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Cognitive AI for ADHD

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Re: Cognitive AI for ADHD

#181

Post by mtlmtlmtlmtl »

ughitsaaron wrote: post #95
btilly wrote: post #13

I have moderately severe ADHD, and have good reasons to not use medication. My first response to this is that it solves problems that I don't have, and ignores the ones I do have. Organizing my day on paper is trivial. I'm also married to someone with a good partnership, and we offload different types of tasks to each other. She might enjoy having software assistants to be more productive, but I don't need that. I ha…

> it solves problems that I don't have, and ignores the ones I do have This is exactly what I suspect of virtually any kind of app, software, platform, etc. I’m advertised as intended to help me with ADHD. ADHD is expresses itself in such a broad variety of ways. I just don’t trust that any kind of app is actually so tuned into my experience of ADHD that it could actually be helpful. I hesitate to say this: but, it’s…

The problem with any kind of organisational system like GTD, software like Rescuetime, org-mode, and probably this thing, is that they don't really help me because I don't even have the executive function to get started using them in a structured way in the first place. I'm unable to establish routines, and using these things is just yet another routine to fail at.

At least this seems to be free to use. I really hate when solutions like this cost money and advertise specifically for ADHD. Because, being impulsive, of course I sign up for the thing, use it for maybe a couple days, then stop using it, but forget to unsubscribe for like 5 months, wasting a bunch of money...

Re: Cognitive AI for ADHD

#182

Post by ChrisRR »

btilly wrote: post #13

I have moderately severe ADHD, and have good reasons to not use medication. My first response to this is that it solves problems that I don't have, and ignores the ones I do have. Organizing my day on paper is trivial. I'm also married to someone with a good partnership, and we offload different types of tasks to each other. She might enjoy having software assistants to be more productive, but I don't need that. I ha…

I didn't know up until the last few years that I had ADHD, and had just always assumed that I was just crap at organisation and lazy.

I've been through a degree, a masters and years of work using every trick in the book to force myself to work and not get distracted. I have super detailed plans, all of my work is accountable, I write down everything I have to do. It goes on and on how I micro-manage my day just to force myself to work or do my tasks.

Then I got an ADHD diagnosis, started medication and my life changed. Suddenly I can just sit down and get to work instead of fighting myself to put the phone down and close reddit. I don't get up and wander off unexpectedly, I don't feel a physical urge to walk off out of my seat and in my 30s I realised that's what normal is. I don't put off every little 5 minute task, I just do them without a second thought.

Sure, I can survive without the meds, but life is so much easier not having to fight against myself for every single damn task.

I also take antidpressants and I view them in the same way. The tablets don't "cure" me, but they clear my head enough so that I can make the conscious decision to improve my behaviour.

Re: Cognitive AI for ADHD

#183

Post by ChrisRR »

simplemts wrote: post #66
btilly wrote: post #13

I have moderately severe ADHD, and have good reasons to not use medication. My first response to this is that it solves problems that I don't have, and ignores the ones I do have. Organizing my day on paper is trivial. I'm also married to someone with a good partnership, and we offload different types of tasks to each other. She might enjoy having software assistants to be more productive, but I don't need that. I ha…

You nailed it on the end for me as an Adult with ADHD diagnosed in my 30s. Motivation has been my biggest A-Ha with ADHD and trying my absolute best to align what I do with what I want to do otherwise I am setting myself up for failure and others for disappointment with me.

Motivation has always been my biggest issue, even for relatively small tasks like picking up a wrapper after I've snacked. It's not just the big things like trying to concentrate at work, it even stops you doing relatively short, low effort tasks until everything builds up or it becomes too late

Re: Cognitive AI for ADHD

#184

Post by ChrisRR »

ilc wrote: post #57
btilly wrote: post #13

I have moderately severe ADHD, and have good reasons to not use medication. My first response to this is that it solves problems that I don't have, and ignores the ones I do have. Organizing my day on paper is trivial. I'm also married to someone with a good partnership, and we offload different types of tasks to each other. She might enjoy having software assistants to be more productive, but I don't need that. I ha…

In reading your replies.. you've got it straight, from another long time ADHDer. Tools are useful in as much as they help you control your attention. The only ones I've found truly useful are ER4SRs. (In ear monitors, -35DB to the environment. I listen to music while I work, at ~70DB. If you do the math about the only thing I can hear is a fire alarm... and that's about right. :) )

Tools are useful even with medication. It's a myth that ADHD meds just fix you, they simply make things easier. And when that motivation is easier to overcome is when you use that to consciously make changes to your behaviour.

