The worst thing that happened to me was my ADHD diagnosis. It didn’t explain anything, all the things I wasn’t good at are as they were. Nothing changes, and my psychiatrist pisses me off when she’s so confident I’m doing better now… What about my mental burnout? It maybe got 5% less severe since I’m on a low dose stimulant. My attention levels got a tiny bit better. But at the same time I’m more irritable and I don’t enjoy my meals anymore, it all tastes bland.
When I interact with the world outside my small circle of friends, I’m still left mentally exhausted... I think before medication I used to be more restless and talkative, and people maybe thought I was weird? But now half of my day is spent overthinking things that don't deserve nearly as much attention as my brain is giving them. I’m daydreaming non-stop. My emotions are still on overdrive, but they sort of dulled down a bit. So yes, previously there was too much of me, and people probably didn’t like me for that... But now, whenever I talk to someone, I worry that I'm boring them to death. Nothing I say feels impactful. I focus so damn hard on the information I'm trying to convey, struggling not to say something out of context, that I end up sounding expressionless and mechanical, like a goddamn encyclopedia!
Dating was always an ordeal, but now it’s slow agony... Do stimulants make me boring or just dumb? It's bad enough that I overthink every interaction and am going out of my way not to get distracted by random topics that most people find uninteresting. I literally find myself talking about things like the Cold War or the Moon landing half of the time. Before my diagnosis, I called myself a nerd, an introvert. Now I have to be glad that I officially have a mental disorder? Seriously, all I dream about is to learn how to keep the conversation flowing naturally, and also to turn off my overthinking. Explaining this to people is a complete waste of my energy. Most people outside my circle have no idea what “ADHD” even means. How do you live with your diagnosis, did your psychiatrist help you?
// Sorry for ranting I don’t want to sound mean. Guess I sort of need to vent off my frustration, and I have no one to turn to right now...
Dreams can be such beautiful messengers! I've had similar experiences where my dreams felt like little previews of happiness to come. Your dream seems so warm and positive, especially with the welcoming feeling from the group. I think our subconscious often shows us possibilities we're ready for but maybe haven't recognized yet. The fact that the people resembled folks you admire but weren't exactly them could mean you're drawing inspiration from what you value in others. Keep holding onto that hopeful feeling. DREAM BIG!
Dreams can be prophetic, especially if you believe in them enough
@InnerLight really? But don’t you have to work towards your dreams too?
@megan kohler Of course! But dreams are a sure indication that you're moving in the right direction. They are here to remind us that we do the right thing. Don't doubt yourself!
Dreams like these often carry messages from our subconscious. The warmth and acceptance you felt from those people could represent your desire for meaningful connections. Your brain might be showing you possibilities of joy and connection that await you. Do you lack these connections in real lifE?
@Carrie Keller Maybe sometimes I feel like I don’t
Maybe it's showing you the kind of energy you want to attract?
Whether it's prophetic or not, holding onto that positive feeling can't hurt. Dreams can be great motivation boosters. What if you tried bringing some of that dream energy into your daily life? Like being open to random conversations or trying new social activities? Just a thought!
@creative_josh I’m trying to do that do more social activities
@megan kohler Cool, what kind of you like? Have you tried book clubs? I personally love them a lot
That's funny because all I've been having are nightmares and I just hope for the better
Dreams are wild, right? I had similar experiences with recurring dreams that felt super meaningful. Sometimes our minds process our hopes through these vivid scenarios. The fact that you met people who looked like performers but weren't actually them is fascinating, maybe it's about finding unexpected joy in familiar places? The comfortable interactions, especially with the guy who reminded you of someone you like, could mean you're open to new connections. I like your theory about it being a preview. When positive dreams stick around in our thoughts, they often reflect our inner wishes. The whole scene sounds really pleasant walking dogs, meeting friendly people, feeling welcomed. Those feelings of hope and possibility you got from it seem pretty significant.