Ableism for Autistic and/or ADHD traits

Same goes for ADHD...

 

Childhood Trauma

 4 (1, 3 ,4 and 5) out of 6 - not bad, right! 😉

ADHD & Headache

Yesterday I stumbled over a German language ADHD website and it had an article on it about ADHD & headache - what an Aha!-moment that was!

I would have never thought that my almost daily headache might also come from my ADHD!

Personally, I haven't found out what the trigger is. I don't think it's stress but tension and bright office light combined with people constantly talking, but probably mostly bright light, which is stupid because I can't stand dark and hygge rooms. Sometimes I even need high dose Ibuprofen and (about 1h later) an Aspirin (I am not a doctor, but according to a study both medications should not be taken together, as they both bind to the same receptors and therefore do not both work together.)

I found the best description on oxfordcbt:

... Imagine your brain as a computer with too many tabs open at once. Each tab represents a task, thought, or piece of information your brain is trying to process simultaneously. 

For someone with ADHD, it’s like all those tabs are constantly refreshing and demanding attention, leading to mental fatigue. This mental strain can easily translate into physical discomfort, such as headaches. ...

So why are headaches more common in those with ADHD? Your mind is constantly sprinting between distractions and tasks without rest. This mental marathon wears out the brain, leading to the physical symptoms we recognise as headaches. The continuous effort to focus, manage distractions, and stay on track can leave your brain feeling drained and aching. ...

Hormonal changes throughout a woman’s life—such as during menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause—can have a significant impact on both ADHD symptoms and migraine patterns. 

Oestrogen, a hormone that fluctuates during these periods, plays a key role in how migraines develop. For example, during the menstrual cycle, drops in oestrogen levels can trigger what is known as “menstrual migraines,” which can be more severe and frequent in women with ADHD 

The best article on that issue that I could find is from ADDitude:

... Though few connect the two, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and headaches can be linked in important ways. Research shows that people with ADHD are at greater risk for experiencing headaches (including migraines, a type of primary headache) compared to people without ADHD.1 2 3 What’s more, headaches are common in other psychiatric conditions, many of which co-occur with ADHD.

Though the underlying connections between ADHD and headaches are not fully understood, headaches cause undue pain and stress in patients as they attempt to manage existing ADHD symptoms and challenges. Still, the medical community largely overlooks or dismisses the association, to the disservice of patients. ...

One study estimates that migraines occur with ADHD about 35% of the time in adult patients. ...

The following are some examples of how symptoms, challenges, and other features of ADHD may lead to headaches:

• Time-management and self-regulation difficulties may lead to problems adhering to sleep-wake schedules. An irregular sleep schedule is a major factor behind headaches.
• Disorganization can cause irregular habits (poor eating, hydration, etc.), which may trigger headaches and migraines.
• ADHD is linked to increased risk for concussions and head injuries, which may lead to headaches as well. Post-concussion headaches are linked to lingering cognitive and concentration problems.
• Headaches are a common side effect of ADHD medications. Loss of appetite and trouble sleeping – common causes behind headaches – are also commonly reported side effects of medication.

Another very good article on psychologytoday.com says:

There are some interesting findings in the few studies that have been published, however. One is that dopamine is involved in migraines as well as in ADHD. Many people know that ADHD involves the dopaminergic pathways of the brain. Fewer people know that migraine symptoms can be provoked by the stimulation of dopamine receptors, and that some drugs that are active on dopamine receptors are effective migraine treatments. Additionally, compared to people without migraines, people who suffer from recurrent migraines may respond differently to some drugs affecting the brain’s dopamine system.

Moreover, the two conditions commonly overlap: Migraine seems to be a risk factor for ADHD, and ADHD seems to be a risk factor for migraines. To put it another way, people with migraines seem to have a higher-than-average incidence of ADHD, and people with ADHD seem to have a higher-than-average incidence of migraines. This holds true in both kids and adults. And it doesn’t seem to matter which “kind” of ADHD you have: Whether your ADHD is predominantly inattentive, predominantly hyperactive, or the combined type, you still have a higher risk of migraine headaches. Conversely, it doesn’t seem to matter (at least not much) whether you have migraine with aura or migraine without aura: Both seem to be associated with a higher risk for ADHD. 

I can really recommend reading at least all three articles which also provide ideas on how to relieve the headache.

Justice Sensitivity In Autistic (and other Neurodivergent) People

That's quite me - my ex-boss and company couldn't stand it and tbh no matter where I go neurotypical people do not seem to understand it! 

By Olivia Guy-Evans, MSc

Reviewed by Saul McLeod, PhD

Autism justice sensitivity refers to a heightened sense of fairness, equity, and inclusion, coupled with a strong need to address and correct injustices​. In essence, it means being extremely attuned to when something is not fair or right.

Research and anecdotal evidence suggest that autistic (and other neurodivergent) people tend to have higher levels of justice sensitivity compared to neurotypicals​, though of course, it varies by person.

Importantly, autism justice sensitivity isn’t only about distress – it also ties into social justice and inclusion in positive ways.

Autistic advocates point out that being keenly aware of unfairness often drives them to take action against it. The neurodiversity movement itself (which fights for autistic rights and acceptance) is rooted in Autistic people’s awareness of injustice and refusal to tolerate it​.

You can find the full article on simplypsychology.org

Me, if I was Alice!

Neurodivergent rage