Emotional processing in ADHD and feeling trapped

Latest research shows the importance of switching tasks for Creativity.

ADHD and Autism are 99% co-morbid.
The real challenge is ADHD leaning towards Novelty, Autism towards Routine.

This high co-morbidity often results in Emotional Conflict.
Nonetheless, the term AuDHD is gaining popularity.

Emotional Conflict 

While ADHDers are fast to boredom, they are also terrified of Unproductiveness.
Unproductiveness is the trigger of Hyperactivity to me.
My way of outlive hyperactivity is over-Commitment, a form of forced routine, see the connection with Autism.

I didn’t take a break from work in over a year.
I took the past week off for the first time and the sense of guilt assails me.
That’s how Burnout manifests in ADHD, Guilt.
The feeling is exacerbated in specific 24/7 jobs. Although most demanding, they are also most rewarding. 
This is the ADHD Trap. I never want to let people down, despite occasional time-off boosts Creativity.

Physical Disconnection 

Physical Disconnection is how psychologists define Creativity Recharge.
Body and Mind have never been more connected, this day and age.
The first message is “Step away from screens”.

Screens create  ‘Mental Blocks’ in the long-run, in addition to killing physical activity.
Mental Blocks are Fixations prompted by long overtime online.

AI validates our thoughts by regrouping them in one category, in so excluding other leisurely distractions.

Leisurely Distractions break Mental Blocks by increasing Creativity, ADHDers warned! For once in a lifetime, I hear Distraction’s Praises, best compliment for ADHDers! Problem is, we’re distracted 24/7.

“Ah shut up, I ve been watching too much TV!” used to say my hero, David Bowie.
Trying to break Mental Blocks with Humor.
I tell you what: it works!

Time to debunk the “Mad Scientist Myth” that those nuts live on science alone.
The Science Popularizer dressed Clown-likes with Einstein’s hair hosted in TV shows, made their time.
My favorite Michio Kaku, physicist, is a huge cars’ lover, despite sporting an Einstein full-blown hair.

Decreased Creativity is a sign of Burnout.

Don’t wait until it is too late.
Sudden drops in dopamine are easily detected in ADHD.
You know that Reward is the only cure.
A Fixation is fake reward.
An indication that ASD Routine is sabotaging your Hippocampus, Hypothalamus and Substantia Nigra, the main elements of the Mesolimbic System.

Early Intervention 

Start by Switching Tasks Online.
Switching Tasks does not mean Change Job, unless you have more appealing options. It is more about Prioritizing.

Follow up with Outdoor Activities.

That’s to stop the Burnout in its initial tracks.

Implement traditional ADHD Strategies to boost Dopamine, either outdoors or indoors.

We know that Visuals and Music are main sources of Inspiration and Reward in ADHD. They are also highly codependent: Music creates Images in the brain, in so doing, enhancing Concentration by abating our most dreaded ghost, Silence.
Most companies recognize that Music increases Productivity in general.
I can even sleep with Bowie in the background.
And pray before bed, despite the omnipresent Jesus.

I will not let Burnout taking over me.
Be vigilant.


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Experience vs Diagnoses in Mental Health

Everything must be labeled, these days.

Labeling is the keyword for every behavior in Research, nowadays.
It serves as diagnostic criteria, I agree, despite penalizing patients’ knowledge and experience.

The discrepancy is about Disclosure: employers still rely heavily upon Diagnoses rather than subjects’ experiences.

Sufferers always provide the best insight into the condition.
We are all unique even within the same diagnosis.
Listening to the individual fosters accommodating options.

ADHD is more versatile, with specific positions welcoming the disclosure.
There is still no official Disability Report Form.

Most neurodivergent exhaust themselves to Masking disclosures.

ADHDers are in a slightly advantaged position.
They throw their diagnosis, as they describe it, like it or not, as result of Impulsivity.
The good news is Impulsivity being sought-after in fast decision-taking jobs.

ADHDers should research which jobs value Impulsivity before applying, while breaking the Worry-Paralysis typical of Introverts.
Introverts have plenty of initiatives, they get lost in rumination, they are not less productive than Extroverts who should give testimony, to the extent of taking Introverts physically to prospective employers, when friends or family.
Online Addressing can play a role, nevertheless.

Giving Testimony is rewarding in ADHD. 
One of the biggest obstacles in Mental Disorders is lack of Camaraderie, or Distrust.
Building Community is my main goal.

Impulsivity as a Gift.

The first priority of ADHD is Staying Alive.
Impulsivity is one of these gifts.
It is not meant as Arrogance, never, something all NT should know.
It is the desire to be listened to, like watching a movie together.

Impulsivity is not permanent. It abates when needs are met.
The reason a rewarding job is often more satisfactory than an insensitive family.
ADHDers crave Camaraderie. I can’t watch tv alone.

After all, talking of Arrogance, who scores higher…? The NT refusing to share our favorite drama once a week or us?

Altogether, latest research defines Impulsivity/Compulsivity as Fear of the Unknown.

Looking forward to enjoying a movie with my wife is an Incognito.

