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

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

#151

Post by Ensorceled »

matlin wrote: post #107

Anyone reading this should be extremely skeptical of internet strangers recommending drugs that gave them "superpowers", changed their life, etc. Taking these drugs will make anyone feel more focused, motivated, etc because these drugs are strong stimulants that cause euphoria, focus, and bursts of energy. Anecdotally, I've seen a huge uptick in posts of the format "how an ADHD diagnosis changed my life" on Reddit, T…

Also be extremely skeptical of internet strangers telling you that you DON'T need medication or vaccines or therapy.

> Anecdotally, I've seen a huge uptick in posts of the format "how an ADHD diagnosis changed my life"

You are seeing an uptick because admitting to being neuroatypical is now far more acceptable. Similar to how "there are so many more people claiming to be gay/trans/bi" on Reddit isn't suspicious either.

The meds changed my life because I have ADHD. My dad's heart medication changed his life (well, gave him a life) because he has congestive heart disease.

My GP became much more relaxed about my medication when I reported that my medications DIDN'T result in euphoria or bursts of energy as that is often the case with ADHD. I am simply much more focused.

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

#152

Post by iamdbtoo »

unbearded wrote: post #81

Have been taking Strattera for a few months and wonder how many years of my life I would have not wasted if I had been diagnosed with ADHD earlier in my life. I just turned 40 and I never thought I had ADHD until recently. Before I just thought my lack of attention on things was just the price of being a 10X on productivity (and I was a little arrogant because of it). The reality was that I chose to put my time on ta…

I'm in a similar situation. The diagnosis changed everything for me and I really wish someone had noticed it when I was a kid.

All my therapy was about struggling with my ADHD for so long because it was unkown and untreated. Once I figured the ADHD part out, everything else fell into place.

Knowing this about myself has been nothing but positive for me.

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

#153

Post by sobellian »

ludamad wrote: post #137
RHSman2 wrote: post #115

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Theoretically, if you have ADHD the medicine shouldn’t make you ‘high’. If you don’t it will have that effect. This was told to me by a specialist (I am dubious though)

That's pretty dubious, especially about 'medicine' in general. If that was true it would double as a surefire test for ADHD. As well, all it takes is a little stronger dose and I know of a friend with ADHD that abuses it to party

The dose is managed to be the minimum that treats your symptoms. A massive dose of amphetamines will obviously get anyone high, but we're talking about the response in a clinically relevant range of doses.

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

#154

Post by firebird84 »

controlledchaos wrote: post #126
FridayoLeary wrote: post #117

Earlier quoted context omitted.

what's the difference between strattera and ritalin?

You better search it, but I believe the difference is Ritalin is an amphetamine.

Ritalin is not "an amphetamine" but rather a psychostimulant. It's a DEA schedule II regulated drug.

Strattera works via a different mechanism and (supposedly) is likely not to be habit-forming. Ritalin definitely can be habit-forming.

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

#155

Post by brunoc »

kmarc wrote: post #133
jnovek wrote: post #100

Earlier quoted context omitted.

One hypothesis is that, in the country where you live, there is more stigma around ADHD in adults and it is more frequently ignored or dismissed. It is an easy condition to ignore —- adults with ADHD are frequently not very “hyperactive” because even if they were as children, they’ve learned to modulate that behavior through experience. The traits of inattentive-only ADHD are often written off as laziness when in rea…

Which raises another question: - How bad can it be, if it stays undiagnosed?

It's kind of like needing to wear glasses; all you know is that everything looks blurry, and as far as you know that's how everyone sees. And if you struggle to see clearly, well, that's your problem.

My guess is that it stays undiagnosed because doctors aren't trained to make the connection between untreated ADHD (as an adult) and the disparate consequences it has on one's life.

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

#156

Post by codpiece »

mlac wrote: post #36

I spoke to my doctor last year about this, was referred to a therapist, and was diagnosed (I’m a bit younger (32) and like you continue to grow, have a long-term stable marriage, good savings, great life. There were a lot of signs, but primarily I had trouble staying focused even for a few minutes. To have a productive morning and not get derailed, I would need to have an app like Routinery to walk me through what I…

You and I share similar methods! Most of my technology is in the office, and we are surrounded by books and musical instruments. I am an artist (designer by trade, moved into technology consulting).

I definitely agree with drinking (and weed), it is very negative, and the effects last days for me.

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

#157

Post by Romulus968 »

I didn't know I had ADHD until I was 31. But goddamn when I found out what made me the way I was and was able to get help, my world changed. No longer did I question why I couldn't remember anything or stay focused for longer than 10 minutes. Why I loved my job but seemed to struggle with it.

I took the help, and I feel better for it.

You should at least let them run the tests. What do you have to lose?

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

#158

Post by jnovek »

RHSman2 wrote: post #115
matlin wrote: post #107

Anyone reading this should be extremely skeptical of internet strangers recommending drugs that gave them "superpowers", changed their life, etc. Taking these drugs will make anyone feel more focused, motivated, etc because these drugs are strong stimulants that cause euphoria, focus, and bursts of energy. Anecdotally, I've seen a huge uptick in posts of the format "how an ADHD diagnosis changed my life" on Reddit, T…

Theoretically, if you have ADHD the medicine shouldn’t make you ‘high’. If you don’t it will have that effect. This was told to me by a specialist (I am dubious though)

This is a common misconception. The euphoria is a transient side-effect. Some people don’t experience much euphoria from amphetamine.

I experienced euphoria for a month or so when I first started treatment, but now it feels similar to a morning cup of coffee.

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

#159

Post by godtoldmetodoit »

RHSman2 wrote: post #115
matlin wrote: post #107

Anyone reading this should be extremely skeptical of internet strangers recommending drugs that gave them "superpowers", changed their life, etc. Taking these drugs will make anyone feel more focused, motivated, etc because these drugs are strong stimulants that cause euphoria, focus, and bursts of energy. Anecdotally, I've seen a huge uptick in posts of the format "how an ADHD diagnosis changed my life" on Reddit, T…

Theoretically, if you have ADHD the medicine shouldn’t make you ‘high’. If you don’t it will have that effect. This was told to me by a specialist (I am dubious though)

This is false - if the dose is high enough with a drug like Adderall or Vyvanse you will get the euphoric and high energy when first starting out. Over the course of a week or two your body adapts and that feeling fades.

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

#160

Post by codpiece »

Cthulhu_ wrote: post #106

You may have "non-problematic" ADHD, or not consider it a problem. But there may be a few things you struggle with that you aren't telling. Emotional stability. My girlfriend had massive ups and downs, almost bipolar; the medication (slow release, concerta or its cheaper but equivalent alternative) evened things out. I have a friend who doesn't want the diagnosis or treatment because he's fine with it, and you can te…

Getting overwhelmed is totally spot-on. I do need to remove myself on occasions. My family always remarks on my sensitive hearing and sense of smell.
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