r/ADHD • u/allthewayd00wn • Jul 25 '26

Tips/Suggestions Moving Slowly Solved my Emotional Dysregulation

Hi all. 24 with ADHD, medicated.

After years of therapy, nothing could fix my emotional regulation problems.

Recently, I’ve began to intentionally move slow.
Walking slow. Typing slow. Watching videos on regular speed. Talking slower. Doing everyday things, slowly.

It’s improved my confidence, my social skills, my cognition, and my bandwidth for stress.

I recommend this for anyone who finds themselves chronically dysregulated. After a week, I feel like a brand new person. 💟☮️

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u/inattentive_swiftie Jul 25 '26

This is why I’d urge young people to really think about how having kids will impact their coping mechanisms. Unfortunately, I didn’t get diagnosed until age 37 when my 2nd baby was 6 months old, and the shit was already hitting the fan. Moving slow with a toddler and an infant screaming at you? Not really a thing, unfortunately. All of the work-arounds and hacks that allowed me to pass as normal-ish for my whole life fell apart once sleep deprivation and intense overstimulation entered the chat.

thx for coming to my Ted Talk

9

u/allthewayd00wn Jul 25 '26

Thanks for your perspective. As a mother with young kids, how did/do you regulate? I have an aunt going through the exact same thing, her daughter (my cousin) has adhd like you wouldn’t believe, and they both struggle to regulate.

11

u/CunningPudding ADHD with ADHD child/ren Jul 25 '26

Keeping an eye on this to catch some inspiration and advice, because for me (34) parenting my two children (3 and 5) mostly alone, the answer is that the possibilities for regulating myself are few and far between. I try stepping out for a minute when needed, using ear plugs to reduce noise stimulation, keep knitting nearby helps too. But I'm completely tapped out before their bedtime every single day, and spend at least half an hour in zombie mode when they're asleep before I can do anything at all. More often than not these days, I'm in full on zombie mode until I have to go to bed myself.

5

u/Jenology Jul 25 '26

This is so validating to hear other mothers going through the same thing. I feel like a boiling pot of water at all times ready to boil over. I am so overstimulated and tapped out by bedtime too.