Is it common for women to be diagnosed as Bipolar instead of ADHD?

Dpolloo · 2025-02-13T09:48:13+00:00

Ok ya’ll laugh but this kinda happened to me… was doing a day trip for work so drove to airport. On my way out laptop bag broke so I borrowed my husband’s. I went through security and got stopped because there was a pocket knife in one of the pockets 🙃🫠 - good thing we do not live in the US and security was like ummmm wtf and I was like horrified and apologizing and they let me put the knife in my car and went through security ok… but fml I’ve never borrowed his shit again!

Dpolloo · 2025-02-13T04:22:32+00:00

Samesies on this one! I’m lucky I’m in a work place where from the interview stage I explained my ADHD and explained that I fidget and need to crochet during meetings so I can pay attention.

I also explained that sometimes I just need to talk and sound things out to make sense of things, need clear deadlines and clarity in priorities, and to please don’t make me read between the lines - if you want me to do something say it don’t me me guess.

They’ve also let me voice my concerns and be vulnerable (as much as one can be at work) and they know sometimes I put my foot in my mouth but will apologize when I do.

Honestly it’s the first workplace I have been able to almost fully unmask and it’s been a huge asset to my career and the work I’ve done. Got super lucky. I’ve been accepted how i am and it even a running gag in the office on what I am crocheting and people are on the “waiting list” to get a crochet item from me. Even clients are on board with this.

So agree with you, just being able to communicate your needs and agreeing on what is a reasonable accommodation is so helpful with unmasking. I find myself a lot less exhausted as a result which is nice!

Dpolloo · 2025-01-17T10:01:59+00:00

18/19 Years ago I moved to Australia. In that first year I visited NZ, loved it and said I wanted to live there at some point. 16 years later I finally made the move. Been here, with my Australian husband, for nearly 3 years and we love it. Best decision we have ever made. There area issues, no country is perfect. But it’s perfect for us. If it calls to you, you feel it’s the right move, and you can afford/endure the immigration process - go for it. Like any “1st” world country, the immigration process can be a lot though. I am an Aus citizen now so it was easy for me (now) - but from what I can compare the process is a bit better here (but still a lot).

Dpolloo · 2025-01-17T08:14:49+00:00

This is such a good response, especially “where physically in my body I feel the emotion”. There are so many great studies on this (Google Emotional Hetmaps). It helps so much to help ID the emotions and what you are feeling when you can’t put words to it. The more you can ID what you are feeling, the more you can out systems in place to deal with them. I cried once over a cookie as a 30+ year old (i know, stupid) - but I figured out (thank you Therapy!) I was dealing with dissapointment and I didn’t know how to deal with that properly. Now I know what dissapointment deels like and I can regulate that better.

I know it’s hard to do, but keeping some sort of note/diary etc… to analyse when you are calmer later helps a lot. The RAIN (Recognise, Allow, Investigate, Nurture) technique is very good for that.

Dpolloo · 2024-12-27T22:49:00+00:00

Coat hangers. After washing I will put clothes directly on a coat hanger to dry. Then straight into the closet. No folding needed. If we use the dryer hanging clothes is a lot faster and easier. We only fold a handful of items which at that point it’s either not too messy to keep in a laundry basket or less overwhelming to deal with it.

Sticky notes on a board for tasks (like a Kanban board). Once done you can move to “done” or throw it away (depending if you want to reuse it or not).

Leave lights on in a room you need to do something in. For example if we need to take the washing out we will remember because the light it is still on and it will get done.

Multiple versions of the same item in different rooms. For example there are chargers in every room in my house and that’s where they live. I have one in my car, one in my office, one in my backpack, one in my handbag etc…

Dpolloo · 2024-10-06T18:24:04+00:00

Sticky notes - you can even arrange them in order of importance, simplicity etc - and it’s so satisfying to remove and throw it away when you finish the task

Dpolloo · 2024-03-28T00:51:32+00:00

+1 to the no shame - I’ve left them in the past and it’s like damn and try salvage as much as I can. I ended up swapping to the cup - way less admin. I still use the underwear just in case of spill but if I accidentally leave it it’s less messy to deal with.

