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For some with ADHD, the low rumble of brown noise quiets the brain

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Re: For some with ADHD, the low rumble of brown noise quiets the brain

#131

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That sounds similar to me. I was diagnosed unexpectedly at 38 and it changed my life. There is a good chance your internalised coping mechanisms are adding undue stress to your nervous system, making you tired and depressed, and ironically exacerbating the conditions for symptoms to become more disruptive (when you're tired, aren't eating properly, hyperfocusing too much and wearing yourself out, working late nights…

What's the benefit in knowing for sure?

Besides stimulants there are a lot of effective interventions for ADHD. There is good literature behind balance exercises, vigorous cardio exercise, sleep adjustment, ADHD specific therapy, and coaching. Once you're diagnosed, you have access to meds and a directive from your doctor to get therapy. Don't take the common advice and seek Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. CBT doesn't work very well for ADHD, we tend to try to outsmart the process.

Mostly the benefit is understanding yourself and allowing a measure of grace for your challenges. It helps you calibrate your goals, and be self aware when making decisions that you may be suffering an executive function deficit, and to seek known good supports for managing impulse control challenges.

There was a time when I started taking stimulant meds, but still felt the need to finish off-topic ideas to completion. It took a lot of learning to understand that my instincts need scrutiny, and that I don't have to beat myself up for not being able to do impossible things on a regular basis.

I like myself better. I get more of the important stuff done. I can even relax from time to time. I also accept that I will always have some unique struggles and special abilities.

Re: For some with ADHD, the low rumble of brown noise quiets the brain

#132
post #126

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There is a lot of overlap in symptoms with other conditions. OCD, Autism, MDD etc. Knowing exactly what the underlying issue is gives you the best way forward in treating effectively.

Is there even a precise "underlying issue"? Isn't it just one horrible blob of dysfunction?

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/363858039_Identific...

There is strong clustering for sure, but also good and recent evidence that ASD, ADHD, and ASD + ADHD (the community has adopted the term Audhd) are distinct at a genetic level. Those and related comorbidities are tied to dopamine transport, and thought to be strongly impacted by endocrine disruption. Brain scans reveal most differences in the basil ganglia and cerebellum, and then downstream dysfunction in the frontal lobe with executive function and sensory processing issues.

Re: For some with ADHD, the low rumble of brown noise quiets the brain

#133
post #8

I have ADHD and I straight-up don't do silence. Between restless brain and tinnitus, actual silence, or anything with a noise floor below ~15dB, just doesn't sit right with me. 20-30dB is about ideal. Especially when trying to sleep. I have some sort of fan/filter in just about every room. When I'm working, I'm almost always listening to music (unless I'm way over stimulated). It probably started when I was much youn…

Ditto and a plug for https://austinair.com/ I run it in my office on low during the day and sleep with it at night. Its a sizable investment but WOW its been worth it. I'm on year 12 and its still going strong.

Re: For some with ADHD, the low rumble of brown noise quiets the brain

#134

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Did you become medicated? I was diagnosed but also have High Blood Pressure (HBP), genetics, and most of the meds we tested cause an uncomfortable rise in pressure that just wasn't worth it. My coping mechanisms are what I have left I suppose.

As documented by Scott Codex[0], there is a medication that may address these issues, but you may have trouble getting it prescribed. [0]: https://astralcodexten.substack.com/p/know-your-amphetamines

In Switzerland you can get dextroamphetamine made by a pharma chain from here. Other than ritalin and Adderal that are also commonly available, it's not only much cheaper (no brand licenses), but also way more effective with less side effects.

Pretty sure it doesn't help with blood pressure, but especially the way to common Ritalin comes with weird side effects that most people likely won't enjoy.

Re: For some with ADHD, the low rumble of brown noise quiets the brain

#135

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That sounds similar to me. I was diagnosed unexpectedly at 38 and it changed my life. There is a good chance your internalised coping mechanisms are adding undue stress to your nervous system, making you tired and depressed, and ironically exacerbating the conditions for symptoms to become more disruptive (when you're tired, aren't eating properly, hyperfocusing too much and wearing yourself out, working late nights…

Did you become medicated? I was diagnosed but also have High Blood Pressure (HBP), genetics, and most of the meds we tested cause an uncomfortable rise in pressure that just wasn't worth it. My coping mechanisms are what I have left I suppose.

What's your health like? Meaning, age, gender, weight, height and fitness level (aka are you fat and unhealthy or fit and train 3x+ weekly)?

Re: For some with ADHD, the low rumble of brown noise quiets the brain

#136

Earlier quoted context omitted.

ADHD is a "disorder" that is predicated on "this person's behavior annoys people around him and therefore should be corrected." ADHD is only a disorder because human pegs must be pounded into the square holes of class in a sterile schoolroom behind bars, during daylight hours for much of the year, in preparation for white-collar office jobs that many of them won't achieve, but nevertheless you must sit down, pay atte…

I strongly disagree with this opinion, even though it is sadly common. Go speak to an adult with ADHD, listen to them and find out the real pain and anguish experienced by someone with ADHD. Many people desperately want to do well in school, have a career and successful relationships but are held back by their disorder. Instead, they experience joblessness, poor human relationships and unfulfilled dreams. People with…

I am halfway between agreeing with both of you.

There are many symptoms of ADHD that I consider severe impairments - especially the short term memory loss.

However there are symptoms of it that I prefer over my state of my mind while medicated. The freedom of direction of thought is much more pleasant than the drive to focus intensely on one task - but is simply at odds with the world around me driven by productivity.

Re: For some with ADHD, the low rumble of brown noise quiets the brain

#137

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Do you mean in ear headphones with music or actual ear plugs with music on a stereo? I don’t know why but I feel a million times better with ear plugs in. I had these etymotic ear plugs that were more like sound filters for years before I lost them, and I loved them so much. I’d wear them with headphones over top while working for this oddly silent and muffled sound experience. I didn’t replace the etymotics because…

I too love having AirPods in! Do you clean your earplugs daily? I discovered I had to after a minor ear infection. Wet wipes alone didn’t cut it. Needs wet wipes + hand sanitizer. Don’t forget the case too. I also made the mistake of putting the AirPods on too quickly after a shower. I was like 90% dry but inpatient. That too can trigger ear infections.

Not directly related to your post but tinnitus + Airpods.

I have tinnitus. And after starting to use Airpod Pros, I feel the tinnitus has become *much* worse. And I basically don't have any music on. And if I do, at very low levers. I basically just use the transparent mode, or silence mode.

Am I the only one experience this? I'm sort of hestistant to use Airpods to not risk getting permanent worse tinnitus. At the same time, they are very practical. And the dampening of noise makes work and concentration easier.

Re: For some with ADHD, the low rumble of brown noise quiets the brain

#138

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Welbutrin? That sounds a lot like a common side effect of that drug.

Adderal, vyvanse, concerta. And Xarelto (blood thinner) all cause burning pain

Yup, Adderal. When I take it the two sides of my brain stop fighting each other and I'm able to be what I think is normal. But then i get nerve pain (which I've had, mildly, in general due to two surgeries when I was a kid.)

Re: For some with ADHD, the low rumble of brown noise quiets the brain

#139
I'm not sure if I have ADHD, they say if you get a high from the medication you probably don't have it. But I always play music. All the time. It has to be music I already know for focus. If not working, podcast. Or some YT video. I also am a loner/have lived alone for a few years so idk it's a way to not remember that I guess.
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