Having Autism & ADHD (The Paradox)

Summary

This video explores the complex intersection of autism and ADHD, detailing the challenges of living with both conditions. The creator discusses the paradoxical nature of their experiences, such as the need for order yet resistance to routine, and the difficulty in managing social interactions. They also touch on the impact of ADHD medication on their life and the ongoing journey of learning to navigate their unique existence.

Takeaways

• 🤔 Living with both autism and ADHD can be paradoxical, as the needs arising from each condition sometimes clash.
• 🧠 The individual has a chaotic brain that thrives on order but also rebels against routine, leading to feelings of anxiety and unsettledness.
• 🔢 It's estimated that 30-80% of autistic individuals also meet the criteria for ADHD, highlighting the prevalence of this dual diagnosis.
• 🤝 The speaker finds a strong sense of relatability with others who have both conditions, indicating a unique shared experience.
• 🧩 ADHD primarily affects executive functioning, including working memory, cognitive flexibility, and self-control, among other aspects.
• 🌐 Autism is characterized by differences in social communication, restrictive behaviors, and sensory processing, with some overlap in executive functioning.
• 🏠 The speaker requires a lot of alone time and finds socializing challenging, yet also has a desire to be in social situations.
• 🗣️ Despite being exhausted by conversation, the speaker often dominates social interactions due to a hyperawareness of their social challenges.
• 🔄 The speaker struggles with self-care, often prioritizing immediate gratification over long-term well-being, leading to a cycle of regret and frustration.
• 💊 ADHD medication has positively impacted the speaker's focus and emotional regulation but has also made their autistic traits more pronounced.
• 🔄 The speaker is in a continuous process of learning to live with their dual diagnosis, seeking balance and stability in their life.

Q & A

What is the paradox the speaker feels living with both autism and ADHD?

The paradox is that the speaker's needs due to autism and ADHD sometimes clash. While autism might require routine and order, ADHD traits can lead to a desire for novelty and excitement, making it complicated to meet self-care needs.

How does the speaker describe their brain's state due to having both conditions?

The speaker describes their brain as 'very busy and chaotic,' which both thrives on order and rebels against routine.

What percentage of autistic individuals might also meet the diagnostic criteria for ADHD according to the speaker?

It is estimated that between 30% and 80% of autistic individuals might also meet the diagnostic criteria for ADHD.

How does the speaker feel when they meet someone who also has autism and ADHD?

The speaker finds it reassuring and feels a strong sense of relatability with others who have both conditions, more so than with people who have only one of the conditions.

What are the main aspects of executive functioning that ADHD affects, according to the script?

ADHD affects executive functioning, which includes working memory, cognitive flexibility, emotional control, self-control, task initiation, organization and planning, time management, and self-monitoring.

How does autism impact the speaker differently from ADHD?

Autism impacts the speaker by causing differences in social communication, social interaction, repetitive and restrictive patterns of behavior, interest, or activity, and sensory processing differences.

What is the speaker's strategy for managing social interactions?

The speaker limits social interactions to about once a week, finding that less is more for them. They also struggle with managing the intensity of conversations and often overshare.

How does the speaker handle their slow processing speed during social interactions?

The speaker tends to speak first and think later, letting their mouth run while their brain is still processing the conversation.

What is the impact of ADHD medication on the speaker's life?

ADHD medication has helped the speaker with focus, emotional regulation, and restlessness, but it has also made their autistic traits more prominent.

How does the speaker feel about the changes brought on by ADHD medication?

While the speaker acknowledges the positive impact of medication on their life, they also miss the optimism and forgetfulness that used to help them cope, even if it led to overload and fatigue.

What is the speaker's hope for their future in managing both autism and ADHD?

The speaker is hopeful that learning to accommodate their needs and living a more balanced life will lead to more stability, less overload, fewer meltdowns, and a calmer existence.