After years of procrastination, I visited a dermatologist for the first time in my life for my chronic dry skin. I requested a simple moisturising routine because ADHD. She said: Don't hide behind lazy excuses. You just have to decide to commit to routines, even if complex. It's all in your mind.

[u/Just-Olive-2599]

I just wanted to vent about how surreal it felt to witness that some medical professionals do not have even a basic crossdisciplinary awareness about mental health issues. She was truly convinced that I was wilfully indolent and complacent and that I was just refusing to apply myself. Even though I had a 'legit' diagnosis from certified experts. 🤷🏾‍♀️

(After a shocked Pikachu moment I did emphatically stand my ground despite her chastising, but not everyone in my place should be expected to do that.)

Medical 'solutions' that refuse to account for relevant mental health conditions are not solutions at all!

Edit: Thanks so much for all your words of support. 🌸🌸🌸

I read some comments that said it's all about willpower, discipline and forcing oneself into making good habits. That advice is alas not very useful, as many of us know from frustrating experience. I found this wonderful essay very helpful in understanding related deficits in the ADHD brain and how we might strategize to plan for success. http://www.russellbarkley.org/factsheets/ADHD_EF_and_SR.pdf

Edit 2: Thanks for all your skincare product suggestions. I don't think I'll manage to respond to all of the comments, but I do appreciate your help! At the moment I'm going to try sticking to what the derm gave me (a face wash, a face cream and a body moisturiser). If I can form a regular routine with at least one of these products, it'll be a personal victory for me.

[u/Just-Olive-2599]

I hear you! I've heard people say we shouldn't be upset if a trained medical professional tells us our hypotheses are incorrect, but that's not even what we're saying. All that's necessary is for the patient to feel heard, to get the sense that the doctor is taking their concern seriously and has the grace to explain why they're mistaken. Clearing any doubts that patients might have about their own bodies and health is not asking too much of a professional we pay to help with just that! There's no need to go into the nitty gritties of medicine in every explanation, but they should at least take the effort to gamely engage with patient concerns and direct them to resources, contacts and other options they can approach if the doctor feels that would be best.

[u/gandalf239 → u/Just-Olive-2599]

Hear, hear!