#adhdfcksakes masterpost

[adhdfcksakes]

A list of my must have stimmy things

1. Headphones 

I mean cover your ears entirely cannot hear the world earphones, preferably bluetooth

2. A hooded dressing gown 

For days when you just need to not have your head/ears/neck exposed/you just want to hide and be hella comfy.

3. Chewing gum 

I love chewing as a stim but, I have to watch how much I chew because I can really screw up my jaw 

4. Fidget cube 

Had to put this in here. I have one and find it really helpful when studying. I just play with it in one hand and write with the other 

5. Track pants that have a super soft lining 

Preferably mens track pants, they’re roomier and generally more comfortable 

6. Super soft slippers 

For those days where you really don’t want your bare feet touching the floor.

7. Music 

The louder the better particularly when I’m overstimulated. 

8. Sitcoms 

Something I’ve watched a million times over and will watch a million times again 

9. Scent diffusers 

I have a super sensitive sense of smell so diffusers help me to create a peaceful sensory environment 

10. Fidget spinners 

Because why the hell not. They work. 

and here’s something awesome for the sake of it.

Let me know what your must have stimmy things are! 

[adhdfcksakes]

Why I went dark.

Hi Guys,

I’m back! I’m sorry I went dark there for awhile but I had life shit to deal with. I’m sure you get it. Anywho, I’m back and will try and post more consistently. I thought that I might put a post here to let you guys in on some things that I’ve discovered about myself and some things that I went through that allowed me to grow as a person.

Substance abuse... Those words have so many connotations... But in this instance it rocked up in my life... again... in the form of a close friend being addicted to pills. Which quickly spiralled into an intervention, which subsequently led to checking said friend into a mental health facility. So, that was my New Years....

Stress... changes in environment have always been tricky for me and this was no different. I was already dealing with the emotional after effects of putting my friend into a mental health facility whilst having family stay with me and having new housemates move in etc. All of those factors together led to me spiralling into what I like to call my “panic room”... except it doesn’t save me from danger... it is the danger. When I’m in there, I’m pretty manic, I’m constantly overstimulated and don’t sleep well... Which of course leads to me stress crying on the freeway.

School... I’m a law student... nuf said.

Friends vs Family, the feud.... My family are strong personalities at the best of times, fatally flawed at the worst of times. This instance involved not only my family but some friends of mine and my family... feuding with each other. This was not great... My Family were strongly one way and my friends were the other. I had no idea what to do... to some extent, I still don’t but, at least I know I have no idea.

Misunderstandings... In case you hadn’t noticed, I have a flare for language. I forget that others don’t necessarily see things the same way as I do. Making assumptions about others understanding of what you’re saying leads to misunderstandings that can be avoided by asking them what they took away from the conversation. I learnt that the hard way. 

Paranoia... Not just mine... Other peoples... Paranoia is not fun. It is insidious and can warp small things into big things. It can turn people against each other. It can bring on the “panic room” and shut down my brain. I generally work on a pretty logic based system in my head. Where paranoia is concerned, because it isn’t logical and often times can’t be reasoned away. It’s a massive mind fuck. I’m not used to not being believed, I’m definitely not used to being accused of something and not being able to talk it out comfortably. 

Upping the meds... At the same time all that was going on, I was trying out a new dosage of my ADHD meds, which made me twitchy AF. I’m sure that didn’t help matters. Needless to say, I went back to my old dosage. 

The ultimate outcome... I am trying my best to be the best person that I can. Managing my ADHD and ASD as best I can and working towards my future. Removing myself from these situations helped me to realise what my level of engagement on these issues probably should’ve been at the time. Some of it was just plain old ridiculous. Other parts were super serious and scary. 

Moving forward... I now have a calm and relaxing home environment + my Boyfriend and I moved in together! My friend is doing so, so amazingly well and I am incredibly proud of them and will continue to support them. I refuse to engage on matters where my family and friends clash... I ain’t got time for that. Misunderstandings will always happen but I will try to make sure that I check that I have gotten my point across the way that I intended and paranoia can go back in its fettered cage. 

I wrote this post to give you guys a glimpse of my year but, also, to hopefully give you a bit of encouragement where tough issues are concerned. When I was in it, I didn’t really see a way out but I did find my way out and, you can too. 

Don’t beat yourself up too much, you’re not infallible. 

Learn your limits and learn to be okay with them. 

Just have patience with yourself and others and know that sometimes it’s okay to put your health, be it mental or physical before someone or something else. 

Stick up for yourself but know when you’re wrong and be brave enough to admit it. 

Most of all, let those you love know that you love them as often as you can. 

[adhdfcksakes]

An Inattentive ADHD uni students guide to exam prep.

1. Organise yourself

Make lists, figure out what exams are happening when and how much study you need to do for each topic to cover the relevant material. Set reminders for studying, eating, grocery shopping, cooking, taking your meds. Keep to a schedule it’ll reduce the panic.

