Me and ADHD
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Me and ADHD
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Re: Me and ADHD
#2> Minimizing menial tasks. Menial tasks really suck. I know everyone must hate doing these, but to put it into perspective, I would rather do 20 hours of really really hard work on a tough project than do 5 hours of menial tasks
Interesting. I have ADHD (inattentive subtype) and am quite the opposite. My apartment is never cleaner than when I have an extremely important, open-ended project with multiple stakeholders to address. Seriously, I end up dusting the screws that hold up the door frames.
Re: Me and ADHD
#3> Minimizing menial tasks. Menial tasks really suck. I know everyone must hate doing these, but to put it into perspective, I would rather do 20 hours of really really hard work on a tough project than do 5 hours of menial tasks Interesting. I have ADHD (inattentive subtype) and am quite the opposite. My apartment is never cleaner than when I have an extremely important, open-ended project with multiple stakeholders…
That's exactly why menial tasks suck, they are a procrastination enabler vs unable to get into "flow" to accomplish more interesting/complicated tasks.
Re: Me and ADHD
#4I found out I had ADHD and OCD at 33. I even gave a talk on it[1]. I would highly recommend you get officially diagnosed. Not to suggest your partner is wrong, but rather it will open up possibilities you might not otherwise have.
For myself, I say a therapist regarding my OCD, and it really helped me come to grips and understand my OCD. It really helped answer questions I didn't know I had, and helped me better get a handle on both ADHD and OCD.
Thank you for sharing. =)
1. https://www.slideshare.net/jasonlotito/getting-things-done-4...
Re: Me and ADHD
#5> Minimizing menial tasks. Menial tasks really suck. I know everyone must hate doing these, but to put it into perspective, I would rather do 20 hours of really really hard work on a tough project than do 5 hours of menial tasks Interesting. I have ADHD (inattentive subtype) and am quite the opposite. My apartment is never cleaner than when I have an extremely important, open-ended project with multiple stakeholders…
For me, it is the "open-ended" part of a project that really ends up screwing me. If I don't have a definitive task/goal to work towards that is when I start to procrastinate
Re: Me and ADHD
#6Getting tested & treated for my ADHD was genuinely life-changing for me. It's one of those insidious disorders that doesn't let you know how bad you actually have it until you experience what it's like without it for the first time. The inattentive type is nothing like the stereotypes.
One of my favorite signs you might have ADHD. Caffeine doesn't do anything for you and/or makes you sleepy. You've never know what other people talk about when they describe being "wired" after drinking an energy drink. Bonus points if despite "doing nothing" you still intake lots of caffeine. Congrats! You might be self-medicating without knowing it.
Everyone will recommend the book The Disorganized Mind for lots of good non-medication strategies and I'm no different. It's fantastic.
Re: Me and ADHD
#7Not surprised at all that caffeine helps. ADHD is, bar none, the mental health diagnosis most amenable to medication. Specifically, stimulant therapy. There's no principled distinction between self-medicating and prescriptions here, other than various legal risks, costs, and side effect profiles. Caffeine is particularly poorly suited to this due to adaptation and anxiety, but it's certainly something, especially if you aren't a regular user. Amphetamine is the first-line treatment choice for a reason, and it makes a night-and-day difference tbh.
Re: Me and ADHD
#8> Minimizing menial tasks. Menial tasks really suck. I know everyone must hate doing these, but to put it into perspective, I would rather do 20 hours of really really hard work on a tough project than do 5 hours of menial tasks Interesting. I have ADHD (inattentive subtype) and am quite the opposite. My apartment is never cleaner than when I have an extremely important, open-ended project with multiple stakeholders…
For me, it is the "open-ended" part of a project that really ends up screwing me. If I don't have a definitive task/goal to work towards that is when I start to procrastinate
For me the worst part is when I have a combination of short urgent tasks and an open ended one. The open ended task always ends up being pushed aside
Re: Me and ADHD
#9> Minimizing menial tasks. Menial tasks really suck. I know everyone must hate doing these, but to put it into perspective, I would rather do 20 hours of really really hard work on a tough project than do 5 hours of menial tasks Interesting. I have ADHD (inattentive subtype) and am quite the opposite. My apartment is never cleaner than when I have an extremely important, open-ended project with multiple stakeholders…
For me, it is the "open-ended" part of a project that really ends up screwing me. If I don't have a definitive task/goal to work towards that is when I start to procrastinate
Oh, I know this problem. Happens quite often.
A technique I use is to break down the project into smaller pieces. What's the smallest well-defined task/goal I can work toward. Even if it's just setting up the repo, or writing out a README. It's amazing how often this little step can help kick things off.
Re: Me and ADHD
#10> Minimizing menial tasks. Menial tasks really suck. I know everyone must hate doing these, but to put it into perspective, I would rather do 20 hours of really really hard work on a tough project than do 5 hours of menial tasks Interesting. I have ADHD (inattentive subtype) and am quite the opposite. My apartment is never cleaner than when I have an extremely important, open-ended project with multiple stakeholders…
That's exactly why menial tasks suck, they are a procrastination enabler vs unable to get into "flow" to accomplish more interesting/complicated tasks.
I think the parent commenter would say that open ended nature of the task makes it not menial - so they procrastinate because it's very hard to get started. Its discrete, not a single ticket that's easier to focus on and get info flow state with.