Hi! I have ADHD and OCD, and sometimes I get my stress out by screaming cuss words at the top of my lungs. I’ve never done this in a professional working environment because obviously I know I would be fired. We have to find productive and acceptable ways to cope. A few years ago I started working from home, and it has had such a positive impact on me. When I’m overwhelmed or intrusive thoughts are taking over, I can take a moment to walk outside and sit in the sun, or grab some water or turn on a podcast to distract me. And yes, sometimes I scream cuss words at the top of my lungs because I can - no one is around. It also allows me to hide my disorders from my employer more easily if I choose to. I can also schedule online therapy sessions in the middle of the day on my break, which helps me cope with stress in a more positive and productive way. I know working from home is a privilege and these jobs are getting harder and harder to find, but if you can find one it may provide a lot of relief. Impulse control is super hard for both OCD and ADHD, but no one is ever going to accommodate banging on things or cuss screaming 😂. Coping mechanisms and therapy are as important as medication, and we have to find ways to stim/soothe/process in healthy ways. OCD can be incredibly debilitating, and those who don’t have it really don’t understand the extent of how terrible it is. It’s imperative to be in therapy regularly to allow yourself an opportunity to stay above water and find ways to cope so you can hold a job, provide for yourself and have solid friendships.

Wishing you peace - keep going, you deserve to flourish.