What is it like having ADHD & Chronic Pain?

When you have ADHD, it makes life hard. If you have chronic pain as well, it makes life just that much harder. It's already difficult for us to filter out distractions but for those of us with chronic pain, it's nearly impossible. For those of us who don't live with chronic pain though, what is it like?
Support us on Patreon: / howtoadhd
Check out our website: howtoadhd.com
Follow us on all the things:
Twitter: / howtoadhd
TikTok: / howtoadhd
Instagram: / howtoadhd
Facebook: / howtoadhd
Our Merch Shop: shop.howtoadhd.com
----------------------
Research Provided by: Farah Mahmud
Episode Written By: Farah Mahmud & Jessica McCabe
----------------------
Citations:
doi.org/10.117...
doi.org/10.214...
doi.org/10.118...
doi.org/10.109...
doi.org/10.108...
doi.org/10.103...
doi.org/10.108...
doi.org/10.103...
Resources:
Pain Explained:
www.psychology...
Mysterious Science of Pain:
• The mysterious science...
Pain management workbook:
apps.apple.com...
How to ADHD Worksheet:
drive.google.c...
"The Show Must Be Go”, “Carefree”, “Life of Riley”, “Bittersweet”
Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0
creativecommons...

[@HowtoADHD]

Link to a worksheet we made! Hope this helps :) drive.google.com/file/d/1p64KgWWLaoYhpGoNiEGzMrPE8xmnIVT0/view

[@marthe4246]

Hey, I (19f) recently got diagnosed with ADHD and I’m really struggling. Do you suggest I go and talk to a therapist? I burst out in tears every time I watch your videos. I feel so seen and accepted bcs of you.

[@sageordnung7188]

@@marthe4246 Hey there! I’m not Jessica but I have ADHD too. I think it’s always worth taking care of your mental health especially with the help of a therapist or other professional. I got diagnosed at 30 because my therapist figured out this was ADHD. But I also recommend maybe taking a break from ADHD videos if you’re feeling overwhelmed. That happened to me too when I got diagnosed and my therapist told me to take breaks lol. Treat your symptoms with kindness if you can and maybe talk to your doctor if that’s an option for you. You’ll be ok! This early stage of grief passes, I promise.

[@marthe4246]

@@sageordnung7188 Thank you!! I’ll give my brain a rest for now, at least till my next appointment that is.

[@mateagrd5067]

Hey Jessica ! I just wanted to thank you and your team of brains for helping me getting through my own diagnosis (gifted + ADHD). Your videos ans solutions really do help ! Keep going

[@jennyannfraser]

Love kol

[@MurdochCreates]

One thing I’ve noticed, dealing with chronic/semi chronic pain, at least for me, is that you get used to dealing with a certain amount of pain, so you sometimes don’t realize you are in pain, and it wears you out without realizing why. Add that onto the mental exhaustion adhd bring along and dealing with life’s responsibilities, you can get your energy sapped fairly quickly.

[@ptlovelight2971]

this is me essentially lol. ADHD/ASD and alexithymia along with high pain tolerance do not mix well

[@roxnboys3]

Oh my,… yes. I have definitely caused injury by ignoring pain while in hyper focus. I am so used to pushing thru, I have not listened to my body when its telling me somethings wrong.

[@shubhanmajumder3515]

I think our brain gets dehydrated pretty fast as compared to others

[@blueyay]

@@ptlovelight2971are you me?

[@ricoender8020]

To true.

[@GamerXenith]

Pain + ADHD + Rejection Sensitivity is an awful combo. :( I'm glad I'm not alone, at least!

[@Quisiio0303456]

It is awful.

[@offensivediscourse8514]

Debilitating

[@profoundprimate]

It's terrible but you're not alone thats for sure.

[@megandenniston3646]

Agree

[@JPerkfn]

I got the ADHD + Covid Brain fog + sinus combo

[@sevenleaguesunderthesea]

Thank you for making this. It's isolating and tough to feel like you're fighting your brain and body. Changing my thought process from "how do I fight this" to "how do I support myself through these struggles" made a world of difference for me.

[@HowtoADHD]

That's such a great thought process - thank you so much for sharing it with us! I love it!

[@nablona]

This is so much reality finally things start to make sense

[@lucks036]

I got chronic headaches and the thing that helped me most was just accepting that i have them. just like i did with my tic disorder. I just learned to manage live around my headaches and I'm doing so much better then 8 years ago when they started being chronic!

[@NoLOVEinFEAR333]

the comments in this thread have been really helpful, thank you. I think the approach of "how can i support myself through this" is a wise one. I'm going to try framing thing like that.

[@I_Call_You_Moonchild]

This is the approach I am beginning to adapt. Example being exercise which I don't so much see as a chore now (to resist and fight) but rather a tool to support my literal function. Accepting that I actually have chronic pain (yay imposter syndrome) and ADHD (diagnosed a year ago) is finally allowing me to be gentle with myself, use the supports that I have without guilt, and to seek out further necessary supports. My body and mind aren't going anywhere anytime soon, God willing, so I might as well stop fighting and start supporting.

[@Matt-rx3kp]

That statement of " it's always something with you " hit home pretty hard. Loving the videos keep it up. Really helping me navigate through my life at the moment 💪

[@nothingbutthetruth3227]

If I had a nickel for every time my sister said this….

[@TheRealWoofer]

I totally felt that. It’s part of the reason I’ve had such issues with keeping jobs in the past. That and when my wife or kids get sick, I get this overwhelming need to be there and care for them. If I can’t it’s a huge distraction for me, and if I do stay home to tend to them then my employers think I’m just playing hooky or something. The world can be a cruel place for folks like us.

[@LexYeen]

I got that line from my mom too many times to count.

[@christinajackson2662]

It hurt so much because people don’t say it to me, but I say it to myself and assume they must be thinking it.

[@lucks036]

@@christinajackson2662 i feel you on that. I do the exact same

[@sageordnung7188]

When my cluster headaches start feeling like they’re getting out of control, I’ve found that decreasing my sensory stimulation usually helps 90% of the time. It’s ridiculous how sometimes treating my ADHD first before trying to mitigate the migraine pain makes a world of difference. Treating myself with kindness before things get awful tends to lead to fewer bad pain days. It’s almost rude lol.

[@gillifish]

Omg I just started experiencing cluster headaches for the first time in years after surgery and thought I was dying!!! Got through the round and I’m good now, but I’m so scared it’ll start again. They’re intense! My doctor didn’t believe me for a while 😭 I’m so sorry you have to deal with that. I found that either keeping the lights on or off helps a lot and noise canceling headphones are a MUST

[@sageordnung7188]

@@gillifish It took about 2.5 years for me to get diagnosed but finally I got a referral for a neurologist who just BELIEVED ME and I cried in her office lol. I highly recommend, if possible, getting a referral for a neurologist. Cluster headaches are vascular so I’m on a low dose of some blood pressure medicine to keep the blood vessels from constricting and she also told me to take magnesium and riboflavin on top of it. The difference has been STAGGERING. When they get really bad I’ve got a prescription for cluster headache dose Emgality which is insanely expensive but it actually stops the cluster completely. Disclaimer: This works for me but that doesn’t mean it’ll work for everyone! The biggest thing I can recommend is a neurologist. We tried a lot of stuff before we found a combo that worked. Headaches are real. Don’t give up on a diagnosis. GOOD LUCK!!!

[@FamousByFriday]

@@sageordnung7188 I always had migraines, but when I started getting cluster headaches I actually took out a life insurance policies that would pay me $5,000 when I was diagnosed with a terminal disease. My plan was to buy a used Cadillac and drive to California. This was 20 years ago, but yep… that was my plan. Eventually I found a doctor that knew what was up and I had to make due with an Oldsmobile 98.

