ADHDifference - BOREDOM

ADHDifference

Julie Legg and Jel Legg discuss ADHD and boredom – despite having a busy mind, we still can experience boredom in various situations, often to our surprise.
They chat about short-term and long-term boredom, and how interest factors in driving dopamine-seeking behaviour. They discuss their personal experiences when it comes to feeling unmotivated, the need to re-energise, and diversion therapy.

Topics discussed in this episode:

• Boredom – or a lack of motivation and focus?
• ‘Trapped’ and ‘Freedom’ boredom types.
• How interest and dopamine are interconnected.
• Boredom in the workplace and with hobbies.
• Recharging batteries and doing ‘nothing’.

Key takeaways:

• Suffering bouts of boredom isn’t just experienced by ADHD brains, however can bring on anxiety and feelings of depression.
• Being bored doesn’t mean there is nothing to do, rather we can feel unmotivated, experience a lack interest or not find a particular hobby or project purposeful.
• Often ADHD brains need recharging and ‘doing nothing’ is actually something passive that can help brains relax and re-energise.

Links:
Julie is the author of THE MISSING PIECE: A Woman's Guide to Understanding, Diagnosing and Living with ADHD (Harper Collins, 2024)
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