TikTok didn't diagnose me with ADHD...but it pushed me to go see a doctor who did.

[@sabrinanelsen8660]

Fun thing I’ve learned as a therapist: the overlap between ADHD, Anxiety, and the Autism Spectrum is WILD. So sometimes I, a person with anxiety, listen to your skits and go “Hmm… that is oddly familiar.” ❤

[@Deidredit]

I've always suffered from extreme anxiety but after watching some of these videos, now I wonder if I have ADHD or even on the spectrum.

[@sourgreendolly7685]

My ADHD was missed for 32 years because the focus was on my anxiety and that was assumed to be from trauma. They even thought I had bi polar ii at one point because of how hyper I was when not depressed and how big my emotions were. Turns out some of my trauma was peoples responses to said undiagnosed ADHD (including those big, unregulated emotions) and being socially awkward and traumatized is a great way to develop anxiety 🤦🏻‍♀️ Welp. I have nothing bad to say about the misdiagnoses. It's all very hard to figure out unless there's NOTHING ELSE going on due to the overlaps (or you are white boy in elementary school, they seem to get spotted more easily)

[@saragates2255]

@Sabrina Nelsen I've been learning the same and wow, it's a mind blower! No idea how doctors are able to discern between them but it sure reminds me to be patient with them as they parce through the data to understand exactly what is causing a patient's symptoms!

[@gaelle4328]

Turns out for me personally asd/adhd was the problem behind my anxiety or rather extreme stress

[@koraliekora-leepalmer4024]

I have all three, so he always seems to hit home!

[@corynydam2361]

Worst response someone’s ever had to hearing about my ADHD: “Isn’t it just fun, though, always having energy and doing a bunch of things at once?” Me:* “Sure, it can feel like a superpower when I’m reading two books and listening to a podcast while also humming whatever song I’ve got stuck in my head. Until I realize I’ve read the same two sentences twelve times in a row, I couldn’t say with a gun to my head what the podcast is about, I had actually important things to do that I’ve forgotten or neglected, and I just spent the last two hours accomplishing nothing and disappointing people who were relying on me. At least I got the tune of the song right, though.” It’s called a disorder for a reason, people. We’re not crippled, and most of us can manage, but for me at least that involved a huge amount of suppression and self-monitoring to fit in and act “normal.” To this day, I have a lot of difficulty actually relaxing and letting my brain do it’s thing unless I’m alone in my house. *Insert swear words of your choice at appropriate intervals. I certainly did.

[@DocDreable]

This spoke to my heart SOOOOoOOOoOOOo much.

[@toddrouch7526]

Omg, I totally relate with what you said. While I type this I'm watching this on my phone, another video on my tablet and a totally different video on my TV. And I'm usually wearing my bone conduction headphones so I can do more than one thing at a time.

[@sourgreendolly7685]

I was exhausted from having to mask the disorder that took 32 years to diagnose. My kind of hyperactivity just got me into trouble that I didn't understand so I learned to suppress it. Turns out that makes me depressed, which steals my energy completely 🙃 All because it's a crime to be "annoying" as a child or something. I still can't understand how that got me in trouble and I'm not any less annoying either

[@ivanahettnerova3533]

And after some time information from that books and podcast will randomly spring into your mind and you would wonder, why do I know this? That was my biggest question how do I know things, until I realized that I had documents on TV as backing noise.

[@ivanahettnerova3533]

@@toddrouch7526 bone conducting headphones are game changer I love them. And I'm not loosing them like those stupid small earpieces.

[@Nickbox]

The first time I took medication for ADHD I started crying because the concert of sounds that was in my head died down enough for me to hear my own internal voice. It was like I was at a party where in one room was music playing, in another a TV blaring, and everyone was talking over each other to the point you can't even hear your own voice. Then suddenly, everyone shut up and turned off the tv and music and I could actually hear myself. It was overwhelming.

[@andreafox9137]

I am a paramedic and the best part about having undiagnosed ADHD is the ability to hyperfocus. When I fixate on a critical patient I can't even hear the siren on the car, it's just me and them. The rest of the time my brain refuses to shut off. And that damn inner dialog.

[@sourgreendolly7685]

Being diagnosed didn't take that from me. I'm also super focused during medical emergencies I'm not an EMT, just a caregiver to my grandparents and we've had a year with all that. Including me, that was the one I couldn't handle myself having acute gallbladder infection and recovering from the removal (what do you mean "rest as much as possible?" lol)

[@Marielu127]

Thank you for that statement! I'm quite certain I have ADHD or something like that (there were/are sooo many "jokes" I would've been diagnosed by now had I been born later), but I'm terrified of losing that energy, that hyperfocus which I love and need for my job as an emergency med. So I accept that my personal daily life is all chaos etc as a tradeoff. I just do hope it'll be the same for me 😅

[@memoriea]

I remember reading something that said people with ADHD are better at being paramedics then their nerotypical peers.

[@quintrat]

@Marielu127 I'm an anesthesiologist with a past in emergency medicine. I was diagnosed at 45. Ritalin doesn't take the hyperfocus, it takes the omnipresent noise and the chaos. What used to be a chainsaw is now a scalpel. Also, what's manageable in your 20ies and 30ies will not necessarily stay so. Sleep deprivation is one thing, my brain just can't deal with it anymore. 🙈 So don't be afraid of the diagnosis. Just find out what works for you and what doesn't. Every brain is different. ✌️

[@nollypolly]

I was undiagnosed for 44 years and ppl have always commented on how strangely calm I was in emergency situations. I go into a 'zone' and nothing else exists but the task at hand. Ofc now I know where it comes from and I don't feel like a sociopath when tragedy strikes and I'm the only one not freaking out.

[@sherrymerrill6317]

The bit about, "Apparently it's not my job..." had me in tears until you said, "...You can't have my job." I immediately started laughing! Thank you so much for being you and making this content. I feel understood.