[@theyoftheravens]

Heading off the starts of worse headaches by putting in earplugs is downright magical. Stress immediately goes down a lot for me.

[@grade5340]

@@theyoftheravens I bought a pair of earplugs because of a spirit week at school. the principal would randomly burst into the classroom blowing a whistle. After a week of that I had the worse headache of my life! Now I have the earplugs and pop them in at the first sign of a headache. I hated that principal for causing that headache, but now I am so grateful that her insensitivity led to me finding a lifelong coping skill.

[@96kimbo]

30 seconds in and I started crying because I've never heard anyone speak of dealing with both ADHD and Fibro before and it felt so good to not feel alone and now I'm seeing there's so many of us in the comments. I appreciate this video so much.

[@ikkirr]

There's a really good fibro+ADHD microcommunity on r/ADHD!

[@Therealhousewifeofreno]

Me too!! I thought I was alone ❤

[@Truerealism747]

Goes hand in hand with autism

[@upsidedownsteph]

Right? I thought I was alone too. It's good to know I'm not

[@officermills]

I'm also sobbing 😭

[@nooneinparticular9868]

Someone LITERALLY said “it’s always something with you” to me yesterday. I have a herniated disc in my lower back. When it flares up I can barely function. It’s all I can think about. I also have an inguinal hernia that sits at about a four on the pain scale pretty much consistently. It just always aches. And it’s been going on for three years now. I’m so glad I saw this video. I don’t have to feel like I’m an inconvenience to everybody and everything around me. It Crushes me when somebody says something like it’s always something with you. Like I’m nothing but an inconvenience to my friends and family.

[@nysaloudon311]

my God that must be so painful! it must be so hard to do anything on those flare up days. I'm sorry you got dismissed like that, people are not always able to give the thought and compassion that others need when they are faced with what they don't understand and they can just come off a really callous. It sucks too because as far as I know healing from a herniated disk is just about time and rest? keep up your recovery and know that you're taking care of yourself in the best way you know how even if others get annoyed or mean about it. if you don't mind me asking what is inguinal hernia?

[@lrose5522]

I'm in pain every day, and it gets so hard to function. I was expressing it at work so I could get an easier task and so many times I get "You're always in pain, though" and it's like "... well YEAH, and?" except it's just so dehumanizing, like I shouldn't be in pain because I'm in it so much. Like I wish people would believe me, it might be an inconvenience to them, but it's been 12 excruciating years of losing sleep, taking pain relievers that bring it down to a manageable level (sometimes), and just the humiliation of having to ask for help constantly and being talked down to.

[@aimeemariefournier1013]

Hugs I feel and see you

[@patriciablas7770]

I hear you. Know your worth and value from within. Keeps those nay saying voices out more often than not. Be kind,supportive and gentle with yourself. You are worthy to be treated with dignity and respect. I hope what im saying is helpful. Its what i do to live the best quality of life possible. With ADHD superbrain.

[@Ahrpigi]

Pain and discomfort have always felt disproportionately challenging for me. Heck, being too hot or cold makes me feel like a cranky toddler. It's relieving and vindicating to hear how pain is defined as both a physical and emotional experience. The last couple years I've started wondering if I might have a chronic pain condition, because the only time I can remember when nothing at all hurt was when I was medicated. It's very easy to see how mental health struggles can so easily lead to substance abuse to treat the symptoms.

[@apcolleen]

Dysautonomic conditions are common in ADHD. I am too sleep deprived to give a better answer though.

[@carolinegrace3963]

Same. A lot of things make a whole lot more sense right now. Arghghhhhghaggbddvhzn another thing that I've been blaming myself for.

[@liadeindadani6913]

If it makes you any more certain of your case, I am not in pain daily, I can easily remember the last time I had no pain, if you ignore bruises by obvious things like falling and bumping into things. I'm also 17 tho soo yeah Edit: okay I just rered my comment and it sounds kinda harsh, I'm very sorry to hear that you can't remember the last time you werent in pain. I hope that me clarifying how I feel, maybe make you believe more in yourself. (Also I'm sorry for my bad wording, I'm not english native, and tired lol)

[@justine4677]

I recently started adhd medication and for the first time in almost a decade I was able to listen to my pain. I thought that the meds would help me get things outside myself sorted first, like my finances, home disorder, career, relationships etc. However the first day of the meds I realized the most important priority before any of that is being comfortable and capable in my own body. I was able to focus on massaging out the decade long knot in my back. It took a few hours every day for a couple weeks but I’m happy to say that the pain is 90% gone. I might get a flare up once in a while under stressful circumstances but it’s nothing like it was and I haven’t actually had a flare up in a few weeks.

[@powermermaid4831]

This hit me so hard today. The amount of times I’ve heard, “it’s always something with you” is ridiculous. Between chronic pain, ADHD, or anxiety, feeling like a burden is something I seem to never escape. Thank you for this!

[@joshuahigbee5709]

So many of us have heard this from so many people in our lives. It's a daily struggle and you are not alone.

[@unboundbytiffany]

You're definitely not alone. My heart goes out to you

[@chasethe808]

I have heard this my whole life. You are not alone!

[@juliemaxwell6902]

Omgoodness you said it!!! Sadly enough if they only realized that they may be sick of hearing it!!! Do they not think about what it's like to live this way!!!! I find it incredible insensitive and causes anxiety and depression! I used to say it's about having Faith in my words! Idw to live this way! I'm slowly learning just to escape talking about it... And then they catch on that your comfort zone is not with them!!! Keep strong!☮ I believe in You!

[@carolyntorres8171]

😢

[@EchoatTheOakAnchor]

This speaks to me. And it's so frustrating when those around me are just "push through it and do the job".

[@HowtoADHD]

Yuuuuuuuuup. And then when it negatively impacts the person, it often can turn into "why are you such a baby/weakling" or something else equally as judgmental when in reality... the person is in a mind numbing amount of pain... and it's frustrating when people compare their idea of pain to someone else's experience of it. "If I can push through it so can you" is something I've heard friends be told before... it's so disheartening and demoralising.

[@grmpEqweer]

There's only so much pain you can push through. On a 1-10 personal scale, if whatever it is puts me at a 4+, it's a problem. If my vision starts going a little white from the pain level, it's too much.

[@inkandcaffeine]

My mom, who actively will not admit that I or (probably) my brother have adhd (she even has a bachelors in psych) because she doesnt want us to be medicated or lean on a diagnosis as a crutch, is a "just push through it" type of parent & to an extent i think as children we should develop the ability to brush off minor slights or stubbed toes, it was exceedingly frustrating to grow up internalizing that because we had to be 'sick enough' to skip school or 'injured enough' to get out of sports practice. My chronic pain is from an injury so she gave me a little grace there because she could visualize how bad it was, but when i eventually got my adhd diagnosis is college & the pieces started to fall into place, i realized how much stigma she placed on the disorder & how much help i couldve gotten!! Because theres no way she doesnt know i have it but i never brought it up because she thinks its a mental thing you can just push through & be better for. I personally am not on meds for my adhd & probably wont be since i can mitigate my symptoms pretty well without them but ive had to fight through my own acceptance because all growing up i heard "just push through it, if you dont need to go to the hospital then youre fine" & thankfully i have a loving partner who can recognize when im struggling to force myself to work based on that internalized attitude

[@adhdchronicles-blackgirlwe3069]

It's especially hard when that pain affects your livelyhood.

[@LexYeen]

My mom's the "just push through the pain" type too. I have severe enough scoliosis my spine enters my pelvis at a weird angle and had to be surgically straightened and reinforced with titanium when I was a teenager. You can imagine how well those two facts went together.

