HaunchesTV

I also wanted to post this great segment from BBC Breakfast, currently a pinned post on r/ADHDUK.

I found it both extremely validating and upsetting to see the exact anguish on his face that I've been experiencing.

The link should take you to the start of the studio segment (2:18) but the clip that precedes it is also worth your time if you have it.

If anyone in your life wants to know why you're struggling right now, I'm yet to come across a better and more concise resource to express it.

So I got a batch of Elvanse about a week and a half ago after spending a few long and painful days unmedicated, and I was happily taking them as usual. Then it occurred to me late last week that there's no guarantee I'd get more in a few weeks' time. I decided to try only taking them three or four days a week to try to make them last, so I missed Saturday and Sunday, took one yesterday then missed today.

Bad decision.

Boy, have I ever been depressed the last few days. The shortage has been a great stressor for the last couple of weeks so I'd been struggling anyway, but going mostly unmedicated really takes me back; it's been a while since I've felt that overwhelming numbness of 'real' depression.

I'm okay now after taking a couple of Amfies through this afternoon. In fact, I feel remarkably normal. It has once again highlighted the stark difference the meds make for me. The underlying dread of uncertainty with future prescriptions is still there, obviously, but if all we have right now is hope then I'd rather cling to that than sink into the hopelessness I've experienced over the last few days.

that it's like my brain doesn't instinctively understand that no one is experiencing what I'm experiencing; it treats what I see, hear etc along with my internal monologue like a movie that everyone is watching.

of having so much motivation to set up an ADHD community, then after a while it becomes the newest thing collecting dust in the corner.

and stop grinding your damn teeth

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/1551255

When I am cooking, I have trained myself to set a timer for 10 minutes.

My rule for cooking is "don't leave the kitchen", but that isn't realistic. I wander without realizing. It's an issue. I've been in another room and the timer has gone off and I'm like,"Oh fuck!". I completely spaced it.

Anyway, when the timer goes, I set another timer for 10 minutes. Rinse and repeat until the stove is off.

Like with other neurodivergent conditions, meeting the expectations of the 'normal world' can be exhausting for ADHD people. Regulating yourself through the eight hour work day can leave your head feeling stuffy and like it's about to burst but there's no shame in taking some time for yourself after the work day.

A lot of us will have spent our lives being told we're "lazy" and "underperforming", so it's hard to shake the feeling that we should always be doing something productive. But "productive" can mean having some downtime if it leads to greater motivation and mental clarity later on.

Of course, this isn't always possible if there are other things involved like family or other work commitments, and it's whatever works best for you. Just don't feel like every moment of your life has to be dedicated to furthering 'the bigger picture'.

Don't be afraid to watch the next episode of your new favourite show or sink another hour into whatever game has you hooked right now. Read another chapter, draw something just for fun - whatever it is that clears your brain fog.

It's important to look after yourself and relaxation is a huge part of that. Different people are wired differently; don't always hold yourself to the standards of the 'always on' crowd if it doesn't work for you.

Have a good week!

It's a hot one out there for a lot of us today so remember to take a water bottle with you, keep drinking and refill it when it's empty. Also avoid staying in direct sunlight for long periods of time wherever possible.

This is especially true if you're taking stimulant medications as these may dehydrate you, making you more susceptible to heat exhaustion and sunburn.

Refill can show you the locations of water fountains where you can refill your bottle for free.

If you keep misplacing something, keep it in a set place or places in each room and discipline yourself in doing so until it becomes habit.

It's usually best to put something in the first place you think of when trying to find it, even if it might look out of place there.

As an extension to this, I've found putting most of my day-to-day things in a bag/backpack etc. helps the most. It's whatever works best for you but I always keep my keys, meds, cards and a USB cable in my bag, and that goes out with me basically everywhere. Just make sure you're not carrying half your life around with you!