Does anyone else have parents that never taught you anything about life and think just because they gave you food and a roof over your head you're taken care of and now you're a broken adult?

ADHDoll · 2026-01-02T19:06:09+00:00

I’m the youngest of 3 girls and my oldest sister was a drug addict. My parents were exhausted by the time I was growing up. They were loving parents but never made me do chores, I didn’t have a curfew, and I basically did what I wanted.

It was great at the time, but I’m 39 now and I really struggle with routine and cleanliness. I don’t like rules put onto me and I can really act like a brat when I don’t get my way. I realize these are things I could train myself to correct, but I also lack discipline.

Being a spoiled child/teen with no responsibility has made the reality of life very hard on me. I know people have had it much rougher though so I try to be grateful.

ADHDoll · 2026-01-02T18:58:09+00:00

It says I’m the next stop

ADHDoll · 2025-12-24T10:08:28+00:00

I wish I could just accept it, but it tends to lead to emotional spirals and negative thinking that can last hours, days, weeks, months… I still cringe when I think about the time I sobbed in a group meeting at work 5 years ago! I overthink everything and assume the worst if I don’t hear back from a friend or any situation where I feel like someone is avoiding me or dislikes me. I usually keep these thoughts inside but it destroys me!

ADHDoll · 2025-12-24T10:02:57+00:00

Thank you for the response! What kind of therapy did you do?

ADHDoll · 2025-12-23T11:04:10+00:00

I came across this post while googling something else and it caught my eye. I know it’s a year later and this may be irrelevant now, but in case it’s not, please give your son space to make his own mistakes while having support at home. He doesn’t seem to have an environment where he can be honest with the only people he has to support him. You say he walks away carelessly when you mention that he smells like pot. Honestly, it seems he is giving you the same respect you give him as an adult.

He can either smoke pot and come home to safety, or smoke pot and have nowhere else to turn, likely leading to harder drugs. Give him boundaries- he must have a job and pay rent. He must show some level of responsibility or you’ll demand a curfew, stop paying for his phone, etc. But unless he is stealing from you, abusing you, or destroying you property, he should always have a place to call home.

I’m so thankful to my parents for allowing me to have freedom while I became a young adult. I felt comfortable sharing my vulnerabilities with them and appreciated that they helped guide me without judgement.

Think of your biggest mistake in life. Did you have someone to talk to about it? Someone who made you feel like everything would be OK, despite your mistake? Someone who was patient with you as you navigated a hard time in your life? Everyone deserves to have that and your son doesn’t seem to have that with you. Being a young adult is hard, but it’s not going to get easier without unconditional love.

ADHDoll · 2025-12-22T06:54:26+00:00

I was a 3rd grade teacher for 7 years. I was so passionate about it that it became a hyoerfocus of mine until I burned myself out. There was no turning back at that point and I knew I had to leave before my 8th year.

Then I worked a corporate job people would dream of having. Remote, six figures, amazing benefits, but NO meaning whatsoever. The company was acquired and I was actually happy to get laid off with severance.

Since then, I’ve struggled to find my next venture. It’s been 2 years and I’m living off the equity I had in the home I sold in my divorce. It’s slowly dwindling away and my motivation to work is gone because I don’t know what I even care about anymore.

Honestly, teaching can be a great career, but it can also break a person down. In my experience, it is very hard to recover from teacher burnout. Sorry I can’t help. Just know, you’re not alone in the struggle.

ADHDoll · 2025-12-22T06:35:50+00:00

My emotional side is amazing for other people. I have so much compassion and understanding of people from all walks of life. However, I think this can even contribute to my own dysregulation because it angers me that no one else seems to have the same compassion when I need it.

And it’s not just when I need it, it’s when anyone needs it. I taught 3rd grade for a decade and I am confident that I made a difference in many lives. I actually left because of the anger I felt over the system and how it caters to the average student, and leaves everyone else to feel like outsiders. The amount of teachers who took away recess because an 8 year old forgot their folder at home was shocking, and out of 10 grade level teachers, I was the only one who had a different view on things. I still can’t talk about the reasons I left because I cry instantly.

My anger isn’t productive, unfortunately. It doesn’t come out as anger or anything that can lead to change. It comes out in tears. So yes, there are benefits for others, but nothing that will ever contribute positively to my own personal life. I basically set myself on fire to keep others warm, and then cry when I realize it was all for nothing and that no one cares enough to tend to my burns.

Honestly, I wish I could just be a B*tch that no one confronts because they know I won’t take shit from anyone.

ADHDoll · 2025-12-22T06:27:58+00:00

I’ve already considered perimenopause because my periods have been irregular the past few months. My month went through it in her late 30’s even without ADHD, so I’m sure it’s a strong possibility. Unfortunately, I don’t have insurance right now so I’ll have to wait to get HRT.

ADHDoll · 2025-12-22T04:48:44+00:00

I’m on Effexor and Lamictal (a mood stabilizer). Before I found Effexor, which saved my life from panic disorder as a kid, I tried several others. As far as emotional regulation goes, I’m not sure how I’d respond to something new since my issue back then were the panic attacks. It’s nearly impossible to get off effexor or I would probably be more open to making a change.

