ADHD brains slip into sleep-like states while awake causing mistakes, slowing down reactions

Symptoms of ADHD: Adults with ADHD find it difficult to perform a task for a longer time, organise activities, follow instructions, or control impulses (Image: Canva)

• ADHD brains slip into sleep-like states during demanding tasks
• These brief lapses cause more mistakes and slower reactions
• ADHD adults may feel mentally tired or drowsy during the day

Did our AI summary help?

Some people may zone out in the middle of a meeting, even when their eyes are wide open. For adults with ADHD, this might be more than just daydreaming. A new research has revealed that their brains can briefly slip into sleep-like states while awake. This prevents them from focusing on something and makes mistakes more likely.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, is a neurodevelopmental condition that impacts both children and adults. The symptoms include inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. Those with ADHD may find it difficult to perform a task for a longer time, organise activities, follow instructions, or control impulses. This makes their everyday routine more challenging.

Researchers from Monash University, led by Elaine Pinggal, studied 32 adults with ADHD who had paused their medication and compared them with 31 neurotypical adults. Participants completed tasks requiring sustained attention, while brain activity was monitored. The team found that ADHD brains more often drifted into short, sleep-like episodes, even while fully awake.

Also read | Managing ADHD symptoms: Lifestyle changes crucial to controlling impulses

These brief lapses are a normal phenomenon during demanding tasks, explained Pinggal. He said that everyone’s brain sometimes takes tiny “breaks” during hard thinking, like pausing to catch your breath during a long run. But in ADHD, these short pauses happen more often. That makes it harder to focus, react quickly, and avoid mistakes, which is why attention can feel tricky and tasks take extra effort.

“Sleep-like brain activity is a normal phenomenon that happens during demanding tasks. Think of going for a long run and getting tired after a while, which makes you pause to take a break,” He said, adding, “Everyone experiences these brief moments of sleep-like activity. In people with ADHD, however, this activity occurs more frequently, and our research suggests this increased sleep-like activity may be a key brain mechanism that helps explain why these people have more difficulty maintaining consistent attention and performance during tasks."

What the study revealed

Brief sleep-like moments: ADHD brains can briefly shift into a sleep-like state even while awake, which distracts focus in real time.

More mistakes: These micro lapses are linked to more frequent mistakes  during tasks that demand attention. They end up affecting daily performance.

Also read | ADHD symptoms: Top clinical psychologist debunks 6 common ADHD myths

Slower reaction times: Task responses are slower in people with ADHD due to these intermittent slips in brain activity.

Fatigue and sleepiness: Higher rates of sleep-like activity may make individuals feel mentally tired or drowsy during the day.

FAQs on Adult ADHD

1. What is adult ADHD?

Adult ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by symptoms such as inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. It affects everyday tasks, organizational skills, and impulse control.

2. How does ADHD affect attention in adults?

Adults with ADHD experience frequent brief lapses into sleep-like brain states during demanding tasks, making it harder to focus and increasing the likelihood of mistakes.

3. What impact do these sleep-like brain states have on daily performance?

These micro lapses are linked to more frequent mistakes and slower reaction times, affecting daily performance and making routine activities more challenging.

4. Are these sleep-like episodes normal?

Everyone’s brain can take short breaks during difficult tasks. However, in people with ADHD, these breaks happen more often, leading to increased difficulty in maintaining attention and performance.

5. How does ADHD affect mental fatigue?

Increased rates of sleep-like brain activity in individuals with ADHD can lead to higher levels of mental fatigue and daytime drowsiness, impacting overall alertness and productivity.

Disclaimer: This article, including health and fitness advice, only provides generic information. Don’t treat it as a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist for specific health diagnosis.