I Have ADHD Podcast 348 Too Bored to Function: Why ADHD Brains Would Rather Do Anything Than Be Bored
Nov 4, 2025
Dr. Marcy Caldwell, a psychologist and founder of the Center for ADHD, shares insights on why boredom can feel unbearable for those with ADHD. She explains the two types of boredom—apathetic and agitated—and discusses the 'optimal stimulation zone' that ADHD brains require. Dr. Caldwell reveals how boredom triggers stress hormones like cortisol and offers practical strategies to manage this discomfort. Learn about techniques like visualization and cognitive reframing to enhance engagement in daily life.
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ADHD Increases Boredom Proneness
- People with ADHD are measurably more boredom-prone and severity correlates with proneness.
- This underlines that boredom in ADHD is a real neurobiological phenomenon, not laziness.
Two Distinct Types Of Boredom
- There are two main boredom types: apathetic (low energy) and agitated (keyed-up, trapped feeling).
- Apathetic links to inattentive type; agitated links to hyperactive-impulsive type, and combined get both.
Narrow, Higher Optimal Stimulation
- ADHD brains need a higher level of stimulation to reach engagement and their optimal zone is narrower.
- Tasks that lightly engage neurotypical brains often leave ADHD brains understimulated.