irren_echo's recent activity
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Comment on Early tests of H5N1 prevalence in milk suggest US bird flu outbreak in cows is widespread in ~health
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Comment on Early tests of H5N1 prevalence in milk suggest US bird flu outbreak in cows is widespread in ~health
irren_echo Link ParentTrue. Building up a tolerance via oral consumption is more for allergies, which is probably where the thought came from initially. Now that you say it, it makes sense that that's likely a...True. Building up a tolerance via oral consumption is more for allergies, which is probably where the thought came from initially. Now that you say it, it makes sense that that's likely a different process (as you can see, this is very much not my wheelhouse lol).
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Comment on Early tests of H5N1 prevalence in milk suggest US bird flu outbreak in cows is widespread in ~health
irren_echo Link ParentRight, I was just wondering if the dead virus could act as a vaccine of some sort if consumed, but I guess the pasteurization process causes too much damage for that.Right, I was just wondering if the dead virus could act as a vaccine of some sort if consumed, but I guess the pasteurization process causes too much damage for that.
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Comment on Early tests of H5N1 prevalence in milk suggest US bird flu outbreak in cows is widespread in ~health
irren_echo LinkThis may be a stupid question, but is it possible that consuming dairy products with the dead virus could have a vaccine-like effect? I assume we don't have enough info to make a claim like that,...This may be a stupid question, but is it possible that consuming dairy products with the dead virus could have a vaccine-like effect? I assume we don't have enough info to make a claim like that, just wondering if it's theoretically possible.
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Comment on Remembering the time Throbbing Gristle played at a private school in ~music
irren_echo LinkI've never been able to settle on where/when I'd go if time travel ever became a thing.... I think I just found that moment. I would 100% go to a Throbbing Gristle gig at a posh British boys'...I've never been able to settle on where/when I'd go if time travel ever became a thing.... I think I just found that moment. I would 100% go to a Throbbing Gristle gig at a posh British boys' school, no question. Fucking awesome.
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Comment on Laziness does not exist in ~humanities
irren_echo Link ParentBeautifully said. I think the second-to-last line might be the most important here; so many people for whom the status quo is a constant struggle are also the ones railing the hardest against...Beautifully said. I think the second-to-last line might be the most important here; so many people for whom the status quo is a constant struggle are also the ones railing the hardest against benefits/support for others. "I fight every day against X, so everyone else must also/should have to, too." If those folks could get whatever help they need, they might not be so opposed to others needing more help than they do.
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Comment on What is it like to have both ADHD and autism? in ~health.mental
irren_echo Link ParentYour paragraph about depression and boredom is beautifully stated and deeply relatable. I hadn't quite gotten it that clear in my head yet, but damn, that is exactly the process.Your paragraph about depression and boredom is beautifully stated and deeply relatable. I hadn't quite gotten it that clear in my head yet, but damn, that is exactly the process.
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Comment on What is it like to have both ADHD and autism? in ~health.mental
irren_echo (edited )Link ParentMan, I was avoiding Tildes the past couple days in anticipation of a Reddit-style attack... I keep doing that, even though it has yet to happen. Thanks for your response :) As for hyperfixations...Man, I was avoiding Tildes the past couple days in anticipation of a Reddit-style attack... I keep doing that, even though it has yet to happen. Thanks for your response :)
As for hyperfixations vs special interests, obviously you are free to call them whatever you like, but there's no duration or intensity that inherently differentiates one from the other. I think most of us have one or two long-term things, but it's ok if you don't (or don't realize it, either because it feels too broad (ie tech) or because you went to school/work in the field (programming, for example). Lots of potentially confounding factors there). The depth is really what matters here, and distinguishes an autistic special interest from an NT interest. When you can't help but deep-dive because it just sucks you in, and you want to tell everyone all about it, and then you find an "expert" in the subject who somehow doesn't have the answers you were looking for because their knowledge is so surface-level.....
(Edited to add) Re: sensory issues, some of us got lucky and are sensitive to things that are easily avoidable and/or "normal" to dislike, so they're easy to miss. Like, I hate cold water on my skin, but lots of people do, that's pretty normal. What isn't normal is that once, when the hot water wasn't working, I just didn't shower until it was fixed... A couple weeks later. And I'm pretty meticulous about hygiene, I feel "gross" easily, and I shower daily. But cold water is just that bad; it short-circuits my brain and sends me into a full-body panic/meltdown. It wasn't until diagnosis that I realized I have lots of these, they're just ostensibly "normal" so it never clicked.
