What is it and why does the body do it? It seems like the mind is telling the person to do something but one cannot get themselves to actually do it.
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Lots of anecdotes in here, but here’s what we know as to what’s going on:
The brain has a lot of things that it does that help us maintain ourselves and allow us to do basic important tasks. These are called executive functions, and it ranges from remembering things we need to do, to keeping track of what we’re doing and changing things if it goes wrong, and even beginning the tasks themselves.
The paralysis you describe comes from an issue in those executive functions, typically referred to as (an) executive dysfunction. The brain isn’t able to properly prepare itself for starting the task, even if the person themselves is motivated to do so and invested in it. It’s a non-conscious mechanism that regulates tasks: Issues with executive functioning are also common in people with brain damage.
More and more people are realizing ADHD is primarily an executive functioning disorder, so it’s likely the origin of the issue (in the case of ADHD) comes from the source of ADHD itself. In most, this is a dopamine deficit. This generally tracks, as while dopamine is called the happy chemical, it’s also our brain’s motivator and regulator. Lacking dopamine and not receiving dopamine from tasks means your brain itself is being told doing those tasks isn’t worth it. Though it’s likely much more internally complex than just that. If your regulator isn’t there, it’s pretty hard to regulate, after all.
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