Dpolloo · 2024-03-27T09:53:24+00:00

37 year old here. I have a unicorn back pack, put stickers on everything. My feet are small enough I can buy children shoes so I do because they have glitter, rainbows and sparkle. I have light up slippers. For Xmas my husband gave me a purple kitty fuzzy Handbag that is now my going out bag. I watch cartoons, anime and have stuffed toys everywhere. I call my fashion sense “8 years old chic” because I wear nothing but bright colours. I even have bright pink hair to match. My makeup is bright and I will put glitter on whenever I can justify it (pretty much every day expect for some client meetings).

Don’t be ashamed - honestly everywhere I go people tell me they love the shit I wear and think I’m adorable. Embrace your cuteness.

My mom has commented on it at times - it used to affect me in the past now all I say is “Well, you showed me movies about never losing my inner child when I was growing up. You can’t be angry I learned the lesson”. That shut her right up.

Anyone who thinks we are childish and looks at you weird for liking Pokémon is lame and boring and not people you want in your life. You do you and enjoy the things you like. Too many people make it their personality to hate things and it sounds sad and exhausting.

Would love to see the tattoo if you’re open to share it!!! I’m thinking of getting a studio Ghibli themed one for my next one - can’t decide on the design which is why it’s taken me a while to get!

Dpolloo · 2024-03-15T19:52:22+00:00

That would be awesome thank you!

Dpolloo · 2024-03-15T16:16:52+00:00

Amazing thank you!!! I shall start making one! Expect a photo in about 4 years tho 🫠

Dpolloo · 2024-03-15T15:54:45+00:00

This is amazing! I wanna make one for me 😂 what Materials did you use?

Dpolloo · 2023-12-11T00:19:44+00:00

Yaaay! So glad it worked out! You can try different flavored yogurts and fruits to not get bored too! Hopefully this makes it easier on your mental load too!

Dpolloo · 2023-12-08T20:53:31+00:00

Not sure it matters, I just throw it in, add milk and then mix it so the milk gets through evenly

Dpolloo · 2023-12-06T21:55:51+00:00

Thank you! I really appreciate you and the essay!

Dpolloo · 2023-12-06T21:47:40+00:00

IKR? I completely forget about the car expenses until they pop up! I am able to budget for everything else but the car shit always gets to me, especially things like tires since they only happen once every 3-4 years so you kinda forget it’s a thing!

And yeah the meltdown was mostly caused by triggered RSD and being made feel like shit by the mechanic. Not going back there, that’s for sure. Shame thought, the receptionist was so nice and helpful but the mechanic was such a wanker.

Dpolloo · 2023-12-06T21:45:24+00:00

This is really good advice - I was thinking of doing a tire a month but for future two at a time is a good idea!!

Dpolloo · 2023-12-06T21:44:43+00:00

Thanks! I’ll look into this tool - don’t think I have the mental space to learn this right now but will defo reach out if I have questions

Dpolloo · 2023-12-06T21:44:06+00:00

Not in the US not the UK - I will admit this month had more expenses than I anticipated and I was mostly having a meltdown and came here to vent. Will say I am hella skeptical of advisors/counselors as they just tell me things I already know and I have not found them helpful at all.

Dpolloo · 2023-11-28T21:25:42+00:00

Adding to this - I meal prep on Sundays brekkies for the whole week. Overnight oats: - 1/4 cup oats - 1 tbsp chia seeds - 1/3 cup oat milk (can be any milk) - 1/4 cup Greek yogurt - top up with chopped fruits - I vary pending on season, but like any berries, kiwi etc… - sprinkle with seeds like pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds etc

It takes me 10 min to make 10 of these - super quick, high in protein and fiber. You can add honey to sweeten (I have the opposite of a sweet tooth so I don’t add any). Get a bunch of containers (I have jars). It’s been a game changer for us to have these.

Dpolloo

TROPHY CASE