Pina ✨ ADHD Alien
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adhd-alien.bsky.social
Pina ✨ ADHD Alien
@adhd-alien.bsky.social
13K followers 180 following 170 posts
Diagnosed ADHD at 28 🇩🇪

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🧡Patreon http://patreon.com/adhd_alien/
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adhd-alien.bsky.social
When my caveman brain thinks doing chores is as dangerous as touching a crocodile
Comic explains ADHD-related task paralysis. Panel 1: Character raises a fist, saying, “Even when I really want to or have to do something, I often end up being unable to move my body at all.” Text note: “Hasn’t moved in 40 minutes.” Panel 2: “That’s because my brain doesn’t feel as rewarded when completing tasks as people without ADHD.” Panel 3: Scene changes, the character is a caveman holding a rock in a desert. Text: “So it thinks I’m bad at surviving by doing unrewarding tasks.” Caveman says, “Walk desert?” Pink brain character replies: “No, I think you’ll starve. There’s no benefit to this!” Panel 4: “So this is what my brain thinks I’m trying to do.” Character grins near a crocodile: “I want to touch the crocodile ahahaha!” Brain yells: “Nooo! Don’t do this!” Panel 5: “But this is what I’m actually trying to do.” Character reaches toward a bill: “Please… I need to pay my bills.” Brain screams: “Noooo… You’ll die!!”
November 6, 2025 at 5:07 PM
adhd-alien.bsky.social
Why is there such a big gap between wanting to and actually doing something? Explained with SQUIRRELS!
Page 1 – The ADHD Gap Comic shows a person with mismatched socks standing on a cliff edge, looking at some clothes on the ground. Across a wide gap, there’s a washing machine with detergent bottles and a laundry basket. Text: “The ADHD Gap – between wanting to do something and actually doing it.” Speech bubble: “I should put that away, sometime…” → arrow to “Actually putting it away.” Below, title: “Why does it happen?” A squirrel in a tie and hat holds a nut and says: “I’ll explain it with squirrels.” Page 2 – ADHD Reward Cycle (Non-ADHD vs ADHD) Header: “ADHD Reward Cycle – Non-ADHD.” Four squirrel scenes in a loop: 1️⃣ “Our brain evaluates if an action will be worth spending our resources (energy, time) on it.” 2️⃣ “The last time we felt rewarded, so imagining doing it already releases dopamine.” (+Dopamine) 3️⃣ “Thanks to the dopamine, our brain starts the action.” 4️⃣ “Once done, we feel rewarded and our brain remembers this.” (+Dopamine) Below, section “ADHD”: a tired squirrel looks at a bare tree. Text: “In ADHD, there is a lack of dopamine, so our brain might not feel rewarded for finishing a task.” Page 3 – ADHD Reward Cycle (continued) Title: “ADHD Reward Cycle – ADHD.” A squirrel stands next to an empty battery icon: “Without reward, our dopamine tanks don’t get refilled.” A gray squirrel warns: “It wasn’t worth the cost, don’t do it again!” Text: “That’s where arguing with our brain starts.” Next scenes: – Squirrel planting a seed: “ADHD hinders our ability to look forward to and be motivated by future rewards.” – Squirrel happily eating candy: “+Dopamine.” Footnote: “With ADHD, dopamine might have less effect; a lack can have causes like increased dopamine re-uptake.”
October 30, 2025 at 6:35 PM
adhd-alien.bsky.social
My tips to get started and get things done with ADHD! Body doubling works best for me 👀 what works best for you?

Part 2 of 3!
