The White Rabbit in Alice in Wonderland

[STEM_Dad]

"I'm pondering things that begin with [ADHD]..." ~The Mad Hatter {paraphrased}

A little bit ago, I was responding on a YouTube video that someone posted about the "autistic inertia puzzle". The OP related how difficult it can be to go from a state of rest to a state of productivity with Autism.

I realized that what the poster described was very common with ADHD and anxiety as well, and then saw somebody else's comment that this inertia issue is common with many types of neurodivergence.

I, myself, have had diagnoses of ADHD, Anxiety, and Depression.

Just the ADHD alone makes it very difficult to get moving. Add in even a little anxiety or depression, and the rest inertia doubles. Increase more...and it's several times worse. (But with ADHD, there's something that will very often tip me over into one of two states...action, or avoidance. That's the panic of knowing "I'm-so-late-I-should-have-been-up-and-moving-a-long-time-ago-Oh-my-goodness-This-could-be-very-bad!!!"

... Or perhaps we could call it the "White Rabbit" effect, for his repeated line in the original Disney version of "Alice in Wonderland" when he would say, "I'm late! I'm late, for a very important date! No time to say 'Goodbye'. Hello, I'm late, I'm late, I'm late!")

When anxiety rises to the level of triggering adrenaline release, I am finally moved to action. That is, unless I feel so ashamed that I have to avoid a situation entirely.

.....

{Side note: does anyone else experience an additive or compounding effect between ADHD and Anxiety, or any other ND condition?}

~~~~~

So, that got me thinking about whether the White Rabbit represents ADHD.

I then found this article on Additude Magazine's website: additudemag.com/slideshows/...

* The White Rabbit is indeed on that list!

(I also recall numerous discussions online and in person that many of the characters in "Alice in Wonderland" represent various mental disorders.)

[Mamamichl]

good analogy! I always called my feeling as a buzzing bee. But I did relate to the white rabbit. I fully agree that adhd compounds other conditions (I also have ptsd and anxiety). I think it’s because as people with adhd, we feel things so deeply, and our emotions are on a light switch (there’s no in between). We also wear our emotions on our sleeves, which makes people perceive us as dramatic or immature. Makes me sad.

I may have found a job that is accepting of it and start soon though. I actually talked in depth of my rsd and crying in major supervisor meetings and they still wanted to hire me 3 hours latter offering me the job!

I’ve learned there are some people more accepting and like in Alice in wonderland, “we are all crazy here” Cheshire Cat. The characters don’t actually judge (other than the queen of course, which I think is ocd).

[STEM_Dad in reply to Mamamichl]

It's great that you were offered the new job, especially in light of being so open about struggles you've had.

I forgot about the Cheshire Cat quote. 😸 He doesn't mince words, does he! 🤣

The Queen of Hearts may certainly be OCD, but I think that she's also has at least a few Dark Triad traits. (The rest of Wonderland probably has to be crazy just to put up with her...or because they've been doing so for so long.)