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Ask HN: Is ADHD Real?

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Re: Ask HN: Is ADHD Real?

#71

Post by DestroyADHD »

greggsy wrote: post #33
FridayoLeary wrote: post #4

It's got nothing to do with the web. Put bluntly, it means your brain is wired slightly differently. This isn't a 'bad' thing but it means that you may struggle with things that others find simple. But this can be mitigated greatly with proper counselling. I'm sure you will find there are advantages to having ADHD but it's crucial to understand exactly what it is and how it affects you in many different ways. Also ha…

It has been argued that it’s prevalence has risen in the digital age, with increased (and easy) access to stimulation right in your pocket - it’s difficult to ascertain whether it’s a cause or a symptom though. The term ‘variable attention stimulation trait’ (VAST) has also been proposed by Hallowel to describe this theory, and may more accurately describe the condition than the term ‘ADHD’.

Yes, this is precisely my concern

Re: Ask HN: Is ADHD Real?

#72

Post by herbstein »

DestroyADHD wrote: post #61
vanderZwan wrote: post #38

Earlier quoted context omitted.

How about looking beyond American borders. Signed, someone with ADHD in a country without an opioid crisis and who out of necessity manages to live without medication but who definitely benefitted from them when they had them.

I never denied the existence of ADHD. I am only genuinely curious if it is an actual disorder or a consequence of our modern overstimulated world. I hope sincere curiosity is permitted. Good luck to you. Hope you are able to find help :)

Your username is literally "DestroyADHD". That doesn't sound open-minded and questioning. But let's leave that aside.

A psychological disorder is a set of symptoms that negatively affects several areas in the life of the person experiencing them. That's about it. We group symptoms that often coincide and give the groups names. Getting a diagnosis is a trained professional confirming that you 1) have the symptoms and 2) confirming that it negatively affects your life. That's it. The cause of ADHD -- whether it's caused by the hustling modern world, a multitude, or any other cause -- is entirely irrelevant to a discussion about the "real"-ness of the disorder.

And of course, finding a root cause for ADHD would be incredibly useful for preventing it and helping people with it. But if the cause was found to be the modern overstimulated world that doesn't change anything about the disorder -- it's just as real as if humans have been dealing with it for 200,000 years.

Re: Ask HN: Is ADHD Real?

#73

Post by justsomehnguy »

herbst wrote: post #57
justsomehnguy wrote: post #8

> or just a consequence of If you diagnosed yourself (or by a friend) after consulting some articles on Internet then of course. If you got diagnosed by a medical professional (and preferably by not a one) then there is a chance it is real. But the biggest problem with ADD/ADHD is what even if someone can properly understand what there is a problem it is rare when someone could do something with it without external h…

Diagnosing ADHS is a checklist (like with many issues) there is no magic in that. Sure it's not an actual diagnose if done by an amateur but a skilled amateur can very well look at the same checklist.

> Diagnosing ADHS is a checklist (like with many issues) there is no magic in that

Not quite. The key difference is the reaction to some medicaments which have quite opposite effects on a regular and AD* person.

Otherwise I have the ADHD solely on the reason I didn't do shit in the last two years because I could only do something for 15 minutes and then have hours on Reddit/Zandronum.

Re: Ask HN: Is ADHD Real?

#74

Post by [deleted] »

dmarchand90 wrote: post #48

One attitude you might have is to not care too much whether it's real or not. Your diagnosis just clusters you with a lot of other people who have had similar problems as you and it's likely you will benefit from the same things that benefit them. ADHD is especially ambiguous because a lot of the behavioral treatments probably work for non-ADHD: prioritize your work, avoid distractions, have one clear calendar, set r…

[deleted]

Re: Ask HN: Is ADHD Real?