[@AllyCarts]

I’ve had chronic migraines since I was a teenager, tried everything under the sun to try and reduce them, nothing really worked. Now at 28 I got diagnosed with adhd, and with treating my adhd, my migraines have reduced significantly ❤️

[@sunnyrainbowLTA]

Stress can trigger migraines, and obviously untreated ADHD can cause a lot of stress. I've also had situations where there was a particular activity (usually a class/teacher) that caused me significant stress and anxiety, and so I would literally get a migraine that would make it impossible to go to class, but would most of the time be under control in time for me to make it to my next class. People thought I was making it up, but I wasn't. Finally in college I started doing EMDR therapy and during one of my sessions I had a conversation with my body. I thanked it for protecting me from the anxiety and stress (which is essentially what the migraine was doing in the moment, but not in the long term), but that I was learning the skills necessary to cope with that anxiety and stress, so it needed to trust me and let me take that part back over and stop the migraines. It sounds really crazy, but it REALLY worked for me.

[@brainzrpainz6991]

I can relate so hard to this

[@doona81]

Same here. Once I started taking Vyvanse, my pain has decreased. I think it's because I'm less anxious when I'm medicated.

[@mimialways22]

Tension related back pain and psychosomatic related gut/gastric inflammation has effected my whole adult life. The childhood anxiety, stress and burnout related depression had made these conditions worst as I got older. I’m a late ADHD diagnosis.

[@ooglyga6100]

Twinsies!

[@toni2309]

I also have tension related back pain and am late- diagnosed with ADHD and lately got ADHD meds that worked well for my ADHD... but also made my muscles tense and exacerbated my back pain. Sometimes you just can't win.

[@mimialways22]

@@ooglyga6100 same! it’s more common than it’s talked about.

[@mimialways22]

@@toni2309 yes! The side effects of stimulant meds can be a double edge sword. So far I’ve been trying out nootropics hopefully it’ll be less irritating and cbd for my back and stomach inflammation. Only catch is both can be expensive.

[@wiegraf9009]

Hard same!

[@TiaraHerr]

Thank you SO much for making this. As someone with chronic pain and other health issues caused by surviving Neuroblastoma (18 years cancer free, baby!), I feel seen. You are a wonderful resource to those of us who feel isolated, judged, and not believed. Thank you.

[@marymartin9930]

I never thought a video like this would ever be made. I currently have ADHD, dyslexia, a TBI, herniated disk, trigeminal neuralgia, and I’m in college. Safe to say there is never a dull moment in my life. Celebrating all the wins big or small is crucial. Thankfully my family never questions or disregards my pain and how my brain works.

[@suzannehartmann946]

WOW you are blessed. Mine never admitted I had ANY of it. I was also the scapegoat in a narcissistic family. THAT was a joyful experience (sarcasm).

[@resourceress7]

​@@suzannehartmann946I hope things are going more okay for you more of the time, or can eventually head in that direction. ❤

[@ldbarthel]

I don't recall when it came out, but there was some research that showed the same "pain centers" in the brain were being activated, no matter what the identified source of the pain was. In other words, emotional pain is just as real as physical pain, as far as the brain is concerned. Really, this should have been a public service announcement from Captain Obvious, but given how many medical providers are dismissive of pain symptoms, let alone coworkers and family, it was good to have the research to back it up.

[@Emmikittyyy]

I shared this video with my family members even before I was halfway done haha. this video is literally me. I have fibromyalgia and adhd. Thank you so much for making this video. It helps put words to feelings and emotions that I couldn't really express properly.

[@godmademepansexualsodealwi1355]

I too, have ADHD and Fibromyalgia. So I know exactly what you are going through. I was also just recently diagnosed with RA (Rheumatoid Arthritis). Sorry you have to go through pain. It's not fun and I wish you the best ma'am!!! Loves from Tacoma, WA! ❤️❤️❤️

[@HGrimes]

I was diagnosed about a year ago at age 37 and one thing I really wasn’t expecting out of adhd treatment is so much of my depression AND chronic pain went away.

[@emmiwarford2096]

Sobbing rn I don’t know how but your videos always seem to come out at just the right time. I’m caught in this exact downward spiral rn and I’m feeling the most lonely and depressed that I have in a long time. Thank you for the informative video, and for helping me feel less alone.

[@livenitup862]

This speaks so much to me. I have endometriosis and adhd

[@kalika424]

Me too

[@awaitingSaint777]

Same. It's rough. 💗

[@berryreadable]

My friend avoided hormonal food and it helped her a lot, like dairy

[@yorkshirecoastadventures1657]

My wife has endo. It's terrible watching a loved one suffer so much.

[@raytraynae]

Omgggg Me too. I also have PCOS. It always feel so good to have a community of people like me ❤️

[@itsallinmyheds6874]

Sometimes it’s like you’re making these specifically for me. I have hEDS. It’s excruciating & ADHD & ASD are common in people with hEDS. Doctors don’t want to treat people like me either.

[@corvcorv]

^^^^^^^^^^ hEDS runs in my family too and what bugs me is how few people are willing/able to diagnose Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes when the test is so simple to conduct it’s ridiculous, and yeah treatment for genetic disorders is difficult but sweeping it under the rug and pretending it doesn’t exist only hurts you more in the long run and plus it’s kinda their job to help you or refer you to someone who can. I wrote a whole essay on EDS, how it works and how the symptoms and comorbidities can arise and man it really explains a lot about my own health because spoiler alert, when the scaffolding is bad in one part of your body chances are it’s bad in other parts of your body too lmao. Also while I’m still rambling: if you’re interested in similar disorders you should also take a look at hereditary alpha-tryptasemia, it mimics hEDS closely but the root cause is completely different and it’s wild how something so vastly different (collagen malformation/deficiency and way too much tryptase) can cause almost the same types of problems

[@hamstack3648]

Also have hEDS, felt very seen by this video

[@nothingbutthetruth3227]

What is hEDs?

[@corvcorv]

@@nothingbutthetruth3227 Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. Basically there’s these proteins called collagens that are located all throughout the body that help keep you put together, you find it in skin, ligaments, tendons, blood and lymph vessels, anywhere that your body needs a little bit of “glue” to keep it in place. In Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes, you can basically think of it as having those real crappy glue sticks that they give kids in elementary school. Our glue sticks (our connective tissues) don’t work as well, and as a result things slip out of place easier.

[@corvcorv]

Also sorry for talking so much I am just REALLY into genetics and the inner workings of the body it’s so fascinating

[@mickey3747x]

Watched my mom go through this all her life. Her bodies always been against her but shes such a warrior and fights battles most cant even imagine.

[@CG-py1wr]

I really needed this one today. I've been struggling with a fibro flare on top of the usual ADHD garbage and some other problems, and it's been horrible trying to get even the smallest things done with my brain so foggy and so much pain all over the place. This video makes me feel seen and understood

[@RoselynTate]

I'm enjoying going through the comments and finding posts that say what I'd like to say better than I'm capable of saying it on a fibro flare and bad brain day 💜

[@staceycorteville6756]

I too struggle with all this...and I'm looked at like a huperchondriac..(I know I spelled that wrong 🤭). I never feel heard either. I struggle with diabetes, then the neuropathy, I fall alllll the time, back pain...24/7 for 10 years. " go out and walk, it will help 😳...I get 10 feet, and I'm buckled. Embarrassing. I'm only 54, and I feel 90! So it's interesting to hear that my ADD, may contribute! My brain fog is so constant....I feel like nothing will help 😔. I'm isolated because I don't talk right, I forget everything, and I'm in constant pain! So, looking at everyone posts, I think I need to see a neurologist. Thank you for sharing!

