@actuallyautistic @actuallyaudhd ...something I'm still figuring out is that there seems to be a link between difficulty processing dopamine (typical of ND people) and an overactive Default Mode.

I think this might play into why we often do things like doom scrolling, getting into online arguments, and other dopamine spiking activities. Being angry spikes your dopamine, and you feel briefly better.

I get into a cycle sometimes where I start ruminating a lot (typical of overactive Default Mode, brain never switches off) and then getting into rage melt downs that I can't stop. It feels as if my brain is trying to kick itself into a better gear by using anger, but anger doesn't work for that.

@actuallyautistic @actuallyaudhd ...it goes on to state that one of the best ways to switch from Default Mode to Task Positive Network is grounding exercises that engage your body.

I wonder if trying to deal with the ruminating and anxiety that comes with the Default Mode being too strongly active, is why I do things like doom scrolling , and why it helps me to monologue or pace, or stimming in general.

@actuallyautistic @actuallyaudhd More from the article:

" The Task Positive Network (TPN) is the neural network that activates when you start engaging in a task that requires cognitive focus and short-term memory. Your thoughts divert from your internal experiences and you give your attention to the task at hand. For people with neurotypical brains, the DMN fades into the background when the TPN activates. Their minds stop wandering, and their attention stays fixed when they start focusing on a task.
Some researchers have proposed that one of the reasons people with ADHD struggle is because their DMN doesn’t go offline when their TPN kicks in. Your TPN kicks in to help you accomplish a task, but your DMN is still thinking about the interactions you had this morning, how you fit into your friend group, what that thing you read last week was about, or whether you upset your family on that vacation a few years ago."

@actuallyautistic @actuallyaudhd

Am learning about the concept of the Default Mode Network - this really rings true for me. Quoted from the article:

"The DMN activates when we’re not focused on a specific task. In some cases, people with ADHD have trouble focusing their attention on tasks because their DMN is overactive compared to people without ADHD. It doesn’t subside when it’s supposed to, so one part of the brain is always wandering and exploring larger and more internal issues.
...
ADHD may be caused by an imbalance between two very different neural networks: the active but resting DMN and the fixed and focused Task Positive Network (TPN).
...

https://laconciergepsychologist.com/blog/default-mode-network-adhd/

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If you experienced something traumatic and find yourself asking, "Is my brain broken?" Good news! It's not. Lux Alptraum and Erika Moen team up to explain the basics of trauma, from what it's doing in your brain to how to heal from it.
#OJST #OhJoySexToy #Trauma

Writing research find of the day:
(I figuring out what to name a futurist tech device that will sit between VR systems from different civilizations, and convert the signals so that they are compatible and can communicate)

Looking for terminology, I found this actually existing thing: a device that converts wifi signals to electricity that the inventor has named a "rectenna," (for rectifying antenna)

Wow. Talk about unpleasant word! Don't think I'll be using that one!

#AmWriting

The other day I was part of a panel, and introduced myself with "they" pronouns.

I was also wearing a t-shirt that says "one of them".

Afterwards two people who were in the audience came up to speak to me. Each of them, seperatly, thanked me (very intensely!) for my interesting talk and then hung around for a bit, kind of awkwardly before leaving.

I don't know if I was imagining it but I wonder if they wanted to talk to me about gender identity / being nonbinary but didn't know how?

Me being totally clueless how to talk to people, didn't help 😐

#ActuallyAutistic #nonbinary

Need a search engine that will exclude research that seems to be about humans but is actually about mice.

#ActuallyAutistic

Things I saw:

A gecko leaping out of a keyhole.

A man with a spiderweb tattooed on his face, ordering a pie.

A dog looking at something behind me (there was nothing behind me).

An old man forgetting how to put on a shirt.

A caterpillar lumbering away from a fly that was stalking it.

#ThingsISaw

Thanks a post from @structuredsucc about dopa-menu I discovered this new tool. I was already trying to find activities to build dopamine and I like the idea of a menu because I often don’t know what to do and/or forget what it is helpful.

And as mentioned in the link below “Using a dopamine menu doesn’t mean suddenly transforming your habits. But by preparing a menu in advance, we’ll have more options available when we need them.”

How to Build a Dopamine Menu In 5 Steps

https://www.additudemag.com/dopamenu-dopamine-menu-adhd-brain/

#ADHD #TDAH #AuDHD

Yay! Woke up to see that we made it! Grossed $1057! Thanks soo much! Then I initiate the transfer and I see that PayPal fees take $64 and I'll transfer via xoom.com (the only way to get money off PayPal to my country) It doesn't charge a fee but its exchange rate will skim off about $70. Help me cross this last hurdle.

Details https://www.dilmandila.com/crowdfund-for-the-night-dancer-short-film

#fundraiser #CrowdfFunding #sff #art #digitalart #film #writing #writingcommunity
#mutualaid #BuyIntoArt #MutualAidRequest #magic

@bookstodon

Just finished "Into the Narrowdark" by Tad Williams. It's the third book of the 4 book "The Last King of Osten Ard" series, which is the sequel to the series "Memory, Sorrow and Thorn" that starts with The Dragonbone Chair.

I loved this book, although it's dark and bitter and sad. It's beautiful too.

If you're feeling frustrated with the Rothfusses and Martins of this world who can't seem to finish their stories, Tad Williams might be the answer.

"Waypoint Seven is a small book with a big soul"

When a review of your queer little aetherpunk novella brings tears to your eyes and gives you all the warm fuzzies!! 😍😱❤️

https://mrpinkink.wordpress.com/2025/05/27/book-review-waypoint-seven-by-xan-van-rooyen/

#queerbooks

They Won’t Always Get It, but That Doesn’t Mean It’s Wrong.

🪻Oh, it's the 25th of May🪻

Truth! Justice! Freedom! Reasonably-Priced Love! And a Hard-Boiled Egg!

Happy Glorious 25th of May, to all who celebrate.

"How Do They Rise Up?"

https://chickflickingreviews.com/2021/05/25/spotlight-the-glorious-25th-of-may/

#GNUTerryPratchett #books

I'm kind of struggling with my inner toddler at the moment. It's unhappy that I'm still feeling so crap no matter how much I do All The Things I'm Supposed To Do.
Which means that I've been doing some stuff that's bad for me, like read fighty threads on MetaFilter. Gives me some kind of very temporary dopamine fix, or something. Bad news.

#ActuallyAutistic

My cover for the ‘New York Times For Kids’ which is in TODAY’S @nytimes.com. I drew the centrespread and some spot illustrations as well.

Helping Cinnamon to make her bed.

#rats #ratstodon #PetsOfMastodon #RatsOfMastodon

https://youtu.be/k6kfigLx3T8?si=Dxd37zX-lA8zgjST