ARFID and Executive Functioning

[LavenderKitten]

My ARFID is really acting up lately... and I can barely eat anything. Even safe foods are difficult for me lately. I wish there was just a pill I could take that had everything I needed! Because lately, my brain is viewing eating as a chore, and I am struggling to change that viewpoint as well. When my body let's me know I'm hungry I'm starving and too sick to eat.

I'm really struggling with my executive functioning as well. I can barely exist in my life as is, and whenever I have a job I'm far more depressed, and anxious. I know if I tried to work in this society long term that I'd eventually end up not alive from depression from the burn out. I was grinding at life for 18 years, and the last 6 years has been me scrambling at life trying to get it right, but getting it all wrong. My wife and I literally bought a house and lost it in the same year. We are both Neurodivergent and struggle with executive functioning. Ideally, we'd work for ourselves on our art, and content. When we're both doing that, we're the happiest and most productive. I just don't know where to start to get on that path and be able to survive in this society. Right now, we're struggling for food, and self-care. (Our immediate families have helped as much as they can already.) We're so stressed that we don't have an income, and no one will hire us, even when we think the interviews went good. I don't know what to do anymore, so any advice is appreciated.

[Aspen797]

Hopefully someone will chime in with ‘lived’ advice. I just wanted to share a couple resources in case they may be helpful. The first is an organization called AANE. They offer online social networking, support groups, life coaching, and employment goal coaching. A link to the life coaching is here: lifemap.aane.org. Their website is a little challenging to navigate but they offer a lot for people in different stages of life.

The other resource, you may already be familiar with, is Vocational Rehabilitation. They have changed in their mission and goals and are intended to help the client reach the client’s employment goals—-including self-employment and remote work—as long as the goal allows you to be self-sufficient. They can provide a lot of services and financial help to assist you in achieving your goal. Some states have more restrictive eligibility requirements so it’s a good idea to review them before you apply so you have your ‘proof’ or paper trail in order first. Your state’s Disability Rights Center should be able to provide information on requirements and process, often even on their website. You can find your state’s Center here: ndrn.org/about/ndrn-member-....

By the way, I love your username Best wishes.

[LavenderKitten in reply to Aspen797]

Thank you! I was able to fill out an application for the Disability Rights Center! I'm hoping they'll be able to help my wife and I with everything we got going on.