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Steve
@sdv.eth
Anyone whoās dealt with ADHD long enough: has it ever gotten easier? I feel like since becoming aware of the symptoms the struggle has only worsened, despite always considering myself decently self-aware. I donāt know if itās just the compounding responsibilities of work, marriage, parenthood, and adulthood. Or if itās some weird permanent brain fog from covid. Or a tangible side effect of being plugged into crypto almost 24/7 for three years. Or just a dwindling sense of agency and direction and control of emotions. But itās been six years now that Iāve seen three therapists, one psychiatrist with a brief round of antidepressants, and tried numerous tools and tricks yet it all feels like itās falling apart. Where did I go wrong?
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Brent Fitzgerald
@bf
Iām late to this but Iāve had a draft sitting unfinished that I just remembered. Hereās some thing Iāve noticed in my own experience that might resonate: Structure is essential. Since COVID, Iāve been working independently. There are perks, but without clear constraints, my brain spirals. Iām more productive when I have a regular schedule and people are counting on me. I donāt always like those constraints, but getting things done feels good, so itās a constant tension. Connection helps. Turns out Iām more content when I regularly talk to and collaborate with others. My brain would rather avoid all of that and just spin on projects. Meetings and group projects kinda stress me out, but big picture they also are anchors and keep me coming back to projects and ideas rather than just flitting around.
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Brent Fitzgerald
@bf
Physical stuff matters. Walks, exercise, choresāanything that gets me moving helps break the feedback loops. ADHD is peak terrible when itās just thoughts bouncing around with no outlet. Itās hard to activate the physical side, but itās better for me once going. My main solution here is to create obligatory exercise situations. Like trainers and social stuff. Anxiety sucks, but itās still a signal. When I started stimulants my anxiety totally dropped, which was such a surprise and relief. But Iāve also lost some of the fear and doubt that used to drive me (and that messed me up). Now Iām figuring out what actually motivates me beyond fud and random hyperfixations. Like is there even a there there? Itās like trying to see the negative space of an image.
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Brent Fitzgerald
@bf
I think a lot of us contend with similar challenges. Which isnāt to minimize anyoneās specific experience, but hopefully the āyouāre not aloneā cliche rings a little truer knowing that what youāre experiencing has some match to others.
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Steve
@sdv.eth
Every bit of experiences shared goes a long way. Especially what you shared. I think about constraints a lot, especially in creative ways. But when it comes to discipline and focus, the last thing I think about is constraints š The more I learn about myself and others, the more I appreciate the common threads. Makes it feel less of a burden, more of a hard to control mutant power that can be tapped into with help.
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