I’m pretty sure my baseline cortisol levels could kill a small animal. And probably shortened my lifespan by a few years.

My AuDHD is flavored by several varieties of anxiety and crippling depression, the former undiagnosed for most of my life and the latter two only being treated sporadically. I’ve had my episodes of shining in times of chaos (usually at work) but my brain’s go-to response is freeze.

It’s not very effective.