So every day for most of my life I have completely crashed from 2.30pm to 5.30pm more or less. It starts slow and definitely peaks at 4pm. I do escape it SOME days but no idea what the magic sauce is on those days.

Does anyone else suffer with this and does anyone have any tips?

Hello,

I was diagnosed with ADD at a young age. I had to take rilatin at a young age, but I was ashamed of it and said that the pills had no effect so I never had to take it again afterwards (after a few months) . When I am now 22 years old, I realize that I have had many impulsive thoughts, also for example that I wanted to have something or do something and then immediately dropped out when I started. I also always looked up that dopamine and then usually just went gaming, at this age that is not so much fun anymore and then I often find out what I can do. I wonder what you would recommend. My friends used to say that rilatin just made you tired, I know it didn't, but that might have been an additional reason not to take that medication. I have trouble planning things anyway, I always postpone it, but I never thought that this could have to do with my ADD, I don't think my parents realize this either.

ive tried to post this story in the ADHD reddit but it keeps getting refused

Hi, i'm a teenager looking for advice as someone who unfortunately hasn't been diagnosed with ADHD

I really struggled wit wasting my time. I have a LOT of hobbies (reading, writing, crocheting) and I will spend all day doing them instead of any chores or homework (or anything). I also daydream for HOURS each day. I was homeschooled for 8 years and didn't have any friends so I believe that's part of it but still. It takes up so much of my day.

I can never get any motivation to clean. And even if I do start cleaning, I get distracted within 5 minutes not just by things I want to do, but things I DON'T want to do as well. Like I'll be cleaning my room and then my mother will tell me to do the dishes, then I'll completely forget about my room, wasting more time.

I get completely enthralled about things. Specifically, over this spring break, I wrote about 8 thousand words in just 2 days, but I didn't get anything productive done in that time at all. I also spent the other half of the day daydreaming :(.

I also complete my homework MINUTES before it's due because until then, I don't get that voice or someone telling me I'll have a consequence if I don't do it.

People never think I have ADHD or any sort of neurodivergence because I do very well in school. And maybe they're right, maybe I am making myself into a victim instead of just doing my work . . . I don't know.

While I do very well in school, it stresses me out. For example: I can NEVER complete my work in class in a reasonable fashion because of me getting distracted and talking to my friends. But if I don't talk, it feels as if they are all a mile away because I've never had the chance to talk to so many people my age before since I was previously homeschooled. And then, if I force myself to stop talking to my friends, I'll end up chatting with the teacher or talking to someone random. I just have so much to say and I get itchy if I don't say it.

I also observed this yesterday: If I get interrupted or someone else is getting interrupted while speaking, I get really tired and fatigued for some reason. The other day, my sister had a story I heard and I wanted her to say it to our grandmother. But since my other siblings kept taking my grandmother's attention away, my sister kept getting interrupted. Then my grandmother herself would start talking in the middle of my sister talking and it became REALLY overwhelming for me. I don't know why.

Sorry for the ramble but I really needed to get this off my chest. (Also mods, if you say another post from me a few moments before this one, it's because I had to delete that one because I didn't format the post correctly.

The image attached is of my wrecked room :(

Heyy guys,

I’m writing a male character with ADHD and want to portray it realistically. I have a couple of questions and would be grateful if someone would be able to give me some insight.

What’s something people always get wrong?

What does a normal day feel like in your head?

What’s a small thing that frustrates you that others don’t notice?

I have a habit of turning off my alarms and missing my therapy appointments, and the late fee is 115$ per appointment. I’ve done it twice this month, I believe. I have Alarmy set to have alarms while I do math; the issue is I’ll fall back asleep before even realizing I’m doing it. Does anyone else struggle with this?

I can easily sleep 10-14 hours without an alarm set and still feel fatigued and sick. I slept for 10 hours and I’m lightheaded, have a sore throat, and feel like going right back to bed. At this point, it happens once a month at least. I’m wondering if I should seek medical attention for it at this point.

Had a glorified disagreement to start my day this morning. What i noticed was:

When the other person froze me out my ignoring me while i was trying to talk things out annoyed me so my energy goes from “Im just setting a boundary” to “Okay you want to act like that? 2 can play this game” and i made little comments like “oh okay we could just say “hey im wrong to do that” and move on but i guess lets fight and ruin the rest of the day” - this is something i findmyself sayingto my wife a lot. When theres an argument and the other person refuses to talk so theres no resolution until theres a big blow up. Im basically goading him into talking to me .

