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Launch HN: Indy (YC S21) – A support app designed for ADHD brains

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Re: Launch HN: Indy (YC S21) – A support app designed for ADHD brains

#81

Post by Kiro »

theCodeStig wrote: post #43

I’m an adult with combined type ADHD. I feel very strongly that any device which has other apps is a terrible tool for ADHD management and organization. No matter how well intentioned, and I know that you are. One needs to spend less time on devices. Go analogue. Pen and paper. The best tool that I have found is the Bullet Journal Method . It takes time, effort, and there is a learning curve. The ROI is higher than f…

No. Analogue is the worst for ADHD. Physical notes are the easiest thing to neglect and forget about. It becomes another brick in the massive stack of unopened letters and random papers.

Re: Launch HN: Indy (YC S21) – A support app designed for ADHD brains

#82

Post by sureglymop »

ottah wrote: post #74

I need assistance with task retrieval, time management, and working memory. I do not need an app that makes me feel guilty, and quantifies it with pretty charts. We are not lacking in knowledge, and track data isn't particularly useful. Especially if you're ability to consistently engage with an app is not there. No amount of notifