From the Research
Chronic fatigue is highly prevalent in individuals with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) due to the complex interplay of neurobiological, psychological, and behavioral factors. The most recent and highest quality study, 1, found that 62% of adults with ADHD met the criteria for fatigue caseness, indicating a significant association between ADHD and chronic fatigue. Key factors contributing to chronic fatigue in ADHD include:
- Dysregulation of neurotransmitters like dopamine and norepinephrine, which are critical for attention, motivation, and energy regulation
- Disrupted sleep patterns, such as delayed sleep phase syndrome, difficulty falling asleep, and poorer sleep quality
- Executive function challenges that make it harder to maintain consistent energy-supporting routines around sleep, nutrition, and exercise
- Emotional dysregulation, which contributes to fatigue through increased stress responses and emotional processing demands
- Medication side effects, particularly rebound fatigue when stimulant medications wear off
- Comorbid conditions like depression, anxiety, or sleep disorders that independently contribute to fatigue symptoms. Understanding these connections is essential for developing targeted strategies for energy management in ADHD treatment plans, as highlighted in 1.