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Cognitive AI for ADHD

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Re: Cognitive AI for ADHD

#211

Post by beardedmoose »

hirvi74 wrote: post #112
Aurornis wrote: post #79

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> but is prescribed off-label as an ADHD med Guanfacine is approved to treat ADHD in the United States and several other countries. Technically, extended-release Guanfacine is approved because that's what was used in the trials. The brand name is Intuniv and the generic is Guanfacine ER. The generic guanfacine (non-ER) can also be used, though technically off label. The only difference is that it must be dosed twice…

Can Guanfacine be taken pro re nata like stimulants? If so, how long is the duration on average? One reason I have never considered the blood pressure medications is because, and correct me if I am wrong, if one takes them too consistently for too long, then sudden cessation can be dangerous and/or deadly. > The non-stimulant medications are very good Define very good. From what I have gathered during my browsing of…

I can't take stimulants for many reasons, but mostly they just make me a miserable A-hole to live with so I tried Atomoxetine/Strattera which worked for a few months and then my anxiety went from 0-1000.

Even getting in a small argument with my kids would increase my heart rate and blood pressure to unsafe levels. However, it did help me focus and pay attention, it also helped me kick my Marijuana habit (Legal state) which looking back just fueled my ADHD symptoms. It was also being used as a crutch to avoid dealing with my emotions and problems in life which just added to my anxiety.

Going back to the studies, another issue is that these medications can vary wildly from person to person based upon our own perceptions, experiences, and other comorbidities combined.

Re: Cognitive AI for ADHD

#212

Post by beardedmoose »

P_I_Staker wrote: post #200
scns wrote: post #187

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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

Ring of fire is BS and exists to marginalize certain people with ADHD in order to consider them a lost cause. Bupropion is not effective for ADHD. Just want to warn people here. Follow-up warning: Don't trust psychs. Much like cops they're actively trying to ruin your life.

With such a vague warning you might want to add more context or references before making those claims. While it may be your opinion or experience that "Psychs are actively trying to ruin your life", those kinds of statements can also deter people who need actual medical help from seeking said help.

Re: Cognitive AI for ADHD

#213

Post by btilly »

sureglymop wrote: post #201
ughitsaaron wrote: post #95

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> 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…

I agree with some exceptions. Apps that take the friction out of certain tedious processes could actually help. Think about an app to order the medication easily or an app to set up an appointment with a psychotherapist easily. Think about how those neo bank applications make banking accessible and easier to people (in certain countries or circumstances). For me, even though I generally dislike apps to do certain pro…

I agreed with most of what you said. Right until the end.

Medication is a mixed bag. Great for those that it is great for, but not great for others. ADHD is way over diagnosed. Many disorders can cause lack of executive function, and if you have one of those, a specific treatment is better than masking one of the symptoms.

Yes. There is a lot to tackle in this lane. But part of it is that we need to clearly understand what the lane actually looks like. It isn't simple.

Re: Cognitive AI for ADHD

#214

Post by P_I_Staker »

beardedmoose wrote: post #212
P_I_Staker wrote: post #200

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Ring of fire is BS and exists to marginalize certain people with ADHD in order to consider them a lost cause. Bupropion is not effective for ADHD. Just want to warn people here. Follow-up warning: Don't trust psychs. Much like cops they're actively trying to ruin your life.

With such a vague warning you might want to add more context or references before making those claims. While it may be your opinion or experience that "Psychs are actively trying to ruin your life", those kinds of statements can also deter people who need actual medical help from seeking said help.

Directing people by default, especially ones with ADHD, is equally dangerous. People need to understand the threat to them.

"ADHD types" as I understand, are pretty controversial. If you're going to say that one "type" should not get medicine for a morbid condition, you should have a good reason.

What happens is a substantial percentage of people with ADHD get hurt by a system that uses them, chews them up, and spits them out with nothing, after taking every cent they have. Often times, we die from associated conditions, so it just gets swept under the rug. The industry isn't exactly searching for answers here, so their death is in vein, which infuriates me.

This is a known problem that I'm talking about, because I want it to change. Healthcare for people with ADHD is openly bigoted, degrading, and often harmful.

I'm astonished that despite all the news, conditions for people with ADHD are as bad as ever, and maybe getting worse. I think there's an interesting link to the trans community as well, since some of the psych issue overlap.

