@squipo @Arletta @eonity @actuallyautistic Wow, I think I might have unintentionally stumbled on this myself! My sleep has been so much better over the last couple of weeks, and one of the things that changed is I now have all the lights on in my office in the morning for better video. Maybe better sleep too?
A question: Do psychotropic medications work differently for you? Or not work at all? I've had them prescribed for me, in the past, for depression and a failed attempt to get me off cigarettes, and they had absolutely no effect. For the depression, my doctor tried several different types and I was the one who gave up and said no more.
Is this a me thing, or an autism thing?
@ScottSoCal @actuallyautistic
In the US, as an adult, possibly not. There are no supports for us, only stigma.
That said, I got a formal diagnosis because I was anxious about being a fraud. The validation was enormously helpful to me.
Is there value in a formal diagnosis? As far as I've been able to find, there's no treatment, there's nothing that will change the way my brain works. It seems like it's just getting a (fairly subjective) stamp of approval. And my GP is sort of an asshat, I won't even talk to him about sleep issues, I certainly wouldn't bring up something like this. Are there benefits I haven't found?
@punkwasp @actuallyautistic I've been experimenting with visualising my anxiety as a little dragon. It's very grumpy and touchy and is under the impression that it's responsible for protecting me from *absolutely everything*.
I can acknowledge its alerts, and then tell it "you're being ridiculous, stop digging your claws into me and aaargh you've wrapped your tail around my throat, could you stop that, please?"
And I try to remember that it's still there when I'm cycling or swimming or listening to music, but then it turns into a beautiful, blissed out creature.
I find this more helpful than seeing my anxiety as an enemy. It's well meaning but not very bright, that's all. π
I saw some #ActuallyAutistic discourse about #TheGoodDoctor recently so I gave the show a try. My verdict: itβs good!
Itβs a bit sentimental (especially the score in the pilot episodeβ thank goodness they turned down the treacly sentimental aggressive circle-of-fifths power chords in later eps) and contrived and of course, focused on a **young white male savant** which naturally makes one worry theyβll reinforce the Rain Man stereotype and (by implication) ignore all the other types of autistic people β
but theyβre actually doing a really good job with that stereotype, breaking down the βinscrutable hostile arrogant flamboyant nerdβ personality of Sheldon and Rain Man into its components and then building up a full character around it, not just using it for cheap laughs or dismissive superficial criticism. Itβs a TV drama, not a masterβs thesis or pop-psych article, so Iβm quite pleased with the narrative and character-arc choices theyβre making under the mediumβs constraints.
For instance in ep 4 they show him having a meltdown about a leaky faucet, but make sure to show the buildup to the meltdown and explore how he desperately tries and fails to avoid the meltdown and why itβs important to him β it doesnβt just come out of nowhere, and itβs not just a throwaway overdramatized scene. They correctly use technical terms like βperseverateβ and demonstrate that even though he is *painfully* aware of his flaws, just knowing isnβt enough to change them, and even mentioning them (like when he explains that he perseverates) can be offputting and come off as Sheldon-level arrogance when heβs really just trying to communicate clearly. Etc.
YMMV, might be worth a try
This is officially the tallest Allium on Mastodon. According to my poll. And thatβs good enough for me.
#gardening
#BloomScrolling
Shouldn't there be some tachyon particles in there somewhere?
@KimPerales
Next month the first climate lawsuit in the U.S. will give our kids their day in court.
Held v. State of Montana is a constitutional climate lawsuit brought by 16 Montana youth against their State to protect their equal rights to a healthy environment, life, dignity, and freedom. They are suing because their government keeps promoting and supporting fossil fuel extraction and burning, which is worsening the climate crisis and harming these youthsβ lives. https://www.youthvgov.org/held-v-montana
Dinner time! All homemade Japchae w/ Bulgogi, Chicken & Kimchi Mandoo, Bulgogi Mandoo, Kimchi, Seaweed, and HOT fried chicken. Complete with my hand brewed spicy soy sauce.
What are you cooking tonight?
Oh, so business is all about the bottom line, you say? Well, Singapore Airlines begs to differ. They just paid their staff an 8-month salary bonus after record profits, recognizing their hard work and sacrifices during the pandemic. Senior management won't receive the bonus. #BusinessBeyondProfit #SomeGoodNews
So... me. Work in aerospace, more space, not as much aero. Can fix my own car, choose not to. Can fix the random appliance of your choice. Hardcore introvert in person, which is why I love online. Lifelong science fiction fan. Read constantly. Scalzi is my favorite author, because he mixes exactly the right amount of snark into his writing. Together with a guy 30+ years, married since it was legal. Own a home in CA and don't plan to leave unless I immigrate to another country.