I don’t fear tomorrow, I m a Believer.
I fear tonight, despite Jesus being with me all the time.
Again, living in the Present Moment is the most feared experience, since we focus on the task at hand, forgetting Jesus’ Presence.


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Trauma Dumping in ADHD

Introvert vs Extrovert in ADHD.

Individuals on the same spectrum do share basic traits however, each person has their own personality.

In ADHD/ASD, we can identify two main groups, Introverts and Extroverts.
The popular belief is that all ADHDers are overly emotional, these are the most hyperactive and social, hence visible.

I’m an extrovert always looking for company, particularly in Entertainment.
I value friends a lot, although I spend most of the time with my wife at home.

Watching tv still remains the top priority before bed.

This doesn’t ensure common tastes everytime.
I favour docudramas, she’s a variety type.

She often deserts me for online watching.

I dread watching TV on my own.

Entertainment is Sharing to me.
I acknowledge that is selfish behavior, though I can’t help with it.
I know where it stems from: Trauma Dumping.

My parents never watched TV with me.
I relive that experience by mirroring on my wife, despite not having it disclosed to her. Either arguing or turning the TV off follows suit. Better than watching alone.

On the contrary, I m ecstatic when she joins me.
I’ll have to tell her soon or later by reaching a compromise.

Trauma Dumping is the result of Emotional Dysregulation.
And tonight, my favourite drama is airing.
Waiting in anguish.
I’m scared.



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Unhealthy Attitudes

Attachments imply several behavioral changes. They can become harmful to the sufferer and their next of kin. They are typically included in OCD-Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.

An attachment turns malignant when obsessive.
Repetition quickly destroys self-awareness, the stairway to Addiction.
When we are addicted, we can’t refrain from repeating the same destructive behavior over and over again.

What differentiates destructive behavior from rewarding behavior?
Examples are the most eloquent: reciting the Rosary is a rewarding Prayer. Drinking a bottle of whiskey a day is a destructive process.

Recreational substances release massive amounts of dulling chemicals.
These substances are not reuptaken by brain cells and require a new booster to kill emotional and physical pain.

Finally, the ‘Forget-Effect’ secures all addictions in the long-run, characterized by Self-denial and Euphoria.
Long-time addicts cannot recall the painful Withdrawal Syndrome, but the induced Euphoria only, as far as under the influence.

New rehabilitation works in making subjects on withdrawal meet with subjects on euphoria. Addicts have strong camaraderie in favour.
A lengthy evidence-based approach, though promising．

The Neurotypical must start by looking at Addiction as a Illness, not a Crime.
Remember: Addiction is not selective.

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Movies and Books in Autism

Autistics have specific fixations and dread new scenarios. The pathology is a potential way to addiction.

Autistics outlive movies and books very personally.
Speculation is they lose track of reality.

It’s very important to select the appropriate entertainment in autism.
I myself am haunted by visual and written material which I came up with in my adolescence.

Neurotypicals would talk of ‘self-identifying’, although it can go far beyond for autistics, to the extent of ‘addictive trauma’.

Addictive trauma has many implications and is very complex.
As you see, there are two conditions combined, Addiction and Trauma.

It is well documented the connection between PTSD and Addiction.
The abused tends to become the abuser in adult life.
Stress is the traumatic component.

How does this manifest in autism?
Disassociation, paranoia, depression, fiction-outlive, time-paralysis, obsession, loss of self-control.

I’m more oriented to the future, a delusion to a lesser extent still, we can ‘envision’ the future, not see it.

The neurotypical will ‘plan’ the future. 
The delusional will see it.





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Goal-setting and Motivation

Burnout Recovery

Back to Burnout, there are no alternatives: I mentioned Nervous Breakdown-former Burnout-to a teenager who was literally lost in translation.
My guess is the Seniors forgot old terminology as result of short-term memory onset, while the Elderly never memorized new vocabulary all at once.
Luckily, it is very unlikely for a 90 yo to experience Burnout from watching young ladies in the park.

I said in my previous post that the main symptom of Burnout is not accepting our limitations, henceforth shutting down all efforts to accomplish.
It’s either top or bottom, no in-between.

The Workplace can push us over the edge: that’s when Honesty and Integrity come to rescue when we strive for the best.
Shutting down is self-defeating.

Setting our goals is the most effective antidote to Burnout.
Goals are normally aligned with personal gifts.

There are several types of Burnout, although we are always accountable.
I had my trial with Burnout. 
My ADHD diagnosis saved me from progressing to MDD.
When we strive, there is no space for Envy, therefore Overwork and Burnout.

Now, after all the reprimanding, I am aware that we’re living in an Image Society where Titles count more than performance: don’t stand the chance, better a good Radiologist or Nurse than a Doctor without confidence.

In my experience, Patience, Perseverance, Motivation, Goals, Medication, were my recovery strategies from Burnout, supported by Professionals.

The above is intended to sharing, since I am still learning from mistakes.
Happy to learn from you too.
You count.


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Emotional exhaustion

There is not yet a diagnosis for Burnout, although the syndrome is fully understood. As of today, Mental Health professionals have no options but to include Burnout in MDD.

