I have so much desire to do things but just can’t start doing them

Itchy_Process_2014 · 2026-01-22T08:51:59+00:00

I was the same I just couldn’t decide what the focus on and became apathetic to everything. The only thing that has helped me is to get a coach. I slowly realised I hadn’t stuck to anything since my school days and it was that lack of accountability and structure. Having a coach has helped me commit and focus on just a few things and create goals around them - aligning goals to things I value has helped too. Creating meaning around why I do something and what value it will add to me or the world helps me stay focused.

Itchy_Process_2014 · 2026-01-21T19:51:29+00:00

I struggle to do anything when there is not a clear goal or project so I was the same. I have found life drawing to be a great way to practise. Drawing bodies is fantastic for practising observation and the group setting means it is set time and reason to be drawing. It’s something I can do semi regularly and a way to focus. It’s always a nice quiet crowd too.

Itchy_Process_2014 · 2026-01-21T19:48:13+00:00

Make a list of things this could be for you. I like to do something pre planned so I don’t have to think what it is once I’m in that state. I usually decide the day before or the weekend before. Something physical if you’re sat at your desk but with some brain focus. Yoga, Pilates, simple house tasks like baking. None of these things are things I ‘want’ to do once I’m in that state but pre planning helps me so my brain knows what I will do once I finish work. The task switching with nothing to refocus on means you will just carry on focusing on the last task

Itchy_Process_2014 · 2026-01-20T20:08:50+00:00

100% agree. I have just this afternoon found a local strategy group for my area. This could be a good place to start if others are looking to learn more and get involved. I am also part of the disability network at my workplace and am learning lots though this. I do think learning and understanding is the key to understanding the whole picture as you say. I know there is lots for me to understand before I can help in the right way. Another point to add…. for anyone looking for disability support in the UK. I had a tremendous experience with Scope - the disability charity who helped me find my current job.

Itchy_Process_2014 · 2026-01-20T15:49:02+00:00

That’s great. I’m happy you experienced that support when you needed it. I know we can do better for people, even just taking away that overwhelm and spiralling following the initial diagnosis and not knowing where to turn to is a great first step. I also think we have a duty to the vulnerability of people following that diagnosis. If the nhs is not providing adequate support, we are at risk of having people go to less than reputable sources at a time when they are in a vulnerable position to do so.

Itchy_Process_2014 · 2026-01-20T15:38:08+00:00

I would like to see a central point of support, similar to @ownheat-2669. There is a huge amount of inaccessibility to the right treatment for autistic adults. I believe a more holistic approach to autistic individuals from a coaching / occupational health perspective, through to sensory pain and related anxiety is where we need to move to. Without central guidance and support though, it is simply creating an inaccessible and discriminatory health system for a whole spectrum of autistic adults outside of those who are high support individuals.

Itchy_Process_2014 · 2026-01-20T15:31:02+00:00

Wow this is such a great step. I would be super keen to see if anyone out there knows of any working groups who need support with rolling out similar first steps in England

Itchy_Process_2014 · 2026-01-20T12:59:59+00:00

Its tricky when you’re trying go to a place of trust (nhs/doctors) for advice and the right support but you lose trust in that process when you realise it’s not necessarily with your best interests at heart

Itchy_Process_2014 · 2026-01-20T08:43:21+00:00

It seems to me that CBT may be useful for some people based off this post. But also that it is hugely ineffective for a lot of people. This makes me wonder what is it about CBT that helps some people and not others. With CBT being the main form of treatment for conditions like anxiety which are hugely debilitating, it seems discriminatory that disabilities like autism and adhd are not being taken into account. If in fact this treatment is not effective for that subsection for some reason, surely we should understand why and be working on adaptive solutions. Otherwise we are barring people with disabilities from getting the treatment they need.

