I currently have a sinus infection. That’s annoying, but I’ve noticed for a long time that when I’m sick it’s like I don’t feel the ADHD symptoms.
I lose the constant slight understimulation and I’m more mentally sharp and content. It’s like my body knows I need to rest and actually gives me the mental state to tolerate that.
Obviously it sucks to be sick, but it almost makes it a nice experience for me to be able to actually hone in and make a lot of progress on my projects or whatever without fighting my brain at all.
Anyone else experience this or similar?
this literally just made the rounds of the meta-reddit-x-insta nues-centipede
The fever effect is fairly well documented, and could account for what you’re seeing. For me, when I’m sick it feels like I suddenly gain the ability to take care of myself.
yes and for years I thought I was crazy. only a certain level of sickness though. usually the first day and last 2–3 days of being symptomatic. the middle days my newfound control over my brain is offset by all the coughing, sneezing, and nose-blowing.
Special Education teacher here… and purely anecdotal based on observations: Some of my kids over the years are just like you. If they have bad allergies, getting over flu/cold, ear infection, etc- they tend to present as “calmer”, not need as much stimuli, and can even focus more than usual. This is RARE, but I’ve got years of experience and taught dozens of kids with adhd/autism dx and it happens. Me and my colleagues tend to think the body and brain are so overstimulated and preoccupied by the sickness, that no other input is being sought out. But again, just one teacher’s experience.
Sinus pressure, and to a lesser extent fever, massively increase my ahdd symptoms. Can’t think straight and constantly losing focus, even more than without meds.
Na, when I’m sick I just veg out 24/7 man.
I dont think so? If I am actually sick and not just a minor cold, I dont much energy anyhow, nevermind keeping track of my surroundings.
One time i was so stressed that i lost my adhd symptoms. I think that might be related to your experience, and dopamine processing.
My partner had a mental health flare up, which rolled into a marathon fight and almost no sleep. I wanted to call out from work, but once i started it felt like i had a super power.
I could just do boring repititive work until it was done. Then complete the next task. For a full day! No leaving my office for no reason, no realizing i’d been thinking about the bronze age for the last 10 minutes, no 30 minute side quests solving someone else’s question. Someone asked me to do something that i didn’t have time to do and i realized i didn’t have time and actually said no.
Being absolutely shattered and maybe the most in-control i’ve ever felt was a weird combo.
My explanation has to do with dopamine processing. One contributor to executive functioning issues is overly-efficient dopamine processing in the frontal cortext. The motivation chemical comes in, you start to do the task, but then your brain’s already processed all the dopamine so tough luck, we’re off on our next adventure. The benefit of this is being resistant to the dopamine overload that cripples decision making in high stress situations.
I suspect that certain low-medium stress situations - being sick, tired, etc. - can produce enough extra dopamine to offset the issue, allowing neurotypical-like executive functioning.
It’s like the crisis flipped you into eating cortisol instead of inconsistent dopamine.
I noticed that I dont get sick in crisis mode, and at some dotcoms I’ve enjoyed years without the flu or a cold.
For the two years i ran an after school care center i only got sick during school holidays.
Are you taking any medication for your sinus infection? If so, perhaps your sinus medicine is also therapeutic for your ADHD?
Nah, sinus infection just started today. And the feeling better when sick is also a trend I’ve noticed for a long long time.
It definitely allows me to rest more than usual and fall asleep way easier.
