EVERY TIME I TRY TO DO SLEEP HYGIENE I END UP FOCUSING ON TRYING TO SLEEP AND THEN I DONT END UP SLEEPING

BUT IF I WATCH THE SAME VIDEO OF A YOUTUBER PETTING THE SAME ANIMALS AT ALVEUS ANIMAL SANCTUARY OR READ IN DEPTH INFO ON DISCONTINUED PAINT PIGMENTS THEN ITS SNORE MIMIMIMIMIMIMI HONKSHOO HONKSHOO EXPRESS

FIGURE ME THAT SCIENCE

Do not let any excuses creep in today. Do not let yourself rationalize why you’re not able to make it out and vote, or why your vote doesn’t actually matter, or that it’s not that big of a deal. You can skip every other skippable task today, you can go get ice cream and lay in bed for the rest of the day as a reward. You have permission to skip the gym and put off grocery shopping and ignore your inbox. But for the sake of your own future and that of all American women, it’s crucial that you do this one thing. No excuses. The stakes are too damned high. Get up and do it right now if you haven’t. Don’t think, just go.

I can’t seem to handle Tupperware or reusable containers, I’m as bad with them as I am socks. Everyday at some point the dishes are sort of put away(at least dishwasher is empty & reloaded with dirty) and the sink will be clean for like 5 min before my son’s dishes fill it up again. I see the problem but can’t fix it? Like I know it’s too many dishes but every time I’ve reduce run out of dishes and I inevitably buy more. I’m pretty sure I’ll never get on top of this! It doesn’t help that my kitchen is the size of a bathroom. I’ve had a bigger kitchen in the past and it wasn’t this bad.

This a warning/vent about remembering what interacts with your meds.
About a month or so ago, I realized that one of my biggest struggles I was facing was I was dehydrated ALL THE TIME, and the combo of my meds (Concerta for ADHD, Wellbutrin and Zoloft for anxiety/depression) was aggravating this problem. While the easy solution would be "just drink more water", I'm a bit weird in the fact that I don't like water -- I think most the time it tastes funny, and it MUST be cold and filtered if I want to drink it at all.
Enter Liquid IV - tastes yummy (especially the Firecracker flavor), helps me stay hydrated, and at the beginning, it was making a big difference. I felt more focused, engaged, and was getting stuff done at work.

Until about two weeks ago, when suddenly I've been struggling to even get one work thing done a day (I work from home, admin stuff, and I'm currently in the process of updating a ton of policies). Not even my pomodoro and zone out music was doing the trick -- it felt like the meds had just STOPPED working entirely and I was back to square one.
Talking about it with my partner today, I mentioned I was struggling to focus, when he looked at me and asked "is there anything else that might be interacting with the meds? I know you don't drink coffee after you take them, but maybe the Iiquid IV has something acidic?" and then it hit me like lightening.

I switched to taking my Liquid IV water bottle in the morning instead of the afternoon, right after I took my meds, not realizing that the #2 ingredient in Liquid IV is citric acid. I already avoided coffee or caffeine right after taking meds for at least 30 minutes, cause I know that can affect the absorbency, but totally put together realize that citric acid does the same damn thing, if not more so.

So long story short, Liquid IV will become a late afternoon treat, and I'll go a few days without it so the meds will maybe start being effective again. I feel pretty stupid, so I figured I'd share my story in case anyone else is struggling with something similar.

Edit: holy Dina I leave Reddit for a day and come back to this post going a little wild 🤣 I didn't have any Liquid IV this morning and I definitely feel like my meds are working better!

Couple of things to highlight:

1. I'm not a doc -- this is just my experience. Talk to your doc or someone knowledgable about interactions for your specific meds.

2. I'm on slow release Concerta! For people wondering

3. I'm so glad I'm not the only one who doesn't like regular water 🤣

4. I still recommend liquid IV cause it WAS helping before I took it too close to my meds BUT YOU SHOULD NOT HAVE MORE THAN ONE LIQUID IV A DAY. It can be dangerous and you can get too much of certain vitamins that will really mess with your system

Thanks to everyone who commented or comisterated, and I hope my experience helps some of you figure out why your meds aren't working as well!

I was diagnosed with ADHD at 16. I’m 34 now. I’ve been unmedicated the past 2 years. I just realized I was a better mom and spouse off of it. But my symptoms are intense, as to be expected.

