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Show HN: Shimmer – ADHD coaching for adults, now on web

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Re: Show HN: Shimmer – ADHD coaching for adults, now on web

#241

Post by christalwang »

uoaei wrote: post #164

It seems like so much of the confusion and distrust just comes from using the term "ADHD". Why not just talk about "focus", "motivation", etc.? You can still SEO the shit out of your product with more terms like "ADHD", "dopamine", "discipline", etc. and not have to wade through all this vitriol associated with insinuating licensed treatment of a medical disorder as a hook / marketing ploy.

Good point and thought. I started this because of my ADHD built the product with a community of 50 ADHD-ers alongside us (not including the coaches and experts). We also do a lot of work in advocacy for adult ADHD, women x ADHD, BIPOC x ADHD, and more. Our mission is rooted in helping people with ADHD succeed, however if we happen to help others that's even better! I guess we're choosing the harder route.

Re: Show HN: Shimmer – ADHD coaching for adults, now on web

#242

Post by pppppppppp123 »

kstrauser wrote: post #31
ablyveiled wrote: post #4

[flagged]

I have some powerful coping mechanisms. I can manage my ADHD on my own. But earlier this year, I finally got around to working with a doc who prescribed me meds. It's amazing how much extra mental energy I have now that I'm not expending so much of it on those coping mechanisms. It's great to learn how to get by without meds. That's important, and the meds aren't a magic wand that will miraculously make you happy and…

You don’t worry of long term side effects?

Re: Show HN: Shimmer – ADHD coaching for adults, now on web

#243

Post by christalwang »

fredgrott wrote: post #155

Hi Chris, When I started my research on my own ADHD condition and nootropics I found out that 27% of the USA jail population has ADHD. Curious about other stats about ADHD in other populations, for example how much of the drug abuse population has ADHD for example. Curious about what you might have found upon such areas of inquiry..

Definitely drug/alcohol. Among adults who have an alcohol use disorder, ADHD is 5-10 times more common (American Addiction Centers); Among children, children with ADHD are 2-3X more likely to abuse substances than kids in the general population. Other areas where folks with ADHD have pretty alarming stats: School (46% more expulsions), Healthcare (33% more ER visits, 3x more motor vehicle accidents), Home (3-5x more divorce). It's a really important problem that has far reaching impacts, where multiple solutions are necessary to make a sustained dent to improve the lives of people with ADHD!

Re: Show HN: Shimmer – ADHD coaching for adults, now on web

#244

Post by kstrauser »

pppppppppp123 wrote: post #242
kstrauser wrote: post #31

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I have some powerful coping mechanisms. I can manage my ADHD on my own. But earlier this year, I finally got around to working with a doc who prescribed me meds. It's amazing how much extra mental energy I have now that I'm not expending so much of it on those coping mechanisms. It's great to learn how to get by without meds. That's important, and the meds aren't a magic wand that will miraculously make you happy and…

You don’t worry of long term side effects?

Not especially. I know what the long term effects of not having it are.

Re: Show HN: Shimmer – ADHD coaching for adults, now on web

#245

Post by sharts »

I think you got the wrong folks on the team to make this effective.

Also,

First we have: "For providers: Psychiatrists, Therapists, Doctors" (why so many capital letters?)

And then we have:

Eligibility - Adults 18+ - No formal diagnosis required - Smartphone with internet access - No suicidal ideation with plan and/or intent

If there is no diagnosis required then why signal about ADHD?

HIPAA compliance?

I'm sure some people will find it useful; but I get used car salesman vibes and I don't really trust MBAs or CTOs into AI for this kind of thing.

Re: Show HN: Shimmer – ADHD coaching for adults, now on web

#246

Post by mollybee »

fredgrott wrote: post #155

Hi Chris, When I started my research on my own ADHD condition and nootropics I found out that 27% of the USA jail population has ADHD. Curious about other stats about ADHD in other populations, for example how much of the drug abuse population has ADHD for example. Curious about what you might have found upon such areas of inquiry..

The ADHD community, like many underserved populations, tends to be overrepresented in the prison population due to lack of accommodations and resources, along with stigma. There's a great deal of peer-reviewed research on the subject of ADHD and drug addiction. The overall gist is that people with ADHD are at higher risk for substance use disorders than their neurotypical counterparts due to several possible factors, including chronically low levels of dopamine and contextual factors like lack of resources and stigma.

