Rambling time: I have a love-hate relationship with caffeine. I am undiagnosed/unmedicated ADHD (inattentive) and I know that I experience executive dysfunction and that is resolved by enough stimulant in my system. But at the same time I do not have this level of ExecDys at home, it is mild, in a workplace it is major. So part of me sees the executive dysfunction as a warning sign - my body is warning me that I am going harder than my body can actually take. This does impact my blood pressure a bit as well, though tea obviously has less of an impact.
But on the flip side, if I listened to my body all the time, I would be out of a job. I have a lot of important project work to get done (the primary culprit of the ExecDys, likely due to exhaustion and understimulation, as other emergencies I handle don't affect me so bad) and if I stopped doing that I would genuinely not be qualified for this role anymore and would be wasting time. Once I down a coffee, I am unlocked - I can focus clearly and I can move on tasks and get them done and not be paralyzed at the start. It abruptly ends around 3 and a half hours when I start to hit the drop of the drug in my system
I should probably just get diagnosed and get on proper meds, but we all know that's easier said than done, though I hear it's a little easier for ADHD as you don't need parent testimonial like with Autism.
I could get an easier job, but we also all know that's easier said than done, particularly as a Neurodivergent minority.
#ActuallyADHD #ActuallyAutistic #AuDHD #Caffeine #Coffee #Tea #ADHDMedication #ExecutiveDysfunction