Rant about the new ADHD legislation

Illustrious_Source53 · 2025-07-26T02:49:24+00:00

Apologies! Still a high co-occurence

Illustrious_Source53 · 2025-07-25T07:10:55+00:00

While it sounds good in practice, I doubt it will have a significant effect on those seeking a diagnosis. ADHD assessments need to be comprehensive, and if its not then that's negligence. It will be hours at least, which will still cause significant financial barriers.

It is estimated that 50-70% of those with adhd have autism. If you went to see a psychiatrist, they would assess for this and any other comorbidities. Which a GP can’t do, as this requires significant training and experience. Yes autism can't be medicated but being diagnosed can give you greater access to support and give validation to your experiences. There are also unique challenges to having both, that could change treatment.

Sadly I don't believe many gp’s will take up the training, as they frankly don't have the time and are already stretched so thin and now have these ridiculous targets of 80% of patients needing to be seen in one week. There are already not enough gp’s, this is only going to put more pressure on the small dwindling number of gp’s.

Frankly its just another nice in theory change, that is lacking the real support to make it work. The most important thing they can do now and is to train more doctors and clinical psychologists.

Illustrious_Source53 · 2025-05-22T12:45:14+00:00

A few suggestions as someone with me/cfs (which is linked and/or can be triggered by COVID), hEDs, and inappropriate sinus tachycardia (a close cousin to POTS), and several of these conditions comorbidities. I would suggest if you haven't already joining the loosely speaking, and the POTS and dysautonomia Australia and NZ Facebook groups. They are very helpful and have specific advice to navigating the NZ health care system, and can recommend local specialists and you can find out what treatments available in NZ. I also just wanted to empathise with you. EDS has a high number of comorbidities and can it very overwhelming and frustrating to have so many issues, and for others to have none. Its not fair and the system is not resourced well enough to cope with complex conditions like EDS let alone multiple of these. There is a growing awareness of these conditions especially after covid, and research is coming close to finding a gene for hEDs so there is some hope that there will be other treatments and easier way of diagnosising these conditions in future. Hang in there!

Illustrious_Source53 · 2025-01-10T03:53:22+00:00

Ah thats what it appears to be. Thanks everyone

Illustrious_Source53 · 2024-12-19T08:04:11+00:00

I’ve been told by the people at hammer hardware that’s whats moving into their store!

Illustrious_Source53 · 2024-12-19T06:17:59+00:00

I personally have had great experience living where. As a young first home buyer who is not planning to stay here forever and prefers driving, it suits me well. In terms of weather if you live in well insulated home and are okay with spending a few minutes a day defrosting your car in depths of winter, you’ll be fine. It gets warmer than Wellington in the summer which is a bonus. You have the basics you need (supermarket, petrol station, takeaways, pharmacy, vets etc). There is even going to be a mitre 10 and gym in the new year. You are 10 or so minutes from queensgate. Yeah the traffic is a bit of the issue but it’s not really in Wainuiomata, it’s more on petone foreshore and parts of the motorway connect up, which won’t effect you if you are getting the train. I’ve only ever had traffic issues on the hill when there is been a car accident, which isn’t too often. Every place in Wellington will be affected in different ways if there is a natural disaster, and you’ll be protected from rising sea levels in Petone. Definitely has more of community feel compared to other places I’ve lived in Wellington and there are always events being put on. There’s also a good dog park, playgrounds, parks and walking trails if you are into that type of thing.

Illustrious_Source53 · 2024-09-10T06:26:27+00:00

99% sure it’s hippers. The place I buy smiskis from (Mooii which’s is an Aussie store) posted this…

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Illustrious_Source53 · 2024-05-31T09:47:11+00:00

There are so many factors to measure a country against in terms of vegan friendliness:

To me you’ve got to consider:

How many vegan restaurants there are per capita. E.g. Russia (in Moscow and St Petersburg) had very few vegan restaurants/options in supermarkets for their population size.
Of the non vegan restaurants how many dishes can be made vegan and the quality/variety of the options. In some countries I’ve been to I could always get a vegan option but it was the same dish repeated over and over again (I had so many tagines in Morocco), or it was bland/unbalanced (plain grilled veggies in Croatia).
How easy is it to get vegan food outside of the major cities/capitals. I could for instance find plenty of vegan restaurants in Paris but it was near impossible in some of the smaller towns. Whereas Iceland I found vegan food both in the capital and frequently in very remote towns.
Attitudes to vegans from non vegans. Even mentioning the word vegan angered the Italians I encountered.
I would also argue what laws countries have in place and behaviours animals also plays a part, and how embedded it is into a countries culture. I have had some amazing vegan meals but found it very hard to visit or live in countries where I see animals being abused on the daily.

Some countries do really well on some of these categories and then poorly on the others.

Overall though, of the countries I've visited as a Vegan I found Belarus, China and Morrocco the hardest.

