I know this has to be a common thing or at least I assume it to be but whenever I hear people talk about ADHD they describe the procrastination but also mention that usually their anxiety/fear of missing a due date pushes them to do it last minute and I just don't feel this. I never feel that anxiety about missing and assignment and I don't get that extra motivation to do it so it usually doesn't get done. Then when it doesn't get done I say oh no and move on, doesn't cross my mind until I look at my grades and wonder how this could have possibly happened.

Idk where I'm going with this but it is a behavioral pattern I noticed about myself and don't like. I think it originated from gradeschool because I was able to get by without doing any homework so I trained myself to not care about those but thats mainly speculation.

Anyone know how to idk mitigate this? I can't be the only one

  • ilyenkov [she/her, they/them]
    ·
    9 months ago

    I'd love to know how to mitigate this too. It used to be the case that eventually the anxiety about not getting something done would outweigh my anxiety about doing something, and I would always get stuff done at the last possible moment. But I got too overwhelmed a while ago and it stopped working. Nothing feels real anymore. I get anxious about stuff and then immediately it stops being real and I can't do it.

    • Juice [none/use name]
      ·
      9 months ago

      It sounds like your anxiety is triggering disassociation. You should tell someone and check in about it.

      • ilyenkov [she/her, they/them]
        ·
        9 months ago

        I did tell my therapist but I haven't been able to do any of the things she suggested. That's like a problem I've been having: how do you do anything to work on a problem when the problem is that you can't do anything?

        • Juice [none/use name]
          ·
          9 months ago

          Unfortunately this isn't a one and done type thing. Are you in the US? I had to fight like hell to get my symptoms recognized for what they are, but its easier when you are younger. I know its like a self defeating thing, but these feelings are really complex. And outside observers, even trained ones, can't see it. Honestly I think that Mental Health Therapy, the therapists aren't doing the job that we think they are. I don't know how to explain it...its like these are usually very conscientious professionals, but their job has all these weird contradictory rules. The best therapists seem to be the ones who either 1. Have a specific psychiatric focus that they follow more closely than, but doesn't contradict with, established MH practice 2. Are savvy enough to know which rules to bend, and a philosophy about why. Unfortunately you can't know the second one until you get to know them. Do some of your own research and start using mh terminology. Find out if your therapist has a focus in the thing that you think is what you are experiencing, and make sure that they really do. Its different going to someone who has a general focus than someone with a specific focus on ADHD for example.

          Anyway I'll stop info dumping at you. I'm on a couple of non narcotic meds and I'm like way more productive. I have bandwidth for a job, and personal development, hobbies, organizing, and a social life. Its like i still have all of my strengths but fewer of the severe struggles. I don't lose time as much as I used to, and my thoughts are much more organized.

          • ilyenkov [she/her, they/them]
            ·
            9 months ago

            I am in the US, yeah. I have been diagnosed with ADHD and autism and stuff. I'm on some meds, I have Adderall and stuff. But lately it's felt like it's not doing anything.

                • Juice [none/use name]
                  ·
                  9 months ago

                  Kind of like a therapist who helps someone not fall behind, for some of the things you mentioned. And they should understand ADHD or their specific field well enough to be able to get through or whatever. Idk obviously everyone is different. Good luck.

                  • ilyenkov [she/her, they/them]
                    ·
                    9 months ago

                    Ah cool, thanks. I'll have to look for that, I could really use that I think. Like I feel like if someone else could do all my paperwork and remind me of appointments for like a few months I could get back to normal.