Discover and read the best of Twitter Threads about #ADHDAwarenessMonth
Most recents (24)
ADHD and hormones, a fascinating topic! 🧵 Preface I suck at biology, so I am trying to summarize what I learned in plain English.
When estrogen level is high, roughly 2 weeks after your period, ADHD symptoms can decrease significantly. 1/n
When estrogen level is high, roughly 2 weeks after your period, ADHD symptoms can decrease significantly. 1/n
When estrogen level is low, 1 week leading up to the period, and the actual week of the period, ADHD symptoms are way more noticeable, more emotional sensitivity, and feel like medicine is not working. 2/n
Somethings that might help with the ADHD symptoms fluctuation: hormone-based contraception, planning and make the best out of the 2 high estrogen weeks, aerobic exercise (it is hard to be consistent I am the first one to admit)
For #ADHDAwarenessMonth, I want to talk about some unique challenges a First Gen immigrant in the U.S faces while having ADHD: dealing with immigration paperwork, adulting on your own, cannot detect inattentiveness. 1/n🧵
Dealing with immigration paperwork drains our executive functions' tank. My green card application materials weighed 4 pounds in total. 2/n
No one will remind me when my visa is expiring and when I should submit an application to renew. It is all on me. Just imagine the amount of executive function consumed by tracking deadlines, and tracking where I put my original documents (and there are a lot of them) 3/n
Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria often causes emotional outbursts, painful reception to perceived rejections, among a myriad of other symptoms that go hand in hand with ADHD and emotional regulation
This is a small look into my struggle
#CosmicTakeover #ADHDAwarenessMonth
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This is a small look into my struggle
#CosmicTakeover #ADHDAwarenessMonth
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Pt 2
A lot of people don’t realize just how energy and time consuming RSD can be. It’s not always something we see coming either, so when others see our reactions, it can take them by surprise.
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A lot of people don’t realize just how energy and time consuming RSD can be. It’s not always something we see coming either, so when others see our reactions, it can take them by surprise.
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Pt. 3
Because of that, our reactions can seem intense, and even to ourselves they are intense and they are big, so it can be hard being able to recognize and try to redirect our emotion and attention to something else. But having a support system is a life saver!!
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Because of that, our reactions can seem intense, and even to ourselves they are intense and they are big, so it can be hard being able to recognize and try to redirect our emotion and attention to something else. But having a support system is a life saver!!
⬇️
#thread A year ago today, at the age of 45, I received my ADHD diagnosis (inattentive, with sub-threshold hyperactive symptoms). The breakup of my marriage, burnout and the pandemic messing up with coping and masking mechanisms developed over a lifetime of living with an
undiagnosed disability meant that I was feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, lost and lonely. And above all so very full of shame for my inability to cope, which I saw as the unmistakable evidence of character flaws and limitations to my capabilities that I had taken great pains to
Keep hidden. How, you ask? By working every minute of the day and night, harming relationships and my own physical and mental health. By pushing me to ‘make up’ for my lack of focus and organisation. I’m not going to lie: the diagnosis was life changing but also hard to come to
Prospective memory is the ability to remember to do something in the future—remembering to remember.
People with ADHD often have great intentions, but your prospective memory fails you when you need to act on those intentions.
People with ADHD often have great intentions, but your prospective memory fails you when you need to act on those intentions.
Often, you aren’t even aware of your prospective memory issues.
You make a promise to do something in the future, and believe in the moment you’ll remember to act when needed.
You unintentionally break those promises when your memory fails you.
You make a promise to do something in the future, and believe in the moment you’ll remember to act when needed.
You unintentionally break those promises when your memory fails you.
ADHDers often lose track of things they can't see.
It's similar to lacking object permanence: the ability to know objects continue to exist even when we can't see them.
With ADHD, you don't think it no longer exists when hidden from sight—you simply never think about it again.
It's similar to lacking object permanence: the ability to know objects continue to exist even when we can't see them.
With ADHD, you don't think it no longer exists when hidden from sight—you simply never think about it again.
