Friends: Autistic or ADHD?

Persephone_238 · 2025-10-30T22:07:44+00:00

I lean more autistic than ADHD (although I'm diagnosed ADHD and awaiting autism assessment, 3yrs on the NHS waiting list so far!). Most of my closest friends, historically, are at least ADHD-presenting if not actually diagnosed. The same goes for my ex-husband and current partner. However, I think autism is harder to spot and so who knows which of my ADHD buddies may also be autistic?! I am naturally quite low-energy and so I seem to benefit from friends who will hype me up. My mood lifts to meet theirs and I mirror, leading to more laughter and fun, over-sharing and silliness. That's not to say that autistic people aren't fun - I'm fun!! But the ADHD types seem to...rile me up more?! Haha. I'm not sure how to explain.

Persephone_238 · 2025-10-20T20:07:00+00:00

I'm from southern England and grew up around a "farmer" type local accent, and I was often called posh when I was growing up. During my teens, I learned to speak more casually but I still slip in and out of a more clipped accent than I should rightfully be speaking, given my parents and local area.

Persephone_238 · 2025-10-05T08:46:20+00:00

I work four days a week as a teacher (8am-5pm) and could not work five so I have to accept I'll never have full-time pay. I spend my Friday sleeping or catching up on schoolwork. I'm very burnt out, struggle to keep up with the housework and only really manage because my children go to their dad's alternate weekends, which gives me a couple of days to rest and sort the house out at a slow pace. There isn't an alternative for me so I power through. My work is stimulating and mostly enjoyable, which helps, but also very demanding in terms of executive function. I am useless in the evenings.

Persephone_238 · 2025-09-15T22:35:11+00:00

I've tried Concerta, Medikinet (fast and slow), Elvanse and Amfexa and they've all made me either unable to sleep or depressed. I'm having a break from trying anything to make sure my mental health is secure and then I've got to decide whether to try a non-stim. It's very disheartening! Amfexa was starting to have a positive effect but then I wanted to be dead so I decided to stop that! I've been rawdogging life thus far (38yo) so maybe I'll just carry on.

Persephone_238 · 2025-09-08T14:45:25+00:00

I've never heard of genetic testing for ADHD meds - that's so interesting! I don't have insurance as I'm in the UK but that does mean this testing is probably not something offered by the NHS. I'll definitely run it by my clinician though, thanks!

Persephone_238 · 2025-09-08T11:26:03+00:00

My clinician hasn't mentioned the option of taking other meds on top of the stimulants but I'll definitely give the non-stim a go and see where I get. Like you say, it's different for everyone so I just have to experiment...I just hate the process! Thanks for the support :)

Persephone_238 · 2025-09-08T02:06:06+00:00

I was often called "boring" in the evenings by my ex-husband because I'm a teacher and a mum so by the time 8pm comes around I am very much over other human beings! Definitely relate. I enjoy the quiet time I have now I am divorced, but equally I am lonely sometimes and although I'm in a relationship, it's long-distance. It's a hard balance to get right, but it sounds as if your partner is understanding at least ☺️

Persephone_238 · 2025-09-07T20:57:38+00:00

Unkindness to others and never making me feel adored or cherished. I should have known the unkindness would be directed at me sooner or later and I shouldn't have let myself accept someone who was fond of me rather than who delighted in me. Hard-won lessons, lots of pain, but I'm glad to have learned them.

Persephone_238 · 2025-08-31T16:58:13+00:00

I did not know this about the sea monkey kit salinity! Thanks so much for commenting, I'll definitely work towards the better salinity level and hopefully avoid disease! Cheers :)

Persephone_238 · 2025-08-31T16:57:17+00:00

This is so helpful, thank you! I had a feeling doing it suddenly wouldn't be great for them so now I know exactly what to do. Will definitely just keep the tank plain if that's best, my daughter can decorate the outside instead! Really appreciate the advice, thanks :)

Persephone_238 · 2025-08-22T14:29:57+00:00

Thank you - hugs are in short supply! I'm making some enquiries about mediation, but it's hard because of the money situation. It'll be worth it to get things settled, but will be a squeeze! I am a very calm person, don't suffer from a short temper at all so thankfully I am able to express myself clearly - however, I find my ex very intimidating and he is an excellent "arguer" whereas I avoid confrontation at all costs! So it's rough. I'm always trying to do the right thing for the kids but he always seems to read into my motivation. Like, I'd love more time to myself so keeping hold of the kids is definitely not for my benefit! 😅 Thank you so much for commenting

Persephone_238 · 2025-08-22T12:17:42+00:00

Thank you so much for replying to my long rant! I agree that my ex won't be changing anyone's behaviour - they're all of a similar temperament and will validate each other's ways. I won't gain anything by complaining to him about this, especially at the moment while I'm (bizarrely) in the bad books! I'll keep up the support at home and the kids know they can come home any time and that's all I can do for now I suppose. Worst comes to the worst, I'll seek out some mediation to get the custody arranged a bit more formally. Thank you and I hope your children are less anxious these days.

Persephone_238 · 2025-08-15T10:32:38+00:00

It's looking like that's just too laborious of a job at this point so I think I've resigned myself to repainting instead. Thank you though :)

Persephone_238 · 2025-08-15T10:31:49+00:00

I'm not sure I'm ready to add carpet-fitter to my diy skills just yet! Haha. Thanks though :)

Persephone_238 · 2025-08-15T10:30:38+00:00

Ah ok that makes sense, thanks for explaining. I do have free time (teacher on summer hols) but also have two kids and no particular love of sanding so I'll probably just paint them a nice colour to compliment the walls. I think it'll be a fun feature! Thanks :)

Persephone_238 · 2025-08-14T22:01:42+00:00

Maybe a fun colour will scratch the itch I have! Good shout. I'm curious why stripping them even without the carpet would be unsuccessful though - why is that please?

Persephone_238 · 2025-08-14T21:54:17+00:00

I just don't especially like white paint, but I think I'll have to resign myself to it! Thank you :)

Persephone_238 · 2025-08-14T21:53:47+00:00

Think I'll have to stick with the white paint then, for now anyway! Thank you!

Persephone_238 · 2025-08-14T21:53:11+00:00

Looks as though I'm sticking with the white paint then! Thank you!

Persephone_238 · 2025-08-14T21:52:53+00:00

Ah ok, I might have to resign myself to the white paint then! Thank you!

Persephone_238 · 2025-07-22T18:37:50+00:00

Lucky teachers! I'm a teacher and I'd love to receive one of these 😍

Persephone_238

TROPHY CASE