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People with ADHD find it difficult to throw away things of little or no value, says study
Living with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) is difficult. The mental health condition affects many aspects of life, including one’s ability to keep their personal space tidy.
People with ADHD usually struggle with inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. One study links the condition with hoarding behavior as seen among UK adults.
ADHD linked to hoarding behavior
It’s easy to get distracted when you’re dealing with ADHD. Individuals with the mental health condition tend to procrastinate or are usually disorganized.
Similar symptoms make it harder for a person to stay focused on tasks they take up, including daily chores. The study presented at the British Academy’s Virtual Summer found a hoarding tendency among people with ADHD.
The participants were shown a series of images of a living room and asked to choose the ones that closely represent their own living conditions.
It was found that approximately 20% of people with ADHD reported “clinically significant levels of hoarding.” The behavior can affect quality of life and significantly contribute to depression and anxiety.
Highlighting the issues that contribute to the hoarding behavior among individuals with ADHD, the lead author of the study, Dr Sharon Morein said:
“Our results suggest up to one in five adults seeking help for ADHD may also have issues with hoarding that impair their everyday life. Those who hoarded were on average in their late 30s, and we found no relationship with gender.”
Simple hacks to cope with ADHD
ADHD can make daily chores seem like a hill task, but a few timed techniques and a psychologist-approved hack can help you focus better.
Psychotherapist and founder of Uncover Mental Health Counseling, Kristie Tse, told The Focus that setting a timer for tasks that seem mundane otherwise can be effective.
She explained: The timer acts as an external cue, reinforcing the time-bound nature of the task, which can be especially helpful for those who struggle with time perception.
Furthermore, it can be a versatile tool, applicable to various activities where sustained focus is required. Setting small, manageable goals within this framework can provide a steady sense of progression and achievement, the psychotherapist continued.
Meanwhile, ER doctor J Mack Slaughter, who claims to have ADHD, recommends 4 “powerful hacks” that help him navigate day-to-day life more productively.
These include having someone around to hold you accountable for unfinished tasks, habit-stacking because being organized is crucial, and partnering with neurotypicals, to be encouraged to complete a task when the initial excitement eventually dies.