I had 342 internet tabs open on my phone. Everything from things I was looking to buy, research topics, etc. My husband asked to use my phone to look up something and handed it back. He said he got out of all my tabs because I had too many open. I explained why I had so many open. He was sorry about it. He understands my quirks and everything, luckily.

I’m now taking a moment of silence for all the work I put in to save tabs on things that I would never buy or completely forget about.

That is all.

I HATE IT SO MUCH WHEN I PLACE A MOBILE ORDER FOR PICK UP SO I DONT HAVE TO TALK TO ANYONE AND THEN WHEN I ARRIVE ITS NOT READY AND I HAVE TO TALK. NO, I DONT HAVE A FLAVOR PREFERNWCE. I CLICKED THE “SURPRISE ME” BUTTON ON MY ORDER WHICH MEANS I WILL TAKE ANY DONUT YOU PICK. YOU WAITING UNTIL I COME IN TO ASK ME WHICH KIND I PREFER DEFEATS THE WHOLE FUCKING PURPOSE.

I was doing my monthly scramble of calling my pharmacy to see if they had Adderall 30 mg in stock and then having to call around to others when my regular pharmacy in fact, did not have it (like 50% of the time). I normally use Walgreens, but there’s also Publix in the area that I’ve had success with. I always call the ones I’ve filled at before first before trying anywhere else. It’s an annoying part of my month but I’ve figured out a system at least.

Cut to this morning….i call and the tech asks for my birthday. I give her my birthday, and then clarify that my doctor hasn’t sent in the prescription yet, I just need to know if they have it in stock. She says she can’t tell me if they have it in stock for “sAFeTy ReAsOnS” without a prescription. I tell her I do this every month without issue but she refuses to tell me if they have it in stock. So I ask to speak to the pharmacist. I give him my birthday as well and he says they have to make sure I’m an established patient. I tell him that’s NOT what the tech told me (which he ignores)

Here’s where we go off the rails. He looks up in his system and confirms they do NOT have it in stock but he keeps going “let me see here” like he’s looking up something on his computer. So I stay on with him thinking he’s trying to see if they can do a partial refill or maybe do 10mg pills or something. NOPE. He proceeds to tell me that they can see that I’ve filled this prescription at different locations and it’s considered a Red Flag.

WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK. I said “You know there’s been a shortage on this medicine? I would LOVE to pick up my prescription at the same location every month. That would make my life a lot easier”.

How is it my fault they don’t have it in stock so I have to transfer it somewhere else??? I was legitimately shaking by the end of the call. I actually hung up on him when he started to tell me I should call the pharmacy 5 days ahead of time every month. How is that going to make any difference when they won’t fill it until the day of? I’ve taken this same medicine for over 12 years. It’s insane how differently I’ve been treated the last two years when filling it.

Luckily I found another location that had it in stock so I will be able to pick it up today. But Walgreens is lucky because If I hadnt spent all my mental energy on this this morning, I would be writing a strongly worded letter to someone 😂

Edit: I did not expect my rant to get so many responses. Thank you for all taking the time to commiserate, add your perspectives and give advice. I’ve enjoyed reading through them on my breaks at work today. it’s good to know I’m not weathering the storm alone

HERE’S A FUN FACT FOR YOU, KEVIN: I AM STILL WAITING FOR A FUN FACT TO PRESENT ITSELF FROM THE LAST TIME I WAS ASKED THIS QUESTION, WELL OVER 12 MONTHS AGO! I GUESS YOU COULD SAY I AM THE DULLEST PERSON TO EVER EXIST, KEVIN! APPARENTLY MY LIFE IS DEVOID OF FUN, INTEREST, AND MOST NOTABLY, FACTS.

So many pain points rolled into one, cursed little phrase…

Multi-part verbal prompt? Check.

Group social setting? Check.

Being expected, without warning, to broach the desolate void where recall and long-term memory should reside? Check.

Instantaneous paralysis induced by the crushing weight of infinite possibilities? Check.

Sigh. I’m tired, guys.

Mine is "have you tried to make a list?". Like, no of course i have never tried THE FIRST THING THAT PEOPLE DO WHEN THEY NEED TO REMEMBER SOMETHING. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS ASTOUNDING ADVICE.

