ADHD in Toxic Academia
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toxicacademia.bsky.social
ADHD in Toxic Academia
@toxicacademia.bsky.social
UK Academia is in a dire state. An early career academic being broken by the system.
Woman in STEM. Neurodiverse. Insecure contract. Tired & struggling.

Inconsistent posts guaranteed.
Here to share/inform, not for sympathy.
Reposted by ADHD in Toxic Academia
Let's highlight #AcademicMentalHealth!

Check out this article as early-career researchers discuss how they've prioritized their well-being throughout their academic journey, particularly during challenging situations: www.science.org/content/arti...

#AcademicSky #PhDSky
How to nurture your mental health in science and academia amid challenging times
Researchers at a range of career stages share their experiences
www.science.org
December 27, 2023 at 7:30 AM
Reposted by ADHD in Toxic Academia
Question of the week for #academicsky: Which is more anxiety-inducing?

Checking your work email
Or
Not checking your work email
December 29, 2023 at 5:43 PM
im sorry, who said academica was toxic..... ????

Oh, wait, everyone.
Merry Christmas, #AcademicSky! Hope you’ve been nice and Santa brought you something good this year (unlike the journals editors who send you reviewer invitations on Christmas Day)
December 26, 2023 at 11:28 AM
Reposted by ADHD in Toxic Academia
Merry Christmas, #AcademicSky! Hope you’ve been nice and Santa brought you something good this year (unlike the journals editors who send you reviewer invitations on Christmas Day)
December 25, 2023 at 7:46 PM
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I have been a bit bored over Christmas, so I started working on a little blog post about good academic writing for my group. I was wondering, what are key things you have learned about academic writing that you wish you would have known earlier?  🧪 #AcademicSky
December 26, 2023 at 11:11 AM
Some can, & should (eg students & those w/ permanent positions)

Bt it can be v hard for those on insecure contracts who drown in extreme workloads & job applications

Suggestions for how to deal welcomed
Im desperate

#sendhelp @vickyblake.bsky.social @ucucommons.bsky.social @drjogrady.bsky.social
You can be an academic AND take a break this Christmas.
December 26, 2023 at 11:26 AM
Happy holidays everyone

Hope you're having a nice restful time

Except if you have lots of marking due, teaching to prep, or have 3 job applications due early January that were posted in December at the end of a busy term

My favourite is the 21st Dec to 10th Jan
December 26, 2023 at 11:09 AM
Reposted by ADHD in Toxic Academia
Hi there! I'm proud of you for putting yourself forward into big opportunities for you to grow! You're doing a great job of investing in yourself, even if it scares you! I hope you are proud of yourself too.
December 15, 2023 at 2:00 PM
In Academia, like in many other proffessions, ppl don't realise the extent of adhd

www.instagram.com/p/C0yt6OFPNa...
Hustling Adhd 🧠 on Instagram: "Adhd..."
4,347 likes, 19 comments - hustlingadhd on December 13, 2023: "Adhd..."
www.instagram.com
December 13, 2023 at 7:15 PM
Reposted by ADHD in Toxic Academia
people say an awful lot of dumb things on this site. instead of getting angry at them, consider looking at this cat.

look at his serious little face.

look at how orange he is. he could not be more orange.

look at him.

are you still angry? if you are, keep looking at him.
December 12, 2023 at 11:24 PM
Reposted by ADHD in Toxic Academia
COP28
December 13, 2023 at 8:03 AM
Why do you prioritise your job over your mental health?

Because if I prioritised my mental health.....

- I would reduce the changes of my position getting extended
- I would not have a competitive enough CV for new roles coming up
- And I may lose my current job
December 11, 2023 at 6:40 PM
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The stigmatization of addiction is inherently connected to the stigmatization of Neurodivergent people in our society.

We don’t receive the support we need, get shamed for not “helping ourselves” and then violently shamed again when we find a way to regulate, albeit unhealthily.
December 10, 2023 at 9:39 PM
Reposted by ADHD in Toxic Academia
It’s weird (but predictable) how often social issues are covered in the media that ignore the underlying root cause… Your mental health is going to suck if you can’t afford to live, and funding more ambulances won’t fix the problem.
Prevention requires addressing the elephant in the room. Capitalism
December 11, 2023 at 12:01 AM
If i have sick days, there is no adjustment for my responsibilities, which insentivises people not to take sick days, which insentivises burn out

Only at the point of long term sick leave does anything get reallocated (to other people who are also already at breaking point)
3) oh that conflicting advice isnt helpful, but knowing the context of our uni, both are true sorry I can't help

4) the dept is already fucked, if you go on sick leave, the dept would be even more fucked without you
December 10, 2023 at 9:22 PM
If you did hear already: thousands are struggling to get ADHD meds atm = even more ableism than usual

Advice ive received:
1) tell your boss they will see you as proactive, bt won't be able to change your responsibilities

2) don't tell your boss they will think you're being too sensitive

1/n
Hate to serious post but it sucks to be thrust into unmedicated mental illness after managing it for 15 years. I know my adhd is on the severe end of the scale but it is WILD how fast I can fuck up my own life without meds. I can't even pay attention enough to finish my own thoughts, this is awful.
December 10, 2023 at 9:15 PM
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🫂 I feel you. I’ve lived most of my life with undiagnosed inattentive type ADHD, and, in retrospect, I’m amazed that I got through a Bachelors *and* a Masters degree in STEM fields without a diagnosis nor meds.

It was… Not easy, to severely understate that struggle.
September 12, 2023 at 6:05 PM
Intro post!

I finished my PhD in 2021 & was diagnosed with ADHD in 2022

Since then I'm lucky enough to have had short contracts with my current one due to end in 2024

I love my research and students. I run myself into the ground for them

The system always shouts back 'not good enough !!'
December 10, 2023 at 8:35 PM
Helloo BlueSky

Welcome to where I am honest about experience navigating the toxic career which is academia in the UK

Hold tight !
December 10, 2023 at 8:19 PM