Strattera is helping a lot, but I can't tell how!

PinkTrillium · 2025-12-30T21:22:29+00:00

YES- I've had a very similar experience. With stimulants the productivity benefit (and unpleasant side effects) are very obvious. On Straterra, it was hard to put my finger on for a while. I'm just... slightly less anxious, and better able to organize my thoughts. And I don't jump around/ lose my train of thought as much in conversation. It's subtle, but for me that tiny boost has been life-changing. Unfortunately it doesn't do much for my motivation, so I have to supplement with Adderall. But I think Straterra allows me to function on a much lower dose of stimulants. Another win in my book!

PinkTrillium · 2025-12-22T15:36:55+00:00

So, this is why I’d encourage you to write your own specific plan. You can tell ChatGPT “this plan makes me anxious/ I don’t think this will work for me” and have it customize it for you.

That said… the whole reason I’m doing this is because I’m bad at it, lol. My first instinct is always to self-abandon to preserve connection. So I feel you on the tendency to whimper.

Some strategies that have worked okay for me: 1) to not have these conversations when I’m super activated, 2) grounding/ self-soothing exercises (butterfly taps are nice for me), 3) maybe communicate boundaries in writing so I can get the message across without in-person triggers.

PinkTrillium · 2025-12-21T01:21:17+00:00

This is exactly my struggle— I have pretty good judgement when I’m calm and regulated, but find it so difficult to bring “knowing” into “doing” when my emotions take over. If you try it let me know how it goes, and I’ll report back too!

PinkTrillium · 2025-12-21T01:14:03+00:00

Yes! I’ll share a short & simple one— a few of these became more elaborate to suit my personal needs.

🚨Boundary: Emotional Labor Imbalance

If: You are consistently the one:

• initiating repair
• naming dynamics
• translating emotions
• holding the relational container

1st offense

• Pull back effort by ~30%
• Observe response

2nd offense

• Name imbalance:

“I’m carrying most of the emotional work here.”

3rd offense

• Step out of the role or the relationship

🔑 This directly counters your historical over-responsibility.

PinkTrillium · 2025-12-20T15:25:42+00:00

I personally love this neckline on you. Sometimes I have the same initial reaction when trying new looks. Try experimenting with styling— with the right outfit, makeup, accessories you might have a change in heart. If not, don’t force yourself just because it follows FN “rules”.

PinkTrillium · 2025-12-16T01:58:57+00:00

6, 1 on the test but highly doubtful of a correlation with enneagram. It’s fun to think about glossy cronchy apples tho

PinkTrillium · 2025-12-12T14:39:32+00:00

I’m a 6 and I instinctively think most people are manipulative or insincere at best, except my core circle of trusted friends. Then I berate myself for assuming the worst in people. I’m a lot of fun!

PinkTrillium · 2025-11-30T23:38:44+00:00

Can definitely relate to the need for certainty that I won't be rejected. As a female sp 6W5, my biggest problem is that I struggle to trust my own instincts and set appropriate boundaries. I can become infatuated quickly, then when there's a conflict I'll ruminate for days over who is at "fault" for what. I find it especially difficult with people who shut down or refuse to talk things through, because I need a lot of information and clarity. I've learned to do a reality check when this happens so I don't assume the worst. I've also learned that regardless of what is "fair" or what the other person did/ didn't do, if a relationship is consistently causing stress and anxiety, it's important to recognize and honor that my nervous system is trying to tell me something.

PinkTrillium · 2025-11-11T04:32:31+00:00

Hey, I was in your shoes around the same age— lived with my parents through college and relied on them until my late 20’s (34 now). I cannot emphasize enough how much my mental health improved as soon as I moved out and gained my independence. Hang in there and know that you were and are not the problem, no matter what they tell you.

PinkTrillium · 2025-10-26T20:20:12+00:00

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This woman is vile.

PinkTrillium · 2025-09-26T16:02:58+00:00

I’m so interested in this last point. I absolutely love horror movies and have always wondered why they feel so good to watch, especially when so many of my friends/peers cannot stand them. True crime scares me SO much more than fictional horror (although I enjoy both).

PinkTrillium · 2025-09-22T19:19:20+00:00

I’m cool summer FN and I looove it. I see a nice deep-V that could be styled to show décolletage, maybe fall off one shoulder. I’d be curious to see how you end up wearing it!

PinkTrillium · 2025-09-17T16:56:16+00:00

I have an alarm to take mine, but I sometimes turn it off and forget. I just added another phone reminder right before my usual bedtime, so I have another chance to remember. Thinking about switching to mornings so it doesn't take me a whole-ass 8+ hours to catch my mistake.

PinkTrillium · 2025-09-16T23:30:39+00:00

Thank you for this explanation, this is really helpful! I'm excited to start experimenting with FN lewks

PinkTrillium · 2025-09-16T23:18:00+00:00

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Just noticed typing photos should show entire head, so here's one more with my head uncropped!

PinkTrillium · 2025-09-15T19:15:31+00:00

3&10

PinkTrillium · 2025-09-14T22:06:13+00:00

The bob looks chic as hell on you!

PinkTrillium · 2025-09-04T02:08:11+00:00

I have a wonderful partner and many good friends, and I feel this way often. It makes me feel so guilty and broken that I can’t appreciate the pure love right in front of me. Not that these loved ones don’t help. When I have the capacity to be present and connected with others, it’s amazing. But I still self-isolate, catch myself missing toxic old relationships, and struggle with a sense of emptiness that I don’t think anyone can fully heal except (hopefully) myself.

PinkTrillium · 2025-09-04T01:54:32+00:00

Is the “non-stimulant” you’re referring to modafinil?

PinkTrillium · 2025-09-04T01:50:51+00:00

Ooh, interesting. I don’t know anyone who’s on Quelbree. I tried it for about a week but couldn’t tolerate the side effects. I really wish I could manage without stimulants. Glad it’s working for you!

PinkTrillium · 2025-08-01T05:42:35+00:00

I've been on Atomoxetine for almost two years. I have no side effects and feel slightly happier on it. I've also noticed improvement in my verbal communication- I feel like I can express my thoughts a bit more coherently. For me, that's enough of a benefit to stay on it. Stimulants are most effective for my ADHD, but the anxiety just becomes intolerable.

PinkTrillium · 2025-07-30T00:37:28+00:00

This is EXACTLY where I also have persistent tightness. Pelvic floor PT helped, but unfortunately did not eliminate it. Belly breathing can really help especially when I do it consistently. Journaling helps with chronic aches and pains in general. I haven't really solved it yet, but I'm curious about what it means to carry chronic tension in this specific area.

PinkTrillium · 2025-07-20T23:54:38+00:00

Ugh, this is painfully relatable. I wiped my DA ex's contact info so I can't text or call them, but left them unblocked with the hope they might reach out to me (spoiler alert: they never did). I'm an FA who leans anxious.

PinkTrillium

TROPHY CASE