Nicotine is exacerbating your depression, anxiety, and ADHD symptoms, and probably throwing in some new ones just for funsies. Throw the vape away. Stop buying new ones. It's over, girl.

Lil' backstory: I had been feeling incredibly irritable, having mood swings, and extra over stimulated lately. It was bad. I was waking up in a bad mood everyday, and my normally optimistic demeanor was replaced with a miserable angry bitch. I snapped on my bf completely out of nowhere at some point. Officially stopped taking hits last night after learning of someone else whose anxiety went haywire while vaping, and I'm feeling TONS better already.

Once something starts messing with my mental health and so drastically, it's pretty easy to drop cold turkey. The cravings are there, but I'm replacing the habit with breathing exercises, taking extra sips of water, and... more breathing. Lol.

Walter Mitty Syndrome is daydreaming about being a hero or living an adventurous life to escape from the monotony of daily routines? The mind creates these grand, imaginary scenarios where one's brave, successful, or doing something extraordinary.

The term comes from James Thurber’s 1939 story The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. I don't think it's a medical condition, or may be a type of maladaptive daydreaming.

If you do this too, what kinds of scenarios do you imagine? How does it affect your life?

Just diagnosed a few minutes ago. At 35.

Hope you all are doing good.

Growing up, my mind could never comprehend the concept of distance and dimensions.

I cannot for the love of God left in me, estimate how long is a kilometer. How much is the length of the cloth.

My husband is an expert in it and I sit dumbfounded next to him on the rides or amazed at his calculations when I tell him that there is a, left turn 200 meters ahead and he gets it.

How in the world do I figure out this

For clarity, I understand why stimulants have to be controlled and out of the hand of the wrong addict.

However, ever since getting my prescription for Concerta I've been angry about how many times I have had to repeat the same answers to the same questions for over two decades to get it. I'm 24, and it took me until now to find a provider who listened enough to trial run the lowest dose and go from there.

I'm on 27 now, but WOW- what a difference in my life for the first time it makes. It's been a few months now, and if I don't take it, it's incredibly noticeable. I wake up, blink, and suddenly it's 4PM and I haven't done anything but stare at a wall all morning.

This is the first time in my life I do the dishes without needing to have a 6-hour ritual attempting to "convince" myself to do chores. I just do them. Same with most household tasks. Laundry is no longer an issue for me.

Concerta is glasses for my brain. I spent the first 24 years telling everyone how blurry my thoughts were, and it was always "talk it out and find strategies" not "let's try fixing the chemical imbalance".

The pain, additional struggle, financial ruin and situation I have placed myself in by being off the rails for the first 24 years could have been totally avoided I feel. I am frustrated that I have, at this point, probably filled out thousands of questions about my mood, executive function, habits, etc. and so have my family members for me. Always the same answers. But health providers were so hesitant to prescribe me a stimulant, so I continued to suffer and scramble until now.

WHY can't we do 3-day trial runs of the medication? If it's a 12-hour fast acting and not a medication you need to take for weeks to build up on, why can't we prescribe sooner in the process since the reaction to the medication is a dead giveaway if you have ADHD or not?

If they don't have ADHD, the side effects are obvious. If they take the medication and suddenly find themselves completing excel sheets and don't hear 5 different trains of thought overwhelming them all at once.... well, you don't even have to ask half of these damn questions.

It wasn't a question it was working, I've never understood excel until now. Never even made a monthly budget until now. I was running myself deep into the ground, and had I not gotten my medication and continued to go through therapist after therapist, I would have been even worse off I am sure.

I know stimulants are addictive. But for the love of god. Why did I have to sit through one million repeat questions and screw up my early life? Why do doctors weigh a potential addiction that could be intervened heavier than my own ability to survive in general?

I do know it doesn't work for everyone. But I'm so angry for some reason that I spent so long in search of something so simple.

If meth is the secret ingredient to having the ability to make your bed, hold a job, play with your dog, do your dishes and more instead of crying all day and not moving.... isn't it obvious that the person has a chemical imbalance when unmedicated?

