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Functioning with ADHD

creative_writerSenior Contributor07 June 2025, 6:06 pm AEST

Functioning with ADHD

How do people function while living with ADHD? I’m pretty much non-functional, it’s taking a toil on my mental health, I’m stuck in constant rumination. I try to look for a reasonable solution, but I see the unreasonable

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In response to: Functioning with ADHD

creative_writerSenior Contributor08 June 2025, 11:33 am AEST

Re: Functioning with ADHD

@RiverSeal it was a pretty chaotic night, woke up with a heavy head. I've started taking extra saffron today. I guess time will tell whether extra saffron will help me with my attention span and mental health. Trauma rumination is still there, but I guess I need to give it time. I wish I could turn it off, but it refuses to be silenced. They won't go away no matter what I do.

I feel pretty limited with what I can do, probably need lots of rest. I can also do soothing gentle activities like prayer, music, grounding, stretches

In response to: Re: Functioning with ADHD

RiverSealModerator08 June 2025, 11:38 am AEST

Re: Functioning with ADHD

Please stay connected with the community for support, if you feel like it will be beneficial too! Take Care RiverSeal 🙂

In response to: Re: Functioning with ADHD

creative_writerSenior Contributor08 June 2025, 11:48 am AEST

Re: Functioning with ADHD

@RiverSeal do you think there is a way to silence the thoughts? I know they say observing the thoughts and letting them float like clouds can be helpful, but I am struggling to make it work. These thoughts are very pervasive and last for several hours everyday. I wish I could stay busy

In response to: Re: Functioning with ADHD

RiverSealModerator08 June 2025, 11:57 am AEST

Re: Functioning with ADHD

I used to get a lot of intrusive thoughts and actually still do about different things at times. I found that deliberately ruminating about positive things helped me overcome the intrusive thoughts. Like think about something positive and just analyse it to the point that it takes up all your brain space. And just keep doing it until you have something else to do!

Worked for me, so maybe see how you go if you feel like it might be beneficial 🙂

RiverSeal ❤️

In response to: Re: Functioning with ADHD

creative_writerSenior Contributor08 June 2025, 12:29 pm AEST

Re: Functioning with ADHD

@RiverSeal that's a smart strategy, I never thought of trying to ruminate over positive things to help reduce intrusive thoughts. I could probably spend hours deeply thinking about things.

Maybe once I am able to reduce rumination and do other things to improve my mental wellbeing, maybe it'll be easier to do the things I want to do. I think there is a lot of frustration directed at myself. I want to work on myself but I've had so many blocks. I think I may need to work on reducing those blocks to help me achieve what I want in life.

My family are thinking of going out today, might need to take my amber glasses, I'm very sensitive to light, even more so today. Last thing I want is sensory overload in the shopping centre. I also have my noise cancelling AirPods

In response to: Re: Functioning with ADHD

RiverSealModerator08 June 2025, 12:43 pm AEST

Re: Functioning with ADHD

Amazing, @creative_writer! RiverSeal ❤️

In response to: Re: Functioning with ADHD

creative_writerSenior Contributor08 June 2025, 1:10 pm AEST

Re: Functioning with ADHD

@RiverSeal I do imagine it will be a process. Maybe I’m trying to avoid the pain, it just that the pain can feel too much. I can’t get back what I’ve lost. I don’t want trauma to define me. I try so hard to escape because I feel like that’s what I am supposed to do to heal, but it never really works. Maybe society encourages you to stay busy to avoid the pain. I find it very hard to sit with and I feel like I’m not supposed to ruminate

In response to: Re: Functioning with ADHD

RiverSealModerator08 June 2025, 1:41 pm AEST

Re: Functioning with ADHD

Ruminating is challenging @creative_writer and I'm sure a lot of people find it so! I'm sure the community might have some insights for you if you create a discussion or tag some Members in even 🙂 My perspective is just one and we are all unique so learning how others manage it could be beneficial too! RiverSeal ❤️

In response to: Re: Functioning with ADHD

creative_writerSenior Contributor08 June 2025, 2:10 pm AEST

Re: Functioning with ADHD

@RiverSeal I may create a thread later. I didn't end up going out today, my head is feeling very heavy and I'm nauseous. Maybe it's a sinus thing. There is stuff I cannot say on here, but I am finding myself leaning to unhelpful coping ways. I am safe

In response to: Re: Functioning with ADHD

JynxModerator08 June 2025, 3:06 pm AEST

Re: Functioning with ADHD

Aww hey @creative_writer been meaning to check in with you! I think I lost a notification somewhere? Sorry!

How are you hun?

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SANE acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past and present.

SANE values diversity. We are committed to providing a safe, culturally appropriate, and inclusive service for all people, regardless of their ethnicity, faith, disability, sexuality, or gender identity.