It's actually probably the single most common ADHD trait. It's the "attention deficit" in ADHD; can't force the brain to change focus from doom scrolling into whatever you actually want/need to do. The anxiety is just the side effect when the "other thing" happens to be important/urgent.

[–] Martineski@lemmy.dbzer0.com 8 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I really dislike the name "attention deficit". We can totally pay attention to things, what we have problems with is controlling where the attention stays or is directed to. There's also a problem where our brain doesn't properly generate motivation from us just wanting to do something because that function became disabled with ADHD.

[–] justastranger@sh.itjust.works 8 points 1 year ago (1 children)

The actual symptom is called "executive dysfunction".

[–] Martineski@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I wasn't sure if it was one of executive functions or if it was something other that was impaired.

[–] Dr_Cog@mander.xyz 2 points 1 year ago

Attention, both directing where you want it and stopping attention where you don't, as well as working memory and planning are what comprise executive functions.

ADHD makes all of these more difficult.