[@Truerealism747]

@@staceycorteville6756 are you hypermobile

[@TheEDFLegacy]

I'm lucky to have never had chronic pain, but I _have_ had both bad back pain for extended periods, and the joys of having a gallbladder stone (which required the removal of my gallbladder). I was in so much pain that it took away _any_ motivation to do _anything._ I'm glad that I was able to handle those situations, but it gave me a painful glimpse (no pun intended) of what it must be like for those who live with chronic pain. It's brutal. :(

[@Verity2true]

Both count as chronic pain as they were present for more than a few weeks. Even though you recovered I'm sure those periods in your life were really tough, so don't dismiss the challenge you faced ❤

[@margauxbereuter2804]

That was me after my cesarean-section. Pain from the incision and worry about ripping my stitches coupled with post-partum hormone levels led to lack of motivation for ANYTHING. I didn't even get joy from holding my newborn for about the first 4 days. Once my emotions broke down, mental and physical healing finally started. Then I was able to move past the pain and enjoy being me & a mom. Nearly 1 year into this journey, and I'm pretty much back to my pre-labor pain and emotional levels 😊

[@maryhawker5003]

I have a gallbladder stone that’s huge. May I ask what your symptoms were that finally got you to get it removed? And were there any lifestyle changes you had to make after your gallbladder was gone? I know your comment was months ago but hopefully you’ll see my reply ☺️

[@spoilerdiacre]

This explains so much when my mixed connective tissue disorder is always leaving me with a low level of pain and how it links to my ADHD and emotional state.

[@SharmClucas]

I've been hearing "laughter is the best medicine" for ages, so on my worst pain days I'll pick out the most silly uplifting sweet media to watch/read/play/whatever. It actually helps. Kind of nice to understand exactly why.

[@noahway13]

That person/comment at 00:23 freakin NAILED it. I had to wipe a tear from my eye.

[@francessadler6878]

I have so much to say about this. First off, wow. I’ve often wondered why I struggle to slowly introduce exercise and I always push myself too hard, making my chronic pain worse. I didn’t consider that it could be part of adhd. I have always, during a fibro flare, done nothing EXCEPT what makes me feel good. Housework is left to my husband and the few things I push myself to do, are always things that make me happy and look after my mental health. A family member likes to berate me for that, saying if I can do X, i should be able to do Y. He doesn’t realise I have limited energy and I choose to use it taking care of my mental health which in turn speeds up the recovery of my flare up. In fact, this person rolls their eyes when I try to explain this. This video was so good for me. I really appreciate it

[@Earthdaybaby422-lk5zi]

Omg. Ive gone through this so many times. Just had a battle with my bf about it too 😣

[@leishabgc]

I have chronic pain that has significantly increased as I approach menopause. The absolute number one support for me is exercise - I have to exercise every day to regulate my pain, my mood, my sleep, and it has to be fun. I started doing reformer Pilates three months ago and feel amazing. I mix it up with walking, swimming, indoor cycling and hand weights, but the ritual of a reformer Pilates class is incredible. I am focussed on how I am moving, not my pain, not anything else. My flexibility and strength is already great and I’m always improving. Plus it required me to get out of the house and be social - something that I tend to avoid because I have so much fatigue. The classes are not cheap but I have saved so much money because I’m more organised and calm. Has anyone else with ADHD tried reformer Pilates?

[@anudeepaghosh]

I never thought pain and ADHD can be related in any way. I have always experienced miscellaneous pains and now that i am struggling so badly, the pains are even more severe. Everyday migraines, almost-everyday bodyaches, join pains.. God!! Thank you Jessica for sharing this.. lots of love ♥️

[@sonja7halcyon]

Thank you for doing this video!!! Living with ADHD, C-PTSD, Fibro and other chronic pain, RDD, chronic fatigue, PMDD... it's a nightmare. Thanks for telling our story

[@ryangowing8611]

A combination like that requires medication you’d have to be super man to survive otherwise

[@sonja7halcyon]

@@ryangowing8611thank you for stating the obvious 😂 and yes I am Superwoman.

[@marzettik]

So glad you made this. Thought I was going crazy. I really wish our friends and family were more understanding of our relationship with pain. Like I don’t call you over dramatic or lazy when your not feeling good. It’s like we get judge on how many bad days we have.

[@maydayhomestead]

I’m in actual tears because it was so nice to feel completely relatable for once. Every word of this rang so true for me and the worst is trying to tell someone you care about how bad you are hurting and struggling and they just shrug and say yeah we all have pain, your so young, you seem fine... Your work has saved, literally saved the way I view myself. Every day, I am able to accept myself a little bit more, thanks to understanding myself and my struggles better. This has been better for me than full time counseling. You are my hero, thank you for this channel ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@whydidthetilda]

I had chronic pain from endometriosis when I was a teenager and I just mentally couldn't cope at all. Also struggled a lot with doing my physiotherapy exercises, emotional dysregulation making doctors' dismissive comments much worse, and not taking my meds on time (either forgetting or procrastinating). Fortunately I managed to recover from the pain due to surgery, however I have also had months-long bouts of chronic headaches, and I have been fatigued for essentially my entire adult life. It's tough, I just hope I can figure out the fatigue soon.

[@HowtoADHD]

Oh wow! Yeah I can't even begin to imagine what that must have been like. Happy to hear that surgery was able to help relieve that pain for you! Though the headaches definitely don't sound fun at all.... and fingers crossed you're able to figure out the fatigue. 🧡

[@amandavonriot2688]

Yes yes yes yes yes and yes!

[@Hovane5]

How is your sleep? I have struggled with waking up my entire life, regardless of how much I sleep. I did 2 sleep studies, and they said I either am narcoleptic, or have primary hypersomnia… either way, stimulants were the answer, so it was like, “oh you’re already taking a stimulant for your ADHD? Well, that’ll do it.” So, basically, if you’re getting 8 hours of sleep and are still exhausted, it might be because you need 10, as an example… it turns out I need like 10 hours of sleep, but can’t do that all at once. I guess I have a biphasic sleep cycle, so I need that 6-7 hours at night, and then a giant 3-4-hour nap in the afternoon… do I get enough sleep? Rarely… am I fatigued without the meds? Always.

[@eliza9799]

I was going to comment on that. Been in the same situation too many times. Brain fog, especially on yhose days where I have debilitating pain was alwful and no matter what I did, I count it as a lost day/or 5 if we have to be exact/, I too underwent a surgery and had my first normal almost without brain foggy period and could've concentrate and it was like magic. I was truly askimg if people were simply like this with period.

[@adamofblastworks1517]

Adult fatigue... yeah I might be able to get you some things you might want to look into. I just can't remember which ones are also often comorbid with ADHD. Then again, I don't think any of my family or "health buddies" have had endometriosis. My brother occasionally has migraines, but they don't last that long. He started getting something from the hospital that stops his migraines very quickly, but I don't think they ever lasted that long. Maybe remind me to get back to you in a day or two.

[@melissamoeller9608]

THANK YOU for this video! I’ve been dealing with chronic severe migraines and endometriosis for years. It made work and adulting so hard. I’ve heard the comments that you mentioned. Now I have Long Covid and can’t work. It’s a whole new level of pain and brain fog 😶‍🌫️! Thank you for the tips and encouragement! We need community that understands, because we can feel isolated.

[@HowtoADHD]

You're welcome!! And I'm so sorry to hear about the struggles you've been facing. Chronic pain is bad enough but once you've found your balance.... well you've found your balance! Only for something else to come and tip that balance you had carefully worked on... just know that you aren't alone!!

