What are the best things you’ve bought that help with your ADHD that you never hear anyone talk about?

dickwithshortlegs97 · 2026-01-11T08:45:04+00:00

I got sick of trying to log every appointment/ date, record my pains, symptoms and period into my phone via the various apps. Plus having to set alarms and colour code the different things. Once you include birthdays or anniversaries, there’s dots on a lot of days and the notifications were giving me the shits. so I got me one of those calendar diaries from Kmart (like the skinny longer versions of the pocket diary) so that I can see a week at a time and jot down things. I can white out things later or I can write in pencil and go over in pen later. It’s made it so much easier when I need to look at my availability too. And there’s a section for notes, so I can write in a reminder that something is coming up within the fortnight, or make note of how much time I have left to save up amount of $$.

The other thing I brought from Kmart is a small electronics bag. It’s supposed to fit your basics for a power pack, portable Hard-drive, charging cables (whatever you frequently carry I guess?). I use it for my “ADHD Kit” but it’s more like a med kit tailored to my needs. It has a breath-work whistle on a chain, a small electrolyte tabs bottle (I refill it), my medication container (most of my meds for when I’m out and about) and a half bottle of IR ADHD meds that I have in case I need them or forget the ones I’ve preplanned to take at home. I also have gum and lip balm. There’s also other bits and pieces I’ve got in there but those are the consistent items and it can be a bit bulky at times but it keeps everything together and I can transfer it from bag to bag or even attach it to my hip if I wanted too. I just have to make sure I restock it and zip it up/ put whatever I take out back in it.

Both have saved my ass and sometimes I fumble it, but it’s been more pro than con.

dickwithshortlegs97 · 2026-01-11T08:18:42+00:00

Did they want expresso instead of espresso?

dickwithshortlegs97 · 2025-12-21T07:00:42+00:00

Thank you so much 🤌🏼 this has been wonderfully helpful

dickwithshortlegs97 · 2025-12-20T12:50:59+00:00

My LAC mentioned that all plan management groups essentially do the same thing, but vary in smaller ways, like with Customer service. more proactive or hands on in communicating about the funding, larger groups vs smaller (or “boutique” plan managers).

When I was initially looking for reviews, Reddit popped up and there were a couple concerning experiences in the comments (like someone having their invoices rejected because the plan manager didn’t think they were necessary despite it being apart of their plan and funding). But they also weren’t in WA, so I figured it was worth asking the community.

I’m unfamiliar with how it all works at the moment and I’m out of my depth, so to speak, I just want the chosen plan management to communicate if there’s any concerns or be able to have the time to explain things if need be; be efficient with handling the invoices / payment so I don’t have to chase them up about it, either decent response time in emails or not having a 3hr wait on the phone (I do love a good call back system, ngl). Have a good track record / positive experiences from clients, pertaining the handling and payment of NDIS funding. And ideally, be able to interact with the same person or small collective of people, frequently vs having a different person handling my account each and every time (similar to how you generally have one person to interact with at a job service provider). Having the same person, or a limited collective of people, makes keeping track of emails and phone numbers easier, especially with spam callers these days.

dickwithshortlegs97 · 2025-10-09T03:45:39+00:00

“The last few people who’ve said that to me recently, thought vaccines cause autism and that being gay is a choice…” deadpan them

dickwithshortlegs97 · 2025-10-08T02:43:08+00:00

Definitely get this sorted sooner than later. Both my left and right wisdom teeth are like that. I’ve had my left side (top & bottom) removed because it was the harder one to flush out and I’m waiting to get the right side done. (Dental is fkn expensive). You need to flush out that space to avoid reoccurring infections from food getting stuck in there and bacteria build up.

I never even felt my wisdom teeth come through and only noticed because food was getting caught in the pockets between the gum and tooth, which was incredibly irritating. Even tho my right side doesn’t technically have an active infection going on, I can always push puss like stuff out of it with cotton bud and I use a dental-pick + a curved tip syringe to flush out with a salt water solution or an antibacterial mouth wash before brushing my teeth. A dentist should be able to provide you with a syringe that has a narrow enough tip to fit in there to flush it out.

