You might even feel frustrated with yourself for failing to keep up, despite working twice as hard as everyone else in the room. This experience is common. It is called ADHD burnout. Through my work in psychiatry and personal reflections on mental health, I have learned that this exhaustion is not a character flaw.

Schizophrenia is one of the most misunderstood diagnoses in mental health. When I talk to people about it, the word itself often brings up images shaped more by movies and sensational headlines than by medical reality.

Starting ADHD Medication: What to Expect

I often sit with patients who are genuinely confused by their own struggles. They look at me and ask, "Is it really possible that I have ADHD? I got good grades. I hold down a demanding job. I’m definitely not lazy."

But here is the reality: For many with ADHD, winter creates a specific set of biological and environmental challenges that make symptoms more difficult to manage.

Healthy goals shouldn't just push you forward; they should protect your mental health while you get there. Here is how to shift your approach.