Is it common for adults with ADHD to feel physically ‘heavy’ or frozen when overwhelmed?

Very common. When overwhelmed, the nervous system can shift into a freeze response. People describe their body as heavy, leaden, or stuck. This is not dramatic. It is physiological. Executive overload, emotional stress, and accumulated tasks can all trigger this shutdown. Instead of pushing harder, we focus on regulating first. Small steps, body movement, and reducing demands can help unstick the system. You are not broken. Your body is trying to cope.