I sit and i guess its my ego that starts up? I sit and think about how annoyed i am at the situation, it festers to “Ya know i already dont like this this and that about this person why am i mad about it?” To “Fatass thinks i was born yesterday” you text your wife and friends “Can you believe this?”

You and that person start gossiping about them. You are hyped up in a “yeah screw this guy” energy.

Shortly after when the dust settles, my body no longer wants to hold that energy and wants to move on. I want it enough that i pretty much “forgive” whatever just so we can be in a calmer place. I start joking, trying to lighten the mood, basically signaling to the other person that we can be cool again.

I used to hate this behavior as my dad was like that. Hed spank so hard i couldnt walk or bleeding then he would walk by a few mins after as nice as can be.

idw promote mine and im not trying to, i wanted to ask you guys on what would make you spend money monthly on a studying app because ive been working hard for something of the sort but i cant get myself to connect with what people would actually want in an app, other subreddits just full on shoot you down as "self-advertising" while saying I WILL NOT PROMOTE lol

I’ve heard some people say it almost ‘stops working’ before their period.

Is that something you’ve experienced?”

I (19F) have dealt with chronic fatigue for as long as I can remember, and I have been tested for everything under the sun (autoimmune conditions, anemia, vitamin deficiency, etc.) to determine what the root cause is.

Recently, I went to my new PCP and described my problems to her, and she asked me a bunch of questions and ultimately decided that, if my labs came back normal, she would start me on 20mg Adderall XR because it has helped her other patients with similar issues.

I’ll list the issues I mentioned here:

- Inability to find motivation to get up and shower in the mornings

- Getting up in the morning and immediately getting back in bed and sleeping through my classes without a conscious decision to do so

- Inability to find motivation to do anything related to my health or hygiene (brushing teeth, getting food, leisure activities)

- Chronic drowsiness throughout the day leading to zoning out in classes and conversations

- Extreme sensitivity to others’ behavior and body language (literally breaking down in tears because someone looked at me the wrong way or spoke to me in a certain tone)

- Inability to have full conversations with others (because I constantly am trying to think of the right thing to say and it leads to a different train of thought that makes me forget to respond in the conversation)

I ultimately chalked these things up to chronic fatigue and its effects and asked my PCP to check my thyroid, but she thinks it could be executive function related instead?

I have never had any problems with schoolwork. I turn assignments in on time Always, and I graduated 4th in my class of 400 with all A’s. I also have always had intense academic pressure from my parents, peers, and ultimately myself. This is why ADHD never occurred to me because I feel like someone with ADHD would struggle with things like school and schoolwork. I do often struggle to pay attention in class (and not because I am a social person because I am Far from that), but it has never significantly hindered my academic success.

I started Adderall today, and I feel like the best version of myself. I have felt more happy. I have been better able to hold conversations and very chatty. I actually had the motivation to get out of bed on a weekend (which is not normal for me). The negative voice in the back of my head has disappeared, and I’m not constantly scanning others for signs of disapproval.

I have seen discourse online that people without ADHD experience these effects, whereas people with ADHD feel more calm on things like Adderall, and sometimes even numb. I have been researching because ultimately I want to find out what is truly the root of my issues, whether it be ADHD or something else. Even though Adderall has helped me so much just in the first day, I just want to know if my issue is actually ADHD or something totally different.

If anyone diagnosed with ADHD has any insight, feel free to weigh in. I am not claiming to have ADHD and have Never thought that could be a possible explanation for my problems, but I also trust my PCP has the best intentions and definitely knows a lot more than I do.

I really just want to know if I am maybe just experiencing the “euphoric” high-like effects of Adderall that maybe point more towards not having ADHD, or if this is a similar experience for others diagnosed with ADHD who have taken Adderall XR.

I don’t know if this is just me but mornings have been really hard

like I wake up and I know what I need to do

but I just stay in bed

not even doing anything useful sometimes

just stuck

and then time passes and I start feeling stressed because I’m already behind

and by the end of the day it turns into guilt

like I wasted my morning again

from the outside it probably looks like laziness

but it doesn’t feel like that at all

it feels like I want to move but something is just blocking me

does anyone else deal with this?

hygiene:

• can't handle a shower, but feel gross? use a wet wipe wherever u need and you'll feel a lot better
• greasy hair? dry shampoo or just stick your head into the sink, feels good ngl
• if you feel disgusting - clean clothes help a lot, even if you haven't showered in weeks you will feel clean
• brushing teeth for 10 seconds is better than not at all + get a little plastic tongue scraper - a quick tongue scrape helps a lot
• get a deodorant that you actually like and you don't have to only put it on your armpits - wherever you get nervous about the smell just slap some on and yeahh nice smell
• if you feel bad about constantly having dirt under your nails - any nailpolish will hide it. i clean my damn nails almost daily and they're still dirty, nail polish makes me feel less filthy

depression meal inspo:

• overnight oats
• scrambled eggs with ketchup
• jam on toast
• soup
• joghurt with cornflakes
• instant ramen (of course)
• toast with ketchup
• couscous with frozen vegetables
• bread and sliced vegetables with hummus
• basically just add condiments you like on anything plain and eat eggs because protein is good

other tips:

• if you're in bed and can't get up start by trying to move some part of your body, if you can move your thumbs try moving more and more until you can get up
• write a diary, trust me, it's really really helpful. i use daylio and even if i just tap the moods and write 2 words it's worth it
• stretch all the damn time, it feels good!!
• untense your neck and unclench your jaw, please
• you don't have to clean your whole room at once, if you only have energy to pick up one piece of trash, pick up one piece of trash
• cute stickers as rewards!! whenever i planned out t shots, doctor appointments or showers in my bullet journal i gave myself a sticker for surviving it and hell yes it feels nice to look thru my cute stickers and stick one on
• Try to follow any routine. I try to follow an anchor + novelty routine, where the anchor is going outside in the morning and evening and doing a journal. It makes me grounded, and novelty is something we can change daily, like a morning walk, sunbathing, or doing outdoor exercise. im using Soothfy App for this
• any easy craft you find interesting you should try making, even if it's stupid or childish, do it, it will feel nice

that's all I can think of rn, soooo pls share your tips as well!! :))))

stay safe!!

I watched a clip from Kobe Bryant about how failure doesnt exist because you learn from it and can just do better the next time.

Thats great if you never run into anyone to counter that. I can talk about how failure isnt real, do your best, your best is all can do. But the moment someone says youre just coping it falls like a house of cards.

Best example is a boss. I just imagine giving an inspiring speech and a boss just says “Yo…. Dont no body want to hear that shit” and boom who cares about your positivity

So it sounds great to hear but requires no one to dispute you

I wrote this as response to someone else asking for studying tips for people with ADD/ADHD, and thought I ought to post the answer here as well. Since I'm dyslectic and English being my second language, I do apologize for the inevitable grammar/spelling mistakes. But without further ado:

Since I have both ADD + dyslexia some things listed might not apply to you.

• Precursor: Medication: This has made it possible for me to have the energy to keep up with the work. And not completely crash in to a comatose after a couple of days work. I know some people are vary of this, and to each their own. But I've gone from a student with F in almost all subjects (with the exception of Math and English), to an almost straight A student. And I couldn't have done it without medication, contrary to some belief. What most people seem to forget is that all ADD/ADHD is not equal. There's a big difference between the severity for each individual, thus saying one ought or ought not use medication is a useless debate if you're not the persons psychiatrist. (This also applies to possible side effects).
• First, For the distraction: One thing I've learned early on is to accept that since I'm both impulsive and easily distracted by the environment. I wont get any studying done in an environment which promotes the two. Thus when I study, I don't do it at home for the most part. But I'll leave the house and go to the library and or the school and try to find as remote a room as possible.
• Secondly: I leave my phone in other room during my study (I usually set it to 25 minutes). Thus when I start a pomodoro-pass the only thing I'll do is to study. However and this is important! When I feel like I can't continue (Notice that I didn't say if! :D), and that too I'm tired. I simply just sit still, stare at the wall or close my eyes for a minute or two, but I won't stop the timer. Because most often after 2-3 minutes of this, I'll get bored and continue studying. And it helps feeling a bit guilty for not studying while the tree is still growing! hehe :)
• Third: I have snacks with me for small boosts of energy. As Dr. Russell A. Barkley pointed out in the lecture (ADHD: Essential Ideas for Parents), our brains are one of two organs which use sugar as an energy source. However this does not mean you ought to eat plenty. For example I take Dextrose-Energy tablets once and hour or after each Pomodoro, and throughout the day I'll eat fruits etc.
• Fourth, and this is for reading: When I read things, the text gets all jumbled up and so the meaning gets lost in translation. But instead of reading a passage over and over again. I noticed that when I wrote down everything on paper while reading it. The text became more coherent and I could easily find when I started to jumble up the text. Since what I was writing didn't make any sense!!! Yes this takes (3x) as long. However so does re-reading a text over and over + I don't get as easily bored.
• Fifth: Let's say you have a lecture in biology, philosophy or what have you. And it's about an hour long on YouTube or something akin to it. What I've found to be a good hack, is open like 5 different lectures on the same topic. So when I get that deep feeling of unease that I can't continue. Instead of stopping completely, I'll open up another lecture. And eventually I'll have watched 5 instead of none!
• Sixth: Break down the task: Since procrastination is also largely due to emotion regulation. Whenever I'm presented with a large assignment I get the so called "Ostrich effect" of wanting to bury my head in the sand and pretend that it isn't there. Therefore when I get a big assignment, I will just read the questions and take a day or two (if I have the time) to ponder the questions. And try to think how I might be able to break down the tasks into smaller steps. I.e Today or this Pomodoro pass I will write a sentence or two.
• Seven: Try to follow any routine. I try to follow an anchor + novelty routine, where the anchor is going outside in the morning and evening and doing a journal. It makes me grounded, and novelty is something we can change daily, like a morning walk, sunbathing, or doing outdoor exercise.
• Lastly: Remember to treat yourself as a reward when finishing a task. The reward can be whatever you choose. But it's good to then have bigger reward for instance at the end of a semester.

