make myself get up and do something. Anything. Go for a walk, go to the store and window shop....anything but lay around and watch TV....that makes them worse.

[Vicki Barlow, LPC]

Thanks for letting me know that S.A.D was linked to ADD. I have both and was not aware that the tow were linked.

When the days get short i try to get out in the sunlight as much as possible. And even though they're expensive, full spectrum fluorescent lights are the best fro banishing SAD!

[Dr Charles Parker]

Jen,
Love the concept of 'neurologically sensitive,' and would add: 'vulnerable in brain neurotransmitter reserve' just to tease that concept out a bit more.

And everyone who is reading this post will appreciate this detailed post I did recently on an aspect of the same issues, just left out the ADHD part of the equation:

http://bit.ly/UINse

[Monique]

Wow, so I couldn't figure out what I've been going through. It was almost starting to make me think something was wrong. Everything on the outside has been calm and easygoing yet I've been so "blah" and now after reading this I can feel at ease and just appreciate and enjoy this "blah" state of mind.

[Beth Z]

Jen,
I find that when I connect with uplifting family and friends, It puts me a positive mood.
I take advantage of any sunny days and just get myself outside, be it a walk, yard work or just sitting outside.
On those dark winter days I do benefit by using the light therapy products.
And lastly, a good laugh goes a long way.

[Scott Wieczorek]

Jen, I have always believed S.A.D. were linked. What I have done to improve my situation is I make more frequent trips to the gym. Even if I only have an hour to spare, I go anyway. It's amazing what it can do to keep "overwhelm" at bay. I also use the tanning beds more frequently in the winter. I know some people are hesitant about tanning, but it really helps me feel good about myself. I stay positive & more focused. It really works.

[Edith Hamersma]

What a timely posting ! Although there is something quieting about this part of the season, I have never like the increasing darkness. As a result, I enoy the increased use of candles and, as it gets colder, the woodstove. There is something comforting about this type of light and warmth along with a cup of hot tea and also delicious soups.
I liked very much your emphasis on self-care.

[Sarah Irvine]

wow!! i thought I was feeling blah because my meds weren't working!! i am newly diagnosed and am an adult with three kids!! but i have been feeling very very blah too!! Thanks for making me feel so much better!!!