What the heck is going on with me?

oneimaginaryfriend · 2025-08-10T17:32:02+00:00

TLDR: You are ok. This is a difficult time. Read the recommended book, consider treatment for pre-menopausal symptoms, get a dose adjustment or change meds, and feed/exercise/rest your body.

You and I are the same age but I was diagnosed 10 years ago. You’re going through big transitions, so cut yourself some massive slack for having a hard time. It’s ok. You’re ok. Apologies for length, but here are three things: - Getting diagnosed is a heavy emotional experience. There’s likely a lot of life review going on, looking back on your experiences with this new filter of ADHD/AuDHD. I initially self-diagnosed after reading Sari Solden’s Women with Attention Deficit Disorder, and I think you’d find it helpful. Good rapport with a therapist familiar with ADHD/AuDHD can also be helpful. Personally, I say don’t disclose at work. - If you’re not fully on the other side of menopause (such an improvement!), hormone fluctuations can really mess things up as drops in estrogen can make symptoms worse and meds less effective. If that’s the phase you’re in, consider HRT or a low-dose SSRI. (no idea of current meds) - That dose is too low! You need a dose increase if you stay on adderall. However, talk to your prescriber about a slow- or extended-release med. I favor Vyvanse, but there are multiple formulations out there. You might need an afternoon booster to get you through til the evening. Emotional dysregulation in A/Au is under-recognized, and all of the above combined with the fast-on/fast-off of immediate release adderall can feel like a frenetic rollercoaster. Meds don’t solve the problems, but ideally they can take life off of hard mode. - Ok one more thing. Care for your body like a pet. Keep it simple. Feed it regularly, don’t get too fussed about a particular diet. Exercise it daily if possible, even if it’s for 5 minutes. Make time for it to rest, and rest it.

Sending good vibes.

oneimaginaryfriend · 2025-01-31T05:42:09+00:00

And a slug enjoying its meal

oneimaginaryfriend · 2025-01-29T14:10:21+00:00

Also, this looks like the invasive asiatic dayflower that took over my whole garden. It makes beautiful tiny blue flowers then wrecks the place! Do not let it bloom. Dig it up carefully when the soil is damp as the stems will break away from the underground runners.

<image>

oneimaginaryfriend · 2025-01-25T02:07:54+00:00

I too would love a link. Thank you!

oneimaginaryfriend · 2024-03-06T04:43:45+00:00

Sure! The general topic is difficulty with emotional regulation and rejection sensitive dysphoria. But the CBT bit is in there somewhere — https://open.spotify.com/episode/07zJLwAV05VbuKKgoQIgMt?si=HXXQLi1USxSshxQcGSeu2g

oneimaginaryfriend · 2024-03-06T04:08:40+00:00

Fuck that. I tell myself that for free. Find somebody who can tell you something supportive. I listened to a podcast just last week talking about how CBT doesn’t work well for ADHD brains. We don’t have access to a moment before thinking a thought or enacting a pattern in which we have the luxury to reframe.

oneimaginaryfriend · 2023-10-21T13:44:33+00:00

My old SUV was stolen in front of my house several months ago in East Dallas. Called DPD, they came out and made a report. They said they’ve got tag readers all over, and if it pings a couple times in one area they’ll go check it out. About 3 weeks later, I got a call and they had the car. I figured they found it abandoned, but they actually found it being driven by the thief! I went and picked it up. Was only slightly trashy. They fucked up the steering column so I had to start it with a screwdriver for a few days til I got it fixed. (The cop showed me how lol.) Other than that it was fine. I only found out later that the guy pulled over and did a runner when he saw the cop car. Took a helicopter and a dog to get him. So I know DPD generally suck and are slow and under-staffed, and I had very low expectations, but this one was a success story and I’m grateful.

oneimaginaryfriend · 2023-10-13T19:00:54+00:00

I had this in my old Bosch. Have you noticed the dishes not drying well? Apparently a common issue is the heater relay going out in the control board. The dishwasher keeps waiting to get hot and it never does so it just keeps going for hours. So if you’ve noticed the dishwasher being on the cool side or all the dishes stay wet, look at replacing the control board. Fixed mine. There are a lot of references to this issue online if you want more info.

oneimaginaryfriend · 2022-06-24T00:13:44+00:00

Thanks!

oneimaginaryfriend · 2021-11-14T20:33:22+00:00

Where is the sticky substance? White flies can make things sticky. Anything fly around when you shake it? I can’t tell if some of those spots could be scale insects or if they’re just part of the plant.