[@kimw3284]

The masking part really hit hard. I've been seeing a therapist (for the first time in my life) for grief since May/June and she has been wonderful. A couple months ago I came across some videos about ADHD in adult women, specifically inattentive type. It sounded really similar to my own experiences so I kept working to educate myself and got up the courage to mention it as a possibility to my therapist. She doesn't specialize in that so was open to my perspective and said she'd help me get in touch with a specialist if I want. After that I got up the courage to mention my suspicions to my husband and my mom (at different times). My husband accepted this at face value at first but has since made one or two comments that indicate he is skeptical. My mom was shocked when I said that this answered a lot of the things I've struggled with over the years and pretty much dismissed that these have been issues for me. I'm decently smart and academically inclined, plus I instinctively figured out a handful of coping strategies, so I got through school relatively unscathed (except for a few occasions which stand out in my memory and fit inattentive ADHD to a T). I was/am seen as the "good" child so I have developed a deeply ingrained habit of hiding any internal mental struggles from my family (and apparently my husband too) so they will continue to think I have my sh*t together. And I didn't even realize I was doing this until recently 🙃 I made the decision to not tell anyone else close to me about my suspicions because their reactions are causing me to doubt myself. Maybe I'm neurotypical with leanings towards distractability, impulsivity, poor working memory, and a penchant for severe procrastination/motivation issues. If I'm misdiagnosing myself, fine, but I've decided that the only person I will accept that from is a specialist. It has been freeing and terrifying at the same time.

[@rachelppython]

Are.... are you me??????

[@melaniecerveau3230]

Hello, I relate to what you're saying a lot but for the autism spectrum. I was diagnosed as a gifted child at, like... 8? 9? I did have school struggles but I've also had massively bad luck with 3/5 of my primary school teachers (one of which meant 3 years of child therapy, wheeee) so that's to take with a grain of salt. Add a bunch of family-related trauma from early teens to... now, actually, and then a MASSIVE TRUCKLOAD of depression & anxiety. The thing is, I'm the firstborn of my family, and the family trauma bs meant I felt I had to protect the little ones, so I had to keep it together at all times. I, too, was the "good" child. The result is that 1) if I say I feel this or that, most people have doubts and 2) I legit don't know how to unmask which is problematic when I'm *trying* to get diagnosed. I look people in the eyes and I don't info dump on my special interest(s) (world-building and writing). The thing is, avoiding looking at people's face was verbally and/or physically beaten out of me, and the info dumping was socially crushed. I don't fidget because the noise and movement annoyed my dad. I don't hum/sing/chit-chat because my dad didn't like the noise. On the other hand, I can stay immobile for 8h straight drawing or reading and only realise something is wrong when the low sugar means my hand shakes too much to continue. I cannot time-manage at all. I can phone for work with the best of them but get panic attacks when i need to call a dentist. I have to think of daily tasks as quests to beat the executive dysfunction. That doesn't make me look autistic or (more broadly) neurodivergent to most uninformed people. That makes me look lazy. So yeah, Mr Therapist doesn't think I'm autistic. I'm ready to hear that. I just want to hear what the flip is off with me so I can get the tools to manage it and finally do something else than "somewhat survive". Best wishes on your diagnosis quest, internet friend. You deserve the closure (and, if pertinent, the tools and help), and no one should get in your way for that, not even your family. I respect your strength in going through that process, your open-mindedness, and for making it so far with all the things you internalised. Cheers!

[@Rutabega_NG]

@@melaniecerveau3230 Is your therapist at all familiar with autism in adults and autism in women? It looks different. And it looks different again if it's comorbid with ADHD. That's not to say that you definitely have one or the other. Only that it helps to have someone who knows what they're looking at to make that call. There are things that show up under the ADHD or autism umbrella that are caused by something else entirely, and then there are things that are very clearly one or the other. If your therapist is not comfortable with or familiar with autism or ADHD in women and adults, consider looking for another opinion. They may come up with the same response, but at least they'll have a better sense of what they're talking about.

[@melaniecerveau3230]

@@Rutabega_NG hi there! thanks for the reply! Yeah I’m aware that being an adult already makes it funky. Here’s the fun part: I’m also trans (FtM) so who knows what might be the “typical” for me? I sure hecking don’t haha. I’ll still ask my therapist again tho (I’m lucky, he’s a good one: told me from the get go that he’d give me as many tools and help me as much as he could regarding being trans, but that he wasn’t trained and confident in actually helping me transition in the best way for me. Speaks well of his ability to take a step back and admit when he’s not the best to answer a question.)

[@rachelppython]

@@melaniecerveau3230 best of luck to you, my guy! I relate hard to the experiences you shared above. I hope you have all the happiness in the world!

[@meinenklinke]

I didn’t get diagnosed with ADHD until this year (I’m 36) and it was because of TikTok. I do remember a college professor who I told that I would be doodling during class, but it was because it helped me focus, and he was 100% understanding of it. I got an A in his class. Edit: I’ve decided to add my favorite object blindness moment. I lost my drill. My lime green drill. Searched for hours. It was in the middle of a table.

[@Catlily5]

I doodled all over my notebooks. Long before I got diagnosed with ADHD.

[@Rutabega_NG]

Any of my old school and college notebooks that I still have are full of doodles. I knew it helped me pay attention. At the time, though, I also "knew" that ADHD was just an excuse, that it didn't really exist. Yeah it turns out I was wrong about that second part. I'm a bit older than you, but I did get diagnosed at 27. I pursued it. The internet was still a new thing and I was surfing around and came across a personal website that hit a little too close to home. A few little hyper focused rabbit holes later and I found myself looking for a therapist who was familiar with adult ADHD. That object black hole is extremely annoying. Especially when it's something I was literally holding in my hand two seconds earlier. I blink and it's just ...gone. Like it never existed.

[@IgnacioCheese]

I took notes like crazy even though they always said “wait til the prof pauses and try to consolidate what they said”… I’m yeah no- I would have forgotten everything if I didn’t write it down that exact moment. lol

[@smay745]

I remember my first day at work while on Vyvanse. I turned to my (also ADHD) coworker and said, in shock, “it’s like my brain has been a strobe light my whole life, but now I finally found the light switches to each room! I can turn the rooms off and on when *I* want them on!”

