Is it ADHD or a heatwave? Sleep, Sensory Overload, Irritability & ADHD Meds in Hot Weather

This week on Is it ADHD or Life? – A Couple’s Perspective, we’re asking the question everyone’s been thinking lately… is it ADHD, or is it just a heatwave?

We start off with our new setup, fancy coffee and new mugs, and Donna insisting on a cringey little cheers (sorry in advance). Then we get straight into the heat — we actually missed a week’s recording because it was so warm, and it’s properly messed with everything.

We talk sleep (or lack of it), and how heat can hit ADHDers differently. Adam’s bought air con for his ancient van, which has obviously led to him wanting to become a TikTok seller (links incoming if he can ever film the perfect video without spiralling). We also chat about recent market trips, then Donna takes over and we get into the real impact of heat on ADHD.

We talk sweat issues, and Adam admitting he always just assumed he was “fat and ginger” rather than sensory overloaded. We get into how heat can make ADHD feel louder — more irritability, snappiness, impulsiveness — and how the sun makes you want to do fun things even when your executive function is on the floor.

We cover executive dysfunction ramping up, whether Donna basically feeds Adam, and how appetite disappears… unless it’s ice cream. We also learn how Adam feels about nipples (yes, really).

Then we get into something that’s been a big one lately: transitions. Adam’s struggling to move from one thing to another and has started spending loads of time sitting in the car in-between tasks. Is that the heat, the medication, or just life? If you struggle with this too, comment and tell us you’re not alone.

We talk sensory overload: sweat, sticky clothes, suncream, and mainly Adam’s very embarrassing sweat situation (but to be fair… he’s not smelly). We chat hydration (seriously important), clothes, and Adam’s topless confessions.

We also cover Adam’s terrible choice to mow the lawn in the heat, and then Donna shares a very embarrassing heat-related problem… even Adam is shook.

Sleep comes back round (because it always does). Heat has made it worse, crazy eating is back, naps are back, and it’s created a never-ending circle. We talk ADHD meds and heat too, and yes… cue the giggles when Donna mentions how meds can make sensations feel bigger.

We look at Donna’s side of it as well. Does heat affect neuro-normals as badly? And the social side of summer — Adam’s avoided it, and Donna’s got thoughts. We also ask the important question: does Adam moan too much?

We finish with your Good, Bad and Ugly listener stories (keep sending them to adhdorlife@gmail.com), which lead to another admission from Adam. We also ask whether we should walk more.

And then it’s 5 minute moans:

• Donna is still not impressed with Adam leaving things around (cue recycling confessions)
• Adam wants your answer: is it mowing the lawn or cutting the grass?

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