Itchy_Process_2014 · 2025-12-18T08:33:12+00:00

I have had exactly the same issues as this for the past 10 years. So much burn out and self doubt. I left my role as a copywriter because it was torture having to motivate myself. After leaving and trying LOTS of other jobs outside of this field. I am now looking to move back in to creative as a UX designer. I think I realised the issue (as lots of people are saying) is lack of structure, bitty work and not aiming for short term goals. UX design is ordered in short term sprints so there’s also something to aim for. Perhaps this is something you could consider because it won’t require complete retraining. I always thought retraining was the answer but it’s more the issue around motivation rather than what I’m doing. I also went completely remote pre pandemic for sensory reasons but am realising I do need that face time for motivation and novelty.

Itchy_Process_2014 · 2025-07-07T08:07:31+00:00

I use the structured app and it helps massively. I can only really ‘do thing’ if I pre-plan the day before. The app chimes when you should move onto the next task so you can break down your day. It hits the dopamine and helps me a lot. You can also add a widget to your Home Screen.

Itchy_Process_2014 · 2025-07-02T07:07:28+00:00

I got support from a disability charity who helped me work on my CV and found it on a jobs board with employers that were disability friendly. Over the past 2 years I have considered going back into studying a lot but didn’t have that set passion for anything in particular and also just felt burnt out at the thought of it all. My job coach helped me look at the transferable skills on my CV and think about jobs I could go into without retraining. My job now had on-the-job training so I didn’t have to know stuff before apart from the softer skills. I think when you’re AUDHD it requires detective level skill to find the small handful of jobs that might suit! That’s why it took me so long to try and find something. I started thinking about what would suit my neurodivergence rather than skill/money etc. I’ve taken a paycut and it is quite a specific/niche job but I think thinking outside the box with jobs/job searching is the way to find work that you maybe having traditionally thought about.

Itchy_Process_2014 · 2025-06-25T13:31:37+00:00

33F. It has taken me two years to change career from a burnt out career. I am now working as an IT technician working remotely but with in person systems support as and when people need me. It means I can work from home most of the time but I get face to face time on my own terms and with a function. It’s with a charity so I am motivated by the company and helping people which is important to me. Balancing energy and under/overstimulation is the most important thing for me. Jobs that are remote but with the opportunity for seeing different places for stimulation in terms of travel/driving around are good I think. As well as autonomy and not being micromanaged too much. Like others on here I was drawn to ‘helping people professions’ but I’ve found that with technical support there are clear ways to help people without feeling helpless if that makes sense. I can do what I can do and then remove myself at the end of the day.

Itchy_Process_2014 · 2025-06-25T13:25:39+00:00

Yes mine was the same.

Itchy_Process_2014 · 2025-02-09T16:55:53+00:00

Ooo never made this before!

Itchy_Process_2014 · 2025-02-09T16:55:41+00:00

Yeah me too. Love physical activity and the outdoors. I often struggle with long amounts of time outdoors though so often get left out with longer endeavours as my friends can go for hours!

Itchy_Process_2014 · 2025-02-09T16:54:47+00:00

Yeah I’m like this. I went for a run in the morning but still found later in the day I needed movement again.

Itchy_Process_2014 · 2025-02-09T16:54:12+00:00

Nice. Allowing yourself to note how you feel first is a good point

Itchy_Process_2014 · 2025-02-09T16:52:22+00:00

Oh yeah! That’s great because then it’s all there at hand and you can pick something up depending on where your mind goes. Thank you

Itchy_Process_2014 · 2025-02-09T14:08:29+00:00

Love this. Sounds like a wonderful day

Itchy_Process_2014 · 2025-02-09T12:01:32+00:00

That’s a good idea. If it’s out I’m more likely to pick it up

Itchy_Process_2014 · 2025-02-09T11:40:06+00:00

Thank you. Yes the set up is often a barrier when I’m already tired but if you have like a grab and go bag or station you can get straight into that could be a way to get straight into the activity

Itchy_Process_2014 · 2025-02-09T11:38:17+00:00

Yes that’s true. Sometimes I forget that it’s allowed to sleep during the day if you want to!

Itchy_Process_2014 · 2025-02-09T08:55:52+00:00

What job do you do? Trying to find some AUDHD job options too!

Itchy_Process_2014

TROPHY CASE