2. Sleep!

I cannot stress this enough, so I’m going to put it in capitals GET ENOUGH SLEEP! Sleep schedules people, start rearranging your schedule so you can be functional at 8am. However, if you have insomnia, look into getting your exams rearranged so it’s within your awake hours. Generally this can be accomplished by going to a counsellor or psychologist and contacting the school.

3. Actually study

Making lists and organising yourself is one thing but, knowing that our brains are going to want to screw with that is something to plan for. I use a reward system. I’ll arrange for a friend to come over and study with me and I’ll set myself a study goal to achieve before they get to mine. Sometimes I will have to do a lot of reading so I get myself some candy and will have a gummy bear once I finish a chapter. 

4. Remember that your life is not study

As much as study is important. Remember that you’re a human and you’re likely not going to gain anything by not bathing or eating properly or ignoring your partner. Try and take an hour out everyday to let yourself off the hook and do something fun and relaxing. 

5. Exercise.

Yah, I know... It’s the last thing I want to do but, seriously, try and do a bit every now and then. Stretching out after an hours worth of study will suffice for awhile...

6. Don’t caffeinate too much 

Caffeine actually does nothing for an ADHD brain. If you want to focus try and up the protein in your diet. It’s our secret focus food. If you want a dopamine rush i.e. get happy, have some carbs.

7. Don’t let panic put you in auto mode 

Auto mode, or as I call it procrastination/avoidance/failure mode is the worst. Panicking about exams is totally normal. It’s nerve wracking, don’t let it put you in a position to fail. You got this!

8. Make alternate exam arrangements   

My uni makes us do our exams in a massive sports hall with hundreds of other people. Which is HELL for someone with Inattentive ADHD. I have alternate arrangements now which puts me in a smaller room with one or two other people tops. It makes an amazing difference!

9. Do practice exams 

In order to not panic/procrastinate knowing what you’re getting into is key. Try and do a couple of practice exams with a friend or something and get them to mark it for you. It’ll calm your brain, trust me. 

10. Make appointments

Go and talk to your professors. Ask pointed questions about the exam. Try and have a practice exam completed before you go and see them and ask them to have a look over it. If you’ve done your study you should have a ton of questions and it’ll just help you to chill out closer to the exams. 

YOU CAN DO IT!

[adhdfcksakes]

What having Inattentive ADHD has taught me about studying

Hi everyone,

This post is basically a run down of what I have found is generally the case when I’m studying and also the case for some friends with a similar type of ADHD. 

1. EVERYTHING MUST BE PLANNED IN ADVANCE

And when I say everything, I mean EVERYTHING. Have an assignment due? Well you’ll need to schedule in sleep and food and your partner and a life if you want to get it done. 

2. Extensions are bae

My university offers something called an Access plan which, when you have the proper documentation allows you to get extensions more easily than you would usually. If you’re studying with ADHD look into it. 

3. Take into account that your ADHD is probably not going to want to conform to your schedule. 

As such, try and stick to it as much as you can. If your focus wanders get up move around and shake it off, stretch, scream if you need to. Just do what you need to get around your feelings of frustration and or lack of motivation. 

4. Don’t lose heart if your focus wanders!

It’s a thing guys. It’s going to happen. If you’re medicated it may happen less but, beating yourself up about it is only going to make you feel like shit and possibly make you frazzled.

5. Learn to successfully prioritise. 

When you’ve made a plan and you’ve laid out what has to happen in order to succeed. Prioritise your health and wellbeing OVER your study. If you’re out of sorts and can’t deal with anyone because you feel so overwhelmed and tired, you’re not going to achieve your aims.

6. Don’t punish yourself if you can’t manage to get your work done when you aimed to. 

Self punishment in any form is a bad practice. The fact that you are upset that you can’t finish your work when you wanted to says that you’re dedicated to getting it finished and finishing it well. 

7. Don’t rush your work!

As much as our brains scream at us to cram the whole assignment in one night. Honestly, it’s likely going to be of poor quality. Start early, and go back to it. Set reminders in your phone. Work with a friend in the same class. Get someone you know and trust to look over it. 

8. Don’t take constructive criticism about your work personally.

This is one I seriously struggled with. It wasn’t until I found out about RSD that I realised that every time someone was giving me constructive criticism it was setting me off. Now I know that, I can work around it. 

9. Get enough sleep!

I cannot stress enough how important it is for our ADHD brain to get enough restful sleep. I know it can be difficult but a sleep schedule is probably the best course of action. Go to bed at the same time and wake up at the same time regardless of your work. 

10. You can do it!

If you’re studying and you really enjoy it but you feel discouraged by others or by your own ADHD mind. Realise that that is just a feeling and that no one can dictate to you what your life should hold. If someone says that you can’t do it and it’s something you have a passion for, try your hardest and ignore the haters. It may not always work out but at least you can be proud that you gave it a go.