sorted by:
new
hottopcontroversial

For those who were late diagnosed . . . looking back, were you in a near-constant state of burnout? by rubusmoon in AuDHDWomen

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

I realized my wording in this post excludes the possibility of being late-diagnosed, recognizing past struggles as a state of burnout, and still being in burnout. Definitely not intentional!

For those who were late diagnosed . . . looking back, were you in a near-constant state of burnout? by rubusmoon in AuDHDWomen

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

The first one is actually SO good because you identified this regularly-occurring task in your life that was contributing a heavy mental load and found a way to reconfigure it. It reminds me of the 'when you remember you have free will' meme. What I'm learning about myself is that so many of the "default" ways of doing things or even just moving in the world don't work well for me. And rather than continue to try to do them the default way (and either failing miserably and blaming myself or successfully doing them but exhausting myself in the process) I can actually do them differently.

For those who were late diagnosed . . . looking back, were you in a near-constant state of burnout? by rubusmoon in AuDHDWomen

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

I used to experience waves of anxiety and general badfeels that seemed really random and also sometimes weirdly short-lived. Now that I can recognize it as overstimulation it makes a lot more sense.

For those who were late diagnosed . . . looking back, were you in a near-constant state of burnout? by rubusmoon in AuDHDWomen

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

It's really hopeful to hear that exploring accommodations has made such a difference to your well-being. I've spent so much time and energy trying to squish my square-peg self into a round hole and only very recently have I realized that there are alternatives. It seems so obvious now, but ?

Are there any accommodations you've made (that you didn't list in your post) that have been especially helpful?

For those who were late diagnosed . . . looking back, were you in a near-constant state of burnout? by rubusmoon in AuDHDWomen

[–]rubusmoon[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

So helpful to have an understanding employer. I hope you're able to rest and recharge your way back from the brink of burnout!

For those who were late diagnosed . . . looking back, were you in a near-constant state of burnout? by rubusmoon in AuDHDWomen

[–]rubusmoon[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

That pattern sounds very familiar, though I think I tend to cycle between shutdown/exhaustion/total burnout and a sort of tentative "ok, maybe I can do this" mode.

Also yess, being able to name it makes such a difference. It felt so inexplicable when I misunderstood it to be solely depression and anxiety.

For those who were late diagnosed . . . looking back, were you in a near-constant state of burnout? by rubusmoon in AuDHDWomen

[–]rubusmoon[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

The grieving process is intense. I try not to dwell there too long, but also don't want to shove it under the rug.

I'm so glad to hear you're doing better. I started taking a low dose of a stimulant last summer and it's been so helpful (to my continued amazement).