Days where I'm overwhelmed

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Sometimes I have days where I am just really overstimulated for no reason. I've been pacing a lot because today is one of those days, and I feel really overwhelmed and can't figure out how to fix it. I can't take a nap or anything, and stimming doesn't fix it either. I feel like I have pent up energy no matter what I do, though I also feel exhausted. I also can't think straight and it's frustrating. I'm probably not the only one who deals with this, but it seems like most people I know don't have this issue so it makes me feel odd.

Have you tried deep breathing? I’ve been using a nifty free app called Breathe. It uses sound and visual to help keep me on target for breathing.

Deep breathing helps a bit, but usually when I stop focusing on it I just feel overwhelmed again, for some reason. I often lay down and try to sleep + focus on my breathing when I get overwhelmed.

I find that if I’m stuck in a loop going for a walk or doing some exercise can help bring my nervous system overload down. Taking time away from over stimulating elements such as the screen, coffee, etc can help too.. hope this helps!

I wonder if it's a surge of norepinephrine from ADHD, combined with your exhausted body. It sounds like you're really tired so you can't burn off that feeling of mental / physical hyperactivity, and your fatigue is making the hyperarousal seem even more pronounced by contrast.

Maybe it would help if you try some type of mental hyper-focus, if you're able?

I've tried running around with my dog to exercise and it helped a bit. I haven't full-on exercised in awhile, so maybe that's contributing.

I think my ADHD medication inhibits the reuptake of norepinephrine. Sometimes I think after I take a dose of it I feel like this, or it makes it worse. I was going to stop taking Strattera, but I missed both appointments I made to do that.

I've also been colouring and participating in forum games on NV, but I don't have anything else actually mentally stimulating to hyper focus on. My dog doesn't want to play either. What's interesting is even though I can't think straight, I am focusing on random things very easily and I think it's overwhelming me a bit because everything is competing for my attention. It's probably just sensory overload, but it feels "different" and is odd.

I was browsing the forums today trying to find reference to this same feeling. I am diagnosed with ADHD and this is what I struggle with the most. I'm not really sure how to cope with this mode of being, or how to work to prevent it from starting up. I feel like I can physically feel it when it's happening though, and it's different from other kinds of tired. Wouldn't be surprised if it is overstimulation based on my experience, but that in itself... doesn't really help me figure out how to not lose a whole day because I can't do the work that I want to

You might want to try an app by Andrew Johnson called Relax+. Mr. Johnson is from the Northern U.K., so his accent is quite soothing. It is on both the Apple App Store, as well as the google play store.

That sounds like when I have an auto-immune flare-up.

Keep track of what foods you're eating and see if something there is triggering it. Could be something high in histamine, or high in lectins, or just something that's inflammatory. Allergens such as gluten can trigger it in some people, too. That was the first thing I had to cut out.

hi Hero check this link out-
https://www.objectivewellness.com/journ ... ing-asleep

from what i've read there are no interactions between GABA* and Strattera, as Strattera doesn't influence gamma-Aminobutyric acid)* receptors. there were two reports of increased irritability. so ask your doc about it at least.

I'd prescribe some sim racing for your need for hyperfocus.

Yeah, when this happens I don't get much done. It makes me feel way too odd and physically uncomfortable. I had a panic attack a day or two after I posted this though, so maybe this feeling was a build up to that because it went away afterwards.

Thank you, I'll check it out!

I seem to have some issues with my immune system so maybe that contributed. I have digestive issues from it and can't eat certain things, so I should probably be more careful about what I eat.

I'll look into stuff about this more, thank you!