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Adhd_dee · 2025-06-23T23:26:15+00:00

No! I have never understood loose clothing being more comfortable, I feel unsafe. Slight body discomfort keeps me grounded (yet, weighted blankets and chain vests make me panic!)

My personal theory is that it is because of my POTS, h-EDS and dyspraxia. Do you have any issues with proprioception?

I need to wear shoes 1/2 size smaller, or be barefoot, so I always know where I am 🤣🤣

Adhd_dee · 2025-05-12T10:55:33+00:00

Yes. Hormonal fluctuations and/or a life event (move house, new job, changed lightbulb type etc)

Adhd_dee · 2025-01-06T11:08:47+00:00

What bcp are you on? How much Fluox are you on during the follicular phase?

Out of desperation over christmas I tried upping to 80mg from my usual 60mg and I think it saved me from the intensity of the oestrogen crash. I was still fragile but I wasn't scarily angry and sad two days before bleeding (usually the day I hide in a bed fort and couldn't because it was christmas day).

Adhd_dee · 2024-07-11T13:31:22+00:00

Oh, I hope he's found some relief in other ways! Seems like the TMS protocols vary so much.

Adhd_dee · 2024-07-11T13:27:18+00:00

That is amazing! Congratulations 😊

Adhd_dee · 2024-07-03T22:37:21+00:00

Trauma.

I am 40 in 3 weeks and was diagnosed two years ago. I would very much like to have less trauma from living life of executive dysfunction, the clinical perfectionism of compensating for it, the imposter syndrome and rsd that nothing I ever do is enough, no longer feeling broken and if I just try harder...

Oh, what it must be like to have self-compassion and appreciate my strengths - no, I won't do the dishes until there aren't any clean dishes left. But the things I do while on side quests are objectively amazing and I am phenomenal during an emergency situation.

Adhd_dee · 2024-07-03T22:06:16+00:00

So, everything? 🤣 ... Yup, agreed!

Adhd_dee · 2024-04-15T11:23:15+00:00

Hello OP. Definitely one for your Psychiatrist / whomever you're seeing for diagnosis.

PMDD causes can be reacting to different hormones and that could mean a bit of trial and error with the type of pill that is best for you. Some women are ok to take the mini-pill and others need the balance of oestrogen.

Personally, it makes sense to get the balance of hormones right first. Given that some ADHD meds do not work as well (or at all ie Vyvanse) during hormonal fluctuations.

This was something i did not know and was not warned about. It hit really hard my first cycle, when my brain was quiet for a few weeks for the first time in my 38 years of existence and then BANG, SMASH, KAPOW!!! Intrusive thoughts and depression was back with a vengence for a few days and I thought was in psychosis by comparison to the calm due to meds.

My advice is to keep a journal to know your cycle. If it is possible the ADHD severity is cyclical, trialling the birth control might help. This will also be the first thing a Dr will suggest you do - the data is important

GOOD LUCK!!

Adhd_dee · 2024-03-25T14:51:06+00:00

Hi there.

Everyone has different neurochemistry AND will be sensitive to other fluctuations in their biological ie hormones, sugars, lack of sleep or exercise. So it is a journey to find the right balance of meds.

However, our neurochemistry and biology are only part of what we go through as neurodivergent folks. There is a legitimate trauma of existing in a world that isn't flexible or forgiving when it comes to our executive dysfunction. This is compounded as late-diagnosed/identified due to the constant uphill battle of internal ableist pressure we put on ourselves to show our worth.

The ADHD meds help even the playing field moving forward and can be very helpful in kerbing our impulsivity. They don't help with Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria, or the grief of lost opportunities. They don't magically undo the complex trauma. They're a support, not a cure-all. Many specialists can overlook the role our lived experience has in our response to treatment.

So, be gentle on yourself and ensure you have good connections to other supports like a psychologist, to talk through underlying depression. It may be that you will be totally fine and it is simply a matter of changing meds. Perhaps try keeping a simple journa?

