In a recent post on his blog, Douglas Cootey, who lives with adult ADHD, talks about the times he finds himself applying his ADHD coping strategies when he is sick, and about signs that one needs to take a break and focus on taking care of themselves.
http://douglascootey.com/2017/01/i-cant-get-rid-of-adhd-by-blowing-my.html
This is some great advice from Douglas. Recently I have fallen asleep twice while sitting up in a chair and don't remember doing so. Both my bipolar disorder and my fibromyalgia put me at extra risk for a severe depressive episode with all the extra hours I've been working. Unfortunately, for me there is no choice to rest, though, or I'll get behind on my bills.
I'm crap at taking care of myself, in any case. I put everyone else's needs first. I work until I'm ready to drop. I end up eating a lot of fast food sometimes. I don't have a working stove at my place, and cooking for just myself is aggravating, particularly since I'm currently working five twelve hour night shifts. I get mad at myself when I get tired and my brain works about as well as if someone took the lid off my skull and used my hollow head to relieve themselves.
I don't mind working hard. I don't even mind not having much to show for it. I do feel frustrated that no matter how hard I work, I still feel like I'm lazy because there is so much else to be done. The little kid in me who always heard criticism is still looking for praise. I'm trying to not be as harsh with her as I used to be, but the real truth is, you're never going to get the praise you want and nobody actually gives a fuck. Give it up and go to sleep the way most people's child selves have. I'm in no position to deal with you.
~The Cheese Hath Grated It~