This is why people with ADHD are often surrounded by piles and piles of things: books, papers, clothes, mail, etc.
We know that if we lose sight of them, we may never remember them.
So we keep everything out in plain sight.
We know that if we lose sight of them, we may never remember them.
So we keep everything out in plain sight.
ADHD causes a dysfunction of motivation.
The invisible nature of ADHD leads some people to label ADHDers as lazy or weak-willed.
But that is a fundamental misunderstanding of what is happening.
The invisible nature of ADHD leads some people to label ADHDers as lazy or weak-willed.
But that is a fundamental misunderstanding of what is happening.
Laziness isn't something you do by accident.
Being lazy is a choice.
Someone who is lazy decides "I don't want to do that thing, so I will relax instead."
But this isn't the ADHD experience at all!
Being lazy is a choice.
Someone who is lazy decides "I don't want to do that thing, so I will relax instead."
But this isn't the ADHD experience at all!
People debate whether ADHD is a superpower.
It certainly gives you unique traits that can—in the right circumstances—give you strengths neurotypicals don't possess.
The problem is, we live in a society built on kryptonite.
It certainly gives you unique traits that can—in the right circumstances—give you strengths neurotypicals don't possess.
The problem is, we live in a society built on kryptonite.
With hyperfocus, you can get much more work done than most in a short amount of time.
But our world is built on schedules and deadlines.
But our world is built on schedules and deadlines.
One of the most damaging aspects of ADHD is the years of judgement from others that don't understand your condition.
They accuse you of being stupid, lazy, selfish, weird, clumsy, messy, rude, or a host of other hurtful things.
They accuse you of being stupid, lazy, selfish, weird, clumsy, messy, rude, or a host of other hurtful things.
By the age of ten, ADHD children receive 20,000 more negative messages than their peers.
This influences your self-talk, leading you to reinforce these negative messages and cause even more self-blame.
This influences your self-talk, leading you to reinforce these negative messages and cause even more self-blame.
ADHDers often leap before they look.
Action without foresight leads to trouble in school, work, and relationships.
The "future you" is often sabotaged by regrettable choices and commitments that cannot be altered.
Action without foresight leads to trouble in school, work, and relationships.
The "future you" is often sabotaged by regrettable choices and commitments that cannot be altered.
Some impulsive behaviors may include:
• inappropriate interruptions
• saying yes without considering other commitments
• poor purchasing decisions
• snacking when bored
• jumping into a new project as soon as an idea sparks
• inappropriate interruptions
• saying yes without considering other commitments
• poor purchasing decisions
• snacking when bored
• jumping into a new project as soon as an idea sparks
Many ADHDers experience external hyperactivity.
It is more easily visible and therefore more likely to lead to a proper diagnosis.
This can be trouble sitting still, fidgeting in your seat, talking excessively, and/or constant movement as if they are being driven by a motor.
It is more easily visible and therefore more likely to lead to a proper diagnosis.
This can be trouble sitting still, fidgeting in your seat, talking excessively, and/or constant movement as if they are being driven by a motor.
Others are more internally hyperactive.
Rather than being outwardly energetic, you may feel restless or agitated.
Your thoughts may race and you may even crave excitement. But you usually keep those feelings locked inside.
Rather than being outwardly energetic, you may feel restless or agitated.
Your thoughts may race and you may even crave excitement. But you usually keep those feelings locked inside.
It's #ADHDAwarenessMonth. This 🧵 is about #ADHD and #nicotine. Nicotine is a stimulant. Prescription stimulants help many people with ADHD. Smoking is twice as common in people with ADHD than the general population. #SaferNicotine #ADHDAcceptanceMonth
#ADHDAwarenessMonth
...findings have led to the hypothesis that individuals with ADHD may smoke in order to alleviate requisite symptoms of the disorder and further suggest nicotine can be used to improve aspects of cognitive function in these patients
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/P…
2/
...findings have led to the hypothesis that individuals with ADHD may smoke in order to alleviate requisite symptoms of the disorder and further suggest nicotine can be used to improve aspects of cognitive function in these patients
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/P…
2/
#ADHDAcceptanceMonth
Some support for this hypothesis has been provided by studies which have shown positive effects of nicotine on ADHD symptoms and cognitive performance in non-smokers with ADHD.