[@marumellow]

Thank you so much for making this video! I have ADHD and CFS with pain post exertion. It's slowly been getting better ever since I got CBT for it and learned to pace myself (instead of doing nothing on bad days and trying to do everything on good days which then led to more bad days). At first I had a hard time accepting that my emotions had such an impact on my pain because it felt like I was admitting that it was all in my head. Then I learned that pain is literally always in your head. For everyone. Your brain makes the pain, not your nerve endings. Once I knew that, I could explain to people how it works and I felt they started to take me more seriously

[@shoshanaeri8035]

uggh this is me too, I think there is a subreddit for people with both.....I never thought I had ADHD, but everything on this channel just sounds like my normal life so I think I do....also, I believe ADHD can (not physically cause) but just be something that is more likely to lead to CFS b/c at some point people with ADHD will just be doing TOO MUCH .......

[@Truerealism747]

It makes the fascia tension mine cracks and pops

[@francescam.6999]

​@@shoshanaeri8035 I am at the same point right now.

[@FernJuice]

This was me. Getting an adhd diagnosis and treatment has helped enormously. I haven’t experienced serious pain episode since actually

[@BastionMarshall]

Thank you so much for talking about this. I've had ME/CFS and POTS and having chronic pain with ADHD is way harder than anyone realizes. I've had people tell me I was being lazy or always letting them down...until they have to deal with pain in their life and realize how much it affects every aspect of your life. CBT and mindfulness are skills that have helped a lot over the many years I've had this.

[@skarnHS]

I just wanted to say. Thank you for helping me understand who I am. All my life I've been misunderstood by my peers and family, and even myself. But now I'm truly starting to understand my strengths and weaknesses thanks to you. I've gotten more done in the past month than I have my whole life. I've finally started my own KZbin channel. A dream I've always had, but never had the willpower to do. Thank you so much for raising awareness about ADHD.

[@GeekChicPolitiq]

I have ADHD and MS. I've definitely had the "it's always something with you" comment/attitude. It makes me feel about 2 inches tall.

[@danielleflory1034]

Thinking back to when I was a kid, and I honestly still say this sometimes, when people talk about my pain out loud it makes it hurts worse. When I hurt my leg and my mom would talk about it and ways to make it better I would say “stop talking about my leg! It makes it hurts more!” And neither her nor I never understood why. Until now.

[@cutefox101]

I have chronic migraines that I take medication for now, and before I got diagnosed with ADHD and got the migraine meds, all I could do was hyperfocus on the pain. It used to take all sorts of different measures just to distract me from it. Even now during my monthly cycle, the pain of the first day is bad enough that all my ADHD brain can do is just FOCUS everything onto the pain.

[@RoselynTate]

I relate to this SO MUCH.

[@maryhawker5003]

I have CRPS which is exacerbated by monthly cycles, so I spoke to my doc and I take bc pills, and just skip the week of placebo. No more monthly gifts that none of us wants ever again!

[@Kriskocomics]

ADHD and fibromyalgia here. I'm at least glad to know I'm not alone... the comments almost made me cry

[@Ryy22]

Fibro is a made up disease

[@vickyback14]

Fibro here too. Yaaaay lol

[@meganruez8949]

SAME!!!! I'm still trying to not tear up

[@Rae777]

I just found this video. I’ve been feeling so alone since I was diagnosed with both at 14. I hate to see so many people in pain, but I’m also glad to see a community starting to form about this topic.

[@animalsarelove82]

Adhd and fibro here too 😢

[@katrinaoconnor8183]

Just came to say that I just got officially diagnosed with ADHD, probably combined, and get to start meds soon. Your channel has been affirming and educational. I've learned a lot about my brain and how to work with it instead of against it. It's been amazing seeing you and your channel grow in the last five years back when I suspected this entire time, I might have been struggling with ADHD and decided to learn more about it. I've put off diagnosis because of both fear of rejection, procrastination, and not believing myself, but I'm glad to have an affirmation that I do have ADHD and it's okay.

[@cposts621]

I’ve watched this video probably -5 times (?) in the last year… it’s just really comforting. I have AUDHD and a brain hernia. I thought basic things were hard before but when u add pain to it? Suddenly it’s not just eating and sleeping which is hard, it’s also sitting or even moving that becomes difficult. I tell myself “it’s not that bad” a lot so this video is always nice to come back to.

[@khristellhamilton250]

I just got diagnosed with a chronic pain issue and needed this. As always your channel makes me feel understood and less isolated!

[@scootmoondog]

As a lifelong chronic pain sufferer, this truly helps so much! For one thing, the more people that know we exist and know about our struggles, the more likely we are to receive compassion and understanding. Also the idea of having lists of activities for bad pain/good brain days and vice versa is brilliant!!

[@thechattycrow]

Thank you for this. I've had chronic pain since I was 14. Ever since my ADHD has become way more difficult to manage. I was an AP Honors student and that was hard enough on it's own, but once pain started I could barely do anything. I still struggle to do basic tasks I could do before. Brain fog is something that definitely effects me. When I went back to high school I struggled with reading the text book and doing a simple 5 paragraph essay. The pain magnifies my ADHD to such a point that if I don't enjoy a task at all, it's unlikely I'm getting it done. I am getting better slowly but surely. I've given up at trying to maintain a "normal" pace at life and instead working within my boundaries. Even if I fall years behind what's considered normal, I will continue to move forward and live a fulfilling life as best I can.

[@marenight33]

I have adhd and I swear to god your videos are literally everything to me. Thank you Everytime I watch one I’m like “OMG THAT MAKES SO MUCH SENSE” and I send it to my BF

[@alisonbarlow7836]

Pain sucks. This is a validating episode.

[@HowtoADHD]

It really does and we're glad to hear that it feels validating

[@ohkaygoplay]

I'm on the phone with my mom right now. She watched this video, and called me. Now she says she understands what both of her daughters - me and my sister - are going through. She believed us, but hearing it from you - from someone else - validates our life struggles even more. She's apologizing to me for not noticing. She's gone on to watch more videos, and it's enlightening her more. She doesn't have ADHD. You're helping it make sense to her. She said her empathy went way up for us - and for you. You are the lens that my mom can finally see me through. Thank you. If I could give you a big hug, I totally would.

[@Hannah-wt7ww]

I was just going to save this to watch later out of habit until I saw the title. This helped me a lot today as my knee has been giving me problems for years off and on. Physical therapy helps some but it is not perfect. Also, just a random tip for people with seemingly random pain, make sure you are taking your medication if you have it. I can't really explain why but it sometimes helps the pain or keeps it more manageable.

[@Bean_Box_Knitting]

Really good advice and I love your channel. A note about exercise or adding additional activities of any sort, it's good unless you have ME/CFS which includes exertion intolerance, in which case "doing more" of any sort can lead to serious, possibly permanent, worsening of symptoms.

[@MegaKellyschannel]

I'm really struggling with the ADHD/chronic pain/extreme fatigue combo at the moment. Feeling really lost because anything good for one of them will impact another.

[@bethanybrengan9795]

Thank you for adding this! I've got ME/CFS, and breaking the "if I just push *a little bit* more" impulse has become really important. I've hurt myself (in ways I'm still recovering from) too many times by trying to push through the pain. The only "solution" I know right now is to step back and really listen to my body. For example, if I start stretching or walking and my muscles loosen up, then I can keep going. But if my muscles feel worse or tighter after a few minutes, then this is not a day for exercise and I will make myself worse if I keep going.

