How I Run a Company with ADHD • Hacker News Board

Re: How I Run a Company with ADHD

#271

Post by SenHeng » Mon, May 13, 2019, 10:11 AM UTC

boomlinde wrote: post #253

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…

In your view, what defines a genuine mental disorder?

Probably something like schizophrenia and dementia, something that's more visible and immediate and evokes an oh-this-guy-is-crazy! reaction.

Seems like the OP thinks ADHD and ADD is more akin to personality disorders, which is much fuzzier and is hard to tell if it's a disorder or a 'disorder'.

Re: How I Run a Company with ADHD

#272

Post by danaos » Mon, May 13, 2019, 10:14 AM UTC

GreeniFi wrote: post #34

danaos wrote: post #28

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Not OP, but as a sufferer, I boldly disagree. There may be some benefits related to brainstorming and "out of the box" thinking but they are overshadowed by the disastrous consequences of being unable to organize and execute.

Have you been able to find hacks and/or work arounds? Reading the article, I wondered if ADHD might manifest with a range of severities. I have heard of ADHD sufferers for whom it is a serious disability, and other sufferers who claim it’s their super power. I can see that you would find the latter claim to be very irritating.

> Have you been able to find hacks and/or work arounds?

The only way I have found it working is to outsource my scheduling to someone else. I believe that explains why many people are diagnosed during college. College is much less restrictive than school and as a consequence people have to do their own planning.

Re: How I Run a Company with ADHD

#273

Post by miguelrochefort » Mon, May 13, 2019, 10:19 AM UTC

TheOtherHobbes wrote: post #219

Xelbair wrote: post #207

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It was the same for me... except my tab counter is at 1399 and rising. I should probably see a psychologist someday.

I thought I was up there with 430. Clearly, I still have some way to go.

I reached 5000 a few times... I also have 10000 links in Pocket.

Re: How I Run a Company with ADHD

#274

Post by zaarn » Mon, May 13, 2019, 10:21 AM UTC

INTPenis wrote: post #259

yc-kraln wrote: post #231

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Diagnosed at 6 with ADHD in the US by a proper battery of psychiatrists, therapists, etc. Medicated until 17. Still going to therapy regularly in the EU to deal with a myriad of ongoing issues as ADHD has changed how it impacts my life into adulthood. I am a "textbook" case. So basically the reality of my life is not subject to your opinions. Stop projecting your value system onto other people's lives.

I'm sorry to hear that but just because someone diagnosed you at 6 doesn't mean I believe it's right to medicate a child that early. If you could do it all over again, would you have waited until you were grown before you took medication?

I would have preferred to be medicated with 6 rather than 14, which is when I started medication for ADHD.

Re: How I Run a Company with ADHD

#275

Post by avip » Mon, May 13, 2019, 10:21 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.

There is obvious over-diagnosis with ADHD (and related) conditions. Every parent knows that. I don't think it's an "opinion" at this point. I can factually get all my kids diagnosed with ADHD if I choose to. The first victims of the situation are kids with "actual ADHD", whose problems are trivialized.

Re: How I Run a Company with ADHD

#276

Post by kolinko » Mon, May 13, 2019, 10:22 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…

As someone who struggled for 32 years before I was diagnosed - you don't know what you're talking about.

I have been to multiple (European) therapists who had just your approach and had no idea about ADHD. For years.

In the end, I knew all the techniques for getting things in order, just couldn't follow up on them, and wasted tremendous amounts of my life trying to do things. (Not to mention gaining ~30kg, because I instinctively ate a ton of sugar - which has a similar dopamine-inducing effects to Ritalin, just with calories and not as long-lasting)

After taking one pill I was able to finally get myself together.

Re: How I Run a Company with ADHD

#277

Post by kolinko » Mon, May 13, 2019, 10:26 AM UTC

ExtremisAndy wrote: post #269

yc-kraln wrote: post #231

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Diagnosed at 6 with ADHD in the US by a proper battery of psychiatrists, therapists, etc. Medicated until 17. Still going to therapy regularly in the EU to deal with a myriad of ongoing issues as ADHD has changed how it impacts my life into adulthood. I am a "textbook" case. So basically the reality of my life is not subject to your opinions. Stop projecting your value system onto other people's lives.

An unnecessarily hostile and childish response to an honest and calmly stated opinion. Grow up.

It is a calmly stated ignorant opinion.

Imagine living with a diabetes, or some other invisible issue that affects your life, and having to hear such calm opinions all the time from people around you. Telling you that your issue is not real (so - de facto - you're imagining it).

Re: How I Run a Company with ADHD

#278

Post by joshuak » Mon, May 13, 2019, 10:26 AM UTC

ExtremisAndy wrote: post #269

yc-kraln wrote: post #231

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Diagnosed at 6 with ADHD in the US by a proper battery of psychiatrists, therapists, etc. Medicated until 17. Still going to therapy regularly in the EU to deal with a myriad of ongoing issues as ADHD has changed how it impacts my life into adulthood. I am a "textbook" case. So basically the reality of my life is not subject to your opinions. Stop projecting your value system onto other people's lives.

An unnecessarily hostile and childish response to an honest and calmly stated opinion. Grow up.

Unnecessarily hostile? No. People who have to constantly deal with a difficulty other people don't have, while those people completely unoriginally reflect the same doubt that's been repeated over and over again, can make frustrated comments in a thread on the topic without being characterized as hostile.

Re: How I Run a Company with ADHD

#279

Post by kolinko » Mon, May 13, 2019, 10:28 AM UTC

avip wrote: post #275

hajhatten wrote: post #230

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

There is obvious over-diagnosis with ADHD (and related) conditions. Every parent knows that. I don't think it's an "opinion" at this point. I can factually get all my kids diagnosed with ADHD if I choose to. The first victims of the situation are kids with "actual ADHD", whose problems are trivialized.

There is also an issue of under-diagnosis in adults and young girls.

Re: How I Run a Company with ADHD

#280

Post by kolinko » Mon, May 13, 2019, 10:31 AM UTC

tapland wrote: post #270

Mirioron wrote: post #245

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

Thats true. Also there must be documented start in childhood.

Depends. I was diagnosed independently in EU (Poland) and in US (California) at the age of 32. They didn't need a paper documentation, just asked about my childhood.