I feel emotionally drained after normal conversations

Social interaction often requires masking, self monitoring, and emotional regulation. For many adults with ADHD, this effort is invisible but exhausting. Even casual conversations may involve suppressing impulses, tracking cues, and staying engaged without drifting. If you are constantly adjusting yourself to appear attentive or appropriate, the energy cost adds up quickly. This does not mean you dislike people. It means social interaction requires more cognitive work for you. Needing recovery time after conversations is common. It is a sign of effort, not weakness.