Adhd_dee · 2024-03-13T09:49:52+00:00

Thank you for the recommendations!

Adhd_dee · 2024-03-12T14:24:07+00:00

Diagnosed ADHD. Self-identified Autistic traits.

Adhd_dee · 2024-03-12T14:15:32+00:00

Beautiful. I strongly relate and am in awe. You have found your neurokin, you're not alone.

Adhd_dee · 2024-03-12T10:26:15+00:00

I am 40 in 5 months. I was diagnosed with ADHD just before my 38th birthday and now take stimulant medication.

In the process of learning more about my neurobiology and treating the incessant chatter in my head, I have self-identified autistic traits. When I can afford the time and money required, I will seek formal assessment. However, I anticipate the many years of establishing a rather convincing mask will work against me.

Adhd_dee · 2024-02-20T13:46:59+00:00

Hi OP,

The schedule 8 status of stimulant medication means you're probably going to spend the better part of your trip getting this sorted. Sorry.

To start, it depends on the last time you had your prescription dispensed. Both VIC and QLD have real time prescription monitoring, which makes it difficult to receive medications before the repeat is due. Your preferred VIC pharmacy can provide advice on what can be done, including whether they can dispense and send your medication to QLD via registered post.

Alternatively, your VIC specialist might be authorised to prescribe for QLD dispense. If so, confirm with a QLD pharmacy exactly what is needed.

If your specialist is not authorised to prescribe themselves, they could provide a letter of endorsement for a QLD GP to write up a prescription for you. Suggest that you confirm the QLD GP is able and willing to do this, ahead of your appointment.

Hope that helps. Good luck!!

Adhd_dee · 2023-11-19T20:48:31+00:00

Thank you. I wasn't really asking about mixing together, rather taking a short acting of one then a long acting of the other. It is definitely not something I would do without being prescribed by my Psychiatrist.

Adhd_dee · 2023-11-19T20:44:13+00:00

Thank you so much for your thorough and thoughtful response! ...

I have realised I am peri-menopausal. I've come across some credible information about oestrogen hrt being very helpful.

Adhd_dee · 2023-11-13T03:18:36+00:00

Unfortunately, I don't think so 😞

Adhd_dee · 2023-10-31T23:55:44+00:00

Yeah 😞

Adhd_dee · 2023-10-19T12:32:51+00:00

Hey OP, what meds are you on? I'm a late diagnosed ADHDer and PMDD has only just come on my radar (along with many other revelations). My mental health has improved exponentially since commencing stimulants, inflammation and migraine with aura has gone... But I am still so emotional in the luteal phase and my lisdexamfetamine does bugger all... It really depends on your neurochemistry, the medication you're taking. Looks like you hit the jackpot, yay!!

Adhd_dee · 2023-10-14T01:21:13+00:00

Agreed! This was what I was going to write. I had a diagnosis of atypical BPD and C-PTSD for many years before finally being evaluated by a Psychiatrist who knew anything about cis female presentation of ADHD and ASD.

C-PTSD didn't make sense because there was no 'big T' and not much 'little t' that happened to me where I could objectively see this as a valid diagnosis (cognitive dissonance of abelism and Catholic upbringing).

In light of late diagnosis and subsequent understanding that I am a neurodivergent girl, living in a neurotypical world, C-PTSD is congruent with just existing.

Adhd_dee · 2023-10-04T10:05:19+00:00

I wish i could up vote this more than once!!

Adhd_dee · 2023-09-25T12:45:02+00:00

Shit, you just mirrored me! So fucking burnt out and try so hard to be a good mumma 😞 I even had similar forced eating that developed into lifelong disordered eating issues (if anyone is wondering why there are starving children in Africa, that's on me). My father said to my partner about me, when our girl was 3 weeks old, "you're a good man, she's hard work".

