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Ask HN: Experienced software engineer – but unable to consistently work

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Re: Ask HN: Experienced software engineer – but unable to consistently work

#51

Post by nexus2045 »

sph wrote: post #22

My suggestions will be unpopular and controversial, but I have been in your shoes, and medication has saved my life. Make it your goal. If you can't get medicated, I would suggest copious amount of caffeine and nicotine, especially the latter. Perhaps don't get into cigarettes, patches are great if you understand that they take hours to reach peak nicotine concentration. Vaping is still 10x better than an unmedicated…

Why does nicotine work? Asking this as someone who has similar problems to OP (but an average programmer) and have been vaping every day, all day long, for the last few years, and don’t mind a shorter lifespan.

Re: Ask HN: Experienced software engineer – but unable to consistently work

#52

Post by fragmede »

cplanas wrote: post #28
torial wrote: post #27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

A natural way to reduce paranoia is to increase GABA and GABA building blocks in your diet. Almonds are a great example, and I take lots of supplements to also help w/ Gaba quantity (my Gaba receptors aren't peak functional). I've had times I've tapped out my Gaba reserves (internally) and paranoia would flourish. It might allow you to try Ritalin again (albeit in smaller doses).

Could you share which supplements?

Not GP, but you can supplement GABA by simply taking GABA. Eg https://www.amazon.com/NOW-GABA-500-200-Capsules/dp/B001DB6L...

Re: Ask HN: Experienced software engineer – but unable to consistently work

#53

Post by pkrotich »

Whenever I get in such a funk I travel. I'm not talking vacation & fun travel - just to a completely different environment. I once visited Cuba and it got me off medication for a long while!

Something about change of evironment and flying resets me.

PS: I want to add that the reason I'm able to hold a job is because I own the company. So perhaps you being self-employed will help by forcing accountability on yourself and it's less demoralizing than getting fired... I'm open with my team about my moments.

Re: Ask HN: Experienced software engineer – but unable to consistently work

#54

Post by ivraatiems »

srcreigh wrote: post #42
ivraatiems wrote: post #12

You could certainly look into temp or contract work for very short duration one-off projects, etc. That kind of work is out there, but setting up a pipeline to get it reliably is probably hard. > Programming is the only thing I can do - and the only thing that makes me enough money to survive. I think you may want to re-evaluate this. Some people with ADHD do better in environments where they are on their feet, activ…

Have you actually tried this? To me this creates an enormous liability of doing a horrible job at whatever 1 week project is received. Is there actually 1-2 week projects? If they end up not getting done, are they really going to be happy with a “Sorry it didn’t get done and I’m out of commission for a month”? The up and down trends don’t really happen on a schedule. I wouldn’t be surprised if you get a surprise 2 da…

No, I definitely haven't tried it. I think your point is well taken. I am trying to think of something that'll work within OP's limitations.

But I do think that it is likely possible for OP to find some kind of hybrid arrangement that'd be better than their current situation.

Re: Ask HN: Experienced software engineer – but unable to consistently work

#57

Post by jawon »

Throwaway49202 wrote: post #4
saperyton wrote: post #3

Many 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.

Look into guanfacine for combatting anxiety especially around task initiation. And if you still have some Ritalin on hand try microdosing it. 10mg tablet dissolved in 1 litre = 10ug per ml. I see beneficial effects on 5-10ugrams.

Re: Ask HN: Experienced software engineer – but unable to consistently work

#59

Post by rolenthedeep »

nexus2045 wrote: post #51
sph wrote: post #22

My suggestions will be unpopular and controversial, but I have been in your shoes, and medication has saved my life. Make it your goal. If you can't get medicated, I would suggest copious amount of caffeine and nicotine, especially the latter. Perhaps don't get into cigarettes, patches are great if you understand that they take hours to reach peak nicotine concentration. Vaping is still 10x better than an unmedicated…

Why does nicotine work? Asking this as someone who has similar problems to OP (but an average programmer) and have been vaping every day, all day long, for the last few years, and don’t mind a shorter lifespan.

Basically, because nicotine is a stimulant.

Nicotine and caffeine seem to have a similar effect on ADHD as amphetamines, but on a much smaller scale.

There's also something to be said for the act of smoking. It's a consistent ritual with a direct and immediate reward for very little effort. Perfect for the adhd brain

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