Why sitting still can be exhausting.

The phrase “I’m too tired to sit still” would not make sense for most neurotypical people, but for people with ADHD, sitting down can be exhausting.

For those with internal restlessness and hyperactivity, there is a need to move even when physically still. Not having an outlet for energy is exhausting, as you have to stop the overpowering urge to fidget or move around, which takes a great deal of mental effort.

Sitting down, especially for passive activities like listening or waiting in a school lesson, doesn’t provide much instant reward, leading to boredom and exhaustion. This is because it is not a dopamine-inducing activity that can help us engage.

People with ADHD often experience both over- and under-stimulation. While they may appear physically inactive, their brains may be going into overdrive, processing multiple thoughts at once. This constant mental stimulation while trying to remain still causes exhaustion because we are dealing with both the over-stimulation of our mental energy and the under-stimulation of physical energy.

Next time you see an ADHD child trying to sit still, remember that they could be experiencing fatigue caused by a combination of restlessness, difficulty sustaining attention, and the mental effort required to manage an active mind in an inactive body.