Mornin', dudes!
I have a LOT to say and a lot of information to share regarding these questions. My journey regarding mental health and neurodivergency has been long, frustrating, and pretty unpredictable. So I'll be splitting my responses into two parts, one of which I'll post today and the other will probably be... tomorrow? Later today? I have no clue.
Let's get started
1. What conditions do you have?
I have ADHD (primarily inattentive), Anxiety, and Depression
2. Are you diagnosed? If so, when did you find out?
Yes! I was diagnosed with depression at 16 (cringe details regarding that diagnosis later), and I finally got a diagnosis for my ADHD and Anxiety last month. (Although I've had many counselors and other mental health professionals tell me that I have both for years, I was just too anxious to get a diagnosis)
3. Do you find it debilitating to your everyday life? How so?
It sure is! My ADHD and depression inflates my anxiety and forces me to retreat, making all three much worse. I lose things constantly, I struggle a LOT with executive dysfunction as well as emotional regulation issues. This really affects my relationships, self image, and general quality of life. It's caused me to lose a lot of opportunities that are important to me, which gets wildly frustrating.
4. What are some misconceptions about your condition that are frustrating?
Depression: The doctor that diagnosed me told me that I would be depressed if I wasn't fat. No one was surprised when I lost 70 pounds and was ~still depressed~. My family told me that I was only depressed due to current circumstances and I wasn't before when I was getting good grades (surprise, it was still bad then).
Anxiety: It's a quirky character trait. It's not. It's very debilitating to my relationships and ability to function in my everyday life.
ADHD: "It's not real, it's just the pharmaceutical companies trying to get our kids addicted to drugs!" That's whole ass not true. There are physical and chemical differences in the brains of people with and without ADHD. That's why Kevin can take my Ritalin and get high but when I take it I could go take a damn nap. Also about 30% of people with ADHD don't benefit from medication, we all have different needs as far as treatment. Medication isn't always a necessity.
"It's just for kids or young boys." Nah bitch, my entire family has it. From my 8 year old sister to my 45 year old mom. You can grow out of it, but that's not always the case.
"It just takes self control, you're just lazy and undisciplined."
General Mental Health: I had to keep my neurodivergency a tight secret for years because my family held the belief that it made you weak. They quickly changed their tune once they saw how much better I was doing when I began treatment. They still make the occasional shitty comment about my depression or anxiety because it's inconvenient for them.
5. Are there any misconceptions that you find funny?
Not really, but I do find it hilarious that everyone suddenly becomes a psychologist the moment I tell them about my conditions. "Oh lord you don't have ADHD, you're way too smart" "You can't have depression, you're so happy!" "There's no way you have anxiety, you're always doing stuff on stage!" "Just get over it, that's how I stopped being anxious!" Oh jeez thanks I guess I'm cured.
6. If your condition involves stimming or fidgeting, what kind of stims/toys do you use?
OH HELL YEAH I love fidget toys. Currently I use one of those hair ties that look like a plastic spiral, a copper spinner, and a weird sample of a Purple mattress that is VERY soft and squishy. I would like to get a fidget cube and those rings so that I can be a little more discreet.
Thanks for reading! I can't wait to see what ya'll put in your own posts
The Rambler, The Gambler
Jae
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