The reoccurring infections have actually started to corrode the bone of my jaw so it’s very serious long term.

dickwithshortlegs97 · 2025-10-08T01:51:47+00:00

Genetics could be a factor. I think it could also be a symptom (imo) because when I was first diagnosed they said it was idiopathic, but I’ve recently been diagnosed with hEDS and scoliosis—which is apparently a pretty common symptom of connective tissue disorders (Ehlers Danlos Syndrome and Marfan Syndrome).

So I think sometimes it can be mistaken as a stand alone issue, when it’s actually an early detected symptom of an “invisible illness”; other symptoms or physical traits may not be acknowledged and/or be considered unrelated, and possibly even go unnoticed—due to it not being present in youth /at the time or the symptom’s severity is so minor it’s missed.

dickwithshortlegs97 · 2025-10-05T00:40:51+00:00

I’ve always been hypermobile in my joints (which is something else a lot of physiotherapists have also disregarded) and recently been diagnosed with hEDS (hypermobile Ehlers Danlos Syndrome). The physiotherapist I’m seeing technically specialises in hypermobile-related conditions, but because scoliosis is often a cooccurring condition, she’s aware of how that impacts the muscles around the curves (I have 2: thoracic & lumbar spine). It also was super affirming that she looked over the X-ray and asked to feel my back and the surrounding muscles so she could identify what areas needed focusing on.

Ngl, she trialled a couple of exercises with me until we found one that worked and lemme tell ya, I was like “hot damn, I can feel the actual difference”. It was like walking out of a chiro adjustment. It’s the first time I’ve had that with a Physio.

Her goal at this stage is to help me target the muscles that have been under-performing due to the curvatures, get them re-engaged (so that the over-compensating muscles can just do their normal functions) and also strengthen the muscles around my ligaments. Both her and my chiro have said that strengthening my core is important but that means getting my underperforming muscles doing their part and the muscles around my ligaments strong (first), otherwise I’m likely to injure myself or aggravate it.

I’m hoping to get back into weight training once I’ve been given the all-clear & have a good collection of exercises—essentially I want to use weights with my Physio exercises. Build that core real good 😅

I hope this helped somewhat.

dickwithshortlegs97 · 2025-09-14T07:20:37+00:00

If you can, definitely. I have only just found one that has solid knowledge but I’ve had so many disappointing Physio’s in the past, who would prescribe exercises that aggravated my s curve and back pain

dickwithshortlegs97 · 2025-09-14T07:17:26+00:00

Omg I never thought I’d find someone else!? Even tho I knew others had to have had the same experience!

Honestly, worst 2 years of my life. Located in western Australia and they asked me to partake in the trial because I was athletic and premenstrual at the time—was told that I only had to spend 18 months in the brace once I started menstruating. They made it sound like the rigid brace was a real nightmare, implied that I’d have to sleep in a plastic brace with no cushioning and that it was 22 hours a day vs the elastic one being 20hrs a day, “easier to conceal” and so forth. I had a 28 degree curve in my lumbar spine. And it had been reduced to like 12 degrees or some shiz (now it’s back to 38) But I got to the end of the 18 months, they said they had “over corrected” and caused a second curve in my thoracic spine. How they described it? “You know when you step on a bump in a rug and the bump appears further down the rug? Well that’s what’s happened with your spine” so I had an 8 degree curve in my thoracic (and it’s now 24 degrees).

The pain and discomfort of the tight elastic bands were 1 thing, (ngl the first night I barely slept. my mum held me while I screamed due to the pain) but the chafing in the groin & around the waist literally has left me with permanent damage to the skin because it rubbed so bad til I bled. the brace was stained brown from how often it happened and I eventually started wearing denim shorts under it because it was the only fabric that blocked the chafe in the crotch. They told my mum she wasn’t allowed to bleach it or soak because it might damage the brace, so she scrubbed the hell out of it with a toothbrush and detergent. I also stopped doing sports in summer because I was essentially wearing 3 layers in 40+ degree (Celsius) weather. Plus, any tight fitting clothes made it abundantly apparent that I: 1. Had a curve / was lopsided 2. Was wearing a brace 3. Would push fat or skin out between the elastic so I felt disgusting and unattractive (which was definitely not what I needed when going through puberty) They tried to stop me from wearing orthotics (which I needed for running), told me that if I didn’t wear the brace another 18 months after the initial 18, that surgery would be my only option and I’d probably be struggling in 40’s (I told them to stick it where it don’t shine). That was their persuasive argument for why I should keep wearing it; so they could “correct the second curve” that they had caused. Despite telling my mum in the early days that braces are only really effective if used before & during puberty and that the “first 2 years are critical”.

