ADHD @ Glastonbury

[Kaboom Boxer]

My wife and I are very much looking forward to our first Glastonbury this month (woo!) and I’m a huge planner so I’ve been in full research mode finding loads of great advice on here. 
 

I’m after a bit of slightly different advice with this post. My wife was diagnosed with ADHD last week after years of struggling to understand why her mind works the way it does. 

 

So I was wondering whether anyone on here, or people in their groups, have ADHD and whether they had any specific tips for navigating the festival with it. 

 

Any shared stories or advice would be warmly welcomed. 

[CharlotteB]

I'm not an expert, and I'm sure the condition manifests itself in different ways, but my friend who had ADHD absolutely loved Glastonbury and said it was loads easier than the "real world". Hopefully your wife feels the same 🤞🏼

[bob323]

I have ADHD and I agree glasto is better than the real world - but you don't need ADHD to realise that

 

It may be frustrating if she wants to see a specfic band, she will highly likely get distracted and forget - unless you help her to plan.

 

I have in general a maximum of three bands to see and if get to see one, then thats good for me.

 

Edited June 2 by bob323

[Kaboom Boxer]

20 minutes ago, CharlotteB said:

I'm not an expert, and I'm sure the condition manifests itself in different ways, but my friend who had ADHD absolutely loved Glastonbury and said it was loads easier than the "real world". Hopefully your wife feels the same 🤞🏼

Thank you. We’ve been to a bunch of festivals together and she generally has a great time so I’ve n doubt she’ll love it. 

[Kaboom Boxer]

14 minutes ago, bob323 said:

I have ADHD and I agree glasto is better than the real world - but you don't need ADHD to realise that

 

It may be frustrating if she wants to see a specfic band, she will highly likely get distracted and forget - unless you help her to plan.

 

I have in general a maximum of three bands to see and if get to see one, then thats good for me.

 

Thanks Bob. 

 

The planning part overwhelms her so our dynamic is that I do the planning and she comes along for the ride. She prefers to know as little about the schedule as possible so there’s nothing to get her head set on. 

 

There are of course certain favourites she’ll want to see but I can navigate that for her. 

[bob323]

8 minutes ago, Kaboom Boxer said:

Thanks Bob. 

 

The planning part overwhelms her so our dynamic is that I do the planning and she comes along for the ride. She prefers to know as little about the schedule as possible so there’s nothing to get her head set on. 

 

There are of course certain favourites she’ll want to see but I can navigate that for her. 

she's lucky,

 

unfortunately I have to do all the planning, getting and then packing stuff to take - it's a serious pain for me. but I have a list that i have to constantly refer to,

 

I generally don't bother with any schedules once there

 

Edited June 2 by bob323

[Kaboom Boxer]

Just now, bob323 said:

unfortunately I have to do all the planning, then getting, then packing what to take is a serious pain for me. but I have a list that i have to constantly refer to,

 

Oh man, she has so many lists it’s unreal - helps her not to forget things. The less stuff she has to organise and try to remember the better though, it’s her chance to switch off. 

 

Are there any other difficulties you run into on the farm that I can plan around? Or particular spots you like to go to?

[bob323]

hard to say, I've been a quiet few times now, it feels like jumping on a roller coaster and seeing where it takes me.

 

It will be likley you that I'll feel sorry for - she'll likely be contantly wanting to change and move on and do new things becase theres that much to do (alcohol helps me to slow down and slighy switch off, so i can stay in one place for a little while) so it may be worth while agreeing to let her go and explore (I still move around constantly) and meet up with her later

 

unless you can keep up with her

Edited June 2 by bob323

[ourkid1984]

My wife has ADHD and I have autism. I do the planning, she does the going with the flow forgetting and then re-remembering/getting reminded who she is seeing. 

 

She has been to 2 Glastonbury's and loves it, but does take some time out of the main entertainment areas to do some craft etc to help focus her mind and may just wander up there on her own while the rest of our group are watching an act. 

 

She lives her life with reminders/alarms on her phone to help her remind her of what she wants/needs to do. She finds doing that helpful not just in the real world but at Glastonbury too. 

[bob323]

I've just asked my wife about me at glasto, and yes i'm a serious pain in the arse for not keeping in one spot

[Kaboom Boxer]

34 minutes ago, bob323 said:

unless you can keep up with her

Oh I’m used to flying round with her at 100mph 😆 I’m pretty high energy myself so it works. 

[Cooter]

My son has severe ADHD, he's 21 now. I took him every year until he was about 12ish, he used to love it. It definitely suited him perfectly, the organised chaos of it all was paradise for him.

[suzie sue]

I have adhd and autism, and generally enjoy being away from normal life and all of the stuff I have to remember there. Only advice would be to make sure to eat at the right times, drink plenty of water and drink tea if that’s your thing. Sometimes I get caught up and forget one or more of these and end up having a massive fall out, so worth setting reminders. 