Comic page: "How to Motivate Yourself with ADHD - Part 2/3" Top: A cozy stove with a pot of soup. Text: "Recap of Part 1: Imagine ADHD Motivation as a stove with retractable buttons." A button pops out labeled "The buttons are 'motivation'." Bottom: ADHD Alien character sitting cross-legged, holding a game controller, tongue out in focus. Text: "How do I get buttons then? Buttons aren't something you can simply & reliably refill by resting. It's more of a timing-and-momentum thing, like pulling off a button combo on a console." Arrow icons show a combo: ← ↓ ← ↑ ↓ → Comic page: "How to Motivate Yourself with ADHD - Part aimed at coping strategies." Top: Hands holding two bowls labeled "Color Laundry." Text: "Randomize what task to start with." Middle left: Open notebook with one highlighted paragraph. Text: "Start with the smallest possible effort like reading only one paragraph." Middle right: Notebook with checklist and questions. Text: "Write down the steps you need to take and any questions you might have." Bottom left: Desk with laptop, calendar, pen cup. Text: "Keep things you need for specific tasks in one, clean spot (avoid button cost for searching)." Bottom center: Scattered items (cup, tape, sock, plate, paper) sorted into three boxes: "Laundry", "Dishes", "Paper." Text: "Instead of trying to clean everything at once, focus on one category." Comic page: "How to Motivate Yourself with ADHD - Part aimed at coping strategies." Top left: 15-minute timer with duck icon. Text: "Challenge yourself: how much can you do in 15 minutes? Next time, beat it!" Top right: Character praising self with speech bubble: "I did that really well!" Text: "Praise yourself out loud! (ADHD brains don’t reward us as much as other brains do.)" Middle left: Two thought bubbles over character: crossed-out dirty shirt ("If I don’t do laundry, I’m lazy") vs. clean shirt ("If I do laundry, my clothes will smell nice"). Text: "Reframe tasks from punishment to being beneficial for you." Bottom left: Character sealing papers with speech bubble: "we need to seal the demons away!" Text: "Combine things that are fun with tasks that have a high button cost." Bottom right: Two characters on video call, one writing. Text: "Do quiet work sessions of 30 minutes with your friends (body doubling)." Comic page: "How to Motivate Yourself with ADHD - Part aimed at coping strategies." Top left: Phone timer showing "01:25hr Until I have to get dressed." Text: "Avoid waiting-mode by using a timer to see the amount of time you can safely use before having to leave." Top right: Character with purple hair smelling a candle. Text: "Use a certain song, tea or scented candle to condition your brain for 'focus time'." Middle left: Character flexing arm. Text: "Physical activity can help with motivation and focus." Bottom right: Character leaping off couch with "HOPPP!" sound effect. Text: "Give yourself a count-down: 'In 5 seconds, I'll get off the couch' 5...4...3...2...1...HOPPP!"
October 23, 2025 at 3:39 PM
adhd-alien.bsky.social
How I explain Executive Dysfunction with "Buttons" or: why I'm not just lazy, I'm fighting myself. 3 Comic series, part 1 of 3. Next part on Thursday :)
Comic explaining ADHD motivation with a stove metaphor. Text: “You can explain ADHD motivation like a stove with retractable buttons.” A pot sits on a stove with two knobs. Text continues: “The buttons are the ‘motivation’ to start an action. When the stove gets turned on, an action gets started. When people want to cook, they press the buttons and turn the stove on. But for me, the buttons don’t appear, so I can’t start cooking.” At the bottom, the character with short black hair and yellow antennae tries pressing the stove knobs repeatedly but nothing happens.
October 21, 2025 at 4:15 PM
adhd-alien.bsky.social
Remember when I came up with "buttons" to explain executive dysfunction just because I had an argument with my partner about getting things done?

I made an entirely new series for ADHD Awareness Month explaining motivation & ADHD. Coming next week 👀✨
Page 1 Comic showing a person with black hair and yellow antennae struggling to explain ADHD-related difficulties. Panel 1: The character looks startled as another person enters cheerfully with a dog, saying, “Heyyy, I’m back!” Panel 2: The person frowns, “You said you would clean up!” The character replies, “I wanted to eat breakfast first…” Panel 3: The character adds, “But I couldn’t decide on what to eat, so I didn’t.” The other responds, “Well, now you know better. Next time just eat something.” Panel 4: The character, frustrated, says, “Don’t say it like that! I already knew that!” The other person asks, “Then why can you do it NOW?” Comic continuing the ADHD explanation using a stove metaphor. Panel 1: A stove without buttons is shown. Text: “Because my brain is like a stove without any buttons. I know I have to cook, but how do I turn it on?” Panel 2: The stove stays cold. Text: “Knowing the consequences doesn’t turn on the stove.” Panel 3: Someone stands nearby; the stove lights up. Text: “When you’re next to me, it’s like you spawn a button for me. You are an outside source of buttons.” Panel 4: The stove smokes slightly. The other person asks, “What can you do to get a button yourself?” The character replies, “Uhh… I’m not sure… Medication helps a bit.” Comic concluding the “buttons and stove” metaphor for ADHD motivation. Panel 1: The character explains, “ADHD is a disorder, it means serious impairment. You can do chores because you have to, right?” The other replies, “Well yeah, I have to.” Panel 2: The character points to a vacuum cleaner. “That’s because you get buttons for all kinds of things.” The other says, “Look at all those buttons!” Panel 3: The character shouts at papers, “I did so many pomodoros! WHY WON’T YOU TURN ON?!” Text: “I don’t get buttons for mundane tasks—it’s neurological, not motivational. You can’t just ‘motivate’ a stove to turn on.” Panel 4: Surrounded by drawings, the character smiles. “I only get buttons for interesting tasks.” The other person says, amazed, “So many buttons!”
