5 signs you have ADHD and autism

In this video, I talk about what it's like having both autism and ADHD and how this can feel from an inner perspective. ADHD and autism have many similarities, but also many conflicting traits, so this can be really difficult to unpick sometimes.

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[pinkdoobie]

Oh my gosh, you hit the nail on the head with, “Can’t stay home because it’s too boring; can’t leave home because of overstimulation.”

[vinnies]

The inner conflict is maddening. All the things that make me feel most alive quickly burn me out. Yet, living a quiet little life that avoids burnout triggers depressive episodes through understimulation. When making major life decisions it's like deciding which kind of breakdown I'd rather have. Heh.

[feywild]

That feeling of a new special interest keeping you up at night is so spot on...

[VoxTekTrustUs]

Is it just me paying attention to the reflections on her glasses?

[me.caudew]

For everyone who also struggled to pay attention:
1. 1:56 Constant conflict between apparently contradicting traits
2. 2:44 Your traits might appear to balance each other out
3. 4:06 A larger variety than usual of special interests / hyperfixations
4. 5:53 Different versions of your traits emerge in different situations
5. 6:57 You relate to people who have a dual diagnosis themselves

You are a beautiful person and anyone would be lucky to have you in their life. <3

[graywing]

I’ve always thought I was a “social introvert” (reserved around strangers, talkative around friends, but still need to be alone a lot), but this actually makes a lot more sense.

[xiaco]

The whole “shy at first” thing is true. I always felt that way, and still do.

[ajs]

the chaos that overelms and want for order but can never maintain causing a endless cycle of stresss thats me

[noreenvance]

1. 1:56 Constant conflict between apparently contradictory traits
2. 2:46 Your traits may appear to balance each other out
3. 4:08 A larger variety than usual of special interests/hyper fixations
4. 5:55 Different versions of your traits emerge in different situations
5. 7:02 You relate to people who have a dual diagnosis themselves

Hope this helps for quick reference.

[meganelise]

I’ve often felt guilty about not being able to stick to a new hobby or interest, but recently I’ve realized that hobbies are there to serve me, not the other way around. I don’t have to be really good at them, I don’t have to “produce” something worth money, I just have to enjoy doing it. It’s ok to move on when I don’t enjoy it anymore.

[Rogerseegren]

Psychedelics definitely have potential to deal with mental health symptoms like anxiety and depression, I would like to try them again but it's just so hard to source out here

[marykuemmerle]

Oh. My. Gosh. A thousand times yes. I haven’t been officially diagnosed with autism and never suspected I had it. I have always said that I’m a walking contradiction. I crave order and routine but can’t keep up on making it happen. I am VERY social but also get overwhelmed by superficial socializing.

[JakubWaniek]

"You may crave order and routine but be unable to maintain it"
A THOUSAND TIMES YES
Thank you for this video. As someone who suspects they have both autism and ADHD but are currently not diagnosed with either, I experience a lot of self-doubt while I wait for a diagnosis. Like, what are the chances that I have two separate conditions and neither has been noticed by adults in my life when I was younger? This video was really validating and it affirms in my mind that I was correct to start to pursue a diagnosis. Everything you said was me to a tee.

EDIT: After a few negative replies essentially doubting the validity of my belief that I have autism and ADHD, I would like to clarify my position. Of course, I do not claim that relating to these experiences means that one has autism and ADHD. I believe I satisfy the diagnostic criteria, and that they explain my situation better than other potential diagnoses (such as some combination of anxiety and OCD, for instance, or merely personality traits that aren't disorders). I think that what this video does well is that it captures the day-to-day experiences of someone with autism and ADHD, which obviously differ quite a bit from the strict diagnostic criteria we use to diagnose these conditions. At no point did I say that the experiences in the video alone make me think I have autism and ADHD; on the contrary, I tried to make it clear that they affirm my decision to pursue a formal diagnosis.

[jennerdavis]

I've always jokingly described myself as "The world most extroverted introvert" and now I understand why I may feel that way! Great video, thank you!

[omishu]

YESYESYES!! i remember taking a test in school years ago that the teacher gave us to get to know what jobs fit better with our personality. And I remember talking to him and telling him i did not know how to answer most of the questions. I didnt feel comfortable in social situations but I craved them, I wasnt organized at all but i couldnt function without a routine, I thrived in creativity but i often got stuck in rigid thinking. And he literally told me "you are a contradiction with a pair of legs" so the first trait hit hard.

[ms.vwylie]

I can definitely relate to these traits. The biggest struggle is not being able to maintain friendships. Like you stated - too much for some people and others are too much for me. Or too friendly for some people, others are too friendly for me.

[ingabergman]

I was undiagnosed up until just a couple of years ago, my parents insisted that I just wasn't trying hard enough at the whole... being an adult thing and kept getting frustrated with me when I couldn't do the thing, my Dad, especially. This changed when my Dad went to a course for parents of autistic children after one of my stepsisters got diagnosed with it and he recognized me in the behavioral parents described, he suddenly became my main supporter and driving force in my getting diagnosed after years of being told I was essentially being too sensitive and after just three talks with an actual professional over skype, I was diagnosed with ADD and Autism. My Dad now checks up with me every now and then to ask if I need help with the things he previously expected me to be able to just do, I live in my own apartment now thanks to him.

[Toon_Topaz]

I got my ADHD diagnosis at 19, got on medication about a year later, it worked great. But THEN once my ADHD hyperactivity was more subdued, suddenly my sensory issues were going haywire, like I couldn’t stand bright lights, my sound sensitivity was worse and I became an even pickier eater. Turns out my ADHD was probably masking my autistic traits this whole time. It makes sense, because I never fully related to the typical ADHD experience. I crave stability and routine, but I never shut up and tend to stare at people and talk very enthusiastically.
My autistic sibling clocked me as being both long before I ever did lol

[SusanAmberBruce]

Those green circles reflections in your glasses are so entertaining, it's quite the game to try and predict which way they will move, the symmetrical pattern being the highlight.

[Angel]

So my only official diagnosis is depression/anxiety, but every single one of these is *spot on*.
I should probably make a call.