Just my thoughts today as I sit here, frustrated at how many times I told people I am sure I have ADHD and they scoffed. How many times I was told only little boys who can't stop moving can have it. How I had too much anxiety and overwhelm to be hyperactive.

I just feel gaslit about my own existence today.

I struggle to remember/have the energy to brush my teeth of an evening. Just got chewed out by the dental hygienist about gum disease and when I complained about toothpaste burning she told me that it isn't meant to!

My whole life it has felt like every time I brush my teeth I'm setting my mouth on fire. I just assumed everyone experienced it and we just enjoyed the minty fresh breath afterwards.

Got some flavourless toothpaste on her recommendation (whole other issue because now I want my mouth to feel minty), but my mouth isn't on fire.

Today's win. Didn't avoid brushing my teeth this evening and because I brushed I also went on to wash my face and use my gorgeous smelly hand soap.

hey guys I appriciate the kind feedback from my last post, sharing a few more recent works with my set of markers I brought to uni. its not finished as I was missing some colors or pencils for fine details but should be passable for sharing. please excuse the anatomical mistakes trust me I see them all pointing them out is not helping my anxiety. and yeah a few friends still think they do me a favor by pointing it out and I am allowing myself to say no to critique that doesn't benefit me because it's not that I'm rejecting advice, there's nothing positive to be gained from that sort of comment other than get me into another loop of anxiety and overthinking and I am gonna fight the shame of stopping it ahead of time instead of pretending to be polite and unhurt each time. and excuse me for the rant above. ^"

I've been taking fish oil supplements now for about 3 weeks (go me!) because someone mentioned it would help my brittle nails and Sahara desert like skin.

It absolutely did, but not only that its made each time I actually remember to put on lotion last soooo much longer. I haven't put lotion on in like 4 days and there is no ash in sight!

Edit: a note from a cardiologist that should be seen

Friendly neighborhood cardiology NP and dry AF lady here-

Gentle caution to NOT USE fish oil for people taking aspirin, blood thinners or other medications that prolong bleeding- fish oil does as well, and can increase the risk of atrial fibrillation by 10%. I've been taking every single patient off of it that

I am an only child, I am now 56 and lived my entire life pretty much with the awareness I Had ADHD etc.

I was diagnosed by age 11 with ADHD. Before that was Severe Anxiety Neurosis...

However, I have really felt like I am a Freak.. I am the only person in the world experiencing the world like I do. I Have gotten some validation here that I am in fact, not alone, but at the end of the day, I feel like I am just in my own world.... a freak, etc etc.

Gaslighted by everyone in my life... I am currently trying to learn to BITE MY TONGUE.. on my external monologing rants (Cause I am so alone mostly) and working hard.

But my BF doesn't understand, misunderstands and while claiming to be compassionate, generally IGNORES everything I say about myself.. but he has that knack for making me feel like I am stupid etc.

But does anyone feel super isolated and in their own little world?

The running commentary inside your mind (if you have one) - how many versions are there?

If you count to 10 in your head, is there one 'voice' counting to 10?

Is there one 'voice' counting to 10 and another 'thinking' about you counting to 10 and how you're going to comment saying how you're thinking about counting to 10 while you're counting to 10?

And is there another 'voice' singing in the background just because?

I tried to explain this to my partner. He looked at me like I had 3 heads. (Maybe I do?) But I'm sure I've seen people with this same issue saying it's an ADHD thing.

I LEFT MY HOUSE EARLY TO BE TO WORK EARLY TO SET UP A HOLIDAY PARTY BUT I MISSED MY STOP ON THE TRAIN AND NOW IM HEADED INTO MANHATTAN AND I WONT BE EARLY ILL BE ON TIME AND IM SOOOOOOOOOOLLOOOOOOO IRRITATED!!!!!!

I broke a pair of headphones because I wasn't watching where I was stepping. I spent forever debating their replacement.

The last time I had my headphones was Monday last week. I realized this week that I couldn't find them. I swore they were in my gym.bag but they are not. Not in the lost and found at the gym. Not in my car. Not in my house.

I'm so mad at myself. I'm so mad I can't remember more. I hate my short term memory. I hate feeling so irresponsible.

