Stress & Anxiety

Am I Suffering from Hurry Sickness?

Answer these questions to see if your sense of urgency and constant productivity are unhealthy and potentially leading to burnout.

By ADDitude Editors Updated on February 8, 2026
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Hurry sickness is a term that describes a state of constantly rushing, running in crisis mode, and feeling as though there is never enough time — a state all too familiar to people with ADHD. Though not a real medical diagnosis, hurry sickness is a symptom of our toxic productivity culture, and it’s likely more prevalent among people with ADHD.

From time blindness to procrastination, executive function challenges interfere with getting things done — making adults with ADHD feel perpetually behind schedule. Symptoms of hyperactivity can also mimic and amplify hurry sickness.

But hurry sickness can also blossom in a sensory-seeking, interest-driven brain. Hyperfocus, bouts of dopamine-boosting motivation, and a sense of urgency (even if it feels unpleasant) can all be stimulating to the ADHD brain, giving rise to the signature boom-bust energy cycles of neurodivergent people. Is it any wonder that 83% of ADDitude readers say they find it difficult to rest, even on vacation?

The perceived need to go, go, go carries real consequences, from stress and anxiety to ignoring one’s needs. Answer the questions below to gauge your level of hurry sickness. Then read on to learn ways to “cure” time urgency.

My mind and body feel consistently activated and buzzing.

I feel uncomfortable — guilty, irritable, and/or restless — during downtime.

I’m always multitasking, trying to do more with less.

I become anxious or irritated when forced to wait (in traffic, checkout lines, or for slow-loading pages) and habitually look for ways to speed things up.

I constantly feel as if I’ve forgotten to do something or am running behind and never caught up.

I operate with a sense of urgency; everything feels like an emergency.

I walk, talk, eat, work, and move quickly.

I routinely overbook my calendar, leaving little or no buffer time in between tasks and events.

My family and friends say I don’t know how to rest.

At the end of the day, I judge myself by how much I got done rather than by how I felt or what I experienced.

I constantly feel as if I should be making better use of my time — as if I’m never as productive as I should be.

Can’t see the self-test questions above? Click here to open this test in a new window.

Strategies to “Cure” Hurry Sickness

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