Internet addiction has been my most devastating symptom/comorbidity, especially back in the days when a heavy internet/gaming/esport usage was completely alien to most of society
Still learning about ADHD after a very recent diagnosis (at 48), and yeah, this has always been a problem. I've lost months to TV/video addiction, and I've felt useless & lazy my whole life.
me too diagnosed this year 60 y/o and screen addiction arrgh.. I have found having a power point that is on a timer switch helps for tv, and my other screen items ie phone I use screen time, and it also asks how much time I want to have access on which apps
Hi Rachel, I literally squeaked out of joy when I saw your video is up! Your way of telling stories and addressing issues are truly wonderful, and as someone who is in the very beginning of ADHD journey, I really appreciate them, so thank you 🙏🏼 And yeah, I have also been on Jane the Virgin binge train more times than I would like to admit 😅❤
hehe the thought of you squeaking made me hehe Thanks so much! I've been on holiday and regrouping after going back into self employment but now I have SO MUCH MORE TIME for videos so excited to get stuck into it more.
Does anyone else feel like ADHD 'addiction' is partially just a necessary way to 'self-regulate' or take some 'zone-out time'? Meds helps me make more conscious decisions about how much and when to engage in zone-out activities, but ignoring this need for too long can lead to inevitable burnout or mood/focus swings. That's why I believe having washout days is crucial. At least one day a week, though two days would be even better My "TV Addiction" is a multiplayer competitive game. With increased self-awareness and a better understanding of ADHD, I've begun to distinguish when it aids in self-regulation and when it becomes a form of escapism. After so many years of guilty "pleasure" I never expected to have an internal dialogue thinking, "I should really start the next day with one match, especially since I've been unconsciously avoiding it for a few days in a row. Not doing so isn't a good practice because I'll lose more time later in hyperfocus or recovering from a burnout"
Yeah, for me I definitely use TV for self regulation a lot. I'm not even sure if I would call it addiction, I just think it's a (maybe misguided) way to deal with a lot of things. That's why I try to just accept it when I need something like a TV series to deal with my ADHD symptoms.
This is a very good point! And so good to distinguish between the escapism vs self regulation, like when do we need to stop ourselves cause it's unhealthy versus when can we indulge because it's a helpful recharge for us!
This is so me. When I’m in burn out I just need to find a nice new how and binge watch it all night. I come out a new person the next morning. But work schedule doesn’t really let me have the down time I need.
I want to thank you for making this video. You've really helped me put my "addiction" into perspective. I've come to realize after disconnecting my 75 in TV and PS5 and not interacting with them that I am now obsessing over them and going through withdrawal like symptoms. I feel so much more at ease knowing that I'm not alone. Thank you
So glad you talked about this subject. Recently I've been caught again in my spiral of watching shows that already watch to avoid working on to avoid revising for my civil service exams because I'm paralysed by the thought that I might fail them again. Even I know it's my fault I needed to hear somebody remind me that is not my fault and there are solutions to avoid this situation. So and the others that will come on this subject.
If I hadn’t been binge watching all this ADHD stuff I wouldn’t be watching you describing my life habits, issues and challenges so honestly and relateably, so I’m glad at this point that I’ve become addicted to TH-cam. And glad I’ve found your channel. Thanks for making me feel better about it in several ways 😊.
Yeah this is probably me. When I was at university, I bought the entire Jeeves and Wooster (4 series, 23 episodes - Fry and Laurie, very good). I then watched it, on my own, in my room in two days. I think I was doing coursework at the same time, I'm not sure.
I never knew I needed this video until I saw the title of the video. It is actually funny that I never ever thought that my inability to stop watching TV could even be related to AHDH. Now that you say it, it makes so much sense!