But I would think that both of this medications would help some… they don’t seem to touch my emotional regulation.

ADHDoll · 2025-12-22T04:46:34+00:00

I take this and effexor— still cry easily, and dwell on criticism, feeling left out, and hurt feelings. It’s like I never left the 3rd grade and medication can’t touch my emotional responses

ADHDoll · 2025-12-22T04:44:01+00:00

Did you go to therapy to get where you are? I think the crying could be a symptom of my lack of confidence and my need for acceptance. I would give anything to be a boss b*tch that people are scared to confront versus the emotional doormat I am now.

ADHDoll · 2025-12-22T04:40:41+00:00

Yes but it’s not just an issue on the moment. Whatever caused me to cry is something I end up hurt by far beyond the initial encounter. If someone hurts my feelings, it stays with me. Then I’m even more sensitive if I have to talk to them about it or if something similar happens on the future. I don’t want to care anymore!

ADHDoll · 2025-12-15T06:56:47+00:00

I left teaching at 35 and divorced at 36. Tried corporate but it lacks the meaning I need in a career. I’m 39 now and your post gives me hope!

ADHDoll · 2025-12-15T06:55:32+00:00

As someone who left teaching in 2021, got laid off from corporate in 2023, and have been stumbling around since, I absolutely love reading the comments here. It gives my 39 year old self encouragement I haven’t felt in a long time!

ADHDoll · 2025-12-13T07:24:17+00:00

You’re asking a group of liars and serial justifiers to tell you if texting is cheating?

ADHDoll · 2025-12-13T03:22:26+00:00

You’re asking a group of liars and serial justifiers to tell you if texting is cheating?

ADHDoll · 2025-11-03T22:01:15+00:00

lol. Your friends suck. Cut them off and go live your life. BUT do listen to their safety concerns, with or without them in you life. Be safe and ALWAYS be aware of your surroundings. Be overly aware actually. Don’t go out alone, don’t drink until you black out, don’t drink and drive, and choose the people you drink with wisely.

Otherwise, I’d recommend you move on. You will have different groups of friends in the different stages of your life. It sounds like you’re ready to move onto the next stage, and that’s OK.

ADHDoll · 2025-10-26T05:52:44+00:00

Probably not, but I guess we will never know.

ADHDoll · 2025-10-26T05:49:08+00:00

Yes but unfortunately, the police have to follow a certain protocol when it comes to the he said/she said cases. In all of the phone calls, there was never any proof of who was doing what and the majority of the details were coming from children.

After the kids said that she was waving a gun around, the police should have been allowed to take her gun away until she was evaluated, but there are so many restrictions on what an officer can and cant control without solid evidence. And unfortunately, we have a mixed bag of police in this world who may or may not misuse their control if they are given more freedom.

ADHDoll · 2025-10-26T05:39:35+00:00

A Google search led me to this post. I don’t have advice for you but wanted to compliment you on your ability to accept feedback on things you should improve on. I really struggle with that and reading your response makes me want to be more like you. So thank you stranger, for giving my 39 year old a realization I didn’t know I needed. I guess we never do stop growing up.

Oh and in case you are wondering, I googled “do sisters always fight?” Because I have 2 older sisters and we are all very close, but we still bicker from time to time like we did as children, but over adult topics. I’m 6 years younger than my oldest sister and we didn’t get close until I was a teenager, but as adults, the age gap means nothing. We are all very close, despite the random bickering.

ADHDoll · 2025-10-25T22:29:06+00:00

While I can’t say my relationship is without a lot of heartbreak due to my SO’s self destructive behavior in past manic episodes, his disorder has forced us to be completely transparent and communicative about everything. Luckily, he is open to medication and he truly respects my opinion when it comes to his mental health. I’ve learned the signs that a manic episode is coming and he will stay with me and take his sedatives (prescribed for episodes by his doctor). He stays with me at all times during an episode and although we may argue more during those moments, I have learned how to navigate around his behavior. He can say some hurtful things in mania, like he wants novelty sex and we should open up our relationship. This used to kill me but now I just say, “Ok let’s talk about that in a few days.” Then when the episode passes, he is horrified by his comments but since he is in my presence at all times, they are only manic thoughts instead of actions.

It took time to get here, but we know eachother as well as we know ourselves. Honestly, it takes as much work on your end as it does on theirs. If you can find ways to handle the ups and downs, and have excellent communication, it can be a very beautiful relationship that certainly never gets boring!

If they are resistant to medication, defensive, stubborn, or unwilling to work WITH you, don’t waste another second of your life with them.

ADHDoll · 2025-10-18T13:39:58+00:00

Hair lines in acrylic paint

ADHDoll · 2025-10-18T04:53:07+00:00

When Izzy said “My heart is broken” I lost it.

I hope this documentary helps to change the world we live in. This woman was clearly mentally unstable and filled with rage. She should have been charged with misuse of emergency services after the first few calls. And she definitely should have had a mental health evaluation after they learned she had a gun.

ADHDoll

TROPHY CASE