I've noticed that I feel very tired mentally very quickly when I engage in mentally demanding tasks, like reading or writing. In few minutes I will get a headache and can no longer continue the task at hand. It takes me a while to read a book or an article because of this. Is this common in ADHD?

Can't relate, but maybe others can.

When I'm doing a mentally demanding task, I usually struggle a lot (mind wanders too much) and just give up. I don't get headaches. Or maybe I give up before the headaches can begin? Not sure.

Though I'm currently unmedicated for ADHD due to some issues related to bipolar. IDK if that makes a difference or not.

Originally Posted by Mr. Stranger

I've noticed that I feel very tired mentally very quickly when I engage in mentally demanding tasks, like reading or writing. In few minutes I will get a headache and can no longer continue the task at hand. It takes me a while to read a book or an article because of this. Is this common in ADHD?

Are you on medication? One of my friends might have a similar problem. She's on a lowish-dose of Adderall instant-release and isn't supposed to take it more than twice a day because her psychiatrist is worried about abuse and dependence (based on past history). My friend has about 4-6 hours in the day when she's medicated.

Without medication, she has trouble focusing and fidgets. When she tries to focus on a mentally demanding task, there are two forces at war: restlessness and the attempt to focus. She winds up with a headache sometimes since she's struggling to focus yet trying to. At other times she takes lots of breaks to try and get the restlessness out of her system. Sometimes she just gives up.

Is this similar to what you're experiencing?

Originally Posted by psychehedone

Are you on medication? One of my friends might have a similar problem. She's on a lowish-dose of Adderall instant-release and isn't supposed to take it more than twice a day because her psychiatrist is worried about abuse and dependence (based on past history). My friend has about 4-6 hours in the day when she's medicated.

Without medication, she has trouble focusing and fidgets. When she tries to focus on a mentally demanding task, there are two forces at war: restlessness and the attempt to focus. She winds up with a headache sometimes since she's struggling to focus yet trying to. At other times she takes lots of breaks to try and get the restlessness out of her system. Sometimes she just gives up.

Is this similar to what you're experiencing?

Yes I think it is similar. I just recently began to use lots of breaks when reading a book. It works better for me than trying to read for a long period of time. I can read up to 15-20 minutes straight, but then I need a break for 5 minutes to recharge. I also have anxiety, and I think it affects my concentration as well. I took Ritalin and Strattera but they didn't affect me a bit (except that they gave me side effects), and based on that my psychiatrist concluded that I probably don't have an ADHD but I still suspect I have it. I'm no longer interested in taking medications because the side effects were unpleasant to me and I'm not doing critical things like reading for school. I was just curious to see if others may have similar experience.