will it be easier for you if transition to a QA role ?
Ask HN: Experienced software engineer – but unable to consistently work
31–40 of 87 posts
Re: Ask HN: Experienced software engineer – but unable to consistently work
#32Your ADHD might be trauma related. And that trauma is probably stored in the body. I suggest checking out this video on how to release that trauma:
I have a similar pattern of working hard and then hitting a wall. These exercises really help when I'm at the wall, mentally.
Re: Ask HN: Experienced software engineer – but unable to consistently work
#33You might be a candidate for Disability.
Assuming US your best shot might be collecting SSI and supplementing with periodic contract work. Mind your billable hours though so you don't disqualify yourself. Work on open-source stuff the rest of your time to stay in the game.
If that is not tenable, consider changing careers to something more dopamine-driven-- firefighter, paramedic, etc. Social skills are beneficial but not required. Educational background is negotiable.
Re: Ask HN: Experienced software engineer – but unable to consistently work
#34Earlier quoted context omitted.
Have you tried non-stimulant ADHD medications? Wellbutrin works well for people who have blood pressure issues for example (it can affect blood pressure, but it's much less common than with stimulants)
Unfortunately I can't just choose what medication I'd like to try. The doctor had me try Ritalin and that worked great (on the focus/attention side) but I also developed pretty extreme paranoia after cca month and since then he doesn't want me to try anything else. I tried switching psychiatrist but so far I'm on several wait lists (have been for 5 months now).
I can’t say conclusively, but anecdotally, I do extremely well on a much lower dose of a stimulant than I was originally prescribed. I would try with the _absolute_ smallest amount of the extended release variant of your medication that is prescribed.
I was originally prescribed something like 30mg daily when I was in university and it made me super anxious to the point of dumping all of my medication. Years later, I gave it another shot with the understanding that it would be a tool and not a solution, and I would take the absolute minimum amount necessary and no more. It worked significantly better.
It’s unfortunate that so few doctors are willing to prescribe medication for people with properly diagnosed ADHD. I also can’t help but think that regardless of the condition, if your doctor is only willing to try one type and dose of medication to treat a condition, that sounds like a shitty doctor. This isn’t diabetes—there’s not a measurable target that’s needed to be hit for optimum performance.
ADHD conditions and symptoms are a spectrum and different people respond to different medications and doses differently. Every trial of medication should be exactly that—a trial, until something works.
You don’t go to an optometrist and have them say “you’ve got astigmatism, here’s your glasses” in a one size fits all scenario, you go through the different lenses until you reach the best one _for your situation at the time_.
Re: Ask HN: Experienced software engineer – but unable to consistently work
#35Earlier quoted context omitted.
How about working out? I recently found out that the most productive engineer on my team runs every morning before work which makes a lot of sense. He's always firing on all cylinders.
I admit it feels great and it does help - but it doesn't really help me turn the tide when I'm in the 3+week phase of inability to focus on anything at all. It's also super-hard to do it in this phase. But I will try again, thank you for reminding me it feels good.
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Re: Ask HN: Experienced software engineer – but unable to consistently work
#36One option is get a job at a company where the expectations and pace of development are so low that it simply works with your current paradigm. Think big corporation with legacy software that needs to be maintained, and the work just is t that hard. Boring? Yes. Stable? Yes. The pay can be relatively good & interaction is often at a minimum. It also doesn’t have to be a long term solution. You can take a less than exciting job while you work on yourself & well being long term (e.g. get some exercise, do some therapy, build up some savings, etc.)
Re: Ask HN: Experienced software engineer – but unable to consistently work
#37ADHD software engineer from Prague here. Here are some things I do to be reliably productive. To be clear, I don't do everything written below everyday (except limiting phonetime). They are tools to stop the downward spiral. Pick what works for you. - Get StayFree app to limit your fun unproductive screentime. Getting bored is good for you. - Generally limit things that gives you easy dopamine. It messes with your re…
What is your age?
Re: Ask HN: Experienced software engineer – but unable to consistently work
#38Many unmedicated people with ADHD have this problem and have figured out their own process for working through the funk period. On a personal level, exercise and coffee have been magical for me. When I'm not feeling it, the task is getting to the coffee pot, but once I'm there the motivation comes on its own. Walking 40-60 minutes outside does wonders as well.
Unfortunately coffee even in small doses makes me paranoid and anxious so much I become absolute clusterfuck (literally start believing aliens are coming). Same with marihuana. This is part of the reason why I can't get medication - Ritalin does this to me too.
Have you tried caffeine pills instead of coffee? I find raw caffeine a lot less troublesome.
I don’t get as stressed as you describe from coffee, but it’s not always a nice experience (same with tea). Caffeine pills (and L-Theanine aka green tea calm extract) are an option
Re: Ask HN: Experienced software engineer – but unable to consistently work
#39I think you should read the book “faster than normal”. Gives some Great ways to use your ADHD for you. Find out ways to release your gates. For me it was the gym. I can’t get good work I’m unless I’m in the gym or doing some exercise. It’s a natural release anyways and I’m a more physical person so it did a lot for me mentally.
Re: Ask HN: Experienced software engineer – but unable to consistently work
#40Earlier quoted context omitted.
Have you tried non-stimulant ADHD medications? Wellbutrin works well for people who have blood pressure issues for example (it can affect blood pressure, but it's much less common than with stimulants)
Unfortunately I can't just choose what medication I'd like to try. The doctor had me try Ritalin and that worked great (on the focus/attention side) but I also developed pretty extreme paranoia after cca month and since then he doesn't want me to try anything else. I tried switching psychiatrist but so far I'm on several wait lists (have been for 5 months now).
You mentioned marijuana elsewhere. I really advise against weed mix with amphetamines/stimulants. It’s a recipe for schizo behaviour and I’m saying this from experience.
Have you considered umm religion? I’m gonna trigger lots of you anti Catholics out there. Done right I think religion is like practical psychology. You get support from others, practice managing your thoughts and learn how to recognize good vs bad thoughts.
My own path was to read Be Here Now a crazy psychedelic spirituality book, and then read books from that bibliography and choose something. I’m not here to shill my religious tradition, just to say there’s something there in that direction that may help you.
The wrong choice may make your life worse, but you will hopefully be able to recognize that and switch course. That would be your decisions to make.