i'd like to compile some resources on things like mental health community peer support and emotional first aid, and so i'm asking for recommendations.
we are all quite aware that healthcare in the US is a travesty, but even for people who do have access to quality therapists and the like, it just doesn't sit right with me that "maybe you should talk to a therapist about that" is so commonly the only substantial support given to others.
emotional work is still work, and disabled communities often don't have the spoons to help each other effectively... but as an autist who does much better in situations when i know what's expected or needed of me, i'm inclined to believe that it would genuinely be very healing and empowering to learn how to help each other, get our hands on more resources, and have alternative options to offer in tandem with "seek professional help."
this can absolutely include how to protect and care for oneself when a friend or loved one is in crisis, and how to set boundaries and step away from a situation when someone's in need but you just aren't able to help.
so... i'm doing research! does anyone have any articles, books, organizations, anything? this is primarily for mental health, though i believe in the same principles for physical health and also advocate for learning physical first aid as spoons and resources allow!
if there are huge glaring issues with this approach, i'm also interested in hearing why and getting resources that address those.
is there an established phrase or term for the phenomenon where, if you do something when low on spoons/energy, it actually takes MORE spoons and energy than if you rested first?
like, one very able-bodied neurotypical strategy is "clean-as-you-go," for example. the idea is that if you put things away immediately after using them, there will be much less cleaning to do later on.
but for my neurodivergent and disabled brain/body, i can do twice as many chores for half the energy on a good day than i can "in the moment." there is a very high penalty for forcibly directing my ADHD attention to a task it won't naturally go to, or for pushing my tired body to rinse and wipe a bowl and put it in the dishwasher as opposed to putting it in the sink to wash another day.
i don't like having a sink full of dirty dishes, but it is completely true for me that it is in fact MUCH easier to do an entire sink full of dishes once a week than to wash each dish one at a time as i use it—especially given the implied effort of having chosen and prepared a meal just before.
but is there a shorthand phrase or term for this concept???
i don't think i'm referring to post-exertional malaise, which is a specific symptom of ME/CFS (and absolutely does adhere to this concept). burnout doesn't seem quite right, either. and it's not unique to illness or neurodivergence—ANYONE who doesn't get enough rest will ultimately be much less productive for much more effort.
@Mina@HistoPol@FediFollows Unfortunately, I seem to be literally the only person who is trying to discuss sexuality in an academic but explicit way. There is very little sexual education of any kind in our society. Certainly not on social media. So my content is put with porn. Many people (women I suspect) consider any explicit vocabulary to be suspect. Mastodon asks for CW on any erotic content. My images are non-pornographic but I use words like clitoris and orgasm so that is erotic!
Thank you for answering a question about a relatively rare state (even though I'd say I know at least about 1000 people, IDK anyone who is #neurodivergent.)
Hello! I am reposting my pinned toots from my Mastdodon account, and this one is about who I am.
I'm Jessica, a British #Ace in her 30s who recently discovered they're #ActuallyAutistic.
I made a Twitter account last year when I thought I had BPD, OCD & GAD. However, I struggled to connect to those communities, and later learned I was misdiagnosed. I still experience depression and anxiety, though now see these stemming from being neurodivergent in a neurotypical world.
I have found acceptance and understanding in the #neurodivergent community which helps me learn something new about myself every day. I use my account to learn more and talk about my life and experiences as someone who recently learned they belonged to these communities.
I used to think I was shy, introverted and antisocial. I never posted much online for fear of being judged or misunderstood, it was easier to just keep to myself. I now know this isn't true, and I just hadn't found the right community.
Since being on Mastodon, I've really enjoyed meeting various people across many different communities. In a different pinned post, I've listed a bunch of interests in hashtags - feel free to follow if we share stuff in common!
i suddenly realized that microblog social media is so intoxicating to me because it's bite-sized socialization that i can just. pop in and out of at my own pace.
i get to feel community without hitting social exhaustion so quickly. no extended, real-time conversations unless they're wanted. no (well, fewer) fast-moving chats i can't keep up with.
it's truly so nice and i'm so happy to be here :birb_heart:
#NicheSupportGroup Idea: support group for people who want to get more active together but aren't Intense about it or want to run marathons and shit because our childhood traumas made us very conflict avoidant
ChatGPT is optimized for giving the most predictable, obvious response.
Usually that means it's dull and boring, but I find it useful sometimes, when I end up thinking too divergently about something, I need help finding the obvious solution right that's in front of my face.
Location: Tricities, British Columbia, Canada 🇨🇦(Pacific Standard Time)
#HeavyMetal Maniac, #MyLittlePony fanatic and perennial weirdo. Proud #Cat uncle to one #FIV Male (Zen) and one Semi-Feral rescue Female (Cerium), and #Snake uncle to one female #BallPython (Cali/Snek).
I also do electronic #musicproduction in #Reaper. I intend to finish my first album sometime this year. We'll see if I can throw some music up on the internet anytime soon.
I completely understand why some #neurodivergent people, - #autistic people in particular - are uncomfortable with the word disabled. The medicalisation of minority neurotypes is hugely problematic & is used to fuel oppression.
But as someone who is neurodivergent and also #disabled by #ChronicIllness the “ew we’re 𝒏𝒐𝒕 disabled” rhetoric feels like a real slap in the face. Really feels like I’m not wanted anywhere.
P.S. #Stimming doesn’t just relieve stress, and ABAers aren’t “unwittingly” grooming kids for exploitation. #ActuallyAutistic and otherwise #Neurodivergent scholars, activists, and #ABA survivors have been saying #behaviorism violates #HumanRights and nonhuman #AnimalRights for decades. As Leonard Cohen said, “Everybody knows.”
@devxvda Yes, it’s validating to hear others’ experiences and begin to internalize that we’re not crazy or weird in the way Allistic Land constantly reminds us. #ActuallyAutistc#neurodivergent@niamhgarvey