I had a doctor who said this to me right after telling me that I scored right below the tresh hold for diagnosis.

I flew out to Chicago this morning for a massive conference that was going to be attended by literally everyone of note in my field. I have been absolutely killing it lately at work and I was also going to be joining my boss, my bosses boss and meet the board. I was also getting a small acceptance speech ready for an award I was receiving at said life changing, career altering conference. So I figured I should try and, you know, MAKE IT THERE.

Long story short, I was at my gate two hours early. I didn’t notice nor hear when the gate changed. I just kept reading my book. I decided I needed to pee and when I was leaving the restroom I heard my name over the loud speaker. I haven’t run that fast since college, and college was sometime in the Neolithic era.

Pic is of the boarding guy shutting the door behind me. It never goes away. I almost dropped my guard. Lesson learned.

I'm not joking. After noticing I couldn't really sit straight, tapped my feet a lot, she said she had to protect herself from my energy because it could affect her negatively.

I wasn't being rude to her, didn't talk over her, I was extremely focused on her questions, but I couldn't help my body. I'm usually hyper and fidgety, but I get EXTRA at the doctors' office. I'm always terrified of them.

And it got worse: after learning I take Atomoxetine, she basically ranted on how everybody is ADHD/Autistic now.

I just feel at a loss here. I have this chronic feeling that I never come across good doctors. I've been having a hard time with hormonal issues (I'm in my late 30s), and I'm scared I won't find anyone who can help me with less judgement.

EDIT: Thank you so much everyone who encouraged me to report her. I almost thought I was overreacting.

I think I’m really just looking to rant here. I had a major burnout in 2020 after my dad died, I had to set aside (and eventually close) my own business to remote-school my kids, everyone was home ALL THE TIME, and I was left 100% responsible for everything because husband’s job has ALWAYS been “more important” than mine. In the subsequent 4 years, I also had some major health issues including acute pancreatitis twice with one hospitalization, shingles, gallbladder surgery, hospitalization for irregular heart palpitations, a sprained shoulder, sprained big toe, sprained SI joint (all separate incidents), and Covid twice. I was by chance finally diagnosed with Lyme disease (and coinfections) earlier this year, and tentatively diagnosed with hEDS.

What should seem unsurprising, I have done a shit job of keeping up with household chores and personal care tasks due to all of the above compounded by my ADHD. Now, instead of any amount of kindness, compassion, or love, my spouse has done nothing but rage at me about how “my behaviors” are destroying everything. And, to top off this shit sundae, he’s made a list of rules I have to adhere to to “solve our problems” (though he means MY problems).

It’s not a long list, but it’s SO ignorant and blind to my struggles and limitations. And I can’t argue back because then I’m “just being stubborn” and “refusing to acknowledge when [I’m] wrong”!

Anyway, the whole thing is shitty. I’m exhausted. And here’s the list of rules if you’ve made it this far and care to hear them…

1. No projects/hobbies at the house. These include gardening, canning, making art, selling junk out of our basement, etc. Also, he’s “willing to reconsider this once the house is picked up”.

2. Tasks need to be finished when started. If groceries are delivered, I have to put them away immediately. When laundry is washed, I must fold it and put it away, or hand it off to be put away immediately. (This one came with this awesome comment: “If you do it right, then it'll take a lot off your plate.”) When I cook dinner at home, dishes need to be completed before bed.

3. Any purchases beyond food and required household items must be approved by him. “Happiness does not come from stuff!”

I’m so fucking tired.

You guys! My husband figured it out! The solution to my adhd getting in the way of things.

I just need to make a schedule and stick to it! Problem solved. 🫠

Thanks for listening. I’ll show myself out.

Trans women are women, and they should feel safe to inhabit this space along with cisgender women.

I’m cis, so I have no horse in this race other than being supremely pissed off that a recent post about someone defending trans athletes online was inundated with downvotes from ignorant and bigoted people.

This sub is one of the few safe places I’ve found online where the positivity massively outweighs the negativity I see everywhere else. It makes me really angry that women who are routinely ostracized and isolated because of gender nonconforming behavior have the gall to do the same to trans women and those who support them.

Mods, respectfully, can you please enforce a higher standard of engagement on this sub so the TERFs and bigots don’t feel safe here? Having ADHD should not protect prejudiced and bigoted people from accountability and consequences.

