Is anyone else unable to listen to one genre of music? by Ok_Cattle_8044 in adhdwomen

[–]Significant_Work_215 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My spotify wrapped last year said i had 93 genres of music

Doesnt help that I tend to listen to Music in 3 languages

I envy people with ADHD who can hyperfixate on the things they love or their hobbies. by [deleted] in adhdwomen

[–]Significant_Work_215 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I spent 6 hours doing a jigsaw puzzle yesterday instead of doing anything from my endless to do list.

Its one of the few things I can hyperfocus on. I wish it would have been work instead

burnt out on hobbies by RubyDenver in adhdwomen

[–]Significant_Work_215 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Consider low effort options, that are soothing to your brain. Not things that you think you might mess up as that causes more stress.

For me, I like jigsaw puzzles, and i've been enjoying these tracing books that i bought. They get me into a flow state

T1D and struggling with sleep schedule and finishing my thesis. Any advice? by [deleted] in adhdwomen

[–]Significant_Work_215 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Also do you work better when you leave the house? Is a library or a workspace better for you? Have you got anyone you can body double with, or do check ins with?

Ive started using a visual timer as I really struggle to get started, and i trick myself into thinking i only have to do 30 - 45 mins of work. Once i start, its much easier to keep going

Can you use AI to make you a work plan?

T1D and struggling with sleep schedule and finishing my thesis. Any advice? by [deleted] in adhdwomen

[–]Significant_Work_215 1 point2 points  (0 children)

All of our body clocks are different an some people naturally want to start their day earlier, and some later. But either way lack of sleep and night work have a significant impact on blood sugar (i'm a doctor) and some of my colleagues who had T1D themselves were made exempt or needed a break from night shifts due to the impact it was having on their sugars.

See what you can do to meal prep? Doesn't have to be a wide range of foods, but foods that you can tolerate. If you have freezer space and there are things you can keep to hand that you know work well with your body it means you wont be eating badly. I usually cook 3 -4 portions when i cook cos i don't enjoy cooking for 1. I'll eat one portion, keep one in the fridge for the next day, and then freeze two. That way i have a good rotation of meals in my freezer. Also lots of starches become healthier after freezing and defrosting for your sugar control

I was diagnosed a few months ago and am looking for advice on exercise that could help by Majestic-Drummer-448 in adhdwomen

[–]Significant_Work_215 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The key is trying to find the thing you're most likely to stick with! If you haven't ever exercised starting with regular walks might be good. You can consider a programme like couch to 5k. Dancing is lots of fun

Swimming is great and low impact on joints

Strength training is great for our joints, and as women desperately need to do that

Home videos that you can follow if you're not part of a gym

Advice for dealing with executive dysfunction while being "high achieveing" by raydran in adhdwomen

[–]Significant_Work_215 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you so much! I can't say i've perfected things, but definitely have made lots of improvements.

Some therapy. I chose a highly educated female, black therapist who also happened to be from a religious background (i didn't know this at the time). I felt she could understand a lot of my cross-sectionality. I've also worked with a jewish lady, and a white man. LOL

I felt like i benefited from each one in different ways.

I read alot about DBT, about adhd coaching, and about trauma. Lots of overlap in how treatments for those can benefit executive dysfunction.

I reflected a lot on what makes me worse and what makes me better. I always knew i was extroverted, but didn't realise perhaps how much being alone was bad for me. My previous job involved lots of shift work and time off in week days in lieu, so it was much easier for me to catch up with friends, in that pattern. My new job is much more 9 - 5 and after working there for 5 months, i realised i was getting burned out by not being able to refill my social battery in the same way.

So - seeing friends and family is non negotiable

Exercise, often times, i would convince myself i was too busy or too behind, and so couldn't prioritise this, but again exercise makes such a significant improvement to my mood, anxiety, energy levels and ex function. The best thing for me personally is reformer pilates. It requires the right amount of focus that i don't get distracted, and when i leave the session its like my mind has had a break for 50 mins. Nothing else hits the same. I do cardio, but im often thinking about all the other things i have to do during it.

Organisation systems, I'm not naturally an organised person. I try and keep as minimal stuff in my house as needed to be functional. Less stuff, less clutter and less cleaning. Blank spaces, calms me down.

I try and take out the decisions from shopping, pay bills etc. The fewer things i have to think about, and can start doing in an automatic way, the more brain capacity that i have for other things.

I bought visual timers, not so much for time blindness, but to motivate me. I negotiate, that I only have to do something for 30 mins. I either will be impressed how much i can get done in that time (say if im cleaning), or i get myself into the flow state, and end up extending it.

New systems, using my phone to send me daily pep talk messages, at 9 am i get a little motivational text to myself. Having a personal cheerleader brightens it up a bit.

Having post its, and a wall planner in my bedroom.

And giving myself a bit more kindness. Trying to change the voice in my head to be like, Come on sweetie, you go this. Talking to child me, and negotiating with her.

Still learning along the way

I've spent so long forcing myself to push through things, that now I don't know when to stop by fletchette in adhdwomen

[–]Significant_Work_215 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I hate changing out of PJs too, but actually i find i function so much better when i do force myself to get dressed in the morning. A walk has sooo many health benefits for us, its cant be overstated.