Burnout is a word invented by Dr. Internet, recently, former Nervous Breakdown. Another example of how Social Media are messing up in Medical.
Languages are no-longer mandatory, Grammar is now referred to as Keywords. Search Engines rely on the trendiest expressions created by Influencers-no qualifications required- in their Search Rating.
No one is typing Nervous Breakdown anymore. 
Burnout has become a popular definition of Exhaustion between teenagers.
MDD and Burnout have a different genesis, though nearly same symptoms.
MDD is involuntary, characterized by Serotonin-deficiency, Hopelessness and Despair. 
Burnout is always self-inflicted upon Sleep-deprivation, Competition, unrealistic Expectations, Envy, pushing us over our Limits.
Limits are not derogatory, i.e. we can be a better paramedic than a physician. 
In fact, Limits are personal Gifts. We have given Limits the synonym to Inferiority.
Experienced nurses know more than junior doctors…
Higher salaries are the main reason for Envy. Unfortunately, our society is Title-oriented, rather than Skill-rewarding.
Think for a moment: what is more important, Money or Wellbeing?

When we push ourselves over our limits, we burn out.
In other words, we don’t accept us．

Social Media only portray successful entrepreneurs.
Do you know that farmers and seafarers are at the forefront of sustainability?
Nobody is unworthy, only the lazy are.

To conclude, Depression is the result of long-term Chronic Stress, treatable pharmacologically.

Burnout is the Loss of Motivation for feeling used, kind of Impostor Syndrome. The sufferer is oftentimes overly proud, narcissistic, self-centered, delusional.
There’s no specific pharmacological treatment. Rest and Counseling work in raising awareness in the individual.
Failure to co-operate leads to MDD.
Self-acceptance is the best cure.
We are all uniquely gifted.




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Latest Technology

Staying up with society is the main trigger of Projection. The Present is virtually invisible in this day and age.

The Present is the only Reality, ironically the most difficult to live in.
In our digital world, the Present travels relentlessly.
We buy the latest model of smartphone when the updated version is already in the making… and if we are comfortable with an old device, we are deemed lazy and antisocial.

Technology is enslaving us.
Even so-called ‘geeks’, are having a hard time keeping up with technology.
The ‘Now’ is the new ‘Tomorrow’. 

Language is the key sign of the time.
Customary questions the likes of “What are you doing”, are put in a “What are you going to do” context.

The trend is all the more pronounced in traditional technological societies like Asia, where I live: the ‘Conversation starter’ is always “What will you do here?!”, rather than “What do you do here?” 
Routinely unnerving to me, prompting to snap sarcastically as  “I’ll eat dinner, tomorrow this time…”, to the horror of my Asian wife, shooting me at eye-point. Masking is definitely not my thing, proudly so.

We can’t afford to let go of the guard.
Obviously, someone is benefiting from all this, media giants to start with.

The pressure is almost unbearable, although I refuse to conform.

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Unpleasant Events

Aftermath is a popular synonym of PTSD.

When we endure a traumatic event, we strive to combat.
The aftermath is associated with defeat and PTSD. We never recover from grief, we learn how to live with it.
Mid-life is marked by loss and responsibility.

Whether happy or sad, anniversaries are a thing of the past.

I don’t understand the logic behind anniversaries.
Birthdays are the most eloquent: what’s the point of celebrating the fact that you’re one year older?
I condone the coming of age as reminder of adulthood.
From then on, it is all a downhill.

We must keep track of age for beaurocracy.
I do look forward to my retirement.

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Internet addiction

Technology has gotten out of control. Based on medical data, social media are adding to our anxiety. 

The Internet started with a noble attitude, just to get out of hand. ‘Internet addiction’ has become a diagnosis. I’m assailed by a destructive sense of nostalgia. Life as my generation knew it, doesn’t exist anymore.

Recent studies on teenagers showcase mood-improvements after just two weeks off media.
Governments are imposing strict rules to media giants.

For my generation, only the Past counts: Religion teaches that the Past doesn’t exist anymore, the medical profession sees it in a traumatic context.

Only the future is real these days, the biggest lie.
The future is most unpredictable: ‘predicting’ is never 100% accurate.
Who could predict the Covid pandemic?

There is no Future for me.
I only live in a traumatic Past and a slip-away Present.

Fear of age gripped me since I moved abroad. I never obsessed over age in my country, whilst it has become a painful countdown here.

Before the Internet age, we could spend Summer holidays sleeping on the beach without thinking of tomorrow.
We could stop time.

Nowadays, we want to escape the Momentum, because nothing is still.
We constantly project.

We didn’t have cell-phones in the 80s.
We could only watch the sea and the stars on the beach.
We felt united, free, safe. How many longtime, sincere, passionate love stories enfolded. The sentiment of Belonging as one body was dopamine flowing.
Sure, there was night and day, but the sea and the stars were always there.
Sunrises were soothing reminders of a new worry-free day.

Today, we watch at the phone on the beach.

Texts flashing no stop, leading us mercilessly into the day ahead, all the while scared to turn the phone off.

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