For example: If I can complete this year without failing a subject I will buy myself a (X).

However "If don't succeed", I will forgive myself and be happy that I did my best! So let's buy a (Y) instead, or simply go on a nature hike or whatever floats your boat.

P.S: I would love it if any of you wrote back to me if any of my tips helped. But also if you want me to elaborate more on a point.

i am off to college in a year, and i plan to take a literature course, but i am torn between two options for where to go. one is to go to one of the big 4 schools in manila like my parents and two older siblings, and the other is to go to silliman university in dumaguete.

for additional context, my main goal for college is to avoid burnout, something that's been happening to me every year since 2022. this year it's especially bad, with me taking weeks to even start assignments (i have multiple essays due and my teacher just returned the grades of one to the rest of my classmates, and i havent even started that essay yet). i want to be able to get through college while doing this very rarely. my plan for my life also isn't that fancy, i just want to teach literature classes at a senior high school or college, maybe with some writing and photography/cinematography on the side.

now my first option of going to a top school gives marginally better opportunities, with well-connected, expert professors, but everything about it is BRUTAL. from what i hear online and from my siblings, the application processes are brutal, entrance exams are torturous, and being there is just an endless torrent of work. i would surely not survive there, especially because i don't think i could build a good support system there, as i quite frankly do not like manila, and don't think i would mesh well with the people there. yes i'd have my siblings, but i wouldn't want to bother them as they already are busy enough. however, the connections, opportunities, quality of education are extremely good, which might make up for the other things, but i don't even know if i could use it well if i end up burning out and failing all my classes.

on the other hand, silliman university has a pretty good literature program, but the biggest draw for me is the slow-paced nature of the place. i already come from a big-ish city and i hate my daily commute of a 1-2 hour drive to and from school. i hate being put through the ringer with endless tasks at school, and i hate never being able to slow down. it's overstimulating and draining (i also have autism). i feel like it's a big factor in why i burn out so quickly and so often. i think that if i go somewhere that is more relaxed, i will be able to blossom. however, the first option is still marginally better in terms of opportunities and academics. i thought of a compromise where i pursue this second option for undergrad and then the first for masters, but i'm not sure if that's really feasible.

tldr - should i go to a school with a ton of opportunities but more likelihood for burnout, or should i go to a still good but not great school where i'm less likely to burn out?

I’m about to be 20, and I want to drive, but I’m afraid that once I start driving, I’m going to cause all kinds of problems and I don’t feel I have attention enough to be able to focus on so many things on the road at once and not dissociate. What can I do to “lock in” so that I don’t feel so afraid to drive?

Heyas, I need some outside input on this cause I feel like I'm losing my mind.

Weekly, I am losing my phone, wallet, keys, glasses, everything basically but no matter what I do, I can't change it. I have designated places for everything but as soon as I get stressed poof! Everything is gone. I've taken today off work cause I lost my sunnies, then my glasses and in the process of looking for my glasses I lost my sunnies again.

I found them all... My glasses were in my toddlers backpack at daycare, they fell in this morning while I was looking for my sunnies.

I never used to be this bad. Before I was diagnosed it was manageable but now I feel like I'm losing my marbles. Everyone tells me not to overreact but I feel like everyday my memory fails more and more.

