neurodiverse

1857 readers

37 users here now

What is Neurodivergence?

It's ADHD, Autism, OCD, schizophrenia, anxiety, depression, bi-polar, aspd, etc etc etc etc

“neurologically atypical patterns of thought or behavior”

So, it’s very broad, if you feel like it describes you then it does as far as we're concerned

Rules

1.) ableist language=post or comment will probably get removed (enforced case by case, some comments will be removed and restored due to complex situations). repeated use of ableist language=banned from comm and possibly site depending on severity. properly tagged posts with CW can use them for the purposes of discussing them

2.) always assume good faith when dealing with a fellow nd comrade especially due to lack of social awareness being a common symptom of neurodivergence

2.5) right to disengage is rigidly enforced. violations will get you purged from the comm. see rule 3 for explanation on appeals

3.) no talking over nd comrades about things you haven't personally experienced as a neurotypical chapo, you will be purged. If you're ND it is absolutely fine to give your own perspective if it conflicts with another's, but do so with empathy and the intention to learn about each other, not prove who's experience is valid. Appeal process is like appealing in user union but you dm the nd comrade you talked over with your appeal (so make it a good one) and then dm the mods with screenshot proof that you resolved it. fake screenies will get you banned from the site, we will confirm with the comrade you dm'd.

3.5) everyone has their own lived experiences, and to invalidate them is to post cringe. comments will be removed on a case by case basis depending on determined level of awareness and faith

4.) Interest Policing will not be tolerated in any form. Support your comrades in their joy!

Further rules to be added/ rules to be changed based on community input

RULES NOTE: For this community more than most we understand that the clarity and understandability of these rules is very important for allowing folks to feel comfortable, to that end please don't be afraid to be outspoken about amendments and addendums to these rules, as well as any we may have missed

founded 4 years ago

MODERATORS

WhyEssEff@hexbear.net

SpookyVanguard64@hexbear.net

context@hexbear.net

Ness@hexbear.net

BeamBrain@hexbear.net

ReadFanon@hexbear.net

Meditation? Any A(u)DHD folks get far with it? (hexbear.net)

submitted 2 weeks ago by iie@hexbear.net to c/neurodiverse@hexbear.net

5 comments fedilink hide all child comments

I’ve read about it, I think I get it in theory, but most of the time when I meditate it’s less “mindful” and more just “me trying to pay attention to things.” I’m watching my breath, or the feeling of my body, or whatever, but I’m not “mindful” of it, except maybe in brief flashes.

Am I just really bad at mindfulness and need a ton of practice? Is this just me underestimating how much practice I’ll need?

If you’ve tried meditating, how did it go for you?

top 5 comments

sorted by: hot top controversial new old

[–] TheSpectreOfGay@hexbear.net 9 points 2 weeks ago

i really like meditation. however, i think that a lot of autistic people run into issues with how it's explained often due to literal thinking

really all ur supposed to do is sit/lie down in a comfortable position in a quiet place, and focus on a thing. that could be pretty mental imagery, a guided session, or whatever else. the important part is that the thing you're focusing on is not your body. so being told to breathe deeply stresses me out, bc how deeply am i suppose to breathe? am i doing it right? what if i forget t breathe? so i just don't worry about it.

or at least that's what i do and it works good for me

[–] tocopherol@hexbear.net 7 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

I have had a lot success I think, I got into it from guided meditations posted by the Buddhist Society of Western Australia. It's common that people starting out say they aren't 'doing it right'.

If you are having trouble staying mindful of your breath or whatever it just means your mind is restless, you are still doing it right. Your posture, energy, focus and such is never perfect. When doing mindfulness meditation just note whatever comes up, as you do it more it becomes easier to view what's happening and your mind will relax more.

I also enjoy Buddhist 'metta' meditation, focusing on the feeling of loving-kindness. There is a physical feeling associated with love, being able to generate the feeling and focus on it in meditation is rewarding.

[–] gregs_gumption@lemm.ee 4 points 2 weeks ago

You should try guided meditation. Youtube has a lot of good 5-15 minute options, look for Nidra yoga or nonsleep deep rest (NSDR)

I do the Huberman labs 10 minute NSDR almost everyday after lunch.

[–] iie@hexbear.net 2 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

Honestly it feels like whatever cup is supposed to be “full of mind” is too small, I don't know how else to put it.

[–] ratboy@hexbear.net 2 points 2 weeks ago

I havent tried in a long time, but I really liked the Headspace app. Also yes, you need a ton of practice! It might take longer than other folks but you won't feel like youre locked in the first, second, third, hell maybe not even the tenth time. But you'll notice slight progress.

In the first or second exercise with Headspace, they dont tell you not to think, but to imagine yourself sitting at a bus stop, and your thoughts are like cars driving by. You notice the thought, but then let it go on its way. Its okay if you have a lot of thoughts, acknowledge them but then let then drift off. That really helped reframe how I approached meditation instead of trying to force myself to only focus on my breath, or whatever.