We kinda bully ourselves just as others do to us...and forgiving yourself really does help, also i've found that like...having someone else that is patient and forgiving that basically can tell me what I actually DID achieve that day helps me see the smaller things that my brain tells me aren't enough. Or having them be able to essentially give me permission to rest an recharge when sick and overwhelmed. There is a line there between helping an enabling, but you internally will start to recognise the difference between the two, also you can learn to quieten or silence the other voices that tell you judgemental things...I started by quieting myself, when I thought judgemental things about myself, it helps me almost be able to hear how brutal and cruel other peoples judgements were that I seemingly didn't notice with all the noise. Also we get time blindness...so remember even if you spent 4hrs hyperfocussed on something...those 3 jobs you have to do...might take longer or shorter than you think. I found it helps to roughly time how long it take me to get things done...I was surprised that if I gave myself permission to get lost as long as afterwards I moved away from the distraction and physically closer to the task I needed complete that when I actually did the task (which I thought would take me several hrs) I could get it complete within an hr or less. Honestly, we are constantly bombarded by thoughts and our minds are annoyingly loud and cluttered, getting hyperfocussed or distracted by something like t.v is probably our brain searching for something to help us zone out to block out some of the noise an relax. For neurotypicals, I'd see it as they've spend hrs and hrs, socializing at a very loud convention, or party and they want to just go home an play video games in the quiet. Got a migraine? Go find somewhere quiet an dark. Loud noises, earmuffs. Too much light? Sunglasses. Overstimulation is something we automatically seek to address...as is under stimulation. Im still working on making my brain recognise that it's alright to come home from work and just relax in front of the t.v for neurotypicals, just because we don't look like we're working hard, doesn't mean we aren't. Give this a try maybe?...It's something I did once and still do, it really helped me. Tell a friend or family member, everything you are thinking, when you think it. Say it out loud or text it. Both you an them will likely realize exactly how much your brain is in constant overdrive and how hard its working. I've found that the other person usually becomes overwhelmed themselves, just by hearing all of what my thoughts are, and what my brain is trying to process and work through. Anyways, hope some of this helps, I'm so greatful that the adhd community is as helpful as it is, I was late diagnosed and had so much to learn and catch up on, and it's made it faster an easier with how easily and how well those in this community find and share information to help each other.
TH-cam has become my addiction since COVID began. I switched from flipping between TV channels to flipping through TH-cam videos. I'm looking forward to the next video to hear the actionable tips what to do to help break away from endless searching of videos and get on with life. Thanks!
I sit here at 1:09 am.... watching this video cos I am stuck watching TH-cam while I do cleaning and organising lol. I have always known I am neurospicy for multiple things but till recently never been medicated and this TV addiction is something I have experienced too. Thanks for sharing this video and your experience. I really like that you share your point if view and experience and let your personality shine through in the process. Some videos cover the topic, but they are so cold and mechanical in their explanations it feels like a science lesson at school bit your videos are a breath of fresh air in comparison. :-) I have had binges to watch all of star trek in order, every season and movie and the same for star trek and so many other shows and genres. I had never clicked what was happening till I watched this.
What a coincidence with Jane the virgin!! Yes, totally understand what you're saying here and I think it's a good point re: understanding what's behind the compulsion to watch - I think that will help with figuring out what strategies are most helpful to get it under control. Excited to do my next video now! Hehe
Another great video well done Rachel 🙂 and thank you! I absolutely struggle with this, I work from home and can't do anything without TV/TH-cam on in the background and so often find myself glued to it and not working, but I find it so hard to stop!! My 8 year old son, who we think also has ADHD, is always glued to the telly and jokes he's a couch potato 🤣 so this is really handy to know and I look forward to the more in depth video on this! X
Thank You, Rachel! This was 100% relatable. I have the same problem with Netflix and TH-cam. It helps so much to hear You say it's not a matter of willpower.
Thanks for this and all your other videos and work on the subject. I feel so understood and seen in whatever you report and discuss. Keep going!!! And looking forward to that tool video.....also, as for me it is TH-cam more than regular TV, hahaha.
