Om and OMG! A Yogi’s Adult ADHD Doodle Diary
“Adult ADHD 101” Answers Your Questions With A Dash Of Humour
Dear ADHD Doodle Diary,
Today, I’m going to write about all the questions I’ve asked about my Adult ADHD, and hopefully provide humorous answers to them.
Navigating life with Adult ADHD can feel like a constant uphill battle—full of questions, uncertainties, and moments of sheer frustration.
Whether you’re newly diagnosed or have been living with ADHD for years, understanding this complex condition is key to managing it effectively.
From understanding symptoms and treatments to tackling everyday challenges, this FAQ guide aims to provide the insights you need to take control of your ADHD journey.
Let’s get started…
What Is Executive Functioning?
Executive functioning in Adult ADHD is like trying to manage a chaotic circus with a ringleader who’s easily distracted.
Picture this: You’ve got a lion (task management), a tightrope walker (focus), and a clown (impulse control)—all vying for attention, while the ringleader (your brain) suddenly decides that organizing the popcorn stand is more important than keeping the show on track.
Simply put, executive functioning is the brain’s way of planning, organizing, and juggling all the tasks life throws at you—and with ADHD, it feels like you’re constantly dropping the balls mid-juggle!
Why Do ADHD Brains Think ‘Long-term Planning’ Is IMPOSSIBLE?
Imagine trying to scale a sheer cliff face with nothing but a pair of flip-flops and a vague idea of where the top might be.
That’s what long-term planning feels like for someone with ADHD. The future is this distant, dizzying peak, and every step forward feels like clinging to a crumbly ledge. Sure, other folks might have ropes, harnesses, and a map, but an ADHD brain? It’s busy going down routes that look more interesting!
Blame it on your wonky executive functioning – which is the brain’s command centre for planning. Though, there are Adult ADHD coping strategies to help such as my Long-term Planning System Using Index Cards.
What is the Official Medication For Adult ADHD?
The official mediation provided by the NHS is a choice of the following: methylphenidate, lisdexamfetamine, dexamfetamine, atomoxetine and guanfacine.
I don’t use “official meds”.
I use Saffron tablets as a form of self-meds.
The good news is that ADHD meds, when taken as prescribed, are designed to balance out the neurotransmitter activity in my brain without sending me into jittery overdrive.
The ADHD meds and Saffron tablets work in a more targeted and sustained way than caffeine ever could, helping improve focus and reduce impulsivity without the dramatic peaks and crashes of a caffeine binge.
Is Saffron An Alternative Medication For Adult ADHD?
Yes. At least it was for me! To find out more, read my blog post called An Experiment: Did Saffron Help With My ADHD Symptoms?
What Is The Role Of Dopamine In Adult ADHD?
Dopamine in Adult ADHD is like that friend who promises to help you move but gets distracted by shiny objects and never shows up.
It’s the brain’s “feel-good” chemical that’s supposed to reward you for getting stuff done.
But with ADHD, it’s like your dopamine supply is running on dial-up internet—slow, spotty, and frustratingly unreliable. So, instead of getting a dopamine boost for completing tasks, your brain is off chasing after the next exciting thing, leaving you wondering why the laundry is still in the washer and you’re Googling yoga for golfers card deck at 2 AM.
What Is Hyperfocus?
Hyperfocus in Adult ADHD is like falling into a YouTube rabbit hole, but instead of just watching one video, you end up binging an entire 12-part series the mating habits of penguins.
It’s when your brain lassos onto one thing and decides:
“This one thing is the most important thing in the universe right now!”
Suddenly, hours pass, the world fades away, and you realize you’ve forgotten to eat, sleep, or, you know, do any of the other 50 things on your to-do list.
Hyperfocus is like having a superpower… but only when it comes to that one thing your brain is obsessing over.
Are Yoga Breathing Exercises Good For Adult ADHD?
George’s Conclusion: The Power of Asking Questions
So, why is it crucial to ask questions about Adult ADHD if you suspect you have it?
Because if you don’t ask questions, you might find yourself halfway through reorganizing your sock drawer at 3 AM, wondering why you can’t seem to finish anything!
Knowing what you’re dealing with can be the difference between mastering the art of time management using Long Term Planning using Index Cards and spending three hours wasting your life watching YouTube videos of cats mothering baby chickens.
Plus, asking questions means you’re already ahead of the game—after all, recognizing the need for answers is the first step toward wrangling that chaotic circus in your brain.
If you’ve made it this far, you either haven’t got Adult ADHD, or something else didn’t distract you yet. Bravo! Though, I’m not going to push my luck. It’s time to wrap this diary entry up.
Namaste (my soul high-fives your soul),
George Watts
P.S. Dear Diary, thanks for letting me write in you. And dear reader, thanks for reading.
Adult ADHD Coping Strategies Card Deck
Hope you enjoyed my blog post. I’m a yoga teacher with Adult ADHD, and live in West Wales, UK.