Keep in mind that those numbers may be skewed based on how ADHD was diagnosed in the past. Only in the last few years have we started to see more traditionally "successful" people being diagnosed with ADHD, which is revealing that the percentage of the general population with ADHD is likely much higher than previously thought. ADHD was considered a "disease" that caused people to make trouble. That created a vicious cycle of stigma and punishment for those who had been diagnosed or expressed obvious symptoms. Meanwhile, lots of people with more subtle ADHD symptoms, stronger support systems, and greater privilege were never diagnosed at all. I'd take that 27% statistic with a big grain of salt, especially if it's coming from nootropics websites.

Re: Show HN: Shimmer – ADHD coaching for adults, now on web

#247

Post by hirvi74 »

christalwang wrote: post #183
bitwrangler wrote: post #89

Earlier quoted context omitted.

please elaborate on which licenses and certifications they have. Can I confirm those credentials, how will I know if they are industry recognized and respected instead of your own in-house certification.

None of them are our own in-house certifications. We haven't designed that yet, however we are considering it. Not meant to replace incoming certifications in the short- or medium-term, but to reward coaches for their learning and work and for common language. Example credentials of our coaches are: ICF, NB-HWC, MSW, PhD, EMCC, PsyD, LCSW, LMFT. Not all coaches have all of those credentials—it'll differ by coach.

> Not all coaches have all of those credentials—it'll differ by coach.

What decides who gets what coach? Is it a triage based on symptom severity or first-come-first-serve?

Re: Show HN: Shimmer – ADHD coaching for adults, now on web

#248

Post by hirvi74 »

SkyPuncher wrote: post #185
alfanick wrote: post #7

"All of our Shimmer ADHD Coaches are licensed or certified mental health professionals or have extensive experience with ADHD & undergo our Shimmer Coach Training program developed alongside our clinical advisors Dr. Amin Azzam (MD, MA), Dr. Anil Chacko (PhD), and our Head ADHD Coaching Psychologist Xenia Angevin." What is "undergo our Shimmer Coach Training program developed alongside our clinical advisors Dr. Amin…

What I've seen from most of these services is they essentially hire independent contractors with experience in a related field. They "train" them with a series of required videos then send them on their way. Not saying that's what this is doing, but that's what this whole industry does. Unfortunately, there simply aren't enough health care providers.

I think people often forget how poor the quality of an average health care provider truly is.

I would argue that most therapist are incompetent, undertrained, and potentially more damaging than helpful. Of course, there are absolute diamonds in the roughs, but they are few and far between in my (and many others') experience.

Re: Show HN: Shimmer – ADHD coaching for adults, now on web

#249

Post by hirvi74 »

xp84 wrote: post #150
com2kid wrote: post #146

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Is this a better price than a licensed therapist? Yes Good luck finding a licensed therapist who has bookings or availability. In Seattle I have had almost 0 luck over multiple years, and I have talked to many other people who have had the exact same amount of luck. The very few therapists around here who do specialize in ADHD either specialize in children, or they are so booked up they don't even bother with a wai…

Yup, it's a clear giant flashing sign that the market is fully broken that we (with our employers) are all paying ~$25,000+ per adult for health insurance, and cannot find mental health providers who are interested in taking said insurance. • Big shortage of providers • Providers see taking insurance is like pulling teeth because they never want to pay and why should they because they can get a full appointment book…

> it's a clear giant flashing sign that the market is fully broken

If so many people need mental health treatment, then I think it's a more gigantic sign that our society is absolutely toxic and FUBAR.

Re: Show HN: Shimmer – ADHD coaching for adults, now on web

#250

Post by hirvi74 »

ModernMech wrote: post #190
christalwang wrote: post #182

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm super sorry to hear about your ex wife. I have someone close to me in the same situation and we've also been battling it for our whole lives. No need to apologize for the rant, I'm also here being mad for you (for us)!!

Well you’re doing something at least. I’m trying to get my adhd diagnosed after my mom refused when I was a kid, and I’ve been self medicating my whole life with caffeine and weed, unaware I even could have this disorder. I thought it was just being a hyperactive kid — that wasn’t me. But then I learned about all the symptoms as an adult. Yup, I’ve got ‘em all, like friggen ash catchem. I feel like a lot of adults fa…

> I’ve been self medicating my whole life with caffeine and weed

As someone that has been treated for over a decade, I swear this combo is perhaps better than the treatments. Not initially, for there is a "honeymoon" period of course, but definitely over the longer term.

I'd go back to the combo if it weren't for the legal and social issues that come with it.

Do not let me discourage you by any means. I am just some random person with an n=1 experience. I truly hope you get the help you need, and that you find something that works even better.

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