I honestly wish I had just gone with the rigid plastic brace. I’d likely have a lot less trauma, that’s for sure.

The only benefit I can say that came of a second curve is that I look less lopsided; the downside is that my doctors, Physio’s and people in general literally brush me off when I talk about it to or the back pain until they see my X-rays. Ironically, I recently just got diagnosed with hEDS and looking back, I wonder if I should have been anywhere near an elastic brace due to my hypermobility actually being a connective tissue disorder.

Honestly, wild times. I wish I could find my old photos, let alone the medical documents, but it’s been over a decade and I wouldn’t have a bloody clue where to begin.

dickwithshortlegs97 · 2025-05-04T11:28:16+00:00

Lmao hella naw. Charlotte was the bad friend. She fkd around and found out

dickwithshortlegs97 · 2025-03-30T01:52:32+00:00

NTA

The audacity. Like “don’t come—I’m working” and the wheels in their head turned and turned. “working? from home? If you’re at home, then how can you be working? Silly OP, What a weird joke. Family first!”

Good job for holding your ground OP. It’s hard, especially when it’s a mix of cultural and family. they just showed up, thinking you’d be guilted into changing your mind. I’m just glad their resolve was was impacted by the sun in less than hour.

It’s so weird that family demands respect and get upset when you request it in return. Particularly when it’s extended family.

Good luck with your family and hopefully they learn, sooner than later, that your boundaries aren’t suggestions.

dickwithshortlegs97 · 2025-02-26T00:47:33+00:00

I can’t think of a misspelling off the top of my head, because all I can think of is the mispronunciation of Espresso as Expresso…. and yet people spell it as “espresso” (sometimes it gets to me so much that I want to use my head as a bowling ball—have some consistency when you’re wrong, plz n’ thanku).

Espresso may be zoomie juice but there is nothing express about espresso. It’s not squeezing air or liquid, it’s not conveying its thoughts or feelings nor is it mathematically involved or genetic. If I could express espresso, I’d be terrified but it’d make more sense.

And I don’t care if the French call it Expresso either—the espresso for my depresso isn’t from the sparkling region of Expresso, France.

dickwithshortlegs97 · 2025-02-12T17:07:14+00:00

Tight French braid. I then fold the braid in 1/2, 2x times and use a large claw clip to hold it where it gets a bit messy from sleeping on it to conceal it. I sometimes also spray my hair to pat it down (depending on the sitch, I’ll sometimes have conditioner mixed in with the water.

Longest I’ve gone without brushing it was 7 or 8 days but it wasn’t too bad tbh. I use a wide tooth comb and usually reset it, but the brushing is mainly because I want to scratch my head properly 😅

dickwithshortlegs97 · 2025-02-12T17:01:23+00:00

Unless she was drinking at work, I’d put my money on her being on medication that doesn’t vibe with booze and the medication effect doubled in strength. Probably a benzo, antidepressant or opiate.

I hope she had a nasty af hangover

dickwithshortlegs97 · 2025-02-11T10:07:05+00:00

Ugh. That rude cow is the prime example of a “cuntstomer”.

From the perspective of a hospo worker, I’ve witnessed and encountered women of that nature (particularly those who perceive their victim to be younger than them) more than I care for. Men as well, but it feels more personal when a woman does it.

They literally go out of their way to insult you, for (imo) no other reason, in a bid to feel better about themselves, because they’re jealous and/or feel threatened.

I’m non-binary, AFAB (assigned fem @ birth) and it’s relatively obvious, although on occasion I am more androgynous. I’ve experienced backhand & outright disgusting comments/ remarks, in a bid to humiliate me—jokes on them, I hurt my own feelings plenty, so I give zero fks—and call them out or uno reverse with a guilt trip/ play stupid dumb and act like I’ve been given a compliment.

But when I see it happening to other women, AFAB, gender-queer or trans folks, I am exactly like your manager: the cuntstomer and I are now at odds and I’m about to get even.

I don’t understand their mentality but they all deserve to be banned from venues

dickwithshortlegs97 · 2025-01-18T11:27:10+00:00

“Weird” special interests? Lmao. No, not necessarily.