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/P…
3/
Some support for this hypothesis has been provided by studies which have shown positive effects of nicotine on ADHD symptoms and cognitive performance in non-smokers with ADHD.
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/P…
3/
Apparently there's an #ADHDAwarenessMonth, so here's something most people may not know about "attention deficit hyperactivity disorder."
First things first. "Attention deficit" is a misnomer. Yes, I have a deficit of attention at times. One might argue all the time. But...
First things first. "Attention deficit" is a misnomer. Yes, I have a deficit of attention at times. One might argue all the time. But...
...people think that means I can't pay attention to everything. Au contraire mon capitan. I can pay attention to one thing for hours and hours. That said, it is at the expense of attention to anything and everything else. Need to listen to someone? Nope. Need to eat? Nope.
But that one thing? My entire brain is hyperfocused on that one singular thing. Most people don't think of "too much attention" when they think of "attention deficit."
Let's talk about hyperactivity. I've never been that hyper little white boy caricature of ADHD.
Let's talk about hyperactivity. I've never been that hyper little white boy caricature of ADHD.
Neurotypicals are motivated by importance, rewards, and consequences but these typically don't motivate ADHDers at all.
Instead, we have an interest-based nervous system (via Dr. William Dodson) which I call the 4 Cs of Motivation.
Captivate, Create, Compete, Complete
Instead, we have an interest-based nervous system (via Dr. William Dodson) which I call the 4 Cs of Motivation.
Captivate, Create, Compete, Complete
CAPTIVATE
Find things that captivate your attention—those that fascinate you and grab your curiosity.
You'll find it is easy to find motivation for tasks related to these things you are interested in.
Look for angles of a task you find most interesting.
Find things that captivate your attention—those that fascinate you and grab your curiosity.
You'll find it is easy to find motivation for tasks related to these things you are interested in.
Look for angles of a task you find most interesting.
Things ADHD people wish were more well known about ADHD & Emotions.
1) EMOTIONAL FLOODING
A momentary emotion that takes up ALL space and energy.
Sometimes it’s,,,
•a single, all-consuming emotion
•a disorienting undefinable cloud or haze
•like a foot on my throat or chest
1) EMOTIONAL FLOODING
A momentary emotion that takes up ALL space and energy.
Sometimes it’s,,,
•a single, all-consuming emotion
•a disorienting undefinable cloud or haze
•like a foot on my throat or chest
2) FLASH EMOTIONS
ADHD people can be blindsided when emotions change at lightning speed, without time to reflect, think or feel.
We often take actions or express emotion with NO FILTER, when this happens.
#ADHDAwarenessMonth
ADHD people can be blindsided when emotions change at lightning speed, without time to reflect, think or feel.
We often take actions or express emotion with NO FILTER, when this happens.
#ADHDAwarenessMonth
3) Highly Sensitive Persons
Emotional Intensity, Hypersensitivity,
& Responsiveness
ADHD people tend to be highly sensitive & responsive to their environments.
This often gives rise to unusual levels of emotional intensity, enthusiasm, and/or sense of intuition.
Emotional Intensity, Hypersensitivity,
& Responsiveness
ADHD people tend to be highly sensitive & responsive to their environments.
This often gives rise to unusual levels of emotional intensity, enthusiasm, and/or sense of intuition.
Many think that people with ADHD can’t focus on anything at all.
But you can actually focus more intently than most, when something is interesting enough.
But you can actually focus more intently than most, when something is interesting enough.
In this intense focus, called hyperfocus, you can maintain an intense focus on a single thing for hours and hours.
You lose all sense of time and ignore bodily functions like hunger and thirst.
You lose all sense of time and ignore bodily functions like hunger and thirst.
ADHDers experience emotions with much more intensity than neurotypicals.
You may not be able to keep emotions from erupting suddenly and causing you to do things you regret in the future.