[@joan.nao1246]

Strobe light! Brilliant!

[@sourgreendolly7685]

that's a great description! I usually describe my 'spacing out' as a big theater curtain that gets in between my brain and everything else. I can hear and have a vague sense of time passing but it's muffled and I cant just pick up the heavy curtain without help. Vyvanse seems to be my match as well, and I only found out due to the shortage! Shoutout to the pharmacist that straight up told me it was all the stimulants except Vyvanse that they couldn't stock so I could discuss it with my doctor, really appreciat her.

[@ravengray3095]

I’m trying a new medication right now for adhd, don’t have an official diagnosis yet so I can’t try stimulants, but my doctor and I are working down a list of nonstimulants trying them for a month each to see if they work, on day 5 of med 2, hope it works lol

[@piggieria]

I use the analogy of being at a party. Everything is loud and crowded, so you walk into the room next door. You can can still hear everything but it isn't as loud and overwhelming. Walking into the other room is how I know my meda have kicked in every morning.

[@aabidahsiebritz3839]

The inner monologue resonates with me, when I'm alone I mistakenly speak out loud as if to answer myself, it's like a constant stream honestly. I also have a terrible memory, I have things I have to do and that's my day-to-day, and some specific moments I remember but the rest is a vague mess. I just turned 30 and it's kind of nice to know why I am the way I am.

[@ninaschust3694]

That is why I often put a mobile on my head when I walk in the streets. I suddenly start speaking out loud without realizing it at first.

[@fleuroster5258]

I always speak with myself, my parents think it’s creepy, i think it’s to get some thoughts out of my head

[@ImNotaRussianBot]

I have to read out loud for dense information when I am insanely fast and comprehensive in reading BECAUSE of the background noise.

[@GrumpyOldFart2]

@@ninaschust3694 I don’t do the mobile thing but I SO SO SO identify with the running monologue in my head and then suddenly speaking out loud part of “my” response (as opposed to the person I’m “talking” to). It’s so embarrassing because if one is in public (like a grocery store) people nearby who heard you will have an “uh-oh crazy person” look on their face.

[@ravengray3095]

There have been times when I literally had a conversation with myself out loud without even realizing it. Usually about an alternate ending to a book or a different way a conversation could’ve gone or a way a future conversation could go, stuff like that

[@shinozsnow]

Have you ever heard of the fawn response? It's a complex PTSD respond that focuses around people pleasing to avoid conflict and disapproval at the complete sacrifice of your wants and needs. It's one of my main everyday responses that I only realized I did within the past couple of years to the point that I forgot what most of my wants and needs are and know that many of the ones I think I have are actually other peoples that I have taken in to better be able to people please. It's something I am starting to try to work on. But it's going to be a long road.

[@cats333tube]

You can do it. Be patient with yourself.

[@rainbowkenz]

The “it’s not your job, it’s my job” line murdered me. No, my dude, it’s clearly my job. And although I am failing at it, I can’t just… stop.

[@Torichan888]

The lotion or hair product one. I have lost things that I was holding in my hand because I wasn't holding them at eye level. The worst is once I put my pencil in my mouth to use my eraser... and lost my pencil. I found it when I went to ask where it went and couldn't because my pencil was in my mouth.

[@pameladwyer2244]

I always enjoy listening to you. You are a sweet, lovable man. Was just diagnosed with ADHD a month ago at age 69. My parents loved me, but I was a big disappointment to them. It sucks finding it out later in life. When you are speaking, with your hands moving too, adding goofy music just is too much. Please don’t add the music - it’s one too many distractions, and your message is what counts! All the best! P.S. You rock bows and makeup!

[@joan.nao1246]

I relate, Pamela! I adore him & look so forward to whatever he's posted, but sometimes I have to pause his vid (yes, even the Shorts) & take a breath to finish them. It's totally up to where I am that day, hour, minute.

[@schokoloko2092]

I can relate to that. and English is not my native language, so i read the text while hearing. but the speed is sometimes too fast to hear/read and understand, so often I have to watch it twice. and the music is definitely not helping with that!

[@misstere5132]

I am 52 and I took my first adhd medication today. I grieve what my life could have been if anyone paid enough attention to see I was struggling so very much my whole life

[@pameladwyer2244]

@@misstere5132 I hear you. A family member told me not to “dwell on it”. She meant well, but I told her that no-one stops her from grieving her Dad, gone many years. I said I need to grieve and be angry over the struggles that I had.

[@shinozsnow]

I was diagnosed with ADHD last year at the age of 34 and not only was being treated for it life changing, but just the diagnosis was life changing. It even had a huge affect on the anxiety and depression I was also diagnosed with as co-morbidities. I wasn't struggling because I was lazy, a failure, not smart enough, etc. In fact, the opposite was true for me to even function at the level I was despite it. I had many coping mechanisms I had created over the years and they still weren't enough. The small spoon statement hit me. I used to take tiny bites of any food that I really liked as a kid, so I could enjoy it as long as possible. Partly because we were poor and partly because it was how I fought that I need MORE OF THIS NOW. If I took tiny bites it would keep hitting that this is so good and feel like I was eating so much at the same time. It happened the most with beef jerky, crunch bars, and mallow cereal. Also, why did you have to play such a good background song that I struggled to focus on what you were saying? xD I have dump spots in specific places around the house, so I have controlled places that I will most likely randomly lay things. I also have to have corded bluetooth headphones because even pulling it out to listen to someone for a second risks me setting them down randomly, putting them in my pocket and not finding them for hours despite them still being in my pocket or just flat out dropping them and they disappear into oblivion because I forgot I was holding them. The corded ones I have clip together in the front, so if I drop one side, it doesn't automatically weigh it down and they fall off and also disappear into oblivion. Honestly, I am afraid of having kids because me system to remember to do things is so dependent on things staying in the place I set them that I feel kids will break me.

[@sourgreendolly7685]

I definitely don't believe I can handle being a parent for similar reasons. I was diagnosed last year too only I was 32, but I felt this way beforehand. I'm great with kids but they're exhausting. I'm fine with being the babysitter/weird artist aunt.

