How I Run a Company with ADHD • Hacker News Board

Re: How I Run a Company with ADHD

#241

Post by Veen » Mon, May 13, 2019, 8:52 AM UTC

fouc wrote: post #109

ScottFree wrote: post #36

My reaction to this article has been... complex. ----- Bah! Another article about ADHD. ADHD's over diagnosed and not not as big a problem as people make it out to be. But, I'm curious all of a sudden, so I might as well read it. > For the first 19 years of my life I knew I was lazy. Yeah, I'm pretty lazy too. That's just who I am, though. I don't have ADHD... > So what, you can't stop bouncing your leg at the restau…

I think the best description of ADHD I heard was that it has more to do with an "attention-switching" deficit. People with ADHD are capable of intense focus on highly stimulating things like a good book. The intensity of focus drowns out everything else, making it hard to deal with other important tasks until the book is finished. It's also much more difficult to maintain their attention on things that are no longer…

This sounds familiar to me. I've been trying to launch a blog for years. It goes in cycles. I start building a site, learning a web framework or static site generator, writing CSS and JavaScript, coming up with topic ideas, etc. Then, when the interesting learning part is over, I get bored and it just sits there for a few months until I start again with a different idea for the design or typography. It's a pattern I observe in several areas of my life.

(It's not that I'm not suited or capable of doing the writing part of blogging; I make a living ghost writing other people's blog articles and ebooks.)

Re: How I Run a Company with ADHD

#242

Post by whydoineedthis » Mon, May 13, 2019, 8:57 AM UTC

jonathanstrange wrote: post #223

Okay, I start with a disclaimer, I suspect this opinion to be unpopular on HN. Anyway, I can't help thinking that ADHD is one of those mental disorders that merely reflects some increased demands of society rather than a genuine mental disorder and that people with ADHD are just part of the natural variation of different personality types. There also seems to be a huge divide between the US and Europe, where such dis…

Your correcct. Not the fault of the author, so I still like the article. But I think you are correct.

Re: How I Run a Company with ADHD

#243

Post by jordanbeiber » Mon, May 13, 2019, 9:00 AM UTC

jordanbeiber wrote: post #184

rtpg wrote: post #174

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I remember hearing something about how ADD is now not considered qualitatively different from ADHD in terms of what it does to you, and that it's just "ADHD with a bit less hyperactivity". Would definitely be interested in hearing your wins running a family and managing this

Just had to cut out a long digression in true ADD fashion. I'll save it for my future blog! So in short list format, just sharing some methods I employ, sans digressions: 0. Awareness. Took way too long for me to reach it. 1. What is mentioned in the article: prioritisation! That needs to lead to routine. Hard work this, but most important, as I have to be able to engage auto-pilot for "non-interesting" tasks. 2. Sle…

Ok, so basically forcing yourself to live like a normal, healthy person.

It gets easier with routines and practice and will eventually start a positive spiral if you stick to it for a few weeks.

If you “lose” it (you will) and end up out of the spiral or going backwards, remind yourself of how good your brain felt after that 30 min run or 15 minute of focused breathing.

You probably have a hyper-sensitive brain of sorts, and you will know what I mean. It sensitive in a way that it behaves like a sponge. Feed it good stuff and it will behave better.

Drain it with no good sleep, bad food, sugar and intense focus without rest? Setting of a bad spiral. Learn to feel when this kicks in.

The work never stops, so force it! Just do it.

Re: How I Run a Company with ADHD

#244

Post by Fnoord » Mon, May 13, 2019, 9:06 AM UTC

throwmeback wrote: post #221

jachee wrote: post #112

Earlier quoted context omitted.

How, as an adult, did you get a doctor to diagnose ADHD? Every time I've brought it up with a healthcare provider, I lay out my difficulties and coping mechanisms, and the conversation ends with them saying "Well, it sounds like it's not much trouble for you. Anything else?" I just don't know how to make them get it. I feel like I have so much potential for success, but I can't harness it.

That sounds like my GP. I struggle with anxiety, depression and obesity among other things. Every time I go to an appointment with them I hear "Well, it's all in the head you know." I hate this and it's the case with most GPs, at least in my country. I genuinely just wish my therapist was also my GP.

Can you opt for a second opinion? Like, is that legally possible to be enforced? If yes, I'd go for that. If you have trouble functioning in society, a diagnosis plus therapy or medication can really direct you in the right way. You still have to put in effort, of course, but basically less because these aid you.

Re: How I Run a Company with ADHD

#245

Post by Mirioron » Mon, May 13, 2019, 9:13 AM UTC

tapland wrote: post #232

jonathanstrange wrote: post #223

Okay, I start with a disclaimer, I suspect this opinion to be unpopular on HN. Anyway, I can't help thinking that ADHD is one of those mental disorders that merely reflects some increased demands of society rather than a genuine mental disorder and that people with ADHD are just part of the natural variation of different personality types. There also seems to be a huge divide between the US and Europe, where such dis…

I would get behind that. I was diagnosed just over two months ago and the things that have been hard for me is remembering appointments, getting around to doing chores (such as paying bills and cleaning), and managing university studies (too much other stuff to learn everywhere =/ ). I got suggested to get tested after failing out for the second time and the testing showed very much lower than average sustained atten…

The criteria in the EU are also much more strict (and "outdated") because we generally use ICD-10 still, whereas the US used the DSM.

