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@georgetakei@universeodon.comIt’s the time between appointments for me that feels like a dead zone.
Sorry, I can't respond to this because I'm taking my cat to the vet in five hours.
@BlueDot Literally.
@georgetakei yes I can relate 
@georgetakei Give me an hour between meetings, and I can get maybe ten minutes work done. Half an hour, and I can maybe hit the restroom and get a drink.
@georgetakei definitely, I worry that I'll get wrapped up in doing something and forget the appointment
@georgetakei It depends a bit on the nature and the importance of the upcoming appointment, but yes, I can absolutely relate.
@georgetakei , that was my whole morning. 4 minutes till my meeting starts. My brain has not been able to work, so I have been studying stuff that might help for work, but not the work itself. Lol.
@georgetakei I absolutely agree! Realizing you have a dental appointment, adds to the anxiety of an airport terminal three hours before your scheduled flight. Can’t leave the gate and can’t take a 
@tholahan Exactly that.
@georgetakei absolutely
@georgetakei this but instead of hours, it's weeks
@georgetakei
This is a potential symptom of ADHD.
I am not an expert.
@georgetakei I don't but we are friends with a family that is like this. It's very frustrating because we'll want to hang out or go to dinner and they can't because they have an appointment. Sometimes it's something like packing for a short trip.
@georgetakei I've been retired for 13 years. I can barely sleep at night if I have an appointment (of ANY kind) the next day.
@georgetakei yes! I think it's due to my anxiety. I accomplish nothing in the time leading up to an appointment
@georgetakei for those that it helps: this is usually called “Waiting Mode” and it’s common for several neurodivergencies, especially ADHD.
If it’s a problem, knowing the name can help find solutions that work for you. (Personally I embrace my waiting mode, I use the time to de-stress ahead of potentially stressful appointments, and prepare scripts to get me through them)
@Sophie Thank you, this happens to me and I would never have thought to look for a name for it (I guess it happens with autism too).
@Sophie Oh wow! I’ve been doing this all this time and I never thought it could be “a thing” with a name. I’ll bring this up in my next therapy appointment. Thanks!
@Sophie @georgetakei Thank you.
I remembered an article I read one year ago but was lacking the proper name.
“For instance, let's say you have something on your calendar—whether it's a meeting, an appointment, or any other type of placeholder—and even if it's hours away, you do nothing but mentally marinate until its time for that calendar item.”
@georgetakei My anal retentive body can relate. If my body knows I’m traveling somewhere tomorrow morning, it absolutely refuses to poop before I leave. I know, TMI!
@georgetakei There's a technical term for this: busywait. It's a common ADHD coping technique, although it's not only ADHD folks who use it.
@georgetakei
Oh my god I'm so glad it's not just me. The most my brain will let me do before/between appointments is read, but only if I'm sitting near a clock and checking the time every couple of minutes.
@georgetakei I feel the same way George, but I have lately been using that time to watch a good show or play a crossword puzzle or something. I used to just sit and wait, especially for doctors or business appointments.
@georgetakei yes. Even if it's the first thing in the morning, and the appointment is in the evening, I get a feeling of cognitive lock where I can only concentrate on that future meeting.
@georgetakei Yup--you're constantly looking for the clock and trying to make sure you're not late. Maybe a very short "to-do list" that is full of small things that you KNOW you can get done, or they're not a priority, but necessary and a good time waster. I get this big time.
I also get his on the job and have never felt very comfortable taking forced breaks at work, because when I'm in the Zone, I wanna get crap done and do it well. And when it's a 15 minute break, or sometimes even 30 minute lunch, it's hard to enjoy because you have get back to work. Whenever I had the option (VERY rarely) I would try to skip breaks and leave early instead. Just takes too long to get back into the groove with certain tasks, and it's annoying.
@georgetakei yep can totally relate.
@georgetakei
Abosolutely. I have a lot of medical appointments and every one is a crisis in my brain. I'm stressed out for a week before, sleep poorly, rarely sleep more than an hour or two the night before, and then have to cope with my sleep schedule being disrupted for days or weeks after. A lot of these visits are unnecessary, just a CYA for the lawyers and another chance to bill an insurance company. I've tried to explain to doctors that the impact on my mental health outweighs the benefit of these "check the box" visits, but the machine always marches on, unheeding. Anxiety disorder is an evil little monster.