#WorldMentalHealthDay #OKNotToBeOK Is it OK to not be OK? This World Mental Health day, I want to challenge the usual rhetoric. “It’s OK not to be OK”… I know what you mean. It means it’s OK to admit to not being OK. Remove the stigma of mental health issues. Encourage people to be open aboutContinue reading “Ok to not be ok?”
Category Archives: Mental Health
Toxic Positivity
I’ve been hearing this phrase banded around on Twitter. Usually directed at the neurodiversity movement, or more specifically at “Pollyanna Autism advocates”, by our critics. I had a taste of toxic positivity yesterday, and now the meaning and consequences are clearer to me. I’ve been struggling with IBS worse than ever since my son IggyContinue reading “Toxic Positivity”
Iggy Rocks
“Iggy Rocks” are rocks painted in memory of Iggy, with things Iggy liked and symbols of things that mattered to him. Could be a Deadpool mask, could be a Pride flag or an autism acceptance infinity symbol. It doesn’t need to be complicated and impressive. Write “Facebook: Iggy Rocks” on the back. My Iggy RocksContinue reading “Iggy Rocks”
Animal magic
Being around wild animals never fails to soothe me, whatever my mood. This could just be feeding the ducks on the canal near our house or watching the squirrels try to get to the seeds in our garden bird feeders. If I see a woodpecker or a kingfisher, my spirits soar. Dudley Zoo isn’t exactlyContinue reading “Animal magic”
Ausome Charlie Rocks
I like to paint rocks. It is a visual and tactile stim for me, and helps calm me down (as I can’t just go out running every time I need to calm down, otherwise I would wear my feet out). This is surprisingly easy to do with Google images, metallic markers or acrylic paint pensContinue reading “Ausome Charlie Rocks”
Recognising ADHD in adults
Do you often experience these issues: Impulsiveness Disorganisation Problems prioritising Poor time management skills Problems getting started on a task Hyperfocus on one task, to the detriment of other tasks Excessive activity, restlessness (e.g. can’t just sit and enjoy a TV programme without checking your phone, pace up and down while talking on the phone)Continue reading “Recognising ADHD in adults”
Nothing planned
Me: “Glad I managed my 5K social run, but now I’ve nothing planned for the rest of the day” Husband: “What shall we do then?” Me: “No, you misunderstand I’ve nothing planned. It doesn’t mean I haven’t planned anything as yet. It means I’ve planned to do nothing”. Husband: “Really?!” I’m a little hyper andContinue reading “Nothing planned”
Adult autistic meltdowns
Becca Lory’s article about adult meltdowns really hit home for me. The post-meltdown “tsunami of self-deprecation” she describes (towards the end of the article) is what pushed me over the edge into my current depression. It’s Still Not a Tantrum: The Ever-Elusive Adult Meltdown
Ear worms
Does anyone else with autism and/or ADHD struggle with earworm-related insomnia? I was so knackered last night after a 10 mile walk, yet I lay awake listening to Sweet Caroline in my head, incessantly and with attention to detail (drums, bassline, the whole thing). I barely slept a wink for months at university due toContinue reading “Ear worms”
The trout of woe
Here I sit broken-hearted 💔 With my husband and daughters away, I decided to treat myself to a fish counter whole rainbow trout with my online shopping which was delivered this morning. I was really looking forward to cooking and eating this trout. I was really hungry too, after a ten mile walk. I choseContinue reading “The trout of woe”
Ausome Charlie 