I currently have a sinus infection. That’s annoying, but I’ve noticed for a long time that when I’m sick it’s like I don’t feel the ADHD symptoms.
I lose the constant slight understimulation and I’m more mentally sharp and content. It’s like my body knows I need to rest and actually gives me the mental state to tolerate that.
Obviously it sucks to be sick, but it almost makes it a nice experience for me to be able to actually hone in and make a lot of progress on my projects or whatever without fighting my brain at all.
Anyone else experience this or similar?
Special Education teacher here… and purely anecdotal based on observations: Some of my kids over the years are just like you. If they have bad allergies, getting over flu/cold, ear infection, etc- they tend to present as “calmer”, not need as much stimuli, and can even focus more than usual. This is RARE, but I’ve got years of experience and taught dozens of kids with adhd/autism dx and it happens. Me and my colleagues tend to think the body and brain are so overstimulated and preoccupied by the sickness, that no other input is being sought out. But again, just one teacher’s experience.
Another user posted this article that seems to address your observations. Cool stuff.