And in that case, the organisational tools are still helpful

Re: Cognitive AI for ADHD

#185

Post by vanderZwan »

ChrisRR wrote: post #182
btilly wrote: post #13

I have moderately severe ADHD, and have good reasons to not use medication. My first response to this is that it solves problems that I don't have, and ignores the ones I do have. Organizing my day on paper is trivial. I'm also married to someone with a good partnership, and we offload different types of tasks to each other. She might enjoy having software assistants to be more productive, but I don't need that. I ha…

I didn't know up until the last few years that I had ADHD, and had just always assumed that I was just crap at organisation and lazy. I've been through a degree, a masters and years of work using every trick in the book to force myself to work and not get distracted. I have super detailed plans, all of my work is accountable, I write down everything I have to do. It goes on and on how I micro-manage my day just to fo…

It's crazy, huh? Nobody would ever say "how dare physically disabled people rely on things like wheelchairs to be less disabled" (well, nobody I would consider worth listening to at least). Yet medication for ADHD, depression, and other mental health issues are stigmatized.

Re: Cognitive AI for ADHD

#186

Post by ChrisRR »

MisterTea wrote: post #48
btilly wrote: post #13

I have moderately severe ADHD, and have good reasons to not use medication. My first response to this is that it solves problems that I don't have, and ignores the ones I do have. Organizing my day on paper is trivial. I'm also married to someone with a good partnership, and we offload different types of tasks to each other. She might enjoy having software assistants to be more productive, but I don't need that. I ha…

Do you have any comorbidities with ADHD? My issue is moderate ADHD with severe anxiety. Wonderful combo.

I believe this is very common to be honest. Issues with serotonin can cause anxiety, depression and ADHD, so it's common to have multiple.

I have all three and I'm on Elvanse. When I first started it sent my anxiety through the roof, but my clinician wanted me to stick with it for a few weeks to wait for me to level out, and we increased dosage a few times.

When I found a dose that worked for me, it's a bit of a trade-off. I am a bit jittery for the first hour or two of the day, but that's "jittery" anxiety rather "doom" anxiety. The sort of fidgeting in your chair kind of feeling but the rest of the day is fine. I find the trade off is worth it for me.

When i tried methylphenidate, it gave me the "sense of impending doom" sort of anxiety. That deep feeling in your chest that something terrible is imminent, I didn't like it at all and that's part of why I started antidepressants in the first place.

Re: Cognitive AI for ADHD

#187

Post by scns »

ryanklee wrote: post #38
btilly wrote: post #13

I have moderately severe ADHD, and have good reasons to not use medication. My first response to this is that it solves problems that I don't have, and ignores the ones I do have. Organizing my day on paper is trivial. I'm also married to someone with a good partnership, and we offload different types of tasks to each other. She might enjoy having software assistants to be more productive, but I don't need that. I ha…

I'm hesitant to make any assumptions about your decision to not medicate, but if it has anything to do with addictive properties, you should look into guanfacine. I have very severe ADHD and was unable to use the common medications for the reason listed. This last year I stumbled upon guanfacine, which is usually a blood pressure reduction med, but is prescribed off-label as an ADHD med. It has no noticeable effects…

There are many more offlabel meds for ADHD eg Bupropion. Daniel Amen gives tailored recommendations for meds and supplements for each type in his book Healing ADD. There is one type he called Ring Of Fire, which can only be helped without meds. Highly recommended!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/0425269973

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWnJ4wjVu9k

Re: Cognitive AI for ADHD

#188

Post by scns »

skjoldr wrote: post #174
catsarebetter wrote: post #168

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This is the first post I've read about ADHD that makes me think that there are multi-dimensional qualities and that the general public treats ADHD as a binary yes/no. Very interesting and great self-awareness too.

ADHD is the same kind of spectrum that autism is, it's different for everyone.

Daniel Amen thinks there are seven to eight types.

Re: Cognitive AI for ADHD

#189

Post by scns »

MisterTea wrote: post #48
btilly wrote: post #13

I have moderately severe ADHD, and have good reasons to not use medication. My first response to this is that it solves problems that I don't have, and ignores the ones I do have. Organizing my day on paper is trivial. I'm also married to someone with a good partnership, and we offload different types of tasks to each other. She might enjoy having software assistants to be more productive, but I don't need that. I ha…

Do you have any comorbidities with ADHD? My issue is moderate ADHD with severe anxiety. Wonderful combo.

Two things that all types of ADD have in common are impaired emotional regulation and impulse control.

A combination with Anxiety/Depression meds and therapy might help. Some types only need an offlabel antidepressant like Bupropion for both impairments. All the best.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/0425269973

Re: Cognitive AI for ADHD

#190

Post by ChrisRR »

andsoitis wrote: post #104
btilly wrote: post #13

I have moderately severe ADHD, and have good reasons to not use medication. My first response to this is that it solves problems that I don't have, and ignores the ones I do have. Organizing my day on paper is trivial. I'm also married to someone with a good partnership, and we offload different types of tasks to each other. She might enjoy having software assistants to be more productive, but I don't need that. I ha…

> moderately severe ADHD I have a hard time understanding what this means

ADHD is not a true or false thing, which is what leads to the "everyone is a bit ADHD" myth.

Some people struggle in some situations, but with behavioural management can control it. Some people will find any excuse to not do what they're supposed to do, and have to fight the urge all day every day.

I personally had a bit of the latter, in that I often found myself just unexpectedly walking off mid work and finding myself across the building for no reason. It was just a physical urge to get up and do anything apart from work

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