You may not be able to keep emotions from erupting suddenly and causing you to do things you regret in the future.
Small things get interpreted as big, dangerous emotional events.
Due to your exaggerated emotions, you respond with extreme intensity.
These reactions may seem "out of nowhere" to others, but match the intensity you feel.
Due to your exaggerated emotions, you respond with extreme intensity.
These reactions may seem "out of nowhere" to others, but match the intensity you feel.
ADHD is often regarded as a "good news" diagnosis.
You can make significant progress once you realize you have it, and begin work toward a better life and more positive future.
You can make significant progress once you realize you have it, and begin work toward a better life and more positive future.
An official ADHD diagnosis can offer several benefits:
• Access to medication (which can be life-changing for some)
• School or workplace accommodation
• Deep sense of relief and hope
• Access to medication (which can be life-changing for some)
• School or workplace accommodation
• Deep sense of relief and hope
ADHDers are driven to create.
You love the novel, the new.
It excites your brain, creating a positive feedback loop for creating brand new things.
You love the novel, the new.
It excites your brain, creating a positive feedback loop for creating brand new things.
Many ADHD symptoms become strengths in the context of creativity.
As Dr. Edward Hallowell says, "What is creativity after all, but impulsivity gone right?"
Outside-the-box thinking comes naturally to the neurodivergent brain.
As Dr. Edward Hallowell says, "What is creativity after all, but impulsivity gone right?"
Outside-the-box thinking comes naturally to the neurodivergent brain.
Seems it's #ADHDAwarenessMonth. I already prattle on about it fairly often but I guess if people want to hear my experience with it, my coping strategies, fears, research, and so forth....
One like = one experience? (within reason...)
One like = one experience? (within reason...)
#1 ADHD isn't laziness. It's main problem is executive dysfunction, where the brain doesn't function as well as it should in the prefrontal cortex. Leads to bad time management, prioritization, poor short term memory, affecting basically every skill one needs to work well.
#2 there's three types of ADHD. Hyperactive, inattentive, and combined. Hyperactive is what most people think of, child unable to sit, loud, roudy, can't wait their turn. I have just inattentive. The daydreamer sort, forgetful, can't focus, prone to distraction.
Boredom is the ADHD brain killer.
It often feels like actual pain and can hurt your life satisfaction.
Your brain screams out for something interesting, desperate to get to a normal level of dopamine.
It often feels like actual pain and can hurt your life satisfaction.
Your brain screams out for something interesting, desperate to get to a normal level of dopamine.
This pain leads to having a rational fear of boredom.
You know where boredom leads, and you don't want to be stuck there.
You know where boredom leads, and you don't want to be stuck there.
ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, an unfortunate name for a number of reasons.
In particular, ADHDers don't have a deficit of attention.
You have an abundance of it.
So much attention that you struggle to control it.
In particular, ADHDers don't have a deficit of attention.
You have an abundance of it.
So much attention that you struggle to control it.
When you pay attention to everything, you can't focus on what's important.
You lack that filter to keep out the noise.
With your attention divided, you miss the details that matter most.
You lack that filter to keep out the noise.
With your attention divided, you miss the details that matter most.
Ce mois ci, c'est l' #ADHDAwarenessMonth , alors je me suis dit que c'était l'occasion de parler un peu du TDA(H), en français pour une fois
💡 Vous n'avez aucune idée de quoi je parle ? Vous voulez juste en savoir plus ?
⤵️⤵️⤵️Thread sur ce trouble méconnu qu'est le TDA(H)
💡 Vous n'avez aucune idée de quoi je parle ? Vous voulez juste en savoir plus ?
⤵️⤵️⤵️Thread sur ce trouble méconnu qu'est le TDA(H)
❔Le #TDAH qu'est ce que c'est ?
📊D'apres la Haute Autorité de Santé, entre 3,5 et 5,6% des enfants scolarisés en France souffriraient de TDAH.
🗺️ On retrouve des chiffres similaires dans les études europeennes et américaines .
🗺️ On retrouve des chiffres similaires dans les études europeennes et américaines .