October 16, 2025 at 4:41 PM
adhd-alien.bsky.social
I’ve learnt that only hyperfocus can keep me from disappointing others. Sometimes.
Two-page comic about ADHD, self-doubt, and burnout. Panels 1+2 A person with short black hair and yellow antennae recalls lifelong struggles with effort and recognition. As a child, they cry while being scolded over homework. Later, they work hard but still fail small details and receive an “F.” When they finally succeed, they can’t enjoy it—holding a medal labeled “2,” they feel it’s luck, not skill. Panel 3+4 Page 2: They explain how productivity fluctuates. A blue graph shows steady effort, while a pink line spikes wildly. They say, “For me, it fluctuates more extremely.” Sitting exhausted at a messy desk, they admit, “I only stop when I’m too tired to go on. The word I learned for all this was ‘lazy.’ I never learned a healthy measure or how to trust myself.”
October 9, 2025 at 4:22 PM
adhd-alien.bsky.social
When the reward for growing up with so much criticism is hearing „You’re just too sensitive!
Panel 1: A hand extends a single red brick toward the character. The character looks surprised and slightly sad as they reach out to take it. Text: “It’s hard for people to understand why small comments can make me so emotional,” Behind the character, there’s already a small pile of red bricks on the ground. Panel 2: The character now holds the brick close to their chest, looking down with a pained expression. The pile of red bricks behind them has grown into a large heap, stretching far into the background. Text: “because they can’t see how many times I’ve been criticized for the same thing, over and over again.”
September 30, 2025 at 3:58 PM
adhd-alien.bsky.social
With ADHD, instead of building routines, everything stays a conscious effort for me.
Four-panel comic about ADHD and difficulty keeping routines. Panel 1: The character with small yellow antennae stretches in workout clothes, thinking, “I’m quite ambitious. I want to be healthy and eat right.” Panel 2: They look frustrated at their desk, thinking, “I can never stick to my plans,” then point at a goal chart, saying, “Ok, this time I’ll stick to it!” Panel 3: Lying in bed, they overthink running: “Do I eat first? Should I drink? Where are my shoes? I’ll go in the evening.” A note says: “Has never gone in the evening.” Panel 4: The character lies flat under a blanket, exhausted. Text: “Instead of becoming routine, everything stays a conscious effort.”
September 26, 2025 at 5:44 PM
adhd-alien.bsky.social
If I am so lazy, why am I always so exhausted?
Comic illustration with four panels Panel 1: Close-up of the alien writing in a notebook, looking thoughtful and sad. Text above: “There is something I never understood…” A caption box continues: “If I am so lazy, why am I always exhausted?” Panel 2: The alien sits slumped at a messy table, surrounded by dirty dishes and clutter. They look tired and overwhelmed. Text: “All I do is trying to catch up with responsibilities.” Panel 3: On the left side, the alien struggles to climb up an impossibly steep, endless staircase, looking exhausted and distressed. Text: “It feels like I have to climb endless stairs in order to start.” On the right side, the same person sits cross-legged on the couch, looking blank and inactive. A caption says: “but it looks like I’m just sitting around.” Panel 4: Two massive staircases are shown. One is labeled “Work,” the other “Cooking.” The alien stands in front of them, looking frustrated and reluctant. Text above: “It’s especially hard for me when I know I’ll have to climb a different set later.” The person says: “Why should I start working now if I have to stop and cook soon?”