#75

Post by DestroyADHD »

dmarchand90 wrote: post #48

One attitude you might have is to not care too much whether it's real or not. Your diagnosis just clusters you with a lot of other people who have had similar problems as you and it's likely you will benefit from the same things that benefit them. ADHD is especially ambiguous because a lot of the behavioral treatments probably work for non-ADHD: prioritize your work, avoid distractions, have one clear calendar, set r…

[flagged]

Re: Ask HN: Is ADHD Real?

#76

Post by DestroyADHD »

herbstein wrote: post #72
DestroyADHD wrote: post #61

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I never denied the existence of ADHD. I am only genuinely curious if it is an actual disorder or a consequence of our modern overstimulated world. I hope sincere curiosity is permitted. Good luck to you. Hope you are able to find help :)

Your username is literally "DestroyADHD". That doesn't sound open-minded and questioning. But let's leave that aside. A psychological disorder is a set of symptoms that negatively affects several areas in the life of the person experiencing them. That's about it. We group symptoms that often coincide and give the groups names. Getting a diagnosis is a trained professional confirming that you 1) have the symptoms and…

Ah! Yes. Trying to fish out “intention” from a random username. If you really wish to know my intention behind choosing that username, here you go - DestroyADHD as in destroy the symptoms and negative effects of ADHD in my life.

Anywho, didn’t expect HN to be this hostile and over-analyzing a genuine concern. So, I won’t waste my time trying to reason with anyone further.

Re: Ask HN: Is ADHD Real?

#77

Post by qwerty456127 »

Is HIV real or is that just junkies killing their own immune systems with drugs?

Is Alzheimer real or is that just wicked old farts abusing younger people patience?

Is ADHD real or is that just an excuse for lazy naughty kids?

Yes these are real conditions. And by the way adults can also have ADHD. One can even develop it later after graduating.

The fact many people or entire countries deny ADHD exists or believe it can only affect kids is a horror.

Re: Ask HN: Is ADHD Real?

#78

Post by DestroyADHD »

I think I made a mistake asking this question here. I am appalled to read so many comments with variations of “Does it really matter whether it’s real if medications help you?”

Yes, it does to me. I don’t want to pop pills all my life. Anywho, I am logging out and won’t be engaging with anyone further.

https://slatestarcodex.com/2017/12/28/adderall-risks-much-mo...

Re: Ask HN: Is ADHD Real?

#79

Post by piva00 »

DestroyADHD wrote: post #76
herbstein wrote: post #72

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Your username is literally "DestroyADHD". That doesn't sound open-minded and questioning. But let's leave that aside. A psychological disorder is a set of symptoms that negatively affects several areas in the life of the person experiencing them. That's about it. We group symptoms that often coincide and give the groups names. Getting a diagnosis is a trained professional confirming that you 1) have the symptoms and…

Ah! Yes. Trying to fish out “intention” from a random username. If you really wish to know my intention behind choosing that username, here you go - DestroyADHD as in destroy the symptoms and negative effects of ADHD in my life. Anywho, didn’t expect HN to be this hostile and over-analyzing a genuine concern. So, I won’t waste my time trying to reason with anyone further.

Not out of a username, it's the whole context, your username and this quote:

> I have my reservations about this disorder

It's hard to read any other way than someone who wants to question if ADHD is real, don't you agree?

Re: Ask HN: Is ADHD Real?

#80

Post by herbst »

justsomehnguy wrote: post #73
herbst wrote: post #57

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Diagnosing ADHS is a checklist (like with many issues) there is no magic in that. Sure it's not an actual diagnose if done by an amateur but a skilled amateur can very well look at the same checklist.

> Diagnosing ADHS is a checklist (like with many issues) there is no magic in that Not quite. The key difference is the reaction to some medicaments which have quite opposite effects on a regular and AD* person. Otherwise I have the ADHD solely on the reason I didn't do shit in the last two years because I could only do something for 15 minutes and then have hours on Reddit/Zandronum.

You could still self diagnose that with snorting some amphetamines :)

But true, this is the thing a doctor does after the checklist to confirm his diagnose.

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