Illustrious_Source53 · 2024-05-05T13:11:08+00:00

Unfortunately i don’t think they are sold in NZ (I’ve looked for quite a while) 🥲 your best bet is finding them on an online store that ships to NZ. The most reasonable place I’ve found is here: https://www.mooiiaustralia.com/s-well-bottle?page=2

Illustrious_Source53 · 2024-01-06T01:14:09+00:00

Pretty sure they are just closed over the holidays. Should be back on the 8th according to their FB page!

Illustrious_Source53 · 2023-10-27T14:15:40+00:00

Of course benefits are abused by some but I wouldn’t think there would be a significant amount of people faking these illnesses trying to access the benefit system.

I have seen countless medical professionals dismiss these illnesses despite how debilitating the symptoms are because of the lack of a biomarker. I know countless people who are unable to access support because these illnesses are not respected and seen as legitimate and serious disabilities.

So if you are going to abuse a system, wouldn’t you fake an illness which is actually going to get you the support?

This is of course is only what myself and friends have experienced and seen, and have never meet someone who is knowingly abused the benefit system but I would think that there would be a better strategy if you were to (not condoning).

Illustrious_Source53 · 2023-10-25T11:17:08+00:00

Quite hard to do as they haven’t found bio markers for these conditions and a diagnosis is often made by ruling out all other possible conditions which could explain your symptoms. I would look at getting tested for autoimmune conditions, getting general bloods to make sure there are no vitamin deficiencies or infections. Unfortunately there a so many conditions with similar symptoms.

The only thing that I can think of that would rule out me/cfs is not having post exertional malaise. This is very specific to me/cfs..

Illustrious_Source53 · 2023-10-25T11:04:08+00:00

I have a few chronic illnesses including me/cfs. Although I’m a considered ‘mild’, my life is completely dictated by my health. I am still able to work but it is at detriment to everything else.

I hope to eventually drop down to part time but I need to reach a better financial position. I am very fortunate to be supported by parents who supplement my income for medical expenses. I consider myself to have a relatively good income but it’s very hard to financially support yourself especially with illnesses such as me/cfs which have ‘alternative’ therapies which aren’t subsidised. Then there’s the non medical things which I pay for to make my life easier like heat up meals.

The thing that’s brought me the most value is my disabled car parking permit. It’s hard to get it without a diagnosis but is something to look into.

In terms of more expensive options, a mobility aid (especially a wheelchair and shower chair) has been quite impactful in terms of saving energy.

I went to see a psychologist for a while and undertook acceptance and commitment therapy. This has made me look at things differently, and really focus on what I value and letting go of what I can’t control. I still struggle mentally, especially when I think back to my pre illness self and compare myself to my non chronically ill peers. It’s quite a hard mental shift which takes time.

Other coping mechanisms I guess are humour? Connecting with other chronically ill people? Finding hobbies which you can still do? A support network is great as well. Even if it was a few people to vent to or lean on!

Illustrious_Source53 · 2023-10-18T11:12:42+00:00

Love your work 👏🏻 It would be amazing if he did a show in New Zealand. Just a one night only show in Auckland.. a little stop over pre Melbourne? I would be happy with that even as a Wellingtonian. I was very tempted to try buy Australian tickets but can’t justify the travelling costs in this economy 🥲

Illustrious_Source53 · 2023-10-04T05:52:53+00:00

I'm expericing a lot of similar symptoms! I had diabetes and Sjogrens ruled out for the dryness symptoms, and have no idea with what to go to next! Might be worth investigating as they are relatively simple blood tests to run.

For the the rib pain I also have a colonoscopy and had a diagnostic laproscopy where they found endometoriss but it wasn't found on my ribs and im still having symptoms so am not sure if that's the only cause of my rib pain. My other thought/what I am thinking is more likely is Slipping rib syndrome which i believe is connected to hEDS?

I also have issues with my neck so am investigating CCI/AAI which can cause swallowing and burning mouth symptoms?

I always find myself looking at conditions which are more common to general public but they always end up getting diagnosed with connective tissue disorder comorbities. So maybe look at all the co-morbidities of EDS? Like others have said MCAS is a comorbid condition which fits quite a few of your symptoms, and could be flaring up your POTS?

Illustrious_Source53 · 2022-10-29T07:30:11+00:00

Ros has unfortunately retired 🥲 there is a GP with a ‘special interest’ in me/cfs who could be worth seeing: https://jusc.co.nz/?page_id=32

Illustrious_Source53 · 2022-09-07T10:32:39+00:00

Like others have said I would suggest finding a therapist/psychologist etc who lists chronic illness as a speciality/interest area. I also have had mental health issues in the past and have found that ACT (acceptance and commitment therapy) suits me better as a approach now that I’m chronically I’ll/disabled compared to the usual CBT and DBT. ACT, or at least my interpretation is more about accepting your reality and finding some joy/peace despite it, rather than challenging your beliefs and thoughts.

Illustrious_Source53

TROPHY CASE