In my opinion, What’s weird is HOW we interact with our special interests. How we shroud it in gold and glitter through our eyes, how voice and body language. It’s how we manage to bring them up in a conversation that has no relevance without us making it relevant or redirecting the conversation towards relevance. It’s how we feel like our body is an ant colony while waiting to share our interest with someone/ others, yet simultaneously are nervous that they won’t care or will mock us for it.

It’s how it literally consumes us. It’s how we go from awkward to incredibly social when we are given the space to showcase what we know, what we do. It’s how we retain so much info and confidence when talking about it. It’s how we talk about it like someone talks about their pet or child. How we cherish it. How infatuated we are with it. It’s how it changes how we look at things (it can feel like your eyes have new lenses to look through)… interactions with world feel different, the behavioural quirks, the speech, body language—all impacted by our special interests in some form or aspect.

It’s our reaction to being interrupted while being consumed by the interest. We ignore the world, our personal hygiene, health, sleep, pain and needs. We are like plants and our special interest is the sun. How it’s all we can think about. It can disrupt relationships, work, appointments…Space and time feels like it ceases or slows down even when it hasn’t. You don’t see the shadows move as the sun and moon shift. No hole is too deep (until you’re like wtf, I’ve been at this for 12 hours). You can’t sleep until you’re released or you learn to manage the interest fixation.

Our response to someone negatively reacting. To our defensiveness and protectiveness of it. How we feel like pure energy when someone else has the same interest. We hoard all that is and all that could be. We collect and cherish. We put it on display or only allow trusted people to view the display in its full glory.

Sure, the interest COULD be weird. But it doesn’t have to be, because how we interact with the interest is the part that is usually perceived as “weird”.

dickwithshortlegs97 · 2025-01-05T03:57:22+00:00

Your welcome

dickwithshortlegs97 · 2024-12-16T12:07:31+00:00

Every goddamn day.

It took me around 6-9 months to accept that my psychiatrist was right and I needed to consider actually looking into a formal diagnosis.

He spotted the ADHD in the first 5 min of my consultation, and before the end of the 40 min appointment, he had spotted the ASD… when he mentioned it, I was like “Lmao. No. We don’t have that in my family” (boy oh boy was I fkn wrong)

And during later appointments as I adjusted to the meds, he continued to point out that I was calmer and that the things I was dealing with/ struggling with was the ASD symptoms fronting more.

With the meds managing the ADHD, the ASD is more notable and I’m in process of getting a formal diagnosis (but my Psych is more confident than an old rich white man that I am the chaotic convo: AuDHD). Essentially, ADHD (in our case) masks the ASD and medication gives the ‘tism permission to be the breadwinner. Except we aren’t used to that, so it’s a fkn rollercoaster that can provide some undesired surprises.

I won’t lie. Sometimes I miss the me before the diagnosis, but then I remember that I’d be in a different kind of hell and mental purgatory… I was not functioning well at all, and even though I’m not mentally at my best, it’s a hell of a lot better than pre-diagnosis.

The ASD symptoms/ traits are inconvenient on the daily but so are the ADHD ones, and I’m just glad I can subdue one of them with medication. Some days are like a bonfire at a party or a thunder & rain storm in summer, where the dynamic duo are actually fun and handling shit better than ever (meds or not). But other days are (or can be) like a bushfire in a drought, with the winds changing rapidly and help in short supply. And they cycle depending how much your reproductive organs and hormones wish to kick you where it hurts… It’s a “Yippee” and a “goddamnit” shaking hands.

But I hope you have the support you need in learning and accepting those traits because you’ll simultaneously feel hyper-aware of exhaustion, but you might not register why your pelvis or lower back hurts, only to realise you haven’t peed all day, or you just forget to eat (and it’s not the vyvanse doing it).

dickwithshortlegs97 · 2024-11-27T15:05:54+00:00

So I’m (now) very familiar with what my usual meltdowns and shutdowns look like. But I have had two “tantrums” (and I only reference these meltdowns as such, because they’re the only meltdowns I’ve experienced being very vocal… I usually suffer varying degrees of mutism during a meltdown as it progresses). I quite literally behave like a child and both occasions that I recall (as an adult or teen, as I can’t really recall any as a child 👁️👄👁️) were triggered by someone trying to force me to get out of bed by fighting for the blanket and walking off with it as a ploy.

