What is ADHD shutdown? ADHD shutdown is a powerful and often invisible state of paralysis where individuals with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder become mentally, emotionally, and physically overwhelmed. Unlike procrastination or simple fatigue, ADHD shutdown is a neurological response to stress, executive dysfunction, and emotional overload. Recognizing the symptoms of ADHD shutdown ADHD shutdown is frequently misinterpreted as laziness, avoidance, or moodiness, but