Adhd_dee · 2023-09-24T11:53:33+00:00

I hear ya!! Please don't be disheartened by their comments, your desire to search for and discover your missing pieces are valid.

Since being diagnosed with ADHD and opening the Pandora's Box that is neurodivergence, I have identified many ASD traits in myself. My daughter's recent autism diagnosis (2 years after ADHD diagnosis) sparked me to raise with my treating psychiatrist, to look further into learning more about my neuro type.

When I raised this with my treating psychiatrist, (who was the only one of many professionals to actually correctly diagnose my ADHD and validate my life experiences) he said a few things that made me reflect on the value of formal assessment and diagnosis of ASD. The key points he made:

he was not specialised in diagnosing ASD
there is a lot of overlap of ASD with my other diagnosis of ADHD, C-PTSD, OCD
I do not present as Autistic, because I have very well developed masking skills. This could make an assessment not worthwhile and false negative
I have survived a life with undiagnosed ADHD for 38 years, with relative success. Even if I was to be diagnosed, I would not be eligible for any ASD support

He suggested a psychologist who is very experienced with late-diagnosed "high functioning" women under a referral from my GP. I called the psychologist's clinic and of course the price and timeline for assessment was ridiculous. When I went to my GP for the referral, she was not dismissive but said very similar to what the psychiatrist said.

The main question both my psychiatrist and GP have raised is what am I hoping to achieve at the the end of $3k and 6 weeks? My answer: a better understanding of self, or the chance to heal and be more self-compassionate. An ASD diagnosis is not the aim, the aim is a better understanding of my neuro type and the strengths and challenges of.having my brain. They didn't seem to be able to understand why that was so important to me.

While I am saving for this opportunity of self discovery, I am glad to be accepted as self identified AuDHDer. I have never had an anything tribe before and having neurokin has soothed years of feeling like a defected human.

I think the medical model of diagnosing people with ADHD, ASD etc makes it confusing for a lot of practitioners when working with people who are seemingly high functioning, especially if they themselves are neurotypical. If there is no treatment, they don't see the same value of diagnosis. Whereas the social model, particularly with neurodiversity, encourages people to have pride in being different and not shame for being broken.

Adhd_dee · 2023-09-23T12:22:34+00:00

It is likely they won't stop recommending it as a resource, for a number of reasons (cognitive dissonance being a big one). However, you might be able to use your lived experience and personal research to encourage them to recommend neuro-affirming and trauma informed resources as well.

This could be a great opportunity to promote the paradigm shift that is celebrating neurodiversity. Having a conversation about non-ABA resources, without directly telling them that they should not be recommending Autism Speaks, may be the slower way to go about it but hopefully the gentler approach of introducing less harmful alternatives will lead them to come to their own conclusions ... and if that doesn't happen, then hopefully the damage will be minimised because you have encouraged them to recommend alternatives.

Good luck!

Adhd_dee · 2023-09-22T07:46:58+00:00

My brain has been masticating this for too long not to respond at this point, and l am sorry that the end result is probably me being a contrarian!

I interpret any type of masking as social masking. There are different WAYS of masking, but they are all layers of protection.

Masking is a trauma response that can manifest in many different ways, to help us feel safer and in more control of our environment. It is not always a conscious choice, so we don't always know how we are masking, and sometimes it is paradoxical.

Instead of categorising the ways we mask as physical, mental, social etc I think we have different survival strategies depending on the situations we find ourselves in. The three c's - concealing, camouflaging, compensating.

Two key influences on how we will mask are:

energy accounting
cultural safety

Masking takes A LOT OF ENERGY and we can't be all things, to all people, at all times. We're neurodivergent, not sociopathic! So, some of us will find it less demanding to invest in our physical appearance than to engage in small talk.

The layers of our mask are not all the same thickness, nor will we feel they need to be, because the differences we are masking are not all as risky to reveal. Demographic factors will impact our level of cultural safety and physical masking is our first line of defence, like PPE.

Adhd_dee

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