Read on Twitter
Research on ADHD is fascinating. Our “knowledge” brain and our “performance” brain don’t talk to each other. We know the what/why, but not how/when. Our internal clock doesn’t exist; we only know “now” and “not now.” 1/
We also struggle with motivation because we don’t get the satisfaction of a job well done like neurotypicals. So if it won’t feel good (no dopamine) why do it? Our internal reward system is broken, which is why many of us love video games. 2/
Video games have an external reward system, whereas chores or schoolwork does not - it’s internal. ADHD can also affect our sleep as we become more active at night (less distractions) but our mind is always “on” so we toss & turn or don’t sleep at all. 3/
We struggle with executive function (managing our thoughts, emotions, & actions). Our working memory is shit. We might even fall asleep if we are doing something we aren’t interested in because our brain is flooded with theta waves - we basically shut down. 4/
To combat ADHD, other than medication, we basically need visual cues literally everywhere. Signs, charts, alarms, reminders... turn our external environment into our frontal lobe. Give ourselves rewards every 10 minutes. Break big projects into tiny pieces. 5/
I always struggled with planners because time was a foreign concept to me. I couldn’t think a couple hours from now, let alone a month or more. Instead I use a bullet journal and write down things I need to do for the day. For work I schedule meetings with myself for deadlines.
I don’t know about you, but it’s really comforting knowing that for my entire life I wasn’t lazy or stupid like the adults around me always said. I was just bored.
