Why Is Showering So Hard with ADHD?
Taking a shower should be simple, right? But for some of those with ADHD, it can feel like an Olympic event—one we keep postponing. Here’s why:
The Effort to Start – A shower isn’t just "get in, get clean." It’s a whole process. Finding the energy to undress, adjust the water, gather shampoo (which is never where you left it), and actually step in? Exhausting. And since none of this produces dopamine, the ADHD brain files it under “boring” and procrastinates.
The Time Warp – Once in, it’s bliss. The warm water, the white noise, the deep thoughts about hypothetical arguments or reinventing your life… Suddenly, what felt like five minutes was actually twenty-five, and now you’re late again.
The Post-Shower Paralysis – Getting out? Another battle. You’re cold, wet, and now you have to dry off, get dressed, and function? Nope. Might just sit in the towel for an hour scrolling TikTok instead.
So if you know someone with ADHD who avoids showers or takes forever, don’t judge—this isn’t laziness. It’s a dopamine-starved brain wrestling with an overwhelming task.
That said, if we’re hyperfocused? You might find us in there doing a full spa routine and contemplating the secrets of the universe.
#ADHD #ExecutiveDysfunction #ShowerStruggles
