Functioning with ADHD

[creative_writer]

@tyme some introverts can appear extroverted in social situations. I know my sister and dad can appear social. They’re probably both ambiverts but lean more towards introversion. Not sure if that resonates with your experience

[tyme]

Totally! I think my role and roles I've had in the past has MADE me an extraverted introvert. Is that even possible? Like I've have to train myself to look confident and social on the outside, but at the end of the day, I just want to hide?

Also, every time I see matcha, I think of you. How do you make it? I want to buy some but I don't know how. My niece said you need a bamboo whisk. I love the taste. I generally get it from coffee shops, but that's probably riddled with sugar.... I want the 'real' stuff so I thought of asking you @creative_writer 

[creative_writer]

@tyme I think being “extroverted” is seen as more socially acceptable. I think it makes a lot of sense.

I get mine from love tea, it’s decent quality for the price. They also have bamboo whisks. I love the idea of bamboo whisks, but cleaning them puts me off. I just use a normal teaspoon on a regular basis. You can add your own sugar or honey to sweeten it. I also add saffron strands because my ADHD brain loves them and love the taste

[tyme]

Is Love tea a shop or online thingy @creative_writer ? Or is it a brand? Do you have it with hot water, milk, coffee??/ I totally don't even know how to drink it.

[creative_writer]

@tyme it's a online shop/brand. I just have it with warm water, they usually recommend 70-80c. Boiling water can make it taste more bitter. Some people have it with milk, I haven't ever tried it with milk, it just didn't feel right for me.

Just came home and had my afternoon cuppa. The withdrawal wasn't fun (I normally drink it around 2pm), I probably could've taken the travel mug with me. I need to note that down for next time. Being out was a good distraction especially after what happened this morning. I don't even know why I did what I did, not sure if it counts as SH. I had my physio appointment, had lunch and went around the shops, it kept me distracted

[Jynx]

Hiya @creative_writer - how you travelling? 

Can feel really weird sometimes that something that in one way provides comfort (usually for me it's cos of feeling a sense of control) that is also a step towards something pretty scary. 

Maybe whether it counts as SH depends on whether you think it's helpful to define it that way for yourself or not?

[creative_writer]

@Jynx I’ve just emailed to cancel my Lifeline shift tomorrow. My mind isn’t there right now. I’m still migrainey right now. Couldn’t eat migraine supplements for three days before the blood test (since it could interfere with accuracy of test results), so sort of got a withdrawal. My brain still isn’t there yet even though I’ve started taking it again. Migraines and mood are connection, science has connected migraines with brain chemicals. I also encountered a trauma trigger on Thursday. I feel like it sounds like a stupid thing to get triggered by, it felt so small, but my brain reacted a lot.

The brain does weird things. I know technically it wasn’t good for me, and it could become unsafe. There were no consequences in this instance. Sort of getting urges to do it again, but trying to sit with it. I know they’re just urges

[Jynx]

@creative_writer no one gets to choose how big their reactions to triggers are. That's why they're triggers and not just.... us reacting normally to things. I've had full-blown meltdowns over the seemingly smallest of things. I know it's not actually the thing, I know it's displaced emotion from the past. But I can still feel a bit... idk sheepish I guess? afterwards. Good on you for recognising that you need to take a step back for the day. I hope it's an opportunity for some choice self-care 😊💜

[creative_writer]

@Jynx reactions can be a lot. In this instance, I was triggered by watching TV, I think it was the words that cut through me from the TV show. I wanted to bawl my eyes out.

I feel guilty for cancelling, but I don’t think it’s healthy to do a shift while heightened. I’m trying to resist SI

[Jynx]

That's tough @creative_writer - what do you think you need from us? 

Yeah I get you. I have taken time off for similar reasons, no shame in it.