[@alexandracoffin696]

I wasn't diagnosed until I was 27, and there is a sense of liberation in finally knowing that you're not lazy, unmotivated, don't care, etc... but it can also hurt to look back and think about how hard you struggled against your own mind only to be left feeling useless and like you just "didn't/couldn't try hard enough." I had to go through a period of mourning and angst over what could have been if I had been diagnosed sooner and gotten the help I needed to be more successful. The biggest impact for me though, was realizing exactly HOW MUCH it affected my day-to-day life. I knew that my ADHD made focusing on work and meeting deadlines more difficult, but I didn't realize that treating it would also help me be a better wife, mother, and an overall happier person. So for anyone wondering if it's worth it to get diagnosed as an adult and seek treatment: absolutely! Understanding your neuro-divergence and learning how to work with it can have a cascade affect into so many other areas of your life.

[@Jennaswirly]

😂 the allergy pills!! Omg as someone on the autism spectrum the working memory problems also is an issue. I take allergy pills twice a day and I often can’t remember if I took either my morning pill or evening pill. Out of caution I won’t take it if I’ve passed the time I normally take it. Then several hours later I realize I didn’t take one of my pills cause I start getting hives on my hands and my chest and my neck and I start sneezing. Severe allergy sufferer with 5 cats and 15 chickens….and a couch that came from a home with a dog. I am pretty sure I’m a glutton for punishment. Cause I’m allergic to all of it, and the outside for 9 months out of the year. *edit cause I forgot words. Lmao

[@CCP_yb]

I just had my second therapy session today, and the therapist gently suggested that I was textbook adhd and assigned me some reading. Your video here popped up by happenstance and almost literally everything you said sounds exactly like what has made me feel stupid, lazy, depressed, and useless for the last 20 or so years. I think the last time I could remember not just tolerating myself because I had no choice was sometime in my teens. I’m 32, and it’s such a damn comfort that my bad memory, procrastination, inability to focus, constantly fidgeting and switching gears, lying to people to excuse my inadequacies and apologizing constantly when lying wouldn’t do, grinding my teeth against the constant stream of songs, movie quotes, and inner monologue rolling around in my head… it’s not all just because I suck at living. I’m not useless, and I don’t have to hate myself and feel ashamed all the time… well goddamn, today’s a day for revelation, and I don’t know what to do with myself. Really looking forward to continuing to get help though.

[@doodlesack0]

I've, um, been binge-watching your videos for way longer than I should be... I also have adhd... hyperfocus is in overdrive lol. Why can't I just be like "oh i like them, suscribe" without having to proceed to watch every video that creator has ever made? Please tell me I'm not alone lol. Love your content 😅

[@_Hajar_]

I'm not diagnosed, but I relate to almost everything you said. At one point I had a meltdown and was prescribed a pill that I take to this day. Not for ADHD, but it makes thoughts manageable, instead of me getting one and spinning it to the lowest point of sadness. Self-talk becomes more monotone (instead of the usual: Go to h€ll/I wish I didn't have to live with you/etc), it becomes: oh, now i have to do this/I should remember to do that. I thought it was just me being me. Thanks.

[@joan.nao1246]

@H C I'm liking the sound of that med! Do you feel comfortable sharing what it is, so I can bring it up to my Dr?

[@sourgreendolly7685]

That is just being you. You just aren't the only one that experiences it. It could be ADHD but there are a lot of symptoms that can also be things like anxiety and such. Like I've always had several autistic friends because it's always felt like they just get me and they don't try to fix my awkwardness. I'm not autistic and most of them aren't ADHD, but we have a lot of overlapping symptoms and comorbid disorders so we are still a lot alike when we're just being us.

[@saragates2255]

@The Speech Prof I found out recently that CPTSD can cause some of the same memory issues you describe. It causes individuals to live in a state of hyper vigilance which causes the brain to release cortisol and adrenaline, both of which can cause serious memory impairment. I experience some similar memory issues as you but I do not have ADHD and I've been diagnosed with CPTSD. My doctor was very clear about what causes the memory issues in this case. CPTSD is not uncommon in survivors of childhood trauma, which I am also. From some of the things you've described about your childhood it might be worth looking in to. I'm sure if we were to combine the effects of ADHD and CPTSD the result could be devastating. I'm so sorry you're fighting the memory fight every day... It's exhausting and can be frustrating for those around us also. May the Force be with you❤️

[@joan.nao1246]

Sara, so much cross over within ND diagnoses/symptoms. Thank you for bringing it up.

[@saragates2255]

@@joan.nao1246 ah, I didn't know that... Thank you! 👍

[@thecornucopiasystem]

Can confirm, the childhood trauma can seriously impact how your memory works for the rest of your life, like it does for us, neurotypical or not - Gemini Seriously, we can't tell what our terrible memory is attributed to, our autism, our ADHD, our CPTSD, or our DID/OSDD - Knockout

[@joan.nao1246]

@@thecornucopiasystem Absolutely, thank you for clarifying NT or ND!

[@sourgreendolly7685]

That's why my ADHD wasn't caught until age 32. I definitely had a lot of trauma but I was also born with an ADHD brain. That's why trauma work could only do so much for me.

[@janetpingrey7155]

The worst thing ever said..."it's all fake and an excuse to act badly"...I was not diagnosed until I was far into adulthood and had used black coffee throughout my childhood as a control. My doctor realized when she put me on Benadryl and it stimulated me to the point of insanity (cleaning until 4:30 AM, talking a mile a minute, "Squirrel" ) that she did some other tests and then GAVE me a great book to read (Driven to Distraction) and then would answer any questions the book did not. I do not take meds and some days are a little nuttier than others, but I have you and a couple other vloggers to make up my tribe.

[@happylady2679]

Omg I think my son has it. Benedryl makes him hyper not sleepy.