[@Mortico88]

Thanks for making this video, it really spoke to me. As someone who has major depressive disorder (MDD), central sensitization syndrome (CSS), insomnia and ADHD, I have found it difficult to impossible to function, get or keep a job, be a parent, or a husband, or anything else that takes effort. Note that I was diagnosed with ADHD this year, but probably had it my entire life. I feel as though I am wasting away. At only 40 years old, my body feels like it's 70. Everyone tells me "Your too young to have pain!" as if somehow that will help. When the pandemic started, I had been in horrible unexplained pain for about 5 years. I describe the pain as being "like someone has been kicking me in the nuts several times a day for 5 years." It's more widespread now. I was already depressed and in a rut, which only got worse. My family doesn't seem to believe me, or take it seriously (even my dad, who is a PCP, btw). I think my wife is losing her patience. My PCP doesn't seem to remember from visit to visit that I have chronic pain at all, and I've been to like 16 specialists who only ruled out all the things it couldn't be. Overall everyone just seems to be tired of my shit. I'm also tired of it, but I can't ignore it like everyone else. So I feel very lonely and isolated, with few people offering me encouragement or support. I felt this way before the pandemic, so I'm sure you can imagine how I feel now. I had to find a solution on my own, and it wasn't until I discovered CSS was that I made any progress at all. I finally have a psychiatrist and a therapist who seem to get it. I have followed the recommended treatments and slowly, things are getting better. Acupuncture and cannabis are the only two things that have both worked and been easy to do through major depression. When I started cannabis, I realized that I had literally forgotten what it felt like to be happy, because the feeling felt so alien to me. Even if it's induced happiness, it seems to be helping. Unfortunately, my struggle is taking too long and I might be divorced or lose my house before I get to a stable place. The only thing keeping me going is what Albert Camus once said: "The literal meaning of life is whatever you're doing that prevents you from killing yourself." So I play video games, use cannabis and try to do just a little bit better every day while being reminded constantly of how much I'm failing at everything all the time. That's the long version. The short version I tell people when they ask me how I'm doing is: "I'm fine."

[@maryhawker5003]

However if it isn’t, and it CRPS Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (which can spread over time) then Calmare therapy (also called Scambler therapy) has helped a ton of people reset their brain to stop sending pain signals that aren’t there and are now in remission. It floods the area using topical electrodes (NOT like tens units, it’s different and no surgery involved) with non pain signals to override the pain ones so it tricks the brain, so to speak. It’s worked on many people who have CRPS, CSS, fibro, amputated limb pain, etc. Dr. D’Amato in Bonita Springs Florida perfected it and now it’s used in many places but you have to find a doctor who is experienced in it.

[@Truerealism747]

@@maryhawker5003 how do you no if it's CSS or crps CCS syndrome can be cured ldn exercise meditation well hope so had pps for 25 years body pain 6 years though cured sinus issues now ifter 15 years

[@maryhawker5003]

@@Truerealism747 sorry I didn’t understand half your comment. Could you type it again please, and spell out abbreviations (not CRPS or CSS or lDN, I assume you mean low dose naltrexone)

[@Truerealism747]

@@maryhawker5003 yes ldn how do you no if it's crps or central sentization

[@maryhawker5003]

@@Truerealism747 a doctor has to diagnose it. There’s also two different types of CRPS type I and type II.

[@ColleenJoudrey]

This has been very helpful. I have been diagnosed with ADHD at 34 and General Anxiety at 14. I have always talked about the pain that can come hand in hand with either diagnoses and no one ever believed it was a thing. It's especially bad when the anxiety is less managed.

[@Duterasemis]

It's gratifying to see that I was right about my personal problems and have been taking the right approach to things. Life's tough and confusing. Chronic pain makes it tougher. But I'm getting there.

[@DoctorDraxion]

Wow. I can't tell if I'm overwhelmed from being finally *seen* right now, from realizing that I was right about feeling like there was a link between these sometimes in my head, or from feeling like this is just another thing 'wrong' with me that people will either use to write me off or just won't believe me about. I'm definitely going to have to come back to this when I'm not emotional because wow. Thank you for this.

[@maguilliams]

Trust your gut, it’s your second brain 🧠

[@leeahtefledzuk420]

This video really seriously brought tears to know I'm not silly for feeling the way I do, adhd with fibro and bpd plus more, so thank you your videos help me

[@xkennysbunnyx]

I have been waiting for this since mid-may!! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! From the top of my lungs to the tips of my toes thank you for covering this. I have really been having a hard time with my pain. I don’t have a diagnosis yet, (and am reeling in my head with ideas of “what if it’s nothing” “what if I’m just crazy…..crazier”) I have three kids, two of them are toddlers. I don’t know how to do life in general but when you add the exhausting pain to the mix life is unbearable and there are NO resources in this area to help with healing. My psychiatrist just closed their office. I contacted Dr. Gallo well but unfortunately I am at the mercy of my finances when it comes to getting extra support. Now that Lupus seems to be looming finances are going to take an even harder hit. Survival is rough for everyone right now, but I hate that my struggles are “not bad enough” to be concerned about. Or that I’m just “not pushing myself” enough or…. This is my favorite: “just come over, you need to get out of the house”…… and my in-laws offer to help with the kids so I can “relax” and have a good time…. But I’m literally chasing them the whole time, add heat, social anxiety, and screaming children to the mix and I’m now taking three days to recover.

[@smileythesnail5213]

Love the new video Jess it isn’t something I experience so I really appreciate because the animations etc are very engaging and jump cuts are also great for my short attention span. Keep up the good work!! 👍👍👍

[@HowtoADHD]

Thank you!! 🧡

[@BluetheRaccoon]

ASD and Ehlers-Danlos here: I haven't felt this seen and empathized with in a very long time

[@dferraz19]

Same here. It's like being Harry Potter playing quadribol with a cursed nimbus 2000 (the philosophal stone), Wright?

[@kcjr54]

I have just stumbled on your channel, and you hit so many things directly on the head. This one especially hits home for myself and my wife. Thank You!!!!

[@inkyhaus3232]

I had such a horrible interaction with a psychiatrist I tried to see to get diagnosed with ADHD. She told me that my chronic pain and depression/anxiety make it too hard for her to tell if I have ADHD, or if my symptoms are just because of chronic pain. I still can't believe that. It was traumatising. I'm glad I watched this video because I dont feel like I'm crazy and making things up

[@RavenVapor873]

I hope you found another psychiatrist that could distinguish between symptoms of ADHD and chronic pain. It wasn't your fault but I relate to how you internalized it. Always blaming ourselves for whatever 🙋‍♀️😂 It must be my fault 🗣️🥴 Naw, girl you just need a different therapist 😊🌹

[@pompidoudog]

I was literally doing my physical therapy when this vid came on. I hurt my back three months ago which has severely limited my movement. I went for 25,000 steps a day to about 2,500 steps. I've gained 45 pounds since eating is about the only pleasurable thing I can do. This video was exactly what I needed to hear. Thanks! Now back to my PT.

[@ArtemensiaK]

How did you manage to cramp in 25 000 steps a day? I was so extremly proud (and so destroyed) when I had like 13 000. It is my record to this day. My goal, that I often miss, is 6000 steps. HOW DID YOU DO THIS? I am so impressed. I like movement, I really do, but I am also in constant severe pain since I can remember. Pain was always a companion

[@ensignsoah5947]

I used to work at a restaurant and on busy days I would walk avg 20k steps o.o. but it's obviously within 8 hrs.

[@GuitarSlayer136]

@@ArtemensiaK living in a walkable city makes a whole bunch of difference. I don't have a vehicle so I utilize transit effectively but I still give people who want to visit my city a warning: You will walk 13000 steps MINIMUM your first day here. It has happened to everyone who has visited me while tracking steps. Most make a game of it since they walk more and more as the trip goes on.

[@ArtemensiaK]

This is my daily step count, too. T. T I drive a lot for my kiddos

[@SharmClucas]

Good for you! I always walk way farther when I'm fully distracted from the exercise. Watching a show I like while on a treadmill or listening to an audiobook on a walk about the neighborhood helps. I just have to be careful about not overdoing it, since I'm to distracted to notice my body's signals that I need to stop.