September 22, 2025 at 5:18 PM
Reposted by Pina ✨ ADHD Alien
trungles.com
I hate unboxing videos. HOWEVER, I am a CARTOONIST. So.
A cartoon of myself against a photographed background. I’m approaching a big box from Penguin Random House placed on my dining room table. I’m now kneeling over the box on the floor on top of a rug in front of my couch, preparing to open the box I’m now jubilantly hopping around with a copy of my book in my hand, a slightly crazed look on my face. My cartoon hand holds a copy of Angelica and the Bear Prince, cartoon stars and sparkles around it
September 20, 2025 at 9:05 AM
Reposted by Pina ✨ ADHD Alien
alexsteacy.bsky.social
@adhd-alien.bsky.social I don't remember if I drew this before formal diagnosis but it still rings very true (and is quite funny). Thought you'd enjoy:
September 17, 2025 at 8:42 PM
adhd-alien.bsky.social
Sometimes I feel like a ghost, unable to make meaningful changes to my life, while not being believed when I tell people how much I try.
Four-page comic. Page 1 Top section: Narration text says, “Every day I wake up convinced I’ll finally do the thing I’ve been wanting to do for so long, but I’ve gotten so tired of waking up every day knowing that nothing has changed.” Panels show lists of undone tasks: - Narration: “Another day and I still haven’t cleaned the table so I can cook, still haven’t filled out important forms, haven’t thrown out the spoiled food I put next to the fridge a week ago, still haven’t unpacked the luggage from 9 months ago, and I lost a letter and am too ashamed to ask for a copy.” Final narration on this page: “I do the wrong tasks, don’t finish, or get paralyzed before being able to start anything.” Page 2 Panels contrast misconceptions with reality. Narration: “When I can’t do something, it’s not: ‘It’s not fun so I won’t bother.’ Or ‘I don’t wanna do it.’” Next panels show dread. Narration: “It’s more like I feel dread and my body yells back at me: ‘You won’t feel rewarded for this, so you’re wasting survival resources and energy.’ ‘DON’T DO IT.’” Further narration: “I can’t even explain why I don’t do things, so people don’t believe me. I’ve started isolating because gathering my courage to ask for help and being shamed hurts so much.” Closing narration on this page: “It feels like I’m a ghost, unable to make meaningful changes to my life. An existence unseen and unheard, having to hide so as not to trouble others.” Page 3 Narration continues: “All I can do is watch as my life falls apart in slow-motion, as people watch and ask themselves ‘why doesn’t she just do something?’” Further narration: “Every day I would fight myself to great exhaustion without any result to show for it. So after a while, I gave up fighting. Not because I had a negative mindset, but as a result of my experiences.” Someone scolds: “No one is coming to save you, stop being so self-defeating!” Shift in tone: Narration asks, “Do you know what saved my life?” A supportive voice replies: “I believe you. I will help you.” Page 4 Narration: “It’s not that no one has helped me before, but no one believed how much help I needed.” Someone else says dismissively: “I’m sure you can do it!” Narration continues: “And it’s not that I can’t do anything – I can do many things that others can’t. It’s just that where my mother needs help using the PC, I need help organizing my day.” Further narration: “People aren’t made to survive alone – without any help.” Closing text: “I am still my own person. I have my own morals, agency, hopes and dreams. And if I have a robust scaffolding to work on, I can not only live, but thrive.”
September 16, 2025 at 4:25 PM
adhd-alien.bsky.social
Comic titled “ADHD Paralysis.” Panel 1: A person (the ADHD Alien) with black hair and yellow antennae is relaxed and smiling. Two speech bubbles appear next to them: “It's not fun so I won't bother.” and “I don't wanna do it.” Above the panel, the narration reads: “When I can't do something, it's not just:” Panel 2: The same person lies in darkness, looking exhausted and overwhelmed. A shadowy black arm presses them down. Next to them, in white and purple text, it says: “you won't feel rewarded for this, so you're wasting survival resources and energy.” Below, large letters shout: “DON'T DO IT.” Above the panel, the narration reads: “It's more like I feel dread and my body yells back at me:”
September 9, 2025 at 3:57 PM
adhd-alien.bsky.social
September 5, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Reposted by Pina ✨ ADHD Alien
sporadicerratic.bsky.social
I'm grateful when other people post about tasks they feel overwhelmed doing; I feel less alone. I saw someone post today about how changing their address in a lot of places was a struggle, and they were crying over it. Extremely relatable
September 4, 2025 at 4:00 PM
adhd-alien.bsky.social
Sneak peek from the graphic novel I’ve been working on since some people have been wondering why I stopped posting. It’s a page I drew to pitch the idea that emotional scenes will have a more rough and raw style. It’s still quite a bit away but I already wanted to share the reason I’ve been missing!