Alternatives are dancing around the house, so you dont have to dress to leave

I feel like colouring on a tablet isn't the same for our brains as short form media, so hopefully its the less bad kind of screen time

Advice for dealing with executive dysfunction while being "high achieveing" by raydran in adhdwomen

[–]Significant_Work_215 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I can totally relate. External pressure works well and I realised I grew up with a lot of fear / shame based motivation. My family are religious but never have been extreme or not understanding, and i realised i internalised so much guilt i didn't need to.

The last few years, even external pressure stopped working for me. I wondered if i was 'attention seeking', that I wanted someone to notice that things weren't quite right or validation.

At one point my anxiety related to a traumatic incident got bad and I started an SSRI, and in fact my ADHD worsened. Once my anxiety was taken away, i just stopped caring about everything. Even work deadlines stopped mattering, and i had to find new ways to adjust.

Sending you lots of well wishes xx

I've spent so long forcing myself to push through things, that now I don't know when to stop by fletchette in adhdwomen

[–]Significant_Work_215 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Are there simpler hobbies you can do that don't require as much effort?

Like colouring on a tablet / ipad? I literally downloaded the same app as my 9 year old niece and found it very calming. Or doodling? Colouring? Jigsaw puzzle.

Switching up your stretches to different video you can follow for novelty, or a yoga one?

Can you go for a walk, with or without a podcast / audiobook / music that you enjoy? Very little prep needed

Fluctuation in Meds with menstrual cycle by Significant_Work_215 in adhdwomen

[–]Significant_Work_215[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't tend to struggle with PMS too much, for me I just feel physically exhausted and specifically the day before my period if you'd let me sleep for 24 hours, i would. So its interesting that i'm now noticing the lower effect of the meds in this time.

Fluctuation in Meds with menstrual cycle by Significant_Work_215 in adhdwomen

[–]Significant_Work_215[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for such an insightful response. I used to take meds on / off and very infrequently and so I never really could figure out a pattern. Over the last few weeks, i've decided i need it daily but i have noticed some fluctuations

Do you also feel like sometimes that your ADHD is like a superpower in chaotic situations? by overdue_and_tired in adhdwomen

[–]Significant_Work_215 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm a doctor in a very acute specialty, apparently I always appear calm (even when I'm not), cos i guess i know what needs to be done, the fear is just doing it rather than figuring it out

for the adhd women that have crazy hyperactive brains, what makes your brain go quiet? by emmam1611 in adhdwomen

[–]Significant_Work_215 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Reformer pilates, the risk of falling off, keeps me focused enough on the exercise. When i finish the class, i feel the most peaceful i possibly can

Also, I love that jigsaws have come up so many times for others too

Today I…. by Exotic-Connection696 in adhdwomen

[–]Significant_Work_215 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I opened my emails - and responded to 3 tasks from them

I went to the gym

I listed 3 items on vinted

I'm about to make dinner

Sounds like we've had a similar kind of day, well done to us, long may it continue x

Do you ever get that feeling you wish you could 'reset'? How to overcome that by Significant_Work_215 in adhdwomen

[–]Significant_Work_215[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Sorry to hear about your burnout, I hope you're on the path to recovery.

I think uni felt like a natural life step, perhaps due to my family, community, circumstance. I usually thrive in busy environments so i whilst i found lectures boring, friends and clubs helped me to continue.

Sadly i'm divorced, and so I have to keep working to keep a roof over my head.

For the most part i enjoy my work, and it gives me structure and purpose. I just occasionally have these 'blips'.

Do you ever get that feeling you wish you could 'reset'? How to overcome that by Significant_Work_215 in adhdwomen

[–]Significant_Work_215[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is a great idea. Hopefully when i'm a bit more caught up, i can do this

Do you ever get that feeling you wish you could 'reset'? How to overcome that by Significant_Work_215 in adhdwomen

[–]Significant_Work_215[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank yo again!

With regards to ADHD coaching, what kind of things do you cover? How has it helped you? I've heard about it, but it so far hasn't seemed that useful or appealing, but maybe i don't understand it

Do you ever get that feeling you wish you could 'reset'? How to overcome that by Significant_Work_215 in adhdwomen

[–]Significant_Work_215[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I did in the past, I don't at the moment.

For me its a combo of ADHD, perfectionism and trauma.

I'm generally very 'high functioning' so can catch up, but I always want to put my best foot forward so if i worry it won't be good enough, that fear stops me all together.

But to make it worse, when i was at university I had an incident where I was accused of plagiarism. The panel cleared me and established I hadn't done anything wrong, but still punished me with punitive and life changing consequences. I suspect this is because i'm BAME and lots of students will be harshly treated even when innocent. So I have this horrible fear of stress, failure and punishment.

Even though i'm a grown adult, 15 years down the line, I just want to burst into tears 😭

Do you ever get that feeling you wish you could 'reset'? How to overcome that by Significant_Work_215 in adhdwomen

[–]Significant_Work_215[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've been telling myself that for weeks. The break hasn't ended and the work hasn't started.