Greetings,

I’m writing today to briefly touch upon procrastination as a trauma response. In the realms of mainstream psychiatry and therapy, trauma is commonly associated with significant, life-altering events. However, it’s crucial to understand that trauma can also be the result of an accumulation of small, seemingly insignificant negative experiences. Over time, these accumulated experiences can severely impact our mental well-being.

Difficulties with executive function (ADHD related or not) can create an atmosphere where our brain fails us repeatedly just when we need it the most. Imagine an impressionable child, still learning about who they are and their place in the world, repeatedly discovering themselves to be seemingly inadequate to tasks others can easily do? And frequently being told it is a character flaw of low discipline? Obviously this can lead to a series of quiet but deeply emotionally taxing experiences. These experiences, at the simplest level, teach us to avoid tasks, creating a vicious cycle where we can’t trust our own efforts to bear more fruit than pain causing us to hide from ourselves and our abilities even further. With the right type of work with an ADHD focused talk therapist, (often seen as an addon second therapist on top of talk therapy with your usual talk therapist), one can learn to 1) interrupt these patterns and 2) replace these patterns.

Now, how does this tie into anxiety? Trauma, whether it’s a single event or an accumulation of adverse experiences, can disrupt our brain’s response mechanisms, leading to an overactive stress response system. As a result, we naturally tend to avoid activities or tasks that trigger these uncomfortable feelings – leading to what we often label as procrastination. Worse, we lose trust in ourselves, which causes generalized anxiety. 

It’s important to clarify that not all procrastination is a result of trauma, and not everyone who procrastinates has a history of trauma. However, it’s essential to keep this perspective in mind, especially when we find ourselves engaging in self-criticism for delaying tasks.

Understanding this deeper narrative can help guide the way to healing. As we move forward, let’s remember to treat ourselves with kindness and compassion, acknowledging our struggles without blame.

If you’re grappling with procrastination, consider seeking professional help with therapists and psychiatrists who look beyond the mainstream lens. This can help uncover the roots of your procrastination, providing strategies tailored to your unique experiences and challenges. There is more to ADHD than diagnosing and medicating it (though both are helpful!). 

Remember, life is not a race. It’s perfectly okay to move at a pace that’s right for you. Understanding the underlying causes of procrastination isn’t about finding excuses; it’s about empowering ourselves through deeper understanding, healing, and growth. 

As always, this is Dr. Akash Kumar, encouraging you to delve deeper into understanding your mental health. Because every facet of you matters.