Hello, I'm Chris
As a late ADHD diagnosed man, at the age of 47, I find many aspects of public places challenging but have learnt coping mechanisms over the years.
"The acoustics in a place are important for me"
Public places are hard sometimes. Especially when there are visual or sound distractions. TVs everywhere are brutal for me I find it hard to concentrate on any conversation I'm having and/or whatever I am trying to do. The acoustics in a place are really important, the design of a place that allows for sound to travel in a way that is doesn't commingle too much across different groups would be so helpful.
I don't tend to struggle in large gatherings as much as I feel a sense of ordered chaos, for example a football match or a music concert. Although I think I have learnt coping mechanisms over the years for that which also includes bad habits!
Another issue I find myself facing is sensory overload. Which is not necessarily solved by medication - at least not in my case. I've seen major benefits from medication but more so in managing my moods and anger issues associated with ADHD which in turn has lessened my anxiety. This may help to some extent with sensory overload but just the other day I had to leave a friends birthday party because the environment was too much for me. I find myself dealing with decisions like that better when on medication. I think NeuroPlaces is so inspiring and does such important work!