[Physical_graffiti]

Jesus I’m such an idiot, opened this thread looking for a discussion on the likelihood of ACDC at Glastonbury 🤦 

[Kaboom Boxer]

5 minutes ago, Physical_graffiti said:

Jesus I’m such an idiot, opened this thread looking for a discussion on the likelihood of ACDC at Glastonbury 🤦 

Haha I was wondering if anyone might think ADHD was some new act they hadn’t heard of. 

[woyski]

As someone diagnosed with autism this year, I loved seeing this thread! I know she may well want focus as some others have provided great suggestions, but for maybe when the mental stimulation goes in the other direction, Diverse UK will be there with sensory tent/s - I've not used them before but plan to this year if I need it.

[StoneCircle]

Here is a little more information about the Sensory Calm Spaces,  https://www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk/information/access-information/sensory-calm-space/ as mentioned by @woyski above. I would suggest you contact accessibility@glastonburyfestivals.co.uk for more information about them. 😊

Edited June 2 by StoneCircle

[DJL]

My wife has ADHD and has come with me three times (I had been lots before) - 2 pre-diagnosis and 1 after. We got on a lot better the post-diagnosis time because I understood why she wanted/needed what she did and was more willing to go along with it (my default is to plan but I happily embraced going with the fun plans she made, usually on the spot).

 

She found the sensory part overwhelming at times so the calm spaces would have helped. If she was coming this time I’d be suggesting the new ambient stage by Woodside as an option.

[Kaboom Boxer]

46 minutes ago, woyski said:

Diverse UK will be there with sensory tent/s

That’s amazing, I had no idea. Do we know where about they are located and if they’re marked on the map?

 

Edit: Just seen the info @StoneCircle has shared which answers my question. Thanks both. 

Edited June 2 by Kaboom Boxer

[Kaboom Boxer]

20 minutes ago, DJL said:

I’d be suggesting the new ambient stage by Woodside as an option.

That’s a great shout, we love ambient music so I was planning to spend a good chunk of time there anyway but having it as an option for when she’s overstimulated is good thinking. 

[StoneCircle]

4 hours ago, Kaboom Boxer said:

My wife and I are very much looking forward to our first Glastonbury this month (woo!) and I’m a huge planner so I’ve been in full research mode finding loads of great advice on here. 
 

I’m after a bit of slightly different advice with this post. My wife was diagnosed with ADHD last week after years of struggling to understand why her mind works the way it does. 

 

So I was wondering whether anyone on here, or people in their groups, have ADHD and whether they had any specific tips for navigating the festival with it. 

 

Any shared stories or advice would be warmly welcomed. 

 

You are probably too late to apply for this year but if your wife qualifies for a Nimbus Card or a Glastonbury Nimbus Pass (it's all in the link) you would be able to apply to stay in Spring Ground Accessible Campsite, right next to Woodsies Stage. It might be worth asking if you can, just drop them an email. Happy to answer any questions about it, I have used the Accessible Facilities since 2011. 😊https://www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk/information/access-information/

[JB3]

My daughter was recently diagnosed with autism. She’s been to the last 2 Glastonbury’s and loved it.

 

I find it quite strange as she is quiet and struggles in social situations and yet she loves Glastonbury.

 

She gets sensory overload in every day life but can handle and navigate being amongst a couple of hundred thousand people!

 

We had a routine last year - lie in - time to gather herself after waking up - On the move around mid day - Sometimes stick to a schedule and sometimes sack the schedule and find some space to sit down for a couple of hours and listen to some relaxing artists - Go back the tent after the headliners.

 

Worked a treat for us.

Edited June 2 by JB3

[Kaboom Boxer]

27 minutes ago, StoneCircle said:

 

You are probably too late to apply for this year but if your wife qualifies for a Nimbus Card or a Glastonbury Nimbus Pass (it's all in the link) you would be able to apply to stay in Spring Ground Accessible Campsite, right next to Woodsies Stage. It might be worth asking if you can, just drop them an email. Happy to answer any questions about it, I have used the Accessible Facilities since 2011. 😊https://www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk/information/access-information/

Thank you for the suggestion, will definitely consider it if we’re lucky enough to get tickets in future years. We’re booked in at Tangerine Fields this time. 

[gfa]

13 hours ago, Cooter said:

My son has severe ADHD, he's 21 now. I took him every year until he was about 12ish, he used to love it. It definitely suited him perfectly, the organised chaos of it all was paradise for him.

I'm 22 with adhd and think this is bang on

 

Anything goes really and its just a holiday - there's so much to do everywhere so its easy to keep myself occupied i guess.

 

I do plan clashfinders like crazy but usually go with the flow of my mates - although can someone stay up later solo just to burn off excess steam before bed

 

Edit:

 

worth saying if your taking medication make sure to bring a prescription as a lot of the main ADHD ones are scheduled drugs to ensure no issues at the entrance. Also worth thinking about interactions, i don't take mine to glastonbury anymore as i get very moody when I drink after having the medicine - i did bring them the first few times i went to festivals just incase though

Edited June 3 by gfa

[suzie sue]

I’d like to take my adhd meds at glasto, but not sure about having a drink, so was planning to leave them at home but am in two minds as they give such a boost and make life so much easier