01 What is AuDHD (& do you have it)?

AuDHD = autism + ADHD... and also I experience it as its own neurotype, and not simply two "disorders."

Here are the sets of questions I asked in the episode, if you'd like to take time with them on your own:

1. Do you feel like advice almost never works for you? Not only NT advice, but even advice from autistic OR ADHD people? That your brain either instantly knows advice won't work for you, or tries it and feels really disappointed because you did have a lot of things in common with the person who gave it to you but somehow still it felt like your body or brain were just not clicking with it?
2. Are the internal parts of you always fighting? Do you feel like the things your body and brain want are often in complete opposition and that it's literally impossible to get your needs met, because different parts of you want such different things to feel safe, regulated, and cared for?
3. Have you managed to build some modicum of success in an area through anxiety and adrenaline? This could be school, work, a creative pursuit, relationships. Have you received external validation for doing this thing well, all the while being absolutely terrified that it's all going to fall apart and you have no idea how to handle how your life feels and it all feels extremely precarious and painful at the day-to-day level? Do you feel the need to hide how much you're struggling, and/or if you've disclosed your struggles have they not been taken seriously?
4. Is your energy quite cyclical, where when you feel like your brain is working you'll push yourself really really hard, and then be totally exhausted and need time to recover? And without adequate recovery time, Is burnout, or burnout-like depression (they can be similar) a frequent experience for you? Or do you live in fear of it?

Thanks to Hanu Dixit for permission to use the song A Sitar Story.

Full Transcript here

AuDHD Flourishing Newsletter signup

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Thank you so much!

This is exactly what I was looking for. I cannot wait to see where this project goes. I am an AuDHD myself so I couldn’t help but laugh and understand when you said 2 podcasts a week on a consistent basis is just too much right now. I am working on a digital products design business and knowing I will burn myself out, I have to find a way to produce consistently enough but not overdo it. I appreciate the raw honesty. Please don’t stop!

A light for those who are still clueless

I’m struggling to find someone to share their experience in coexisting and conflicting traits of the human experience, away from pathological language and “disorder” to be put in order.

Thank you! Keep going 🙏🏼