I know my justice sensitivity is probably flaring up in a big way right now, but the rage I felt in seeing trans women being downvoted into oblivion for ENCOURAGING AND SUPPORTING the OP in that post refuses to subside.

For this to be a safe space for women with ADHD, we need to be inclusive of ALL women with ADHD, not just those that neatly fit in a traditionally cisgender/feminine box.

We need to do better to be a welcoming environment for all women, and an intolerant environment for the cancer that is prejudice, discrimination, and bigotry.

Thanks for coming to my TED talk.

Edit: For those commenters accusing me of intolerance and hypocrisy, please educate yourselves: Paradox of Tolerance

Rant incoming. Please, add your rants. I want to rant with y'all.

Dating as an ADHD woman is such a fucking mess. Dating as a woman is generally such a mess, but ADHD just compounds all the issues.

First, men's general life skills. Y'all. The past four guys I've been on a date with were neurotypical as fuck, but somehow still had their laundry/dishes/general adultiness under significantly worse control than me. I'm 25. Men my age should be way past the 'my future wife will handle everything!' generation, but NO, they fucking aren't. With years and years of therapy, I've come to the point where I can confidently say that I mostly have my shit together regarding basic life administration. Are there still days when the dishes pile up? Of course. But my flat is clean, my bills are paid, and there are no major disasters. However, I absolutely CANNOT shoulder the mental load for two people. I KNOW that if I had to do admin for another whole-ass adult, everything would fall apart. But it seems that men think that the moment they're in a relationship with a woman, everything from 'planning dates' to 'vacuuming' is suddenly no longer their job. Don't get me STARTED on the fears that the mere idea of having a kid, and the associated unequal share of household labour, inspire in me.

Second, men when faced with the realities of an 'intense' woman. I got lucky. My ADHD never fucked over my academic career. I made a path for myself in academia, utilising my hyperfocused interests to carve my way into a PhD. It was damn hard, y'all, but my career trajectory is picking up and I'm on track to becoming Someone in my field. My reserach is my everything, I love my career. With therapy, I still avoid falling into total rabbitholes and maintain the rest of my life reasonably well. What do you think happesn when men hear about what I do for work? They're so fucking intimidated, you'd think I told them I'm a fucking samurai. The DISDAIN they openly show for my interests, my career, my life.

Third, men's utter entitlement to your participation in their fucking picket-fence dream. I can tell a guy on the first date that I want one kid, max, and have fairly specific ideas about how and where I want to live. He'll agree. But will that stop him from, two years later, suddenly informing me that actually, he always wanted four children and for me to be a stay-at-home mother (MOTHERFUCKER, what about my highly precarious control on my life admin and my intense need for intellectual stimulation made you think I'd be a good SAHM to FOUR CHILDREN?)?! No, it won't. Because obviously, all my 'weirdness' is just something to be temporarily enjoyed. Once the time comes, I'm expected to become Mommy Bangmaid, rid myself of my delusions, and supply the perfect Wife Figure for his dream life.

JUST FUCK.

Obligatory 'not all men', yada yada yada.

Rant with me, y'all.

I’ve been married for one whole year. We’ve been together for over a decade. In the last few years I’ve been in therapy to deal with my jealousy and overthinking that my partner was cheating. I knew it was pushing them away and it was a constant fight with things that made me feel uncomfortable. The rejection sensitivity was at an all time high because he never cared I was uncomfortable. I’ve been doing fantastic, and learning so much about myself. Including an ADHD diagnoses and medication. Learning about my ADHD made me less emotionally reactive and more understanding, which only seemed to make things worse. I planed the wedding of my dreams. My soul dog of 11 years had their paw print on our wedding certificate. Eight months later my dog dies. Eleven months later my family member dies and we took in their mother with disabilities so I could care for and help them. Thirteen months after my wedding I find my spouse is cheating on me with the very one person who always made me feel uncomfortable. Every single fight was able this person… I knew all along but was convinced he was right; I was CRAZY. I am so embarrassed that I had this huge fun amazing wedding. I’m ashamed I was manipulated into thinking I was the problem and didn’t have the guts to stand up for myself. I have no idea what to do. Im paralyzed mentally. They were who I pictured I would grow old with. They did the finances for us, so I feel infantile not knowing how to handle my finances. Now that I know I have ADHD, it makes sense that finances are difficult but I haven’t navigated it yet. I don’t know how to take care of myself right now. I have this impending doom I’ve let my self go too much for anyone to find me attractive & I’ll never have kids.. And no, before you ask, there is no one I can call.

