Ask HN: How did an adult ADHD diagnosis help you?

I guess those groups have figured out how to advertise on HN now too.

I find personally that it's much more comfortable working from home, and while there have been many 'blown days' due to lapses in discipline, I can have days where I crush it as well. Open plan office environments are like someone is jamming my brain with a microwave, I can't accomplish anything. High-walled cubicle environments are better but all it takes is someone with a smelly lunch or wheezy breath and I'm off track.

There's no obligation to be on any sort of medication, but having the option never really hurts. Knowing is more than half the battle, if only to make coping skills much more effective (if you have it you are likely coping without realizing it). You are in control here.

Unless you desperately want to be a pilot, in which case getting a medical is now difficult. Though wanting to be a pilot with even a mild executive function impairment is IMO disqualifying for poor judgment anyway.

Personally, the stimulants helped quite a bit along with an improved ability to cope. YMMV.

The good news is that medication may mitigates the symptoms so you can focus on driving or flying safely.

The bad news is the FAA says you can't use the medication while flying nor can you have an active diagnosis. So if you have ever been diagnosed with ADHD, even as a child, your only option is to go through an expensive testing process to prove you don't have ADHD anymore. Or some people just lie. Easiest and most dangerous approach is to never be diagnosed in the first place.

The FAA is rewarded for caution, not inclusivity. But they are making changes, like very recently making exceptions to allow diabetics to be pilots: https://www.diabetes.org/resources/know-your-rights/discrimi.... Just know that a diagnosis can never been deleted.

Interesting, I take adderall "as needed" and my doctor is fine with it. He prescribed it for daily use but said I can take it as needed.