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[OLD] The 'I need a hug' thread - please read first post before posting :)
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@JustV hmm cause I've heard that with ADHD it's best not to consume caffeine cause it makes the inattentiveness much worse 🤔
Maybe I understood it wrong idk. Just putting it out there
Basically other kinds of stimulants are sometimes prescribed to people with ADHD, so caffeine (poorly) mimics the effect they have on you. You'd think that stimulants make your brain more chaotic, but what actually happens is the brake pedal in your brain gets stronger. So the stimulant helps your brain restrain other parts of your brain, helping you to focus better. My understanding is that non-ADHD brains can do that on their own, whereas we need a bit of help.
It's a bit counter-intuitive and I realise I'm saying this with no sourcing, but would be happy to share more info on what I learned in a diff thread if you're interested.
Hey @J
Hey @JJLemon18 that's not a stupid question at all and is actually a very good one. I may not be the best at answering this for you but I am guessing that coke and most fizzy drinks do contain an amount of caffine as there is some caffinate extract in most drinks especially in coke unless it's coke zero or diet coke which does still have caffefine but at a more refined amount. I also drink a load of fizzy drinks especially sugary sprite in work a lot which helps me but then makes me very hyper all day. I think you can get caffeine free coke actually somewhere but it's quite rare.
Hey @JustV I noticed your post and as someone who has ADHD I feel like I can relate especially to using caffeine and caffeinated drinks as a form of stimuli and self-medication. I am not medicated for my ADHD but am on medication for anxiety/OCD symptoms, therefore it can be quite hard for me to get through a regular day without my daily intake of caffeine and I find it helps me to wake up (though sometimes I drink too much and feel super sleepy afterwards). I used to try to drink more water to stay hydrated throughout the day because sometimes what I found when drinking caffeinated drinks was that I would get more thirsty and start craving more drinks to the point where I would be too hyper viligant and alert so it would be a challenge for me to relax in the evenings (yet alone my sleeping patterns). I now have kind of broken my streak of drinking water more and instead venture for fizzy drinks like coke or sprite (sprite is my go to). I just thought I would share this a bit. I think for a lot of us as you mentioned, for most people with ADHD fizzy drinks help us to regulate more and boost our brain activity so we can take charge and focus on things we need to do. Thought I'd share my experience with this
I've barely been answering pms and messages too bc I'm just so numb and drained I feel I don't have the energy? I hate this. Got me 3 hour food practical on Friday and everyone's telling me not to panic but I'm panicking so much
I can also confirm that I don't think a lot of us here hate you and we value you a lot. You a valid user here like anyone else and you matter
Thank you @Amy22
I meant in general tho. I really do feel valued here (or you guys are just very good at pretending haha), which I think is why I talk and share so much here.
Still doesn't help with the feeling that I'm bothering everyone I talk to. Plus I feel like I talk way too much, and I always have something to say.
(Sorry if I’m replying to you too much, I hate to see people feeling rubbish when I can relate.)
There's no reason to apologise! And theres no such thing as replying too much to me haha.
But yea it's definitely me being self critical to some extent (and you too I can see). But okay I'll end this topic here as I don't want to use up so much space here
Hey @IainJammyboy just dropping in to send some hugs your way
Just wanted to say I edited your post slightly just to take out the sh reference in keeping with guidelines. You are so deserving of support Iain.
The organisation Mind has a great article with some tips on coping with urges to SH. There are also apps like Calm Harm and distrACT with tips and techniques on coping with SH that you might like to look into.
It sounds like things are feeling bleak right now but there is light at the end of the tunnel always