[@belabotum876]

And no one still gets my adhd and autism because it’s not visible like my sons. I also stutter. It’s debilitating sometimes. Luckily my bf is here and knows the way I am. I’m 52 and he knew me since I was 6. He used to defend me when I was bullied. Now I own a business, home, car. I have help raising my son who lives with autism and mother whom has dementia. Is it hard? Yes that’s why it’s easy. ❤

[@Violet_Jedi_Sylveon]

Damn it, this video is way way to relatable. Also I agree on the small spoon, large spoon is only for scooping dips and stuff.

[@Catlily5]

My boyfriend is 6'4" and has a big mouth. He doesn't understand why I don't like big spoons. But the small ones just fit in my mouth better!

[@Xandycane]

I have a lot of family with ADHD and this makes so much sense. It explains some things. Though, a few I want to show the Red Bull part because seriously! I say caffeine really affects me (literally, my hands shake if I have too much, which is more than one cup) and they are telling me I'm wrong and it does nothing. I always am telling them I'm overly sensitive and they are reverse sensitive. 😁 They just keep drinking yummy coffee in front of me as I stare in envy.

[@thomaswolfe7845]

Oh dude, I've been asking to be tested for almost 2 years and I'm still fighting to convince them to put me on the goddamned wait-list to be tested

[@1CurlyB]

I had a doctor once that said maybe I needed to get diagnosed, because she thought I might have ADHD. I was like - what's wrong with this doctor, I don't have ADHD. But something keeps telling me - you need to find out. I'm sitting here listening to this, thinking......I might have a problem. I can't tell you how many times I can't remember if I've taken certain meds or not - I've skipped them, I've damn near overdosed. This may be problematic..........

[@shaynatattersfield4043]

I remember when I first when on adhd meds, I'd been having trouble with all these voices swearing at eachother in my head. The meds made a huge difference. I can still think and talk to myself when I want, but it stopped the distracting arguments

[@sixbirdsinatrenchcoat]

So this is (part of) why I relate to you so much … Just got my diagnosis 🤷🏼‍♀️ Edit: Wait … other people don’t have constant dialogues playing in their brains? Yes, dialogues. Or … what’s it called when there’s more than two people talking? Edit: That round pill box is still stressing me out because … what end do you start in and how do you immediately tell if you’ve taken your pills the 5 or 6 times you look at it each day? I mean, if you know what day of the week it is, but still …

[@ladykoiwolfe]

It probably has the time of day written on it. And I don't even have a regular monologue in my head. It is usually completely silent. The kind of silent that apparently isn't quite normal. No pictures either, I can't visualize.

[@calamityjean1525]

"Or … what’s it called when there’s more than two people talking?" Conversation. It's called a conversation. Re the round pill box: " how do you immediately tell if you’ve taken your pills the 5 or 6 times you look at it each day?" Leave the compartment empty at least until the following day. When you look at it and today's compartment is empty, you've taken your pills today. I got one for my husband because he wanted to start his pill-taking week on Friday instead of Sunday. He filled it every Friday, took his daily pills, and left the sections empty until the following Friday.

[@TheImaginaryCat]

For me being diagnosed as an adult and trying out meds for the first time was like someone suddenly muted the 8 different tv channels I had constantly yelling in the background and didn't even realize. Turns out I don't actually think more sluggishly than the people around me just in every direction all at once. Good for creative brainstorming and coming up with innovative solutions to problems, bad for actually functioning like a human being. That first quiet was such a relief I just sat there staring over a lake and cried

[@Rutabega_NG]

@@TheImaginaryCat You know those things that happen in your life that you remember everything when they happened? The first time I took a stimulant for ADHD is one of those times for me. Over 20 years ago and I still remember it like it was yesterday. I can't remember yesterday, or this morning for that matter, but that day is as crystal clear to me as the day the Challenger exploded in 1986.

[@logosgal]

I spent a significant chunk of time tonight ranting & crying with my person about some tasks that my adhd brain has been dreading & putting off for months, talking about how stupid & useless I felt for letting them get so far. This video helped me feel a lot less alone & stupid. Thanks for sharing!

[@Ukliving]

Just showed this to my bff who is in the long process of being diagnosed. Instant response was "Yes" have I taken 3 pills or 0 pills, so true and that red bull makes her sleepy 🤦🏻‍♀️

[@joakescarnival8303]

Sometimes after too long I forget why I was so sure that I had ADHD and that scene in IT where it's revealed that the doc just let the kid think they had asthma cuz an empty puffer calmed their anxiety pops into my head. Then I get wonderful videos like this to sock me in the relatable. "Ah yah that was it!" Thank you.

[@shannonroysden7908]

Ok…halfway into the video I still feel the need to say Big Spoon… more milk in the cereal bite…

[@zoegoodfellow1988]

And the cereal doesn't get soggy!

[@_Hajar_]

Big spoon for eating meals small spoon to eat dessert/mix sugar in coffee or tea.

[@andiward7068]

Blow your mind, Capn Crunch w/a fork doesn't scrape up the roof of your mouth. Use a drinking cup 8-12 oz for cereal and no more soggies.

[@zoegoodfellow1988]

@@andiward7068 never had captain crunch before (UK) but I will try it with a different type!

[@tantamounted]

@@zoegoodfellow1988 Cheerios can do that too (especially if eaten dry), I had to stop eating them for a while because they made my mouth sore. Now I can have them again, I just can't have a whole box in one go!

[@bookishbassoonist2210]

For the meds problem, I just started using timer cap bottles. They’re from Amazon. They count down in seconds how long it’s been since the bottle was opened and it’s been very helpful with my evening meds

[@bunnery2326]

I didn't know until my son said he thought he had it and on researching it I kept coming up with "Oh I do that". Doh, face palm looking back over my lifes struggles to finish anything, start stuff, reading 6 books at the same time.......

[@SailorYuki]

The working memory thing is so frustrating. I can't even count the times I've been in the shower wondering if I have washed my hair yet, or if I just used shampoo or conditioner? Most of the time I forget to rinse it off and my hair looks way more greasy after the shower than it did when I stepped in it.

[@joan.nao1246]

Omg yes! Exactly why I adopted a routine in the shower!

