So, it turns out I'm ADHD

[curl-6]

Shadow1980 said:

Yep. I was diagnosed back around 1989-90. I've always had problems remembering to do things, or forget things in the middle of doing them, or losing track of things, I can easily meander between things, and I tend to have problems keeping things organized. Like, I'll let mail pile up for a while before doing anything about it. I need constant reminders to do certain things, especially if it's a one-off or otherwise rare thing that's no part of my usual daily routine, and even then I can forget because of how easily distracted I am. That's why I hate how my laundry machine doesn't have an end-of-cycle buzzer; without that sound letting me know it's done, I just forget the laundry even exists. It's only things that I've spend incredible effort getting into the habit of doing that I remember to do consistently. I cope with it better than I did when I was younger, but my executive still doesn't function a lot of time. On the other hand, there are times where I can get absolutely laser-focused on one thing. Like, I'll let cleaning the house slide sometimes because I get distracted by other things, but eventually I'll get sick of looking at the mess and get a cleaning bug up my rear and go to town on the house, sweeping, cleaning the kitchen, organizing stuff, etc.

I've also been recently diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder and intermittent explosive disorder (which are apparently co-morbid to a relatively high degree). The anxiety had gotten bad enough to where I saw some doctors and had to be prescribed medication. I'm actually doing much better now, though highly stressful situation still cause the anxiety symptoms to creep back a bit. Still, all the symptoms are gone 99% of the time, and I'm much more even keeled these days in terms of mood and general disposition. I haven't had a rage episode in weeks when exposed to stimuli that usually set them off. At most it's just mild to moderate irritation that goes away quickly.

Neurodivergency and mental illness can indeed make life difficult at times. Glad I'm getting the help I need now. Should have been on it 20-30 years ago, but better late than never.

Man so much of this applies to me as well; I feel ya.

I also wish I'd gotten support sooner; I was born in 1989, but only got diagnosed as autistic in 2008 at age 19, and ADHD just now at age 37. I often wonder how different things might have been if I'd gotten support as a kid instead of waiting til adulthood.

SvennoJ said:

Really struggling today, everything is too much. I went back to bed at 1, hid under the blankets until just now, 4:30. What I need is to feel the sun but it has been cold and overcast for days. My oldest made a mess of the laundry again, which I was doing but while I was in bed he got into the dryer, half emptied it and left everything mixed with all the other clothes still on the floor. One of my triggers, now I have to sort everything again.

Got a headache all day, everything hurts, tinnitus piercing my head. Forcing myself to drink although hot chocolate tastes awful atm. At least it's warm. Dunno where everyone went, I heard the garage door close, just here with our neurotic dog, another trigger.

Hope you feel better soon man. 

What coping strategies work for you? Going for a run/walk, gaming, or meditation have helped me.