Functioning with ADHD

hey @creative_writer i really sorry to hear that those thoughts/feelings have continued to be overwhelming for you. sending you gentle hugs 💜

sometimes what usually works might no longer be as effective, and we may need to switch up our coping tools. are you finding that your self-care activities right now are helping a bit? are there some you might want to swap out for this week?

@rav3n self-care helps, but my emotions have been a lot stronger lately. Even my PRN doesn't feel adequate. I'm trying to figure out what to do next, but not sure. Tried to reach out support, but it only left me feeling worse. I'm unwell enough that I would lean onto the thing that I no longer have access (if it was there).

I am trying to find ways, today I asked the chemist about a supplement, they said it should be okay with my meds but to check in with doctor due to minor interactions. I figured out if the PRN doesn't work, I will have to find something else

has something happened recently that's perhaps heightened those emotions? @creative_writer also wanted to check if you are you able to stay safe at the moment?

in my experience, using distractions and ways to avoid facing those thoughts/feelings often led to those thoughts/feelings only working harder to be faced. i know they can be scary and uncomfy, but learning to sit it and let them pass through was what helped me.

if you're interested, feel free to check out this video: Intrusive Thoughts and Overthinking: The Skill of Cognitive Defusion 20/30 - i'm sure you've heard of similar things before, but sometimes i find that revisiting old strategies in a new light can be helpful.

i can hear how painfully hard it is for you right now @creative_writer please know that we care about you heaps. it's totally okay if you're unable to job hunt right now, it sounds like you might be looking for an emotional release - can you identify what feelings you're feeling? (i.e. if you're feeling angry, then things like throwing a ball, jumping up and down, screaming into a pillow, etc., can be helpful)

i'm also going to link this here: Alternatives to Self-Harm — Project LETS

is there someone you can reach out to? a friend? your sister? if you don't feel comfy sharing how you're feeling with them, spending some time with them can still help (i.e. going for a walk/getting fresh air, helping with a chore, getting your fav food, etc)

if you start to feel unsafe, please don't hesitate to reach out 000 or your local CATT team. you deserve to be supported.

@rav3n there is a lot of frustration and confusion. I don’t know how I got here, but I did. I’m frustrate about a lot, I’m frustrated about trauma, I’m frustrated about feeling depressed. I’m not seeing the light at the end of the tunnel right now. I don’t see a way out. I’m tired of living the life I am, I have chronic pain, chronic fatigue and chronic mental health issues. I suppose in a way SH acts as a frustration releaser. It also is a form of compulsive behaviour to prevent a suicide attempt. I struggle with frustration and anger, if I have a meltdown I’ll be told off. I don’t think I ever figured a way. I don’t feel like crying, because that’ll raise questions and I’m suppose to emotionally protect my family from myself. Maybe squeezing a pillow might help.

Thank you for sending through the alternatives to SH. In this instance I have already engaged in the behaviour, but I’m okay.

I have family around so I’m not alone. I may have sent a message earlier today, I hope my friend doesn’t start worrying. Maybe I shouldn’t have sent it, I’ll make her worry.

I’ll reach out if I need support. I think I’m still feeling sort of disappointed about the last interaction. Maybe I have SI because trauma is a huge contributing factor. It was frustrating that I couldn’t talk about trauma and was told to reach out to Lifeline instead because of my SI. I just left early because I was getting nowhere. I know I’m super cranky. I was also advised to just use self care. I was reaching out to talk through things which I never got to do. I’m trying to make sense of things, and it’s super rough. I’m trying to figure out what it means for me. I don’t have the privilege to see my psych too often.

TW:SA

i really wish there was a way for you to get extra sessions with your psych, i know how important talking about it is for you right now and you absolutely deserve to be able to do that @creative_writer

it really sucks that you've had to mask your emotions around your family as well. i'm so glad you've reached out to a friend - i've been guilty of sending a message and then deleting it later cos i felt i was worrying them, but the only way they can support you is by knowing more about what's been going on for you. so i'd really encourage you to keep being open with your friend - i know having people worry for you might feel uncomfy, but it's clear that you've been struggling and you deserve to have someone worry/care for you!

with the part you've written in the content warning section... i absolutely feel your rage with this topic. it's so frustrating that people tie a woman's worth to things like sexual experiences. we might not have the power to change society's mind, but we do have the power to change that belief for ourselves and maybe even influence our friends/family. has this topic been weighing on your mind a lot more lately?

also i will be heading off soon but please do keep reaching out. take care and i really hope things get lighter for you this evening, chat to you tomorrow 💗

Hello lovely! I am here if you want to chat more tonight, just let me know what would be helpful for you to focus on - it can be anything! 🥰 @creative_writer