[@JenWren4]

The people pleasing thing has been PHYSICALLY beaten into my DNA to the extent that when I try not to do it I have physical manifestations of withdrawal. Lose bowels, vomiting, panic attacks, dizziness. It boils down to me being a physical wreck if I try to avoid toxic relationships. It's debilitating. And sarcasm is my shield to emotional anything. And it's so bad I told my son yesterday I loved him and he asked me if I was serious. WTF. My boys know I love them because I show them but apparently I don't SAY it enough. That broke me. I went to my room and cried quietly for the rest of the night that day

[@fleuroster5258]

Yesterday I told my friend I sometimes forget that some people like my closet friends literally exist. Sometimes I’m like wait I should write a message to this friend not that they think I’m a bad friend and after that I don’t text until 3 weeks later or more. She was shocked about it, that’s this can happen. Btw I’m not diagnosed but I know my brain is not complete how it should be

[@Catlily5]

If people move away I often forget about them (most of the time).

[@misstere5132]

This is an autism trait as well. Adhd and autism are closely linked

[@Rutabega_NG]

This is one of those symptoms I did not see in myself until decades after I was diagnosed. Always had it, I just didn't recognize it until I saw someone mention it.

[@HulaHula667]

I have to have my pharmacy put my meds in what they call dosett boxes, so all my meds for the day are together in one section for mornings/evening etc for every day and I have a tray per week. It’s the only way I manage to regularly take my meds. I still occasionally mess up. I’ve taken the morning at night and vice versa, or forgotten a dose entirely, but at least I am able to tell pretty much at a glance. I’m currently very much near the start of about a THREE YEAR wait list for an official diagnosis of ADHD(spectrum) at 41.

[@totallyrandomd1714]

I feel so seen! And since we are around different people, it's okay that it's your job to make the people around you happy. It's my job to make the people around me happy. Now we can make twice as many people happy!

[@river-collective]

I went "wait most people don't have inner monologues all the time", then I remembered I'm in a system, we don't have inner monologues, we have inner dialogues. Can't even think without someone answering.

[@siobhan2578]

I appreciate this video so much. Thank you

[@frizzelfrazzel99]

Even my inner monologue is all over the place!!

[@elaexplorer]

All the fast food places have apps. You can order in the app. See exactly what you're ordering, make substitutions/deletions, and don't have to relay that information to anyone. If you get your burrito with beans it's because the restaurant messed up and not because you forgot to say no beans.

[@StellaMcFly]

Whooooo I have to take a break. These hit far too close to center. I've been diagnosed with major depression, generalized anxiety, and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder since I was a kid. Apparently I was tested for ADHD, and they told my parents that I didn't have ADHD, I just didn't like listening to authority. I was later diagnosed as ADHD and potentially on the autism spectrum (my son is on the spectrum, too). Which is super fun, because my parents still think I'm "just being the difficult one" when I call them out for being racist when they drop an N-bomb. I always explain that, no I'm not being difficult, but that it is morally reprehensible to be racist. I got a lecture last week from my dad about how it's his house and he can say what he wants and he's tired of being called out for everything he does. I told him that 1) we were texting as a family group, 2) that means we aren't in his house, but he is pushing his hate into mine, 3) using slurs for black people and Hispanic people and homophobic slurs and slurs against neurodivergent people is not ok, ever (because he'd somehow wrapped all of those into two texts), but also 4) I'm pansexual and neurodivergent, my husband and kids are Puerto Rican, my husband is bisexual, my kids are all neurodivergent, my husband has PTSD from his time in the Army, etc.; and that, no, there was no way in hell we were coming over for Christmas now. (Not even going to touch on his religious BS. There's way too much to unpack there.) Also, I'm 39. My husband is 45. My boys are 19 and 16. My daughter is 7. There isn't a snowballs chance in hell I'd let that toxicity deep into them, too. He made a mess of my life and self-esteem. I'll be damned if he does it to them. Ahem. My apologies. Thank you for letting me rant. I feel a little better.

[@misstere5132]

You and your family sound wonderful. I hope you stay away from that toxic stuff and that you and your family are happy ever after

[@msshellm8154]

Putting yourself (and your family) first is one of the hardest and bravest things you can do, _especially_ when you've always been told that it's selfish, or that piece of rubbish "family is the most important thing" ... The most important family is often the one you choose for yourself - protecting yourself and your loved ones from such a toxic person takes courage _especially_ because they're a patent. Blood isn't thicker than water, it's just harder to clean up 😉

[@janeldavis905]

I loved this. The lotion, allergy meds, and soap stories are so relatable. Also, on the quiet mind thing, I once watched a KZbin video called ADHD Simulator, and when I watched it I thought, "Yeah, ok... it was a good simulation of how brains work, but I don't think it's exclusive to people with ADHD." So I had my husband watch it because I was convinced he'd find it relatable too... Nope. He found it very "stressful" and was surprised that I felt it was accurate. He said his brain only has constant, distracting inner monologue (maybe) when he's really tired. It helps me be kinder to myself when I think about that.

[@sadiemcintire1054]

Turns out everything I thought made me less than or just uniquely shitty at being a functional person was a either a symptom of my ADHD or a result of childhood trauma. I'm taking medication for my ADHD and my anxiety and I'm doing a lot better now, but part of why I have an anxiety disorder is because I was using anxiety as a coping skill to help me remember things and maintain focus.. turns out being on edge all of the time to remember things isn't normal.

[@rainlesure4690]

I love you're videos so much. Especially the ones on ADHD .Because growing up I didn't hear anything positive about my ADHD I heard I was slow or stupid. And even now I live in constant fear that I'm going to get yelled at for missing something or forgetting to do something because my attention was elsewhere and my parents still talk to me like I'm stupid witch I find hilarious. However I'm not stupid I just don't think the same as everyone else.

[@JenWren4]

Mrs. Rauf taught me the the footnote on EVERY report card I ever got... Jen would do well if she'd only apply herself... Was wrong. She engaged me in different was and asked me for answers on years instead of making me read and take the test. Her English lit class was the first one I EVER got an A in and it was Junior year! she was the teacher no one wanted because she was a Hard teacher so it's made the victory even more amazing! Thank you Mrs Rauf!

