“Stimming” or self-stimulation can be used to define any conscious or unconscious self-soothing behaviors a person does. These behaviors are usually in the form of repetitive sounds or movements. Vocal stimming (or auditory stimming) specifically, refers to any self-stimulation behavior that involves the use of the vocal cords, mouth, lips, and ears. The reasons for … Read more
Most people are familiar with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), a neurodevelopmental diagnosis characterized by nine inattentive symptoms and nine hyperactive-impulsive symptoms. However, education and media portrayals of ADHD tend to focus only on one presentation, overlooking the diversity and variance in ADHDers’ life experiences. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision, (DSM-5-TR), an individual … Read more
Everyone has coping skills and self-care habits that help them get through the day. Activities that we enjoy and boost our mood help the brain release dopamine, a neurotransmitter that helps us feel pleasure and motivates us. Folks with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) tend to have lower levels of dopamine in our brains,1 so we have to work harder to tap into … Read more
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, better known as ADHD, is a neurodevelopmental condition with an estimated global prevalence of about 4%.1 That means about 4% of the world’s population has ADHD, and that number is steadily growing as we learn more about the nuances of the disorder and its complexities. Most of us know someone (or are someone) who … Read more
Because marijuana is linked to relaxation, there has been a growing interest in how it might benefit certain ADHD traits like restlessness and impulsivity. There is a growing number of individuals who sometimes use marijuana as a self-treatment option for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).1 They state that marijuana usage is therapeutic and particularly helpful in limiting distractions and helping with focus, … Read more
Research shows that people struggling with an eating disorder, especially bulimia nervosa or binge eating, are more likely to have comorbid ADHD.1 While those studies haven’t confirmed that ADHD causes those eating disorders, the data suggests that it can put someone at a higher risk of developing disordered eating habits. Here are some factors that explain the link between ADHD and binge … Read more
When you are coping with something difficult in your life, it isn’t uncommon for someone else to say “it could be worse.” You might even find yourself thinking, “Well, at least I don’t have it as bad as that person does.” Comparing your own pain and other emotions to others is common, but that doesn’t … Read more
An invisible illness is a health condition that isn’t outwardly visible but can limit or challenge a person in some way.1 They include chronic medical conditions with debilitating pain and fatigue, such as myalgic encephalomyelitis (chronic fatigue syndrome), lupus, fibromyalgia, and Crohn’s disease. Mental health disorders often fall into this category as well. People with invisible illnesses can look healthy … Read more
Saying “I don’t feel good” is something we’re used to hearing when we’re feeling under the weather, but it can also be something to help others understand that you might be mentally struggling. While it’s often easier to talk about our physical symptoms, being able to let others know that we need a mental health … Read more
Sometimes when life gets hard, you might think, ‘I want to disappear.’ Maybe your life feels too heavy with the injustices in the world, you feel too overwhelmed with everything you need to do, or you wish a relationship you were in looked different. If you’re feeling depressed and in a downward cycle of rumination, you may … Read more