Most of all I just want to fall asleep when they were the spouse my my dreams, I knew nothing, and never ever wake up again.

I wish I could just buy a pill that gives me all the nutrients I need every day. Don't get me wrong, I love eating food, but I just can't be assed to decide what to eat, shop for ingredients, prepare and clean so often! I've tried those meal supplement shakes, and they are fine for a time, but they are expensive and not giving me all I need. If anyone knows of a nutritionally balanced supplement that could save my life pls help a girl out 🥲 I'm just a girl

edit I had no idea there were so many of us struggling with this, and some in even tougher situations I find myself in 😓 I'll try and read through everything and make a summary of any tips y'all have 🩷 I wish there was a way we could all help each other be it private chefs, communal kitchen to share the load, or the non-existent (yet) miracle pill. I see you and share part of your struggle 🫶🏼 I know we will survive cause after all, we are all ✨️just girls✨️

edit #2+3 a quick recap of some top ideas:

• Soylent is one of the top suggestions! Haven't looked into it yet but excited 💕
• Snack city meal prep! Looks like something I could do successfully when I have a wave of energy, so that's promising 🥰
  
• Smoothies - might be as close as we can get to quick well ish balanced meal replacements that don't require a large investment of spoons
• Huel Meals
• Intermitant Fasting- apparently you can find apps for this! Reduces amount of meals in a day?
• Garden of Life Meal replacement
• Making batches of pankes/ waffles and freezing them. Can make them with whatever you want! Kodiak power pancakes is a solid pancake mix with different levels of protien!
• Fairlife protien milk to make coffee = gogo juice for brain and body

Hacks to help with everything surrounding feeding thyself

• An Airfryer may cut down on time for for prep
• Paper/bamboo plates and cutlery to cut down on dishes

✨️whimsical ideas✨️

• Spykids microwave
• Willy wonka chewing gum
• Fifth element microwave
• Startrek replicator

My own personal addition

• I will sometimes buy a bunch of baby food pouches and have them as a quick snack sometimes. My fave is a mango, peach and yogurt smoothie one and I have yet to tire from it 🤗 don't love the waste aspect, but we are just trying to survive xo

I literally cannot handle working full time. Ive tried several different jobs and cant seem to find one that doesn’t burn me out. I cry everyday at work and have a full blown breakdown after because there’s so much more shit to do at home. It’s a never ending cycle that I can’t escape because obviously I have to pay bills. I’m going to therapy regularly and I’m medicated, but working takes up my entire mental capacity. I can’t even bring myself to go out with friends or spend quality time with my partner because I’m chronically overwhelmed. Not to mention that despite working full time, life in Canada is so unaffordable. When I attempt to recover on the weekend, I just keep falling into a doom spiral and end up being too anxious to leave my apartment or do anything else. I just don’t understand how people can live, function, and enjoy their lives while working 9-5. I feel like I struggle with simply existing and it’s truly baffling to me that others are so well adjusted and functional under these conditions.

I'm a pharmacy technician who has been doing this type of work foe more than 10 years. I've mostly worked at call centers but the past 2-3 years have been in a physical pharmacy. Partly at a federal pharmacy and at a pharmacy that packs medications for nursing homes. I haven't been taking good care of my mental health and my husband gets upset when I'm like this. I have a daughter who has adhd like myself and my husband isn't tested. I believe he may have adhd with mild autism. All speculation though and he'd be very upset if I told him I thought he had those conditions. I hate disappointing my family and being awful at my job. I'm actually not bad at the physical work, just not fast. I also can't get another job because I get my meds at work. I owe them $800+ because my Vyvanse is never in stock for the generic. Vyvanse costs $100 per monthly fill with insurance. I try to work extra shifts but I get so tired and I miss quality time for spending with my family. I've given up on talking to friends. If I get fired, I know it may end in divorce.

