Structured Success

Most ADHD'ers experience a sense of out of sight, out of mind (sometimes called a lack of object permanence) where if we can't see something, we forget that it even exists. Well... that isn't just a problem with objects... [Image Description] A note on a bathroom mirror reading "Shower, Brush Teeth, Stay Busy, It's okay to be okay." Text overlaid [Transcript] You know that 'out of sight, out of mind' thing a lot of ADHD'ers experience? Yeah... that applies to tasks too. ... If it isn't visible, you probably aren't going to remember it.

ADHD is a distinct condition, but a fair number of ADHD'ers also have other conditions. One type of condition co-occurs quite commonly with ADHD is sleep disorders. [Image Description] A person sleeps by themself in a large bed. [Transcript] Having ADHD increases the likelihood of having other conditions as well.... For example, people with ADHD are also more likely to meet the criteria other sleep disorders, including insomnia

One of the main reasons that girls and women with ADHD have such different experiences of the condition is because the pressures on their behaviours are so different. Women's external behaviours and bodies are policed far more growing up, causing them to show their ADHD symptoms differently. One way this happens, is through the internalization of hyperactivity, and its something that can happen to anybody. [Image Description] A young indigenous girl rests her head on her hand... staring into the middle distance. Text overlaid. [Transcript] When ADHD'ers are told to stop moving, settle down, or stay still, we're being taught to internalize our hyperactivity. That hyperactivity becomes ruminating thoughts, spiraling anxiety, or persistent daydreaming. It doesn't just go away because the outside world can't see it. [Tags] #adhd #adhdwomen #adhdgirl #adhdgirlsmatter #neurodiversity #neurodiversesquad #neurodivergent #DREADpirate #adultadhd #actuallyadhd #daydreaming #rumination #anxiety #hyper #hyperactivity #adhdcoach #lifecoach #autismcoach

There is something special about neurodivergent joy. It's bigger, warmer, and purer than anything else, and it's also more vulnerable. [Image Description] A young black man dances excitedly. Text overlaid. [Transcript] Neurodivergent joy is a wonderous thing. ... It's pure unironic excitement. It's warm and contagious, filled with energy, hope, and wonderment.

A sad fact about neurodivergent experiences with emotion is the people around us are often much more concerned with how we express our emotions than why we experience them. This leads us to focusing on downplaying our emotions rather than learning to regulate them, only making matters worse in the long run. [Image Description] An older black lady sits at window looking out with a neutral expression. Text overlaid. [Transcript] ADHD'ers get a lot of negative messages about our... emotions and how we display them. Over time, this can train us to worry about how we perform our emotions more than coping with the emotions themselves. Validating our big, fast emotions is an act of resistance and of self-care [Tags] #neurodiversity #neurodivergent #neurodiversesquad #DREADPirate #adhd #adultadhd #actuallyadhd #emotions #emotionregulation #emotiondysregulation #emotionalintelligence #bigfastemotions #coping #youremotionsarevalid #adhdcoach #lifecoach #autismcoach

Traits of neurodivergent conditions (including ADHD and autism) can certainly be strengths in the right context. Importantly though, these traits aren't things that we can turn on and off at will. Something that is a great strength in one setting can be a debilitating barrier in another. [Image Description] A Tibetan Buddhist carefully adds sand to a complex and intricate. Text overlaid. [Image Attribution] Photo by Wonderlane (https://www.flickr.com/photos/71401718@N00)... [Transcript] High attention to detail is often sold as a benefit or strength of autism. It certainly can be, in the right context. But, always noticing small changes, or attending to details others thing of as irrelevant can also come with serious costs.