It may seem that trans have it better than ever, but they're up against whole armies now. There may be acceptance now, but I can imagine it being even harder to lay low. Mental health is less taboo, but people with ADHD are increasingly being marginalized, told to just give up on their aspirations, and accept life being disabled.

Re: Cognitive AI for ADHD

#215

Post by swifthesitation »

mtlmtlmtlmtl wrote: post #181
ughitsaaron wrote: post #95

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> 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…

I feel seen...

Have you been able to find something that works for you?

Re: Cognitive AI for ADHD

#216

Post by ThinkBeat »

Tao3300 wrote: post #127
ThinkBeat wrote: post #40

As a person with ADHD I hate these fancy high tech super slick promo products / sites. They all appear to made by people who are do not have ADHD (might be wrong) but they figure they know what such people need. And that is yet another calendar / task list with some spices. they can use to go after grants / stipends etc. Aside from a privacy nightmare. Yeah I am giving a presentation to the board about this new confi…

> think the best way to help is to fund basic research And to lobby your politicians to take controls and schedules off the stimulant medications used to treat ADHD. Stop voting for candidates without sensible drug policies.

I am not sure about that. It depends how far you want to take it. I dont think ADHD medication should be OTC. An experienced psychiatrist should always prescribe it.

There are issues surrounding that in the US, given price. In Norway my meds are free.

Re: Cognitive AI for ADHD

#217

Post by btilly »

P_I_Staker wrote: post #214
beardedmoose wrote: post #212

Earlier quoted context omitted.

With such a vague warning you might want to add more context or references before making those claims. While it may be your opinion or experience that "Psychs are actively trying to ruin your life", those kinds of statements can also deter people who need actual medical help from seeking said help.

Directing people by default, especially ones with ADHD, is equally dangerous. People need to understand the threat to them. "ADHD types" as I understand, are pretty controversial. If you're going to say that one "type" should not get medicine for a morbid condition, you should have a good reason. What happens is a substantial percentage of people with ADHD get hurt by a system that uses them, chews them up, and spits…

I have an entire rant about how ADHD kids are abused by the public school system.

The worst idea ever is assigning them "monitors". The kid is in a classroom that goes too slow to hold their interest. And there is an adult whose job is to torture them with reminders to return to task every time they get distracted. Guess how well this works? And yet it is a standard IEP intervention used across the country!

For less than the cost of adding the monitor, you could move the same kid into an environment where they can learn at their own pace. Thereby saving money, having the child learn faster, and removing a major source of disruptions for the rest of the class. But we've literally passed a law mandating "mainstreaming", which makes the common-sense and effective intervention illegal unless the parent pays for it out of pocket.

But that is a rant for another day.

Re: Cognitive AI for ADHD

#218

Post by btilly »

sureglymop wrote: post #198
ilc wrote: post #57

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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. :) )

Can you really work while listening to music? Having ADHD also, I can only perfectly focus if there is silence. Luckily I have over ear headphones that do noise cancellation when nothing is playing.

The style of music matters. For example lyrics kill my ability to think.

For a long time I thought I couldn't. Then I found lots of playlists of pretty good music. Try https://www.programmersmusic.com/ and see if any of those styles work for you.

Note, I now find that music helps me focus, but lessens my creativity. So I only sometimes use music.

Re: Cognitive AI for ADHD

#219

Post by btilly »

littlelady wrote: post #170
btilly wrote: post #142

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Not in a comment, sorry. I could write a book, and it would still feel vague. And what I do for myself, isn't going to work the same way for you. I will say that my path involved a lot of work on self-honesty. A lot of work on body awareness. (A lot of emotions show up in your body.) A lot of work on building empathy and gratitude. Meditation played more than a small role. All of that just to get to the point where I…

Forgive me if I'm wrong, but this sounds a lot like dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), which focuses a lot on mindfulness and emotional regulation to identify "triggers" for impulsive behavior.

What I am doing for myself is not DBT, but I recommend that people try DBT in general because it is great.

Re: Cognitive AI for ADHD

#220

Post by btilly »

diob wrote: post #147
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 struggle more on days where you don't sleep enough? I find that on 9hrs of sleep, I'm able to manage my focus, but any less and it's a waste of a day.

Lack of sleep reduces executive control in everyone.

For me, that happens with chronic lack of sleep. Particularly when combined with stress. But in general I'm not too sensitive to sleep. I just start with a low baseline of executive control.

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