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Comment on What is it like to have both ADHD and autism? in ~health.mental
irren_echo LinkFeeling like an imposter when you're "high functioning" (outdated term) is extremely common. It's hard to look at those with high support needs and say "yeah, I have what they have, and I deserve...Feeling like an imposter when you're "high functioning" (outdated term) is extremely common. It's hard to look at those with high support needs and say "yeah, I have what they have, and I deserve support too," because you can speak, and hold a job, and pass as "normal." I think everyone with an adult dx goes through that process, and it takes some folks longer than others. That's ok, and it's ok to use -or not use- the labels you're comfortable with, because all the labels do is provide a shorthand for explaining yourself wherever that's needed; be it with doctors, loved ones, or just to yourself.
I strongly believe autism and ADHD are the same thing. I don't think you can have one without the other, the difference lies in which facet is "louder" or more distressing/obvious. As one example, no one would have pegged me as ADHD growing up, because I was quiet still and well behaved, I did well in school and caused no problems for anyone. But when I was tested for autism, one test in particular I absolutely bombed -like, lowest 5th percentile or something- and the psych was all "well yeah, you're autistic, but look at this ADHD score! How did you score this low and never suspected?" And yeah, how did I? No idea, but holy shit Adderall has been incredible. I don't even take a crazy high dose, but it's just enough to get past the executive dysfunction hump and realize just how hard existing had been without it. Absolutely everything is easier now.
So anyway, kinda lost the plot there, sorry. Abnormal psych has been my special interest since way before I knew that term, and I can happily infodump for days lol. Feel free to ask specific questions anytime, in this thread or elsewhere, I'm always willing to chat about neurodivergence!
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Comment on Here are thirteen other explanations for the adolescent mental health crisis. None of them work. in ~health.mental
irren_echo Link ParentWell yeah, but that's part of what I'm saying... now they're being admitted for care, whereas back in the day unless they were literally dying that often wasn't the case. Depending on the breadth...Well yeah, but that's part of what I'm saying... now they're being admitted for care, whereas back in the day unless they were literally dying that often wasn't the case. Depending on the breadth of the definition of "self harm," that still isn't the case. Drug and alcohol abuse, eating disorders... Hell, consuming content that one finds distressing are all forms of self harm, are all common in teenagers, and are all largely ignored until it becomes a "real" problem. So, ok, the third one is easier to engage in now, but that doesn't make it new, nor does it place all blame on social media existing.
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Comment on What's something you've been mulling over recently? in ~talk
irren_echo Link ParentUnfortunately, you're going to have to just take the time and space you need, because no one's going to give it to you. But it sounds like you have a perfect opportunity to turn off and just let...Unfortunately, you're going to have to just take the time and space you need, because no one's going to give it to you. But it sounds like you have a perfect opportunity to turn off and just let yourself exist; and figure out what that even looks like for you.
And because I am the tildes autism fairy~ have you considered that you may be autistic? If you were to read this post to my friends, they'd all be calmly nodding while studiously avoiding eye contact.... So like, I'm not gonna dx you here and now, but finding a therapist who is familiar with autistic adults might do you more good than seems reasonable from this vantage point.
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Comment on What are you reading these days? in ~books
irren_echo Link ParentOh, thanks for reminding me of him! I really enjoyed The Double, and have been meaning to read more of his stuff but keep forgetting. Adding this one to the list for sure.Oh, thanks for reminding me of him! I really enjoyed The Double, and have been meaning to read more of his stuff but keep forgetting. Adding this one to the list for sure.
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Comment on Here are thirteen other explanations for the adolescent mental health crisis. None of them work. in ~health.mental
irren_echo LinkOne thing that always sticks out to me about this topic is that before the internet nobody asked. Nobody even thought about how a teenager was feeling/coping unless the problem was really glaring,...One thing that always sticks out to me about this topic is that before the internet nobody asked. Nobody even thought about how a teenager was feeling/coping unless the problem was really glaring, and no one was getting hospitalized for attempts that weren't almost successful.... Rub some dirt in it, and stop being a pussy.
I just really don't think this is new, I think the fact that we're seeing and hearing about it is what's new, and that's why it looks like social media is to blame.
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Comment on What's something you've been mulling over recently? in ~talk
irren_echo Link ParentHey, if you're enjoying it and nothing critical in your life is being neglected because of it, let yourself enjoy it! Maybe be a little mindful while you play, schedule breaks to walk around or do...Hey, if you're enjoying it and nothing critical in your life is being neglected because of it, let yourself enjoy it! Maybe be a little mindful while you play, schedule breaks to walk around or do a chore or whatever, and if it starts to feel more like a need than a want then step away for a little longer.
