Neurodiversity support thread for women with suspected, diagnosed or self-diagnosed autism, ADHD and other NDs #18

[PolterThreadStarter]

As usual, latest support thread.

Welcome

Obviously med's aren't for everyone but I've only heard good stories, for adults and children.

Bubbles thanks for sharing that. One day of feeling great in return for a whole year of trying meds doesn't sound like a great deal.

The potential meds would be for my DD who is a teenager. She's great and if it wasn't for the bloody exams it wouldn't be an issue.

Polter, I've heard good stories too. Bertie that link is interesting. She's not great with eating hmmm

I think I have pre assessment anxiety. Judging from posts here, that is entirely understandable and the way my brain works I am trying to prepare for every possibility instead of just being open minded.

My mind is like a rolling road block of anxiety. One thing after the bloody other

I found you!

I felt like that before my assessment. Very nervous and anxious with strange dreams.

I had a tantrum before my appointment because the trousers I wanted to wear smelt like barbecue and I felt terribly anxious about wearing any other pair than the ones I had decided to wear. DP did a special wash and dry so that I could wear the "right" trousers…

I have similar issues autis. I had to get new undies yesterday (old ones were sagging I've lost so much weight). The measuring woman asked what kind I wanted and I was like I can't wear lace because it's itchy, I don't want much uplift, I like matching pants...etc etc. She did well though. I have six sets of silky, non itchy undies now!

Eek I'm off to see Guns N roses today! I'm so excited!!

I swear all the best salespeople work in lingerie departments. I've been in before with the vaguest descriptions of what I want (e.g. "I need something to make me look nice under a white dress, not too lacy, and I think I'm probably a 34GG but it depends") and she's taken a good look at my tits and arse, beetled off, and either come back with something perfect or told me where I can buy it.

Have fun!

I'm planning to ask for meds at my next appointment... in August oh well. It will be interesting... I think.

BDH I hope your neighbour meant that you didn't look ill anymore. And you looked better now as in "recovered"

I have DD at home today. Little monkey. She wasn't happy in the night and so it was a really disturbed night. She seems fine today which is good really she was very disappointed about not going to nursery too.
I wanted to get on with some things. Instead I'm watching children's telly...

Nutella, given the way she kept looking at my abdomen, I don't think so. It might just be envy because she's pregnant right now. I know some women don't cope with the changes to their bodies very well (though, she does already have a son so it's not like she hasn't been pregnant before).

It's really frustrating when you keep your child off ill and then they're fine! I am a bit envious, though, that she was disappointed not to go to nursery. I ended up in tears earlier over how worked up DS2 got over having to go.

BDH ah, if she's pregnant she can say what she likes we can blame the hormones. Hope it hasn't upset you though. I'm bad enough, I am pretty good at getting myself into foot in mouth situations it always makes me cringe for ever weeks!

The nursery DD goes to is brilliant and she has always loved it. Both of my DC are generally super social and curious though.

It's unusual for them to be overwhelmed. It happens of course; DD can deal with it and find herself some peace and quiet and take a break. You have to force a break on DS; otherwise he becomes impossible.

Yes I don't eat very much. However I wonder if this as an ADHD symptom would necessarily be exacerbated by medication or whether it might be helped. I hear that stimulants reduce your appetite, but for me, it's not a lack of appetite which stops me eating. If someone put prepared food near me, or I'm within reach of junk food, I'll happily eat. It's more that I lose track of time or simply feel that the effort of preparing food is out of proportion to my desire to eat (aka, I'm too lazy).

ADHD tablets stop your appetite while your on them, that was one benefit for me , I lost lots of weight, bt have now piled it all back on again and then some

Hello?
I forgot if I told you guys about my interview, so I'll tell you just in case I haven't and if I have just ignore my rambling.

It went surprisingly well.
.i was getting worked up because I knew the answers to some questions but my brain shut down. But I was honest about it.

I was offered a job there and then!

The manager said she was really impressed with me. I was because I was convinced it was going wrong. But....

I have a job! For the first time ever I have a job!

It's too hot today. I don't like it too hot. I feel awful in the heat.

Congrats HRF!!!

Urgh I luckily slept through the worst of the heat today (my sleep schedule is completely messed up I woke up about 10 mins ago, any suggestions anyone as to how I can solve it? As I try to push through but fall asleep everytime) but I woke up to dh having a meltdown as he was just so frustrated with the heat, I love him but two autistics in a house is so bloody draining at times, to wake up and having to deal with a melt down within a minute, it's made my day start so drained as I feel exhausted already

I probably can't speak, as I'm currently on a chaotic pattern that averages out as 3am to midday sleeping, with a nap at some point, but…

I have a lot of experience with this, and have found that if my sleep pattern is as reversed as yours is, there are 2 options. 1: push through an entire overnight, then get to bed about 12 hours before you want to wake up the next day. 2: push your bedtime back about an hour a day i.e. an hour later each day, until you've reached the right bedtime.

Either way, be ruthless about your sleep hygiene for about a week afterwards. If you have sleeping meds, use them to help cement the new pattern. Any other things you generally do to sleep - baths, hot drinks, whatever - schedule them and stick to it.

The other very important thing is mealtimes. Google for info for people with jetlag; this will explain what to eat and when, when establishing a new sleep pattern. That really helps.

My natural pattern is about 2am to 10am.
But the kids get me up daily between 6 & 7... perhaps I can lend one out? You'll be up for the day but I can guarantee you'll be up to anything which is how I feel today I need a shower.....

My natural pattern is around 3am until 10am.
Unfortunately having kids means I'm up by 6.
I wish I could sleep properly at night but I never do.
My DBS still hasn't come through.
I'm starting to get agitated about it. I know I've no record as I have one for volunteering but why is it taking so long?! (it's not even been a week so not that long)
But I'm kind of glad I'm not working in this heat. That must be hell.
I'm also starting to stress about fitting in with everyone there and how I will learn everyone's names etc. Argh!
I'm sure I'll be OK once I start but it's stressful thinking about it all.
Still haven't heard about my autism assessment either.
It was sent in March.

I've stocked up on lucozade and sugary crap to try and get me through to a normal bedtime tonight, but I'm already flagging, the heat makes me just want to stretch out on the sofa and snooze!

HRF - Iwhen I had to get a dbs, it was a couple of years ago but I think mine took over a month to come through

You know your own clock better than I do, but I would suggest a slightly earlier bedtime than normal, as you'll need extra sleep to pay back the debt from staying up. YMMV.

my last one for volunteering was through really quickly. so hopefully it won't be too much longer. ibworry that they will. hang their mind about hiring me of it takes too long

ah yeah! Will be happy as long as I get past like 8pm tbh even though want normal bedtime to be about midnight, just anything closer to the ridiculous getting up at like 11pm thing!

My natural sleep pattern would be owlish rather than larkish. It feels like a constant fight and I'm sure it's why my sleep is so crap. Life just doesn't fit with my sleep needs

A week isn't long Fatty, enjoy the break!

Same Polter I feel more productive at nigjr, if I was single I would just embrace my nightowlness but this house is chaotic enough without us both on different schedules and if I'm not awake during the day dh just won't eat

Seriously flagging now and eating a packet of fabs and a multipack of wotsits has made me feel sick too boot