Preview pages of a comic book. The adhd alien character is reaching out to a pencil that is perspectively really far away, while a mosquito is holding her back. The next panel shows her struggling to reach the pencil even more. The text reads: It was like something was holding me back from starting. And the more I resisted, the more frustrated I got. She frustratedly says: “Come onin, you promised them you’d draw!” The next page shows the character entirely surrounded by mosquitos, being fully frustrated and emotional. “Why can’t you just draw!” And the last panel shows the character having given up trying to reach the pencil, sulking and crying at her desk. The text reads: In the end, my emotions took over. And I became too frustrated to draw anything at all.
September 2, 2025 at 3:44 PM
adhd-alien.bsky.social
People often think I’m distracted when I’m actually really focused, just in my own way
August 29, 2025 at 3:40 PM
adhd-alien.bsky.social
Despite knowing all the coping strategies, this has happened to me today (and will continue to happen)
A Comic with the titles “The original plan” at the top and “My ADHD reality” at the bottom. Top section, “The original plan”: First panel shows the ADHD Alien with small yellow antennae on their head looking at a clock in surprise. She says: “Oh! My guests are about to arrive. I should clean up!” Second panel: The same person looks determined and focused, with a glowing background. She says: “I’ll just focus and clean the most important things!” Bottom section, “My ADHD reality”: First panel: The Alien is crouched on the floor in a messy bathroom full of bottles and items scattered around. She looks overly excited, eyes wide, laughing loudly: “Wahaha! I’ve vacuumed the drawers and organized the shampoo by color!” Second panel: The Alien calmly polishes an old wooden tea cart, smiling and saying: “Yes, cleaning this obscure antique tea tray now is a good idea.”
August 26, 2025 at 3:53 PM
adhd-alien.bsky.social
I hate structure but I also can't live without structure, how do you solve this??
1 Comic illustration titled “ADHD & Structure,” divided into two panels. Left panel, captioned “I struggle…”: A person with small yellow antennae on their head stands looking sad and uncomfortable between two rigid metal barriers. Text below: “When structure feels more like rigid constraints.” Right panel, captioned “I thrive…”: The same person now looks joyful and free, smiling with arms outstretched while playfully moving between two flexible stanchions connected by a red velvet rope. Text below: “When structure is a flexible frame I can freely move within.” 2 Comic illustration split into two panels with the headings “I struggle…” on the left and “I thrive…” on the right. Left panel: At the top, a person with small yellow antennae on their head looks tired and downcast while another character points at them angrily. Text: “Being expected to function regularly and disappointing people when I can’t do that.” Below, the same person holds a plate of food, looking uncomfortable, while another character points at them and says: “Why do you never eat up?” Text: “Being observed and scolded or judged for how I do things.” Right panel: At the top, the same antennaed person smiles and looks content while holding a can labeled “Beans” and a box labeled “Veggies.” Text: “When I can adapt my pace to both good and bad days.” Below, the person sits at a table with leftovers on a plate and happily says: “Great, I have leftovers!” Text: “When I receive recognition and curiosity for how I do things.” 3 Split comic image with the heading on the left “I struggle…” and on the right “I thrive…”. Left: A person with little antennae on their head looks stressed, crumples papers, and appears frustrated. Text: “When I set my own standards to hyperfocus levels, only to burn out and fail.” Below: The same person sits exhausted in a chair with a phone, while another character says: “No phone when you come home!” The tired person replies: “But I’m so tired…” Text: “When it becomes a rigid rule that I’m not allowed to question or improve.” Right: The same person looks calm and content. At the top, they hold a sheet of paper and think: “Today, one page is enough.” Text: “When I allow myself to do things just right, rest and let go of perfectionism.” Below: They rest comfortably in a chair with their phone and think: “I’ll rest for 30 minutes!” 4 Comic illustration divided into two panels with the headings “I struggle…” on the left and “I thrive…” on the right. Left panel: A person with yellow antennae on their head looks small and ashamed, standing behind a taller figure who gestures dismissively and says: “I always have to take care of her!” The person with antennae looks downcast and uncomfortable. Text below: “When support turns into resentment towards my ‘inability’ and further deteriorates my self-confidence.” Right panel: The same person with antennae looks joyful and energetic, fists raised in enthusiasm, surrounded by little glowing stars. A supportive figure smiles and says: “Let’s both clean up for 30 minutes!” The person with antennae replies excitedly: “I’ll clean the bestest!!!” Text below: “When I am encouraged to help myself without being expected to suddenly no longer have ADHD.”