[@Beautyonthebrain_]

How did you know I needed this video today?? My chronic pain has been firing up like crazy as of late, I've discovered something as simple as sitting on my back patio to smoke a (medical) joint really helps. The cannabis helps with my pain & gives my brain a boost, & the fresh air helps in general. What's worse is when your pain is chronic enough that it is a literal disability. Not working or having something to focus on is depressing to say the least. Thank you for explaining this in a way I can share with my friends & family.

[@ilenastarbreeze4978]

i have lived with chronic pain for most of my life, apparently i have recently learned its anxiety / ptsd muscle tention that is the problem. i can assure you, living with that pain for 30 years, does not make life easy

[@grmpEqweer]

Ok. I have something to ask Google now. Thanks. Edit: Ok, according to a U.K. resource, 20-30% of PTSD and C-PTSD sufferers _also_ wind up with chronic pain. So, that's a fairly robust link.

[@emmkaa2099]

Wow! I JUST got off the phone with my therapist and this is EXACTLY what we talked about... the downward spiral and each one (pain and depression) worsening the other, the difficulty of people who think of it always being "one thing or another" with us, and pretty much everything else you touched on. Bottom line is to not be so hard on ourselves and to not let what we can't do get in the way of what we can do. Work from where we are now, not from where we used to be when we were younger. Love all y'all brains!

[@tamberjune]

I've had chronic pain since a very young age. It's the worse. I have Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and chronic pancreatitis and migraine. The bad pain days make the focusing worse.

[@rejoicesharon]

Tysm for this. Feels so MUCH better knowing I'm not the only one who feels this way. That statement ' it's always something with you ' hits me so much

[@MuricaTurkey]

Wow, thanks for this. I haven't seen it yet, but just by the title I know it's going to be helpful to me. I'm in the process of doctors figuring out what's wrong. I've had extreme gut problems my entire life (literally. My first time in the hospital over this was in infancy). My parents are really into denial, and my mom would just try to explain it away all the time with "Oh, you just have a sensitive stomach. Like me. And your grandma. Come to think of it, her mom too..." Yeah. That's because it's probably genetic. And I'm just now finding out that many of my symptoms are serious and cause for concern. Including damage to other vital organs, like my liver and pancreas, that cannot be explained by lifestyle (I do not drink alcohol at all, and I eat quite healthy, low fat, low sodium) I have 3 kids of my own now, and 2 out of 3 have these issues. The doctors think it could be Crohn's. When I told my mom this, she said, "Oh. Yeah, lots of doctors over the years have told me they think it could be that and I should get tested. But I don't feel like it." 🙄🤦‍♀️ Welp, to quote one of my favorite movies, "Y'know, that information would have been useful to me YESTERDAY!!!" Yesterday being, like 30 years ago 😂

[@annieh1315]

Ohhh, I feel for you! Have your doctors tested you for Celiac Disease? It runs in families and strangely tends to manifest more in women. I have it, and my mom, my aunt, and my grandmother all do too.

[@grmpEqweer]

@@annieh1315 That's a good point... although I'd extend it to trying elimination diets. As in, quit some category of food for a month (enough time for the proteins to be processed out of your body) and see if the symptoms get way better? (I'm not a doctor, just some rando on the internet. Take your doctor's advice seriously, mine not so much.)

[@angelamanrique9416]

Look up for Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth! I've experienced what you are saying. Had to wait around 13 for my diagnosis, until I was so sick my life was pretty ruined

[@imdbbookaholic]

@DodoBirdie best wishes for finding good doctors who can diagnose and treat your gut problems.

[@han14]

The last 2 years I’ve experienced chronic pain that has lead to multiple surgeries. I have experienced chaos and disorder in my life that has shocked me, even as a person that has been diagnosed and treated for adhd for over a decade now- this chaos is different than normal adhd chaos because you can’t rely on your body to work in order to make up the deficit your brain causes. The pain on top of it all has completely thrown my life into shambles. I’m finally healing now but it’s been a real rough journey and to all those struggling with it, I wish you the best and all the advice I can give is to be patient with yourself and get support from anyone you feel comfortable with that can help you.

[@Ciecior_95]

Thank you so much for this video. As a person struggling my whole life with atopic dermatitis and constant rushes and itchiness it was very helpful. Helped me realize things I've already knew but to look at them from different angles. Thanks once more

[@how.disability.justice]

i read that cognitive behavioral therapy (often practitioners dont acknowledge pain from structural societal problems) can be invalidating for many people with chronic pain, and with certain conditions, pushing through can make pain worse. it definitely requires attentiveness for people to decide for themselves what helps and which moment, whether to risk some pain for a later calm, but pushing past your limit can further obscure what you need at the moment. Take it slow and test it out. Of course, employers and some people wont mind if you burn out, because they can find a different person, so hopefully workplace organzing can help with that.

[@penguingirl03]

I have never clicked on a notification so fast! THANK YOU so much for doing this!!!!

[@HowtoADHD]

You're welcome! Hope it helps! 🧡

[@penguingirl03]

@@HowtoADHD that it did! It is so frustrating too on where the ADHD brain wants to just push through it and do everything, while pain brain is telling you to pace activity. It's like you have two people in your ear when driving... One saying "floor it" while the other is saying "slow down there are speed bumps and nail beds "

[@7279Sary]

I'm on bed. I over did yesterday so my fibromyalgia is fucking hard. My anxiety when doing "anything" is horrible but seeing your channel, wow. I love you so freaking much. I feel the support between you and people on the comments. I thank u for creating this kind of community

[@louise-marimuller8046]

Thank you so much for this video! I have had chronic pain since childhood (ankylosing spondylitis + fibromyalgia) and ADD. However, I was only formally diagnosed with my conditions in my senior year of highschool. Your other videos have really helped me to navigate my life and to help me understand that there's nothing "wrong" with me. I'm just put together a little different. Thank you so much for your videos! Love from South Africa :)

[@sagesufferswell]

Between the neurodivergency, the rare physical disabilities, the chronic pain and chronic fatigue and the mental illness I have no idea how I have survived this long.

[@sarahmarsh9900]

Thank you for this. I was able to share it with my family and friends to help them understand what it’s like for me daily. Well the ones that care about me will actually watch it. Keep up the great work. Thank you

[@joshuahigbee5709]

Oh the endless cycle of chronic pain. I forget alot to self-care which possibly leads to the unexplainable migraines and inflammation that make me feel helpless and in an uphill battle to rest and heal. Sometimes lasts for days then I'm good again....until I forgot to self-care and....the cycle restarts. Ugh.....thank you for this video. "It's always something with you" is too familiar to way too many of us, even with those close to us. It's like several weighted blankets that you can't seem to shed. Thank you for giving so many of us a place to cheerlead each other. I've seen so many great minds post here, most just needing a listening ear, and it really helps.

[@vicky.chaurasia]

Helps me understand my friend so so much who has ADHD! Thanks a ton ❤️

[@mamaof2528]

This is amazing! I have chronic pain (thanks to Multiple Sclerosis and Raynaud’s) along with ADHD, anxiety, chronic fatigue and bouts of insomnia. Your content has helped me understand my neurosparkly brain and better explain it to others, including my kids! Thank you!

[@smashy_smasherton]

This has been me for years. Now that it’s getting more and more acute I can’t even hold a job. Waiting endlessly for a diagnosis or reason and doctors just love to gaslight me into self-doubt. Cbt and mindfulness helps a lot.

[@cicig1827]

i've been binging your videos and this one in particular almost made me cry. i've had a low pain tolerance my entire life and never understood why. everyone just called me a wimp and assumed i was dramatic and i have always struggled with emotion regulation. i feel so validated and less crazy with every video of yours that i see (i also absorb way more because you structure your videos so well for my adhd brain). understanding the source of my struggles is helping me to choose accommodations that actually improve my quality of life. tldr: for my whole life, i've been treading water, sometimes legit drowning despite the life rings others have thrown me, but you're helping me build a raft. and you've given me hope that someday i'm goinf to build a boat.