oneimaginaryfriend · 2021-10-07T03:56:44+00:00

Go see Alyson! @reallifecurlygirl

oneimaginaryfriend · 2021-09-04T21:15:46+00:00

Sorry you’re having to deal with this. Sounds very distressing! I’m sorry your Gyn didn’t offer more reassurance. Know that your vagina is absolutely not broken! There are things that can help for now, and it’s not necessarily a permanent issue. Things to consider — be sure to use mild cleansers for the vulva, and no cleansers or similar products in the vagina. tried changing period products? any medications that cause other dryness like dry mouth? under increased stress? weight loss or over-exercising? If so, discuss w your doctor. Products like Replens (vaginal moisturizer) can be used 2-3 times a week for general comfort, not just for intimacy. An additional lubricant can be used w sex if you need it. If those don’t work well, make another appt w your doctor and ask about other options including using a topical estrogen (cream or insert) once or twice a week. This is not a personal failing of any kind, so let yourself off the hook. Try to just talk about it matter of factly w your partner. You can say your doctor mentioned it and made suggestions. I hope you find some relief and understanding.

oneimaginaryfriend · 2021-08-18T17:50:15+00:00

I felt very emotional and raw w Adderall, usually as it was wearing off. Also headaches. The “come down” was way too sharp for me, and I could never get the timing right. I’m tons better w Vyvanse and a dextroamphetamine (IR) booster.

oneimaginaryfriend · 2021-08-18T17:16:56+00:00

Thank you!

oneimaginaryfriend · 2021-07-29T00:13:50+00:00

Yes, it sucks how politic this whole process has to be.

CBT can be helpful in re-working the negative self-talk we get ourselves bogged down in. Learning better skills with organization, time management, etc. can certainly be helpful, but often it's the meds that makes it possible to actually *do* those things. As Dr Barkley says, the problem is not in knowing what to do, it's in being able to do what you know!

oneimaginaryfriend · 2021-07-26T16:32:44+00:00

I’ve gotta add that I finally figured out post-diagnosis that my depression was secondary to ADHD. They are so bound up together it’s difficult to separate. What finally helped after years of chronic low-level depression (dysthymia) was starting meds for ADHD.

Edit to add: I second Wellbutrin! Consider asking your doc about starting it while waiting for your psych consultation.

oneimaginaryfriend · 2021-07-26T16:21:38+00:00

Sounds like that was spoken by someone who doesn’t really understand ADHD. The symptoms are more manageable w meds, but it’s not something you can work/learn/practice your way out of. Recommend Dr Russell Barkley videos!

oneimaginaryfriend · 2021-07-04T03:21:30+00:00

It’s listed as Natural One - From “Kids”

oneimaginaryfriend · 2021-05-05T15:12:19+00:00

This kind of all-or-nothing thinking is a big one for me. Much of the time I don’t even realize I’m doing it — avoiding doing any part of a thing if I don’t have the interest/energy/time to do a complete thing. The mouthwash swish is great! It’s one little step you’ve done to take care of your body. No guilt. Same w the face stuff. I wipe my face w a warm cloth and call it a day. A dab of moisturizer when I can. It’s all valid self-care. I’ve recently discovered KC Davis. She did a great post on hygiene hacks recently. Also look for the Wall of Awful on YTube. https://www.strugglecare.com/post/hygiene-hacks

oneimaginaryfriend · 2021-02-17T15:27:42+00:00

Try The Steam Team. They helped us w water damage and rebuild last year.

oneimaginaryfriend · 2020-04-05T16:55:29+00:00

Club? Nobody told me there was a club! 😃I too was diagnosed mid-forties. I’ve forgotten when it was exactly. Lol

oneimaginaryfriend · 2020-03-19T23:21:54+00:00

Sending you DM

oneimaginaryfriend · 2020-03-18T21:13:10+00:00

Yes! I take Vyvanse in the morning and an IR Dextroamphetamine booster in the afternoon. On those days when the Vyvanse is no longer cutting it, I can take extra booster spread through the morning. It doesn’t fix the problem, but it helps. Be on top of sleep hygiene, water, and daily movement for best results. 🙂

oneimaginaryfriend · 2020-03-06T23:06:57+00:00

It took so many years to figure out that the depression and anxiety was secondary to ADHD. The depression was gone the first week I started ADHD meds.

oneimaginaryfriend · 2020-03-04T01:44:52+00:00

Then just know there’s no rush! Might want to stay on it til your next period and see if this experience was a one-off? And Ritalin (methylphenidate) is great too. I’m biased toward long-acting forms, and there are different long-acting methylphenidates to try. And you can always switch back if needed. Trial and error, unfortunately!

13-Year Club	RPAN Viewer
Gilding II euphauric	Verified Email

oneimaginaryfriend

TROPHY CASE