Chronic stress, now that's an interesting one. I've never regarded myself as stressed. Or, if I am stressed, I'm always stressed and it's just normal. But I see no reason to be stressed, but maybe I am. And I wonder, how much of stress is a cause, or a result. I've taken a year off work. Am I better for it? It's hard to say. I'm yet to find anything that I can say helps. I've only really found things that make it worse. Like alcohol, and sugar. Diabetes? Yeah, I've considered it. I've got 6 months of blood sugar monitoring data, with no discernible correlation between my levels and how I feel. Funny world <3
In particular, Garmin smartwatches have a very good measurement and intepretation with their "stress" and "body battery" features.
That's how I learned I was stressed while working. I have a Garmin watch and everyday I get an alert telling me I had a stressful day.
During the day if I do a little check-in where I observe how I feel, I often notice a lot of muscle tension, especially in the plexus area, and that I stop breathing for extended periods of time. I try to consciously relax, which would work for a few minutes before the tension comes again. I end up being exhausted almost everyday. My watch has been telling me I'm either in "recovery" or "strained" for months.
Stress can be difficult to notice, especially when you're stressed.
if you burn out at same time - it can take half year.
caffein makes you work TWO-FOUR times slower than you could without.
yeah, that is number i measured on self.
and yet i still do it - drugs are drugs - coffee makes me happy - cappuccino - to make effect longer and less strait compared to black shots.
also do not drink in the morning - feel pain of starting a day:)
the only reason you will not have job - you can start hating your job and leave. but you would do job more productive without coffee.
If I may ask as a coffee addict, what were some of these that affected you specifically?
And, yet, as an addict, i keep convincing myself that I can handle a little bit (like, 6-10 grams daily - which is nothing) and will re-addict myself every few months.
I should say that i have been actually handling 10 grams vastly better lately than i could even 6 grams a few years ago. Not sure what to attribute that to.
I really like coffee - i roast, grind and brew it at home. I should treat it as i do alcohol - only 1 drink, once in a while - but i'll probably remain like this for life...
easy to fall into "first idea good idea trap".
lack of ability to work in priorities.
lack of ability achieve long term goals, as long as these are not just extensive usage of self.
procrastination.
all this before even health issues like blood pressure and sleep disruption.
if worth to drop at least once for half year - experience panic attacks may be - and get on track back with better control of addiction :)
I'd try centanafadine and see a top ADHD specialist. There are a lot of variables: molecule, dose, release profile, melatonin timing.
What is worth checking:
* Comorbid anxiety or trauma symptoms (PTSD)
* Hormone imbalance
Just because your blood work is perfect, it doesn't mean all is good. I have hypomagnesemia - the tests were perfect, yet my body needs way more magnesium to function properly.
I desperately wanted ADHD meds to help, but in the end the juice just wasn't worth the squeeze so I stopped. I tried all 3 or 4 different stims and 2 non-stims.
Thank you for the pointers, I will look into them.
For example for methylphenidate, I'd recommend starting on 2.5mg (1/2 the smallest pill) for a week or two, until side effects go away, and then up the dose to 5mg.