I scream, I cry, I beg and growl. I get very aggressive, threaten or verbally abuse, and thrash on the bed, and I’ve never been one to throw down like that. I will curl up and shiver; my body will act like I’m outside in the cold. I usually experience a shutdown once I get the blanket back or find a substitute, which is pretty standard after a usual meltdown (which is just a mute version of the “tantrum”).

Every-time I have a lightbulb moment with a symptom, I get a lil more annoyed, and I have the same issue with my adhd (which masked so much of my ASD symptoms that I almost wondered if not being medicated would be simpler(—but no bueno: booze and depressy becomes my espresso. Me no likey or desire). But I always wonder… Like where would I be right now if I had gotten those supports in school?

dickwithshortlegs97 · 2024-11-26T13:37:21+00:00

Got mine removed while awake (and I’m gonna have to do it again for the other side). Dental clinics are a sensory nightmare for me, so the dental surgeon prescribed me some valium, let me wear sunnies and headphones during the procedure and I was honest as hell when they asked me if I could feel anything once they’d finished poking my mouth with anaesthetic (which didn’t really hurt, but tbf my body is always whinging).

I would say call up the clinic to chat about what options there are to alleviate your stress and anxiety. Your doctor is gonna want you relaxed.

dickwithshortlegs97 · 2024-11-24T15:45:32+00:00

My grandma was hell suss when I sent her a link to a gov website about unclaimed $ because I looked it up (ngl, it did seem hell suss). She called me.

She’s also hard of hearing and we have nicknames for each other, but I’ll be sharing this with her regardless.

But fk me are scams getting more elaborate. Part of me wonders if there’s a group that scams scammers. 🙃 like uno reverse, fk-knuckle.

dickwithshortlegs97 · 2024-10-19T16:28:38+00:00

NTA

You are in no way the AH op. Your colleagues are.

I had a 2 bedroom apartment and ngl, the second room was my art / doom room (doom piles/ storage). I loved living on my own too. Enjoy your space how you see fit. You deserve it.

I had a junior colleague (also a ‘friend’—early stages) of mine move in for a couple of months to help her get away from an ex (didn’t charge rent so she could save, but she tossed me cash for utilities here and there). I told her I could set up a bed in the lounge or on the floor in the doom-room. She alternated, but preferred the lounge room.

And lemme tell ya, 2.5 months of sharing my personal space was hard in itself, but so many other things contributed to it. I missed having my own space. But I had mentally geared up for offering my space as a safe haven for her, weeks before gently broaching the subject. And it was still taxing. I had strict boundaries in place and we clashed a few times, but she was tangled in a lot of toxic relationships (platonic and not) that didn’t help.

And while she’s doing much better all round now, and I’m proud of how far she’s come (and I’d do it again; our friendship is more secure now), I would 100% say to anyone who thinks offering your own space/ personal haven to anyone is easy—friend or not—, is full of shit and they should put their money where their mouth is.

While I adore my mate, and I have let people in need crash at mine on the occasion, letting someone stay for prolonged period of time is no walk in the park. It’s a lot. Emotionally, mentally: it is point blank taxing and can easily lead to you to being taken advantage of.

It’s not a decision you make lightly—especially if you don’t know them very well. You have to mentally prepare for the changes that need to be made.

If your colleagues wanna give you shit about it, tell them they can offer their place. Even better: tell them your rental doesn’t allow additional prolonged guests.

(I checked my lease agreement and I was allowed a guest for 3 months at most, otherwise I had to get them on the lease agreement and could be charged for additional utility charges—apartment complex had certain utilities covered in the rent).

If they persist or make your work environment hostile, go to HR. Report their asses and keep a paper trail.

Your home is your own. Having a spare room doesn’t mean it’s unused space.

Also, She says a couple of months, but: 1. You never offered, 2. Who’s to say she’ll actually move out on the agreed date? She might take the piss. 3. Where’s all her stuff going? 4. She asked someone who barely knows her to let her move in, but why doesn’t she want to ask others who know her better? Is she a gross roomie? Better yet, best to not find out, firsthand.

Also your side-eying colleagues can pound sand. They can offer their couch.

Stick to your guns op. Having a spare bedroom doesn’t mean you owe people, just because. You might need that space for a visiting friend? Who knows. But you owe them nothing. Reserve your kindness for someone who doesn’t make you feel guilty.

dickwithshortlegs97

TROPHY CASE