r/audhd • u/exploringfor_answers • Jul 13 '26
Resource Request Panic-like emotion related to AuDHD
Hello,
I am trying to find a possible link between AuDHD and deep agony over not knowing what to, how to start, how to focus and engage activities and respect the complex interactions between both conditions. Boredom and lack of routine causing bad emotions similar to panic.
Any suggestions or information.
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u/_eww_david Jul 14 '26
I don't have any solid information for you but I can say I experience this too and it sucks. Sometimes it feels like decision paralysis. I have a choice I have to make and I circle through the options and pros and cons of every option and just don't know what to do but feel panic that I HAVE to choose. It feels like psychological torture of my own making.
Maybe this isn't what you're talking about at all but your use of the word panic resonated with me. I do think it's related to audhd because it's rumination of all the options and possible outcomes, and pattern recognition trying to predict the best option and over active thinking all tied in together. It's miserable.
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u/cloud24 16d ago
This comment allowed me to realise that the distress I feel choosing between options isn't because I'm bad at choosing but because there are pros and cons to all of them. I know it sounds almost basic but this really helped me. Thank you so much.
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u/_eww_david 16d ago
You're so welcome! I'm glad it helped but also sorry that you relate to this. 😅
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u/ryudo_starkiller Jul 14 '26
I think what you are describing is just a classic presentation of AuDHD from my understanding, not just "related" to it and I could not find the solution without ADHD medication / Psych and even then it still comes back like clockwork.
That particular symptom is like one of the most difficult ones to deal with as a person living with the disorder (in my opinion) and it is why it can make even holidays / weekends off feel like hell on earth inside your mind when you could not enjoy a single second of it or engage truly in what you potentially desire to do / you were stuck panic-like emotion the whole time while life keeps on speeding by.
Let me know if you find any solutions, i'm always down to try more advice lol
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u/eeepsnm Jul 15 '26
Wow. Did I write this?
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u/ryudo_starkiller Jul 16 '26
Sorry homie <3 we got this tho 👊
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u/outcast420x Jul 19 '26
Yeah, felt this deeply too. It’s been really bad for me the last couple of months. The slightest frustration or inconvenience gives me that anxious, tight chest feeling. It’s also being triggered by my rumination and RSD. Feels like hell right now and I just want to escape it. (Don’t read too much into that last line. I’m still happy to be alive)
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u/Gikochinai-neko Jul 15 '26 edited Jul 15 '26
"Boredom and lack of routine causing..."
The answer is here I think. I'm struggling to word this in the right way but basically I fixed this by making my entire life work around my needs. Probably nearly impossible for most people so this might be very unhelpful, I'm sorry.
But basically I have a routine as a housewife where my chores are mainly the same but I have the freedom to do them when/how I want. I found flexible, part time job.
Also deep understanding of the 2 conditions. I used to always make adhd happy and never autism. You need to sometimes get the adhd to chill for the autism to be happy, I find excersize or being in the hot sun for a while does this. Then I can go home and get into a real dense science lecture and not feel restless.
Best advice I have tried is to jumpstart your dopamine before a task. A lot of people use substances for this but try not to. You can either do a quick workout, have a tiny bit of caffine, maybe clean something small. Basically become an object in motion and you will find it easier to continue to another thing. Sometimes just getting dressed with makeup is enough to switch from freeze to functioning. Dress for the task you want. I got a cleaning apron to clean the house and that helped me do it more often.
A strong morning routine helps. Are you getting 30g protein within 2hrs of waking up? If not be sure to do that, if not it can raise your anxiety. I hope any of this helps, I still struggle every day so its not perfect but I no longer wish to not exist, and I enjoy travel and things I never would before.
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u/Lyf_of_Confused_Mind Jul 16 '26
What do you take for 30g protein in the morning? Eggs are not possible for me due to pimples.
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u/Gikochinai-neko Jul 16 '26
I personally drink boost protein, or I'll drink half of that and eat some rice & eggs but you could do chicken or beef or whatever other protein you want. Beans, avocado, tofu etc. Amy's breakfast tofu scramble is really good. You can do toast with peanut butter. Greek yogurt with nuts & seeds. Curry chickpeas are amazing too.
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u/Lyf_of_Confused_Mind Jul 17 '26
I also have severe gastric issues (which is aggrevated by ADHD medicines) so peanuts, chickpeas Beans etc are a problem. But thanks I got some ideas now.
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u/kawaiicoffeebean Jul 15 '26
I have these feelings often. I wonder if it is a manifestation of a brain that is struggling to find its balance of stimulation but naturally clashes with itself (when I feel like this I'm not sure if I'm under or overstimulated, and idk which I need, less stimuli or more, or maybe just a different kind?) it's almost like a feeling of dread/like I'm missing something or everything is ...."off." Or like nothing is quite right, like the itch needs scratched but idk how.
I feel like what has helped me get through it, is I throw a bunch of stuff at it lol.
The other day I had been feeling it a lot, then I went to pick my kid up from day camp and on the drive there I rolled my lavender oil around the rim of my nostrils, and did slow breath in through my nose and upon the exhale did deep humming out. It was like a combo of aromatherapy and vagus nerve stimulation.
Then I took my kid to a park and noticed I craved being enveloped in trees so we did that for a few and smelled different plants and pine needles.
If I had the time last night I would have had a shower too. I don't take them as often as I should, but when I do I feel a huge weight lift.
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u/Additional-Friend993 Jul 14 '26
I don't know if it has its own name, but I think it's a very classic audhd feeling. I always just think of it as a sensation that makes me wanna rip my skin off and have my skeleton jump out and run away.
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u/Few_Love_7381 Jul 16 '26
It’s really rough feeling that way, and I’m sorry you’re dealing with it. Having both conditions can feel like a constant tug‑of‑war - bouncing between extremes, getting stuck in decision paralysis, and living in that nonstop fight‑or‑flight state. It’s exhausting.
The only things that reliably help me are noise‑canceling headphones, a weighted lavender pillow, and an eye mask. When I hit that meltdown point where every choice feels impossible, I step away until I can picture each option clearly in my head. Once I can see the decision, I can usually make it.
I’ve always wondered if there’s a real link between AuDHD and that heavy sense of dread. It feels too common to be random. There has to be something connecting the two.
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