[@temperancecrossing4151]

Thank you for posting this! I have Adhd/Autism as well as a neurological disorder, fibromyalgia, arthritis among other things and one of my worse symptoms is chronic pain. I'm on some heavy duty pain meds that barely take the edge off. What does help me is a game I play called Animal Crossing. It brings me joy and whilst I'm playing my pain is reduced. Also taking an afternoon nap really helps :)

[@jerismith-ready4629]

Wow THANK YOU so much for this. I have ADHD and fibromyalgia, and the fact that a lot of people simply don't believe that both (or either) of those disorders are real is sometimes the hardest part. Even with therapy and mindfulness meditation, the learned shame is still so ingrained.

[@annaapple7452]

Please remember that the advice given in this video is for people with chronic pain, where acute physical causes for the pain are ruled out. I got the info on pain in this video (and much more) recently from professionals, and we worked on which activities were ok and which not. I have among other things hypermobility (very common with ADHD, couldn't get tested for EDS unfortunately) and for example pain caused by minor dislocations or overexertion I should not dismis. My random pains that come and go: nothing to worry about. My chronic hip pain? nothing turned out to be damaged. And for me the key was indeed to NOT follow my ADHD and do all the things, but instead to find a steady pace starting at a low level. Really boring, but I definitely see improvement both mentally and physically after half a year. For those interested in further reading: the overactive protection mode of your body causing chronic pain is called central sensitisation.

[@shawnam1023]

Thank you so much for making this 💜 I've had chronic pain for years now and it is so so draining and it can feel SO terrible when you stop doing the things you love because of it. I'm glad to hear someone talk about it 💜

[@knut5748]

Thank you for making this, been struggling for a few years with tendonitis, and its still quite bad when im using phone or pc. But I can do alot of heavy work, but now I know there might also be a psycological reason there too

[@lisaa6539]

Thank you so much for creating this I couldn’t agree with you more on each topic. Dealing with fibromyalgia and ADHD has been nothing less than challenging. It’s usually a lot of self-care and then trying not to feel selfish for caring for myself. We need to be easy with ourselves and explain to our family and friends the general gist of it all. And that can be challenging also

[@scribbledjoy]

Thanks, Jessica! I've been watching your channel for six months or so, and finally got my diagnosis and prescription this morning. Thanks to you (and the community) for helping me feel less alone. On a related note, anyone want to explain "bad brain days?" Is this just a common phenomenon where everyone who has ADHD knows about it, or are there studies on varying levels of capability from day to day in ADHD-ers, too?

[@nictesaldana5130]

I am always thankful for your channel ever since I saw that TED talk. I was just diagnosed adhd 2 years ago and this year I got diagnosed endometriosis, wolf-parkinson white syndrome and pots plus there is something wrong with my ovaries (probably a cyst) and my stomach (I am losing weight like crazy and I am ALWAYS nauseous and can’t tolerate normal food or drinks for a college student). Thank you for talking about the relationship between emotional and physical pain. It is isolating and I can’t lie: home has become a safe space for me bc I am scared of my body and not being in control. Everyone is different but sometimes it is worth pushing through as long as you have time to recover, particularly for special occasions. I’ve found out sometimes I feel more miserable at home watching IG stories of my friends having fun than at the party, with tachycardia and dizzy but dancing my ass off, getting distracted from the pain and living. Even when your body will never me more than 70% ok on a good day if you take care of your mind and emotions you can still have a pretty good life.

[@hollywaller1265]

I have migraines so often! I had no idea there was a link. wierdly I also had a shoulder injury that refused to heal for years, it massively affected my climbing (which was also my job at the time, I was a route setter), but the day I started my ADHD meds... It's not there anymore, well the pain is there sometimes but it's only when I'm trying really hard on climbs and it's something I can work through rather than it being debilitating. It's incredible, but also very odd

[@bullseye11b]

Thank you for making this video. I have been dealing with chronic pain for 15 years. I did not know I had ADHD until a couple years ago. The struggle is real. Your channel has been great in helping me find resources to better understand what is going on with my brain. Thanks again.

[@jessicaharrison4719]

I've had pain from one of my life long conditions or another since I was 14. Migraines, early onset osteoarthritis, an extra lumbar vertebra that pops out of place regularly, and PCOS, all of these have me feeling over stimulated and overwhelmed regularly. I am only 35, but I don't have pain free days anymore. I basically have to ignore the pain and do what I can, which has lead to several injuries, or get nothing done and lay around depressed all the time.

[@gamewrit0058]

THANK YOU ❤️ Perfect timing, too, because I have a medical appointment this afternoon about my various chronic issues. Diagnosed with ADHD at age 40, and fibromyalgia at age 41, but struggled since age 5, and had debilitating pain since age 12, but "pushed through it" most of the time. I've had several injuries and burnouts, and now my severe PMS can affect me up to 14 (!) days a month - usually 3-6, if I'm not in the middle of a stressful job. I had two meltdowns and a panic attack in one day at my last job and was forced to resign. I also have connective tissue issues, and my tendons have extra elasticity, so joints slip out of place and then jam, and only my chiropractor can get me mobile again. Going to insist on an endocrinologist referral today, and yet again request additional support for ADHD, and an EDS assessment. My rheumatologist brushed it off as not possible a year or two ago. Focalin is amazing for my executive function and emotional regulation! AND it helps my spine and extremeties mobility!

[@mariajames-thiaw5797]

Jessica, yesterday my hip joint popped out and I can put no weight on that leg. I'm going to do all of the - some of the- one of the things, and feel damn good about it!

[@HowtoADHD]

OH GOODNESS. That sounds EXTREMELY unpleasant - to put it lightly! Definitely do all of the-- some of the day-- ONE OF THE THINGS! You deserve being able to feel good about it too! Because hey doing just one thing still requires you to move (even if it's for fun) and that's a pretty big win when moving hurts! BUT ALSO HOPE YOUR HIP FEELS BETTER SOON and hope it's nice to you and doesn't pop out again any time soon. 🧡

[@mariajames-thiaw5797]

@@HowtoADHD Thanks, Brain! I

[@grmpEqweer]

@@mariajames-thiaw5797 Might try a proper, therapeutic ice application? Don't give yourself frostbite, maybe it'll help, I'm not a doctor, I just wish you a hip that works okay.🙏❤️

[@mariajames-thiaw5797]

@@grmpEqweer Ice has been great! Thanks!

[@grmpEqweer]

@@mariajames-thiaw5797 🤗

[@RoselynTate]

Thank you so much for making this. I've only recently started to realize just how much my chronic pain is exacerbated by my ADHD, to the point that my pain actually was masking some of my ADHD symptoms even from myself. Sometimes it's hard to differentiate between fibro brain fog, the start of a migraine, and a bad brain day, especially since they're often cumulative, and hearing you talk about the reasons why these things compound one another was very validating. Makes me feel more like I can actually cut myself more slack than I have been on bad days, which in turn makes restorative rest much more restorative instead of just feeling guilty or anxious that I can't get things done. 💜

[@Angel-mv5gi]

OH MY GOD THANK YOU

[@HowtoADHD]

You're welcome! Hope it helps

[@DeadInside-ct6dl]

I recently had an ADHD diagnosis, and the fact that when I feel intensely negative emotions, I also end up feeling tired and in pain suddenly makes so much sense.

[@lexiswanson8112]

Today is a bad brain day, and my body isn't having any of it! Thank you for this timely and MUCH needed video! This Brain loves you Harley!