Do you find that novelty can help you do something new that otherwise you wouldn’t do due to its challenging nature?
I.e. sensory and social overload is averted, at least while something is classed as “novel”, because the buzz that comes from doing something novel keeps you going.
I ask because I’m wondering if the thrill of novelty where I simply love exploring and experiencing new things is what is helping me keep going in life. Without it, most of these new situations (and older similar ones) would simply not appeal to me at all due to the way they challenge me on an autistic level. I would probably end up in burn out. And even the novel situations take a huge amount out of me, but at least I feel happy/ier about it?
Later this year I have my ADHD assessment and I want to see if this resonates with others that identify as both autistic and ADHD. Alternatively, it could just be that I like novel things but if so, that really goes against my autistic tendencies - I function best day-to-day when in familiar, predictable situations. The opposite of novel! So it’s very strange to crave the opposite, even when it costs so much.
Hope this makes sense, but please do ask me clarifying questions if not. 💛
But it’s difficult, tiring, expensive, and my non-existent executive function relies on it while it burns my autistic circuits out.
It’s like that cartoon trope with the devil and angel on the shoulders, one craving stability, sameness and security while the other, the one that actually does the steering seeks novelty constantly.
I think I’m well and truly effed, as the only way I can actually do anything is also the surefire recipe for burnout.
@AnAutieAtUni@CynAq@actuallyautistic@actuallyadhd I still call myself a giant walking Contradiction 🤣 AuDHD here- self diagnosed, and now finally it makes sense although just knowing this doesn’t offer any solution or relief
@Georgy I really feel like I'm AuDHD too, although I've taken the "official" ADHD test and according to that, I don't have it. It's probably my brain injury traits mimicking it @AnAutieAtUni@CynAq@actuallyautistic@actuallyadhd
@catswhocode@Georgy@AnAutieAtUni@actuallyautistic@actuallyadhd I have a weird relationship with ADHD meds. They work to make me capable of following instructions and do routine things but disable me from thinking up the instructions if that makes any sense.
I’m used to my brain firing on all cylinders. That’s how I think. Forming ideas is effortless for me, but following through with the actions needed to bring those ideas to reality is absolutely not. That second part requires willpower, which I generally lack. ADHD meds inhibit the automatic idea generation and whip up the willpower. With no ideas to act on, I wouldn’t say they work for me.
What I love most about it though, they help me to feel more confident about myself and my decisions ( again not always)
Still the first day I have taken ADHD medication, I have never experienced that much silence and peace ( and it has never happened again after a few months of taking them)
@Georgy I can relate to the "feeling more confident about decisions"! The brain injury makes even the most minor decisions difficult, like "Do I wear blue shoes or red shoes?" In addition to meds, I saw a therapist who taught me a technique along the lines of "Give yourself 2 minutes to make the decision, and then stick with it." This especially helps in restaurants! 😆 @CynAq@AnAutieAtUni@actuallyautistic@actuallyadhd
@catswhocode@CynAq@AnAutieAtUni@actuallyautistic@actuallyadhd they are never easy decisions!
I remember your post about 2 min technique and restaurants from sometime ago. It sometimes work for those kind of decisions. Thank you for sharing.🙃 but usually even deciding if I should go and get a glass of water is taxing.