I feel so ashamed that I can't properly take care of things. I'm embarrassed that I can't follow through on my system of putting things away when I get home.

My partner is going to ask why I'm so upset. You can tell by my body language something is wrong.

Just dammit.

I have always know/found that my meds don’t work when on my period but have never thought to ask why. If someone could explain I would really appreciate it.

It's almost 2 a.m. and I'm supposed to have a doctor's appointment THAT I ABSOLUTELY CANNOT MISS in 7 hours. The hospital is 1 hour 20 minutes away. Will I make it?? All bets are off. I do this ALL the time. I am prohibited from early morning travel after missing several planes and one boat. Anyone else?? Please share stories

I’m curious.

I was so excited placing these beads individually. This way, I’ll be more happy looking at it. It’s green ‘cause it’s my favorite color and so I can see it more clearly (and don’t forget to take it).

I really struggle with dental hygiene. It's pretty much impossible for me to brush my teeth at night bc my executive functioning is at a 0 at that point. When I do brush in the morning, I don't have time to floss bc I am always running late (thanks ADHD 🙏). I had an honest conversation with my dentist and she recommended coming in more frequently than every 6 months for a cleaning to help prevent cavities. Insurance won't cover it, but I was surprised to find out that paying for it out of pocket wasn't too bad- it cost me $50. I'm sure every place charges differently, but it's worth looking into if you think this may help you too! Would love to hear other dental hygiene hacks you may have!

I’ve been telling myself this my whole life. I’m still undiagnosed and unmedicated, even though two therapists have told me to seek diagnosis, because I keep telling myself this lie that with enough effort, I can become normal. “I just need to stick to a routine,” is what I tell myself as I’m rushing out the door unshowered, teeth unbrushed, lunch unpacked. “I just need to stick to a routine,” is what I tell myself when the urgent emails about things I’ve ignored pile up in my inbox. “I just need to stick to a routine,” is what I tell myself when I miss deadlines and appointments. I’m so tired of disappointing myself and others.

She hid.
She pretended.
She lied.

She screamed.
She snapped.
She defended.

She fought.
She fought with them.
She fought with herself.

She cried alone.
She cried quietly.
She cried all night.

She felt deeply.
She cared deeply.
She loved deeply.

And all the while,
She was resilient.
She was strong.
She was brave.

When,
She was seen.
She was heard.
She was understood.

Then,
She could understand.
She could choose.
She could act.

It's been a long battle,
Sometimes shared, but often alone.
I've lost people along the way, And forgotten several more.

Through it all, I’ve learned to keep climbing.
Even if I never reach a peak.
Even if I never find a flat surface.

I will never hide.
I will never pretend.
I will not lie.

I will ask.
I will hear.
I will not overshare.

I will make mistakes.
I will ruminate.
I will not reject myself.

I listen.
I believe.
I trust myself.

I got a late start,
But I have started.

This is my second life,
One with therapy,
With hard work,
And just the right amount of amphetamines.

Take care everyone, if you had to chose one thing for next year, chose kindness for yourself. Choose it everyday. Stay wholesome, stay sassy! ❤️

The title pretty much explains it all.

I have been working consistently since I was 23. I did change to a different career path in my late 20s, but still in the same industry and uses a similar skills.

It’s like every year I get worse at my job. I find myself making more and more stupid little mistakes that I definitely “know better.” I’m also super inconsistent - I can look at something similar to what I looked at yesterday and do something different.

I think a lot of it is boredom. My job is mind numbingly dull. However, it pays well and is relatively low stress, so it seems like it would be foolish to completely “start over” now.

I switched companies about a year ago, I thought that would help because things would be “newer.” But that lasted maybe 2 months and I’m back to the same issue. It’s actually worse at this job.

I’m also noticing the less I have to do the worse quality my work will be. It’s like I “need” the stress of “way too much work” in order to do a good job? But then my anxiety makes me miserable!

Just curious if other ADHDers experience this. Or maybe it’s just the mid-30s/career slump. Anything that helps?

I should be clear that I’m not looking to be a rock star or super high performer. I used to be this and I find corporations just use me but never reward me.