Autism/ADHD/neurodivergence in general

[Rushkami]

I know everyone can struggle with managing their diabetes I just wanted to open a thread to see how other neurodivergents were managing given there can be other struggles involved such as executive dysfunction and food sensitivities.

I am autistic/adhd and I'm actually surprised at how well I have adapted so far, this might be because I am enjoying learning the science of foods and systems within the body. I have many spreadsheets! I am lucky in that I really enjoy vegetables and cooking and I am more sensory seeking when it comes to food which helps in needing to change eating habits.

I'm doing well at the moment but I know I will struggle with executive dysfunction and not be able to cook from scratch all of the time and I might struggle with compulsions to eat what I shouldnt and binge eat or at least want to. I'm already thinking of Easter as I bloody love an Easter egg!

I think its important to be kind to ourselves and not be miserable while dealing with this. So I just wanted to check in and see how people are doing, let people open up about the struggles that not everyone can understand, provide neurodivergent tips etc.

 

[Antje77]

Disclaimer: except for depression/anxiety I have no formal diagnosis of neurodivergence of any type. All my close friends are sure there is something there though, even if we don't know exactly which flavour it is.

I'm actually surprised at how well I have adapted so far, this might be because I am enjoying learning the science of foods and systems within the body.

Same!
Especially the surprise part. I'm not very good at taking care of myself or my house, planning meals, living an organised life, and I do need the help of a cleaner once a week to save me from drowning in simple household tasks threatening to grow over my head in a very short time.

So when I developed diabetes 7 years ago, and moved onto insulin quickly, we all thought this was going to be a disaster...
And then it turned out I do very well on the science experiment my life has turned into. My diabetes does very well on my wanting to know all the data and my brain loves trying to solve all the puzzles diabetes throws at me on a daily base.

Not saying I like having diabetes (I definitely don't!), but it's nice to find you're good at something.

 

[Rushkami]

So when I developed diabetes 7 years ago, and moved onto insulin quickly, we all thought this was going to be a disaster...
And then it turned out I do very well on the science experiment my life has turned into. My diabetes does very well on my wanting to know all the data and my brain loves trying to solve all the puzzles diabetes throws at me on a daily base.

Exactly this! I'm trying to keep it all a bit of a novelty so I keep going with it and don't give up. I'm not the best at caring about myself which makes it a challenge sometimes.

I have been getting a bit obsessed about the numbers and upset that things aren't sorting themselves quick enough so I'm trying to give myself permission to chill and realise it's not all going to happen overnight. And that I'm going to make mistakes and that's OK. It is hard though for sure!

 

[JoKalsbeek]

I don't have much to contribute, as yet. After a rather hard crash this year (not a literal one, mentally though), I sat down with my GP and discussed the possibility I may have been misdiagosed back in the stone ages. Not a borderliner at all, but ADHD with resulting depression, and absolutely crippling general and social anxiety. Basically, I don't function at all. Doc thought it likely when we went through my symptoms, provided some tips and a referral. Friends I met on here, were the ones who gifted me books and suggested the Sweepy app to get back on top of our flat's upkeep. The referral however, well, due to my insurance company (I can't switch to another until Jan 1st, which has already been set up), meant a long waiting list... Fifty-eight weeks, actually. Hopefully with the switch of insurers, I can be seen somewhere in the beginning of next year, which means a cut of half a year in waitinglist time. I am thoroughly impatient however, and very suspicious of shrinks in general because they basically botched it any time I did dare ask for help in my lifetime so far, so... Thought I'd try some m*thylphenidate on my own. Make sure I wasn't barking up the wrong tree and jumping through all these hoops for naught. Instead of bouncing off the walls like a neurotypical would, the peace and quiet that descended upon me was a rather confusing sort of bliss. The anxiety went out the window for as long as the pills worked. I wasn't full of overwhelm and fear, leaving room for a plethora of other, much nicer emotions, which was a completely new state of being. Enough so to ignore the side effects, of which there were many. I could deal with the vomiting, seemed a small price to pay to live like the other half does, so to speak, but when the bleeds started here and there, and the tendon inflammations, that was enough. So... While I am not yet officially diagnosed, the effect of the meds was quite conclusive: I'm of the neuro-spicy variety. I just really hope that when I finally do see a shrink, we'll manage to find something less pukey and blo*dy, and I hope we'll do it fast!

That also means that I'm attacking this the same way I did the diabetes. Finding out there are actual names for my quirks, reasons for them... My love of extra dark chocolate, which I can actually have on low carb, isn't just the flavor, it's a dopamine trigger! What years ago got me to get my blood sugars to come down, turned out to be hyper focus. I'm using it again as I navigate this whole ADHD thing, so it kind of comes in handy. I can get stuck on certain foods for a long time, which is convenient when you're not likely to make too much effort for yourself, either due to ex. dys. or depression, so I can make meals on rote and eat the same thing practically every day. (With some variation, sometimes, or supplements, to make up for any deficiencies that particular quirk can cause. And it does. I have had actual honest to god scurvy because of this.) I used to get sushi stuck in my head and couldn't let it go until I had some. When it happens now, it is for food that is either okay within a low carb diet (this week it was gyros from my favourite chippy), or a one-off, like, indeed, seasonal candy. Dunno how you are with easter eggs and whether you can have "just one", but if you can, and can savour it in the moment, just walk it straight off again before a spike hits. We find solutions, apparently.

So while I don't have any divergent hacks as yet, not really, I do see how having ADHD has been of assistance with sticking to a low carb diet, not getting bored with certain foods I have had daily for years, finding patterns in my blood glucose so I could suss out what foods I could eat and which were not helpful... ADHD basically ruined my life, I have no job, have a hard time making and keeping friends, have barely any contact with my remaining family, have trouble with numbers, spending and housekeeping, no drivers license and whatnot.... But for diabetes it's been a bit of a blessing, I suppose. Silver linings, eh.

I'll watch this thread with interest! Thanks for starting it.
Jo

 

[Rushkami]

@JoKalsbeek A lot of us have been misdiagnosed but what's important is that we know who we are and learn to understand ourselves. No one else matters. I've had a slight crash recently, quit my job and only now am I tentatively trying to get back into it as unfortunately bills need to be paid.

Getting those dopamine hits has often been though chocolate for me but like you say if I can indulge occasionally and then hike it off I might get away with it! I need to not be unhappy too.

I also get the food fixations which is maybe why I'm finding it easier right now, I'm obsessed with the certain egg breakfast I have most days and I have spinach and tomatoes every day.

ADHD can be hard, I relate to a lot of what you have said and I really hope things work out for you. I'm trying to embrace the positives of how my brain works and looking to my strengths and interests to get the life I want. On my worst days I try to remember at least I'm not boring!