It seems to be a pretty common problem for people to just do things for fun (I know I struggle with it) but there's nothing wrong with just enjoying your down time! So this stranger is giving you permission to play the fuck outta your game, and don't feel guilty for it :)
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Comment on Hi, how are you? Mental health support and discussion thread (April 2024) in ~health.mental
irren_echo Link ParentUse that toxic societal narrative to your advantage: If shit is so profoundly fucked that even A Man™ can't cope, then something must be done! Kafkaesque medical system nightmare be damned! For...Use that toxic societal narrative to your advantage: If shit is so profoundly fucked that even A Man™ can't cope, then something must be done! Kafkaesque medical system nightmare be damned!
For real tho, good luck. I hope it goes well!
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Comment on Hi, how are you? Mental health support and discussion thread (April 2024) in ~health.mental
irren_echo Link ParentYeah, I get that, but taking good care of yourself will help you be a better parent to them. Things with my mother would be a whole lot different if she'd been able to say "I need a few minutes,"...Yeah, I get that, but taking good care of yourself will help you be a better parent to them. Things with my mother would be a whole lot different if she'd been able to say "I need a few minutes," instead of waiting till it exploded (not saying you explode, just that it did in my house because taking time to yourself wasn't allowed).
You sound like a good dad tho, you got this!
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Comment on Hi, how are you? Mental health support and discussion thread (April 2024) in ~health.mental
irren_echo Link ParentIf the pain is such that you're questioning the value of life, by all means tell your dr! "Others have it worse" is a meaningless comparison, and anyway it's the psych's job to make the...If the pain is such that you're questioning the value of life, by all means tell your dr! "Others have it worse" is a meaningless comparison, and anyway it's the psych's job to make the determination of whether you're "drug seeking" or not (and frankly, if they do draw that conclusion I'd seek another opinion based on what you said). If it is trauma related, how are you supposed to deal with said past trauma, while you're in a state of constant physical trauma now?
Do your best, and stand up for yourself. You deserve to not be in pain!
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Comment on Hi, how are you? Mental health support and discussion thread (April 2024) in ~health.mental
irren_echo Link ParentI don't know why I feel so overwhelmed.... If I could just get 5 minutes of uninterrupted quiet maybe I could figure it out.... Lol. In all seriousness tho, good things can be just as overwhelming...I don't know why I feel so overwhelmed.... If I could just get 5 minutes of uninterrupted quiet maybe I could figure it out....
Lol. In all seriousness tho, good things can be just as overwhelming as bad, so try not to minimize your need for a little peace just because "it could be worse." Identify activities that give you mental energy/refill your battery, rather than ones that deplete/are neutral, and then prioritize those. For example, watching TV is slightly depleting for me, whereas reading refills, so if I need to chill for a while I try to read instead of watch stuff. Since I started paying attention to that, it's much less frequent that I feel like I'm running on empty.
(Feel free to ignore if you didn't want advice, obviously.)
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Comment on What's something you've been mulling over recently? in ~talk
irren_echo Link ParentHaha man, this sounds like a guy I worked for once.... Briefly, very briefly. The computers were all running Vista (in ~2015), for cash transactions we had to photocopy the literal cash for the...Haha man, this sounds like a guy I worked for once.... Briefly, very briefly. The computers were all running Vista (in ~2015), for cash transactions we had to photocopy the literal cash for the (paper) filling "system," and several very long-term employees mentioned in passing that they hadn't been paid yet that month and were kinda annoyed "because he just bought that 4' geode in the corner." Shit was wild. Oh, and whenever he was allowed at a computer, he'd just.... click the mouse around randomly (a kind of nervous tic) while reading things, and then freak out if a program started up, or a file opened or something because he "didn't do anything."
So anyway, just sympathizing. Collect those stories for as long as you can stand it, and then gtfo. I'm glad I got those couple months of wtf stories, and a point of reference for how absurd a working environment can be. And now I'm interviews I can talk about being calm and productive in an absolutely batshit situation, so that's somewhat useful.
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Comment on Why do some people posting ChatGPT answer to the discussion/debate/question? in ~tech
irren_echo Link ParentIt absolves them of responsibility if the answer is poorly received. "Oh, you disagree? Well don't blame me, ChatGPT said it!" Kind of like "I heard a rumor.... But it's just a rumor, I never said...It absolves them of responsibility if the answer is poorly received. "Oh, you disagree? Well don't blame me, ChatGPT said it!" Kind of like "I heard a rumor.... But it's just a rumor, I never said it was true (so don't blame me for passing on false information)."
Woah, really? I'd (somehow) never heard that the method of delivery was so integral to how vaccines function, but that's very cool. Thanks!