Constantly stressed

I was getting very stressed at supermarket checkouts. My mind would be racing and I felt like eating the head off any "space invader". Even if they weren't invading my space, I was getting worked up in case they did. (COVID was a real problem for me in that respect.) Then I decided to do what a lot of Autistic people do and wear noise-cancelling headphones in the supermarket. I had bought a pair to block traffic noise when walking outside, so I figured I'd given them a go indoors and see what happened. I didn't really notice any difference walking around the first time. I mean, I never thought the noise was affecting me much. Then I went to the checkout and ... hey presto! ... I'm a lot calmer, a lot less stressed.

I wear them all the time in supermarkets now and haven't really had a rage/meltdown/shutdown incident (usually internal) since. When I turn off the NC so I can talk to the cashier, I actually flinch at the sudden increase in noise (voices, crappy piped music, air con fans, fridge compressors, etc.). So, it turns out that the noise was really stressing me, I just never made the connection. 50 years of internalised ableism and unconscious masking will do that to you, I suppose.

My point, anyway, is that some of what is causing you to feel stressed could be things you are unaware of. Maybe try to tone down or eliminate some of the common sensory stressors like noise, smells, lights, etc. and see if that makes any difference for you.

Best of luck with the ADHD meds. There's a good chance that they'll help you a bit, too.

I was getting very stressed at supermarket checkouts. My mind would be racing and I felt like eating the head off any "space invader". Even if they weren't invading my space, I was getting worked up in case they did. (COVID was a real problem for me in that respect.) Then I decided to do what a lot of Autistic people do and wear noise-cancelling headphones in the supermarket. I had bought a pair to block traffic noise when walking outside, so I figured I'd given them a go indoors and see what happened. I didn't really notice any difference walking around the first time. I mean, I never thought the noise was affecting me much. Then I went to the checkout and ... hey presto! ... I'm a lot calmer, a lot less stressed.

I wear them all the time in supermarkets now and haven't really had a rage/meltdown/shutdown incident (usually internal) since. When I turn off the NC so I can talk to the cashier, I actually flinch at the sudden increase in noise (voices, crappy piped music, air con fans, fridge compressors, etc.). So, it turns out that the noise was really stressing me, I just never made the connection. 50 years of internalised ableism and unconscious masking will do that to you, I suppose.

My point, anyway, is that some of what is causing you to feel stressed could be things you are unaware of. Maybe try to tone down or eliminate some of the common sensory stressors like noise, smells, lights, etc. and see if that makes any difference for you.

Best of luck with the ADHD meds. There's a good chance that they'll help you a bit, too.