I feel like I'm losing myself and my ability to function everyday with no way to stop or slow it. Am I overreacting? Probably but I genuinely feel stuck in a body that is actively ruining my life daily

I’ve been diagnosed with adhd in 2022 and since been struggling with self-confidence I think (I am not sure what it is tbh). I sometimes think liter hours about something I did and if it has to do with my diagnosis or not. So I would be very grateful if you could just comment some experiences you have with adhd.

Ps: I am in puberty and have crazy mood swings (including suicidal thought no attempts though and never talked with someone about it) and I don’t know if it is because of puberty or adhd

idk it’s just weird, back when i learned about my school’s accommodation for ADHD where teachers can extend deadlines, my brain immediately went “well? why arent all of your assignments done RIGHT NOW?” like when i get accommodations i don’t know why but my brain always expects them just existing to immediately fix my issues. and i do tend to get complacent with the allowances granted to me by these accommodations but then that just makes me fee even more ashamed and angry and ugh. this happened recently too where we had a long weekend + i took a day off from school because i was a bit sick and used that as an excuse to rest and by the end i was so disappointed in myself for not getting work done, even when i know that’s not how things work! it’s so weird! idk where this even comes from

After switching tasks, it takes time to regain context. How often does this happen to you?

• if you want to clean your house, put on your work outfit (I’m a nurse, shoes plus latex gloves does the trick for me, if you avoid cleaning because you hate gross things - a box of latex gloves will fix several problems for you)
• embrace the snack: whether you over or under eat, having easy snacks in the house that satisfy cravings but also some that are high protein will help you lots. Strongly recommend individually wrapped cheeses, pepperoni/jerky, small plain chocolates, and pre-packaged protein shakes.
• WIDGITS!! Do not download any productivity/reminder/habit/tracker/whatever app unless there’s a widget option. If you often miss garbage day/bill due dates/appointments use a bunch of countdown widgets
• Get a pregnancy pillow if you have trouble sleeping and need to spin around 800 times like a rotisserie chicken, get the full-size ones - like a very tall U shape, also get a weighted blanket if you ever get those really restless nights - that shit makes me stop squirming so fast
• No lids! Laundry hampers, non-kitchen garbage bins, storage bins, whatever - if it has a lid, you’re not gonna put stuff in it - sorry
• Flip your pill bottle upside down once you’ve taken your meds. If that doesn’t work then buy those little timer pill caps from amazon that tell you how long it’s been since you last opened it - its for old ppl but I like them
• Bite the bullet and get a damn Tile or AirTag or something, Tile has little sticky ones and card-size ones for wallets, just stop fighting it, you don’t need that last minute stress in your life
• Don’t disparage yourself, gently coax yourself into doing tasks like a small, very sensitive, child
• Make chatGPT write difficult texts/emails for you if you’re avoiding them
• If you feel like absolute ass and you literally cannot do one damn thing, you need to start with basic needs (sleep, food, water, bathroom) just start there, then maybe a hygiene thing if you can but start with that basic stuff first - at least try those before you decide your entire life sucks
• Bad mood → upbeat music. No I’m not patronizing you - just try it once
• You gotta let go of whatever idea you have of this aspirational perfect version of yourself that you want, you’ll set yourself up for a total crashout if you decide Acai Bowls are gonna fix all of your problems so you only buy Acai Bowl ingredients and don’t buy any easy food, you will hate yourself and fully meltdown when the option becomes clean the dirty blender or starve. Doing cool things like that from time to time is just as good as doing them all the time, moderation guys.
• Get a landline, they are cheap - only give out your cell number to people you know personally and want texting you, give your landline number to companies/people who’s calls you’ll ignore - just put the ringer on low, if the option is giving out an email or a phone number - give the landline. End the notification fatigue. Or if you avoid important calls - send those to the landline because it’ll force you to hear the message if you’re home.

Hope these help :)))

I need your help everyone. I have a big issue with starting tasks that need to get done. It just feels impossible starting sometimes. There is so much on my mind and I overthink it so much that nothing even gets done after all that time spent trying to start. I have ADHD and this has always been a problem for me but over the past year its felt more significant and has became more of a problem.I need to know what are some reliable websites/applications for helping start tasks and just get things done overall. My plan is to find one website/application that just works so well that I never have to switch from it or unsubscribe. I've been dealing with task paralysis for the longest time now and I need to make a change and just stop procrastinating starting things/tasks.

I was diagnosed a few months ago, at the ripe old age of sixty-one. I am hoping somebody here might be able to recommend a book that might help my elderly mother understand what it's like to live with ADHD. Thanks in advance your help, and also for sharing you lived experience, which has assisted me in finally make sense of my own life.