[@sherrylaury]

Not only did I feel the need to make everyone happy. It absolutely destroyed me when I couldn't.

[@Hi_Im_Akward]

Im 30yo and currently undiagnosed. On a waitlist for an assessment for ADHD and Autism. Thank you for the laughs, I'm pretty constantly stressing out about this and how little support and tools I have and it's nice to have relatable content. Today was extra hard, almost had a meltdown in the grocery store today. Your channel truly means a lot to me and helps me in more ways than you know.

[@transformativegreenspacest1898]

This stuff is great. Although, that part about forgetting what we were doing 5 seconds ago...when it happens while driving a car, it use to scare me real bad. I would just be in my thoughts and then all the sudden BAM! I am turning through an intersection. Luckily, I have always been a real safe driver.

[@berenicesaquet1870]

The quiet mind, a friend gave me one of her pill (after peer diag from way to many people) and it was like 'OMG that is so calm, that is relaxing, OMG I can switch focus at my will easily , that is weird but nice, OMG no constant flow of ideas from everywhere with at least 10 strings of though that I don't control ? I can listen to music and a conversation ??? I can listen to the lyrics and the music in a song ????, Incredible !!!)

[@rachnab04]

I got diagnosed with ADHD as an adult too and I appreciate you sharing your story

[@JHU349]

omg the "arent we all" kills me!! I struggle extremely with my dylectia and the amount of people telling that they too think the readings for a class are not simple, so no big deal.... is stragering.

[@caroljo420]

🤣🤣🤣 I can SO relate to this!!! I never heard the term neurodivergent before, but yup! That's me! I have epilepsy, I'm bipolar, and I suspect I'm on the functional end of the autism spectrum. That one, however, has never been diagnosed, and I'm 70 now, so I think maybe I don't need to worry about that.

[@darkangelprincess101]

The more I learn about ADHD and autism and the more videos of people talking about their experience with it the more I'm convinced I have both

[@teshlafreeman4040]

So for real lol my therapist said I have adhd because of severe trauma but really I feel nearly every bit of that..deep lol

[@Hometowngirl321]

OMG, what you’ve been describing is just like me!! I have MS which affects my cognition. I can be thinking about doing something, go to do it and within 3 seconds I forget what I was going to do. It’s crazy, I know, so I feel for you Prof. By the way I just love your videos and your wonderful sense of humour, it really makes my day better to watch them. 👍😄🤩

[@Teenangst16]

All of this resonated with me so much, I was laughing and tearing up at a bunch of these.

[@gingerr9004]

Dude that’s a real thing…. So good at masking the abuse that no one had any idea and it was so hard to turn it off that now I can’t turn it back on man…. Let’s just say it’s been tough and medication has been part of that journey… I love your videos. Silly shit like not feeling alone really help the healing process. Thank you 🙏

[@visualinotion3957]

The inner monologue is one key thing I really want to discuss with a therapist as soon as I can. It is really worrying to me that the only times it shuts up is when I'm focused on something, like writing, or F:'%@ DRUNK. I have podcasts on most of the time while doing shores so I don't listen to myself.

[@aina3387]

Videos like this are how I know I don't have ADHD, but also remind me that my brother is so ADHD that it is hard for him to function.

[@voltron4212]

I love the last one about feeling guilty about being happy. I don't necessarily feel "guilty" about it, but I have times when I wonder why I'm happy, or how it could be possible for me to be happy. On the flip of that, I also desperately avoid or flee particularly dark or bleak "entertainments" that invoke feelings of anxiety, depression, or grief.

[@Viv008]

You've helped me, as I have recognized way too much of my self in this video. I drink coffee to fall asleep (among many other things mentioned.) Thank you.

[@paulaOyeah]

Prof, you might want to look into some adult Autism signs. I was diagnosed this year, and I'm 45. (ADHD and Autism are often comorbid, and one can hide the other. ADHD is the preferred medical diagnosis because it has less stigma. Fuck their stigma. ;) )

[@walking_the_gyre]

As a therapist, if a therapist doesn't see through you like a glass pane, there are others of us.

[@_N0_0ne]

It’s nice to see I’m not alone. Thank you kindly

[@annarouse3466]

The first time my daughter took her ADHD medications, I remember very vividly. It was maybe 20 minutes later and she was playing in the livingroom and all of a sudden, she just stopped. And looked at me really intensely. And when I asked her what was up she whispered "Someone turned the volume down..." What volume, you ask? "The volume to the party in my head." And ever since then, she has taken her medication with a joy I am almost jealous of. And when she starts to outgrow her dose, she will tell me "I think we need to see the Dr. Someone's turning the volume up again." I've never had that experience, but she loves knowing she isn't alone. Thank you.

[@PaniACoCo]

Tiktok pushed me to get a diagnosis, and it has changed my life. I felt like a failure since I was 11, but now I'm proud of myself for how far I've come. Medication has also helped a lot.

[@KiaMiaProductions]

You totally hit the nail on the head with the spoon thing. 😊 I love u so much for this video. Ive NEVER been diagnosed but I've always known i didn't think the same. I constantly have an inner monologue, i imagine in full out scenes and comic strips. 🤣 Tbh, weed has helped me to understand my brain. Like the drinking soap. I literally look past things right in front of me. Caffeine makes me sleepy. I can enjoy my own company and be hilarious. 🤣🤣 This video made my heart happy. It's on thing when folks relate to one regular stuff, it's a whole nother level for folks to connect to quirks. 😜

[@Chhesterification]

You can get an airpod case with a space for an airtag so you can locate them. 🙂

[@elizabethhenning778]

Small forks, too. Too bad there's no tiny knives.

[@rainecolubio]

THIS REMINDED ME THAT THERES A SUBSCRIPTION I FORGOT TO CANCEL LAST MONTH damn

[@athena1047]

Right there with ya. Be kind to yourself. Thank you.