August 21, 2025 at 4:21 PM
adhd-alien.bsky.social
Small reminder (to myself) that no matter how hard we try not every day will be the same - and that’s not a personal failure.
August 19, 2025 at 3:13 PM
Reposted by Pina ✨ ADHD Alien
babynapa.bsky.social
August 15, 2025 at 1:27 AM
adhd-alien.bsky.social
I wish the people around me would've understood how much hormones can affect my ADHD symptoms. Some days, I just can't get any work done with how bad my brain fog gets and I feel like all I can do is ride it out (and try to be gentle with myself).
1 A graphic with text explaining ADHD and hormones. I experience worse ADHD symptoms before and during my period. As hormone levels fluctuate throughout my cycle, so does the severity of my ADHD symptoms. The ADHD Alien character is shown a few times in different situations that correlate with the text. “The brain fog gets worse” “I have more trouble concentrating, understanding and memorizing” “I get emotional faster”. The character is crying over seeing a cute kitten. “I feel more overwhelmed and less able to motivate myself” the character is exhausted and slouching over a table with a book. 2 “I keep forgetting what I'm doing”. The character is confusedly holding a spoon, meanwhile a dog in the background is pointing at an empty food bowl. “I get more impulsive and make more rash decisions” . During my period, it often feels like my medication isn't working as well. Lower estrogen levels can affect the effectiveness of ADHD medication. 3 Estrogen affects executive functioning Our estrogen levels are lowest before and during our period, and highest during ovulation (the middle between periods). Graphic of a scale, each side of the scale is showing the following: Estrogen levels sink, ADHD symptoms increase 4 A graphic with the character laying on the floor at the bottom of a curve. As the curve rises, the character becomes increasingly energetic. Ovulation: I usually am most productive and concentrated here 6 days before / during period: Concentration, working-memory and other symptoms become worse. 5 ADHD symptoms can feel worse with age. Estrogen continuously decreases during and after menopause, which can affect all kind of executive functioning like working memory, concentration etc. An illustration with the same person throughout different ages. With each age, the color changes from pink (more estrogen) to blue in old age (less estrogen). During pregnancy, estrogen levels rise and then drop significantly after birth. A graphic with a pregnant person with ADHD, with a curve rapidly sinking and then showing the same person exhausted with a baby in hand. 6 Be gentle with yourself and don’t plan the most complex work into your lower functioning phases. A sparkly and whimsical version of the ADHD alien character, that is made entirely of stars and star constellations.
August 14, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Reposted by Pina ✨ ADHD Alien
adhdjesse.com
I live in constant fear of getting bored with something I love.
August 13, 2025 at 3:00 PM
adhd-alien.bsky.social
I still can’t believe I’ve managed to keep working on the same thing for such a long time (ignoring all the comics I never fully finished). Work on the book really did a number on me though (the last two are before / after).
A line-up of the same character throughout the years, starting from may 2019 until 2025
August 11, 2025 at 6:53 PM
Reposted by Pina ✨ ADHD Alien
trungles.com
You should preorder my book, and here are all the links www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/604737...
Cover to my graphic novel, Angelica and the Bear Prince. A young couple holds hands—a young femme person dressed mostly in pinks and reds, and a more masc person dressed in cool hues.
June 2, 2025 at 12:38 AM