Thank you! Thanks for being here!! Yes, and maybe one for me to explain more in my next video that it's mostly Netflix for me. I just call it TV cause it's an app on my TV haha TH-cam is also a problem for me but less so because it's more bitesize I think - I don't get invested in storylines. Though much more risk of going down a whole rabbit hole!
This is me with video games and TH-cam! But if I get into a series, I am INTO that series, like I am reading reviews, looking into the lore and researching about it!
Nah this is me on Instagram or in front of my pc 🤣.. I wake up and instagram amd it makes me late 🤦🏻♂️ or I get home and the first thing that happens is pc goes on and I play games..
I get around this easily... I don't own a TV. I don't watch broadcast television because it's toxic cr@p. Advertising drives me up the wall, reality TV makes me sad for humanity, I don't like sports , news is propaganda. I honestly see no value in TV at all. I do watch YT and a little bit of Netflix, which I guess counts as TV, but there's no ads and it's on-demand. I prefer listening to music (I'm into obscure electronic music, not pop or top40). TV sucks, I wish more people could see that. "Television, drug of a nation, breeding ignorance and feeding radiation..."
Internet addiction has been my most devastating symptom/comorbidity, especially back in the days when a heavy internet/gaming/esport usage was completely alien to most of society
Still learning about ADHD after a very recent diagnosis (at 48), and yeah, this has always been a problem. I've lost months to TV/video addiction, and I've felt useless & lazy my whole life.
You are not alone 💛
You're not lazy, you have value and you deserve respect, help and accomodations
me too diagnosed this year 60 y/o and screen addiction arrgh.. I have found having a power point that is on a timer switch helps for tv, and my other screen items ie phone I use screen time, and it also asks how much time I want to have access on which apps
I'm an adult with ADHD Combined. I'm addicted to TH-cam videos.
Hi Rachel, I literally squeaked out of joy when I saw your video is up! Your way of telling stories and addressing issues are truly wonderful, and as someone who is in the very beginning of ADHD journey, I really appreciate them, so thank you 🙏🏼
And yeah, I have also been on Jane the Virgin binge train more times than I would like to admit 😅❤
hehe the thought of you squeaking made me hehe Thanks so much! I've been on holiday and regrouping after going back into self employment but now I have SO MUCH MORE TIME for videos so excited to get stuck into it more.
Does anyone else feel like ADHD 'addiction' is partially just a necessary way to 'self-regulate' or take some 'zone-out time'? Meds helps me make more conscious decisions about how much and when to engage in zone-out activities, but ignoring this need for too long can lead to inevitable burnout or mood/focus swings. That's why I believe having washout days is crucial. At least one day a week, though two days would be even better
My "TV Addiction" is a multiplayer competitive game. With increased self-awareness and a better understanding of ADHD, I've begun to distinguish when it aids in self-regulation and when it becomes a form of escapism. After so many years of guilty "pleasure" I never expected to have an internal dialogue thinking, "I should really start the next day with one match, especially since I've been unconsciously avoiding it for a few days in a row. Not doing so isn't a good practice because I'll lose more time later in hyperfocus or recovering from a burnout"
Yeah, for me I definitely use TV for self regulation a lot. I'm not even sure if I would call it addiction, I just think it's a (maybe misguided) way to deal with a lot of things. That's why I try to just accept it when I need something like a TV series to deal with my ADHD symptoms.
This definitely applies to my autistic, possibly ADHD brain. Sometimes I need to decompress from people/work/tasks
This is a very good point! And so good to distinguish between the escapism vs self regulation, like when do we need to stop ourselves cause it's unhealthy versus when can we indulge because it's a helpful recharge for us!
This is so me. When I’m in burn out I just need to find a nice new how and binge watch it all night. I come out a new person the next morning. But work schedule doesn’t really let me have the down time I need.