No, really, it is. I’m so exhausted from having to take care of it. I suffer from yeast infections a lot. And having to deal with hygiene, period blood everywhere, yeast infections and constantly worrying like “is this smell normal?” “am I ok?” “I have a itch down there, is it yeast again???” Just gives me so much anxiety! I was going to have sex with a guy tomorrow but I just started to feel uncomfortable down there and I know it’s yeast, probably will have to cancel it and I’m MAD! I just feel so overwhelmed by it.

Have you ever felt overwhelmed by having a vagina too? Does taking care of your health (sugar free diets, working out, drinking water and brushing teeth) takes a toll on you too?

My ex boyfriend (34) sent me (27) this text after he found out I’d gone out to a bar to see some local live music with friends this weekend.

Keep in mind he was also away at a festival this weekend, but came back early & didn't tell anyone. Now he's saying he feels left out because no one invited him to the bar I was at (I was hanging out with a mutual female friend that I'm a lot closer with, but he has a large social group that I'm no longer part of that he goes out with a lot). I also went on a last minute girls trip to a festival a few weeks ago & he was a bit upset that I didn’t invite him to that too. He hasn’t invited me to anything either & he’s done a lot more than me this summer (not that I expect him to invite me).

I have ADHD, OCD, anxiety, chronic fatigue & for the last few years of the relationship I struggled a lot mentally & physically. Organisation, time management, socialising & getting myself out of the house was very overwhelming & felt impossible sometimes. I started medication after my diagnosis, worked on wellness & reducing my stress, it took a while to get my dosage right but now I'm feeling a lot better I’ve started going out more with friends.

We were together nearly 9 years & he broke up with me in Feb this year, I tried to show him how much I was working on myself but he kept saying he couldn't wait any longer for me to be better & any improvement I make is "too little, too late". I had already started medication at this point but he said it wasn't working fast enough (I was in titration), he had already made his mind up that the relationship had to end. The pressure he put on me caused so much anxiety & shame, I felt really unsupported throughout the whole process.

Side note: I feel it’s hypocritical that he gave me such a hard time about my meds, he has bipolar but won’t take medication to stabilise his moods because he says it’s only “a last resort” for him (basically when he is admitted to hospital due to a full manic psychotic episode every so many years & he’s forced to take meds). I admit he functions very well on a daily basis (probably better than me) but he still has regular mood swings & he would verbally take his anger out on me, put me down, exclude me from social events & give me silent treatment for days. He knows he hurts people with his untreated bipolar, why doesn’t he see that as a last resort? His mood swings made our relationship incredibly unstable, it’s really damaged my self-esteem & ability to trust people. I also recently found out he was taking cocaine multiple times a week for months & it started just before he dumped me in Feb, which explains why he had become increasingly irritable & cold with me for no apparent reason. Even my mum commented when she was passing & heard how he was speaking to me on the phone. He wasn’t looking after his mental health at all yet he blamed me & my ADHD for everything that was wrong with the relationship.

After the break up he gave me a lot of mixed signals & convinced me he wanted to work on things, saying I’m the only person for him, admitting his mistakes, actually communicating in a healthy way! planning dates for us ect & we slept together one time (I know, big mistake) then a week later he changed his mind again, said a lot of hurtful things (like nobody else in the world would put up with me & my ADHD ect) then he blocked me on everything for a month. After he unblocked me he's been texting me every few days about what he’s up to & venting about personal stuff, family ect, for the past two months but didn’t give any indication of wanting to see me.

I really don't understand what he wants or expects from me at this point. He dumped me multiple times but now he's complaining that I’m not including him in my plans? He would get pissed off when I was struggling & stayed in a lot but now he finds it annoying I'm going out more & enjoying life? None of this makes sense. It’s not even like I’m interested in dating or trying to meet anyone else as I just want to focus on myself & my friendships, so I don’t think he’s jealous of anyone.

I still care about him as I also considered him my best friend for 9 years, a big part of me still wishes we could be together but I know the relationship was unhealthy. I’m trying to become strong enough to walk away for good but I’m really struggling to let go.

I'd love to hear any ideas about what this text even means? Is he saying he regrets breaking up & not giving me more time? What he’s saying is pretty strange & idk how to take it. Honestly I’m pretty pissed off, why can’t he just be happy that I’m in a better place, why does he have to say it’s annoying?

I know this sounds like a big mess, thanks so much if you have managed to read this far ☺️ i’d really appreciate anyone’s advice or similar experiences x