[@MatthewTheWanderer]

I was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome (or Autism Spectrum DIsorder) when I was 28. Although I have never been diagnosed with ADHD, I strongly suspect that I have that, also.

[@astraamarante6233]

Was waiting for the “no” But did not expect a perfectly cut scream! 😂 Also, can relate with the masking. I’m a girl in a household with a mother who had me at 36 and doesn’t realize she’s internally misogynist, so thanks to her insecure nitpicking, I can’t differentiate my normal behavior from masking, and I think that subconscious masking is part of why I’m so friggin tired all the time 😭

[@jannetteberends8730]

A tip for your medication. I get my meds in a Baxter rol. All the medication for the week are in a rolled up strip of sealed plastic bags with the date and time you had to take it. The roll is for a week. So there are 7 * 4 plastic bags on it. (I take my medication 4 times a day) My pharmacy delivers the roll each week at home. They are originally for older people. I’m from The Netherlands, so I’m not sure if this system is also called Baxter rol elsewhere, but with the description the pharmacy will understand what you mean. Searching on internet will give you a picture.

[@dod2304]

Ooooh your descriptions of "is it lotion or hair creme"? And...did I actually take these pills or did I just think about taking them??? Gah!! I have a good pill box. If I feel like I can't be bothered to refill it for the next week, sheet! I'm in trouble!!! I can't thank you enough for these descriptions. My kids sometimes make me feel like a bad person. I feel bad enough with that kind of judging/scolding. I'm going to share this with them. I'm so grateful.

[@dod2304]

I HATE HATE HATE when people say, "Just write it down!" Or, even better.."If you were better organized you would n't lose things so often!"!!!😡

[@Trix897]

I wasn’t diagnosed until I was 44 and it took 3 years to fully accept it. Once I went on stimulant medication, the change was pretty much instantaneous, but it took about 2 years for me to acclimate to the new way I was seeing the world. Am I a people pleaser because my parents viewed my undiagnosed ADHD that they didn’t want me to see a therapist or psychiatrist for in order to get a referral for testing as me being lazy and undisciplined? Absolutely. Definitely have CPTSD as a result of that mess, especially considering the fact that I’m a professor’s kid and my family are all high achievers. I’m finally reprogramming myself from people pleasing and the first step was disconnecting from my parents. It made a HUGE difference. Also, for the record, I currently have 362 tabs open on the Safari browser of my iPhone. Working memory issues are definitely a thing.

[@Awsomonium]

I LOVE these. IT helps to see someone else talking about some of the same things I experience. Question for my ADHD people out there: Does your filter ever just break? Doesn't matter what your doing, it can be in the middle of a conversation, or at work or home. All the...how do I say it...all the senses, like the sounds, smells, colours, etc come in at once and you just have to stop for 10 seconds or so to put the filter back up than you have to try to refocus on whatever else you were doing?

[@shersmk90]

The chaos in all of these vids, separate and together! wow! How are you still alive?

[@ellenmorrison5614]

Omg the must make everyone happy and panicking if you don't hit so hard with me. Especially this time of year with buying Christmas presents.

[@trinkab]

Never felt so called out in my life.

[@jillhagen]

Dang, all of these were so relatable.

[@lillymoonstar8]

I got into the purposeful habit of going “I’m so silly” instead of saying “I’m so stupid” when I mess up due to my adhd and in other ways because of the fact I personally think it fosters a better self-image and healthy attitude towards yourself

[@thoughtfulone8312]

I feel we are one person. My inability to remember a second ago and being afraid of the past and future. Afraid of being loved and hated. Afraid of being alone and with someone.

[@Doomsdaymelody]

My personal favourite ADD thing that I deal with is loosing my phone constantly but always knowing that my brother will know where it is for me, we r connected and he is my best friend

[@studiosandi]

Thank you for sharing and making it entertaining at the same time.

[@Geolstud]

All of this hits home for me.

[@shawn_anigans]

Your videos make me feel better when I’m depressed :)

[@memoriea]

omg I do not know what I have, I am definitely not neurotypical. But, boy does this all resonate with me. Thank you for helping me laugh at myself and feel ok with myself for a moment.

[@KismetSarken]

Um, thank you. Just watched this and I think I need to see my doctor. I don't know if I have ADD/ADHD but it sure sounds like I might. Glad I found your channel Professor.

[@Strawberries1994]

Everytime I see a ADHD video I'm reassured that anxiety disorder, depression and ADHD have a lot of common symptoms 😂

[@msshellm8154]

I wish my comment was this succinct 🤦🏻‍♀️

[@SakuraMoonflower]

Also, can relate to feeling guilty for feeling joy. I promise I am working on it.

[@SakuraMoonflower]

I relate to the inner monologue and forgetting if I took a medication or not. @_@; The "Robot's butthole" comment was hilarious. XD. But robots wouldn't need buttholes... So maybe just a robot mouth?

[@HCoons1975]

I've had adult people look at me weird for using a small spoon. I had never considered that my preference for a small spoon might be related to dopamine or possibly ADHD. 🤔 Love your videos. Thank you.

[@gretilla5558]

We are brain twins....and it freaks me out. Also I can't try stimulants for my newly diagnosed adhd because I want more kids and women get screwed over because it's not safe for small human growing.

[@CodeGrayHere]

Wow wow wow, around the 50-second mark you were describing me better than I could! 🤯 Not ADHD but wow!

[@loserchips1112]

I'm decidedly neurotypical, as I can't relate to any of these, but I will say that almost everyone in my life has ADHD. My entire group of friends, my siblings, and the content creators I watch. Because of this, I've gotten very used to ADHD behavior and see it as normal. It's nice to have a good idea of how it all works despite not experiencing it myself, so I can help people in the future on the fly if they needed it. So i can proudly say I've NEVER said "it must be great to have ADHD, so much energy!"

[@Hearthburn1]

When I was in my thirties I abasently said to a friend "So I'm starting to think I might have ADHD. Maybe I should--" Friend: "Yes." Bestie: "Yes." Sister in another state: "Yes." Squad of acquaintances: "Yes." Random passer-by on the street who stopped to stick his head in the window: "Yes."