Re: How I Run a Company with ADHD

#246

Post by BurnerBotje » Mon, May 13, 2019, 9:13 AM UTC

jonathanstrange wrote: post #223

Okay, I start with a disclaimer, I suspect this opinion to be unpopular on HN. Anyway, I can't help thinking that ADHD is one of those mental disorders that merely reflects some increased demands of society rather than a genuine mental disorder and that people with ADHD are just part of the natural variation of different personality types. There also seems to be a huge divide between the US and Europe, where such dis…

It's not just about performace. Dealing with emotional stress will become very had if you keep overthinking it and can cause serious issues. ADHD medication can really help in those situations.

Re: How I Run a Company with ADHD

#247

Post by suprfnk » Mon, May 13, 2019, 9:15 AM UTC

fouc wrote: post #109

ScottFree wrote: post #36

My reaction to this article has been... complex. ----- Bah! Another article about ADHD. ADHD's over diagnosed and not not as big a problem as people make it out to be. But, I'm curious all of a sudden, so I might as well read it. > For the first 19 years of my life I knew I was lazy. Yeah, I'm pretty lazy too. That's just who I am, though. I don't have ADHD... > So what, you can't stop bouncing your leg at the restau…

I think the best description of ADHD I heard was that it has more to do with an "attention-switching" deficit. People with ADHD are capable of intense focus on highly stimulating things like a good book. The intensity of focus drowns out everything else, making it hard to deal with other important tasks until the book is finished. It's also much more difficult to maintain their attention on things that are no longer…

> So ADHD folks are great at starting interesting projects, but once the space of possibilities has been narrowed down and all that's left is hammering it out, it becomes intensely difficult to maintain attention on that due to lack of stimulation.

This is not something that most people have problems with?

Re: How I Run a Company with ADHD

#248

Post by [deleted] » Mon, May 13, 2019, 9:15 AM UTC

hajhatten wrote: post #230

jonathanstrange wrote: post #223

Okay, I start with a disclaimer, I suspect this opinion to be unpopular on HN. Anyway, I can't help thinking that ADHD is one of those mental disorders that merely reflects some increased demands of society rather than a genuine mental disorder and that people with ADHD are just part of the natural variation of different personality types. There also seems to be a huge divide between the US and Europe, where such dis…

It's easy to think this, as is thinking people with depression just need to pick themselves up. If you've lived with someone that actually has ADHD you'll have another opinion.

[deleted]

Re: How I Run a Company with ADHD

#249

Post by jordanbeiber » Mon, May 13, 2019, 9:18 AM UTC

Fnoord wrote: post #227

jonathanstrange wrote: post #223

Okay, I start with a disclaimer, I suspect this opinion to be unpopular on HN. Anyway, I can't help thinking that ADHD is one of those mental disorders that merely reflects some increased demands of society rather than a genuine mental disorder and that people with ADHD are just part of the natural variation of different personality types. There also seems to be a huge divide between the US and Europe, where such dis…

Its unpopular because it is wrong. The brains of someone with ADHD (assuming correct diagnosis) are different from NTs, akin to people with autism. AFAIK the latest scientific research points at that ADHD is just one of the many variants on the autism gene. But I don't have a source at hand right now, so grain + salt.

Yeah, I’ve always felt it resembles a form of autism.

With ADD I score awfully high on the spectrum...

Re: How I Run a Company with ADHD

#250

Post by thecatspaw » Mon, May 13, 2019, 9:19 AM UTC

dingaling wrote: post #146

screye wrote: post #117

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I have suspected for years that I may have ADHD, and the thread is slowly confirming my suspicions. (ofc, it can only truly be confirmed by an authorized professional) 1. Lazy - CHECK 2. can’t even stand the thought of a task, class, or activity I’m not interested - CHECK 3. My hobby background is ridiculously all over the place - CHECK 4. My leg never stopped bouncing, helpful when I played music to keep time - CHEC…

> can’t even stand the thought of a task, class, or activity I’m not interested But who is? This is one of the problems in modern society, the concept that if you're not interested in something then you can skip it and find a medical excuse. No-one ( generalising ) likes doing tax returns or washing dishes, but you need to look beyond the immediate discomfort to the longer-term benefits. That is self-discipline, not…

> but you need to look beyond the immediate discomfort to the longer-term benefits. That is self-discipline, not some magical superpower.

And that is _exactly_ what someone with ADHD struggles with. Long term consequences be damned, I want something that excites me and gives me a benefit _now_.