I'm Busy Being Awesome

Episode 326: ADHD Activation and the Yerkes–Dodson Law

10 snips
Oct 27, 2025
Explore how ADHD brains can swing between under-activation and overdrive, influenced by dopamine differences. Discover the Yerkes–Dodson Law, illustrating optimal performance at moderate activation. Learn how urgent behaviors can push you past your limits and why hyperfocus might signal burnout rather than productivity. Paula shares strategies for balancing activation, from energizing music to calming exercises. Track your moments on the curve to find steady, sustainable effort and avoid the pitfalls of constant overdrive.
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INSIGHT

Performance Follows An Inverted U Curve

  • The Yerkes–Dodson Law maps performance to activation in an inverted U-shaped curve.
  • Optimal performance usually sits in a middle zone between under- and over-activation.
INSIGHT

ADHD Brains Ping-Pong Between Extremes

  • ADHD brains tend to oscillate between under-activation and overdrive rather than resting in the middle.
  • Dopamine regulation differences make routine tasks feel flat and hard to start.
ANECDOTE

Creating Urgency To Force Start

  • Many with ADHD create urgency by waiting until the last minute to get moving.
  • They also pile on commitments to increase activation and force themselves into motion.
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