S1E05:Late-Diagnosed AuDHD: Time Anxiety & Living in the Present

Late-diagnosed AuDHD adults: does time anxiety keep you stuck in future worries or past regrets? This episode breaks down why we can’t “just exist in the present” and 3 strategies that actually work.

We cover: time blindness in AuDHD, masking exhaustion from constant planning, and practical unmasking tools for neurodivergent time management. enjoyed. You’re not dramatic. Your nervous system is just doing its job.

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Hey friends, just a gentle reminder : I’m sharing from my own lived experience with AuDHD, not a medical textbook! While some of our guests have clinical expertise, every single neurodivergent journey is different. This space is for sharing stories and community, so please always seek professional advice for your own personal health and wellbeing. Thanks for being here!

Research & links:

Intolerance of uncertainty & anxiety in autistic people

* Frontiers in Psychology — Sensory sensitivity and intolerance of uncertainty influencing anxiety in autistic adults: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.731753/full

* Systematic review & meta-analysis on IU and anxiety in autistic people: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7539603/

* Sensory Sensitivity and Intolerance of Uncertainty Influence Anxiety in Autistic Adults: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8635111/

* Autistic Sensory Traits and Psychological Distress — Mediating Role of Worry and Intolerance of Uncertainty: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39595851/

Time perception in autism

* Time perception and autistic spectrum condition: A systematic review: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6852160/

* How autism influences time perception (accessible overview): https://www.newpatternsaba.com/blog/how-autism-influences-time-perception

Demand avoidance

* Understanding pathological demand avoidance in adults: https://pasadenavilla.com/resources/blog/understanding-pathological-demand-avoidance-in-adults-with-autism/

* Living with PDA — strategies for adults: https://rachellebloksberg.com/living-with-pathological-demand-avoidance-strategies-for-dealing-with-pda-in-adults-for-autism-and

* PDA in adults — how to get unstuck: https://www.thriveautismcoaching.com/post/pathological-demand-avoidance-in-adults-how-to-help-them-get-unstuck

Burnout & IU as a coping mechanism

* IU as a mechanism in autistic anxiety: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5903967/

* Single-case treatment study for IU in autistic adults: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6061029/

Coping & experiments approach

* Towards a Treatment for Intolerance of Uncertainty for Autistic Adults: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6061029/

* Single Case Experimental Design Study (more detail on same programme): https://d-nb.info/1160380759/34

General accessible reading

* Autistica — coping with uncertainty in autism: https://www.autistica.org.uk/our-research/research-projects/coping-with-uncertainty

* Autistica — uncertainty, anxiety and sensory sensitivities: https://www.autistica.org.uk/our-research/research-projects/uncertainty-anxiety-sensory-sensitivities