I want to thank you for making this video. You've really helped me put my "addiction" into perspective. I've come to realize after disconnecting my 75 in TV and PS5 and not interacting with them that I am now obsessing over them and going through withdrawal like symptoms. I feel so much more at ease knowing that I'm not alone. Thank you
So glad I found this. I've been a rv addict off and on for years. I have adhd, which has wrecked my life in so many ways
So glad you talked about this subject. Recently I've been caught again in my spiral of watching shows that already watch to avoid working on to avoid revising for my civil service exams because I'm paralysed by the thought that I might fail them again. Even I know it's my fault I needed to hear somebody remind me that is not my fault and there are solutions to avoid this situation. So and the others that will come on this subject.
Yes! And so good that you have the awareness to know what's sitting behind the desire to spiral watching shows - awareness is key 😊
If I hadn’t been binge watching all this ADHD stuff I wouldn’t be watching you describing my life habits, issues and challenges so honestly and relateably, so I’m glad at this point that I’ve become addicted to TH-cam.
And glad I’ve found your channel.
Thanks for making me feel better about it in several ways 😊.
The benefits of the binge haha love it! This is one positive of ADHD - when our mind is onto something, it is ONTO it 😁
Yeah this is probably me. When I was at university, I bought the entire Jeeves and Wooster (4 series, 23 episodes - Fry and Laurie, very good). I then watched it, on my own, in my room in two days.
I think I was doing coursework at the same time, I'm not sure.
I never knew I needed this video until I saw the title of the video. It is actually funny that I never ever thought that my inability to stop watching TV could even be related to AHDH. Now that you say it, it makes so much sense!
We kinda bully ourselves just as others do to us...and forgiving yourself really does help, also i've found that like...having someone else that is patient and forgiving that basically can tell me what I actually DID achieve that day helps me see the smaller things that my brain tells me aren't enough. Or having them be able to essentially give me permission to rest an recharge when sick and overwhelmed. There is a line there between helping an enabling, but you internally will start to recognise the difference between the two, also you can learn to quieten or silence the other voices that tell you judgemental things...I started by quieting myself, when I thought judgemental things about myself, it helps me almost be able to hear how brutal and cruel other peoples judgements were that I seemingly didn't notice with all the noise. Also we get time blindness...so remember even if you spent 4hrs hyperfocussed on something...those 3 jobs you have to do...might take longer or shorter than you think.
I found it helps to roughly time how long it take me to get things done...I was surprised that if I gave myself permission to get lost as long as afterwards I moved away from the distraction and physically closer to the task I needed complete that when I actually did the task (which I thought would take me several hrs) I could get it complete within an hr or less.
Honestly, we are constantly bombarded by thoughts and our minds are annoyingly loud and cluttered, getting hyperfocussed or distracted by something like t.v is probably our brain searching for something to help us zone out to block out some of the noise an relax. For neurotypicals, I'd see it as they've spend hrs and hrs, socializing at a very loud convention, or party and they want to just go home an play video games in the quiet. Got a migraine? Go find somewhere quiet an dark. Loud noises, earmuffs. Too much light? Sunglasses. Overstimulation is something we automatically seek to address...as is under stimulation.
Im still working on making my brain recognise that it's alright to come home from work and just relax in front of the t.v for neurotypicals, just because we don't look like we're working hard, doesn't mean we aren't.
Give this a try maybe?...It's something I did once and still do, it really helped me.
Tell a friend or family member, everything you are thinking, when you think it.
Say it out loud or text it.
Both you an them will likely realize exactly how much your brain is in constant overdrive and how hard its working.
I've found that the other person usually becomes overwhelmed themselves, just by hearing all of what my thoughts are, and what my brain is trying to process and work through.
Anyways, hope some of this helps, I'm so greatful that the adhd community is as helpful as it is, I was late diagnosed and had so much to learn and catch up on, and it's made it faster an easier with how easily and how well those in this community find and share information to help each other.
„Just do the thing“ or „ just don’t do the thing“ has always been such helpful advice.
Not.
It’s really not. 😂
We ARE smart people!
So true! Also the "try not to stress" Oh, thanks, why didn't I think of that one 😂
@@dianamusca9312 Genius!😂🥲
TH-cam has become my addiction since COVID began. I switched from flipping between TV channels to flipping through TH-cam videos. I'm looking forward to the next video to hear the actionable tips what to do to help break away from endless searching of videos and get on with life. Thanks!
I sit here at 1:09 am.... watching this video cos I am stuck watching TH-cam while I do cleaning and organising lol. I have always known I am neurospicy for multiple things but till recently never been medicated and this TV addiction is something I have experienced too. Thanks for sharing this video and your experience. I really like that you share your point if view and experience and let your personality shine through in the process. Some videos cover the topic, but they are so cold and mechanical in their explanations it feels like a science lesson at school bit your videos are a breath of fresh air in comparison. :-)
I have had binges to watch all of star trek in order, every season and movie and the same for star trek and so many other shows and genres. I had never clicked what was happening till I watched this.
Thanks again, Rachel
What a coincidence with Jane the virgin!! Yes, totally understand what you're saying here and I think it's a good point re: understanding what's behind the compulsion to watch - I think that will help with figuring out what strategies are most helpful to get it under control. Excited to do my next video now! Hehe
Another great video well done Rachel 🙂 and thank you! I absolutely struggle with this, I work from home and can't do anything without TV/TH-cam on in the background and so often find myself glued to it and not working, but I find it so hard to stop!! My 8 year old son, who we think also has ADHD, is always glued to the telly and jokes he's a couch potato 🤣 so this is really handy to know and I look forward to the more in depth video on this! X
Thank You, Rachel! This was 100% relatable. I have the same problem with Netflix and TH-cam. It helps so much to hear You say it's not a matter of willpower.
Yes Netflix is definitely my main issue! It doesn't help that the user experience makes it so easy to binge 😅
thank you so much, i really need this. i can't wait for the next one~
Thanks for this and all your other videos and work on the subject. I feel so understood and seen in whatever you report and discuss. Keep going!!! And looking forward to that tool video.....also, as for me it is TH-cam more than regular TV, hahaha.
Thank you! Thanks for being here!! Yes, and maybe one for me to explain more in my next video that it's mostly Netflix for me. I just call it TV cause it's an app on my TV haha TH-cam is also a problem for me but less so because it's more bitesize I think - I don't get invested in storylines. Though much more risk of going down a whole rabbit hole!
This is me with video games and TH-cam! But if I get into a series, I am INTO that series, like I am reading reviews, looking into the lore and researching about it!
It's the most magical feeling I think - just can be rather inconvenient haha
@@rachdoesyoutube it really is! I need a new one lol
"Just be self disciplined". hahahahahahahahahahaha. That advice is 💩. This video was great Rachel. Thank you!
I enjoyed the number of hahas here, really hits home the point 😄 Thanks!
big hug Rach 🤗, looking forward to the next video 🌸🌸🌸
🥰
Okay I'll wait until the next video before i get up from the sofa 😂
For me its video games and always has been. Regulation is so tough especially living alone and wfh culture does not suit me in the slightest
God, you really are me!!
Nah this is me on Instagram or in front of my pc 🤣.. I wake up and instagram amd it makes me late 🤦🏻♂️ or I get home and the first thing that happens is pc goes on and I play games..
I want be addicted to reading instead but I'm probably just like you
Jane the virgin is a top tier choice tbf
BUT THERE ARE SO MANY TOP TIER CHOICES IN THIS WONDERFUL WORLD OF FICTION (and true crime)😆
I get around this easily... I don't own a TV. I don't watch broadcast television because it's toxic cr@p. Advertising drives me up the wall, reality TV makes me sad for humanity, I don't like sports , news is propaganda. I honestly see no value in TV at all. I do watch YT and a little bit of Netflix, which I guess counts as TV, but there's no ads and it's on-demand. I prefer listening to music (I'm into obscure electronic music, not pop or top40). TV sucks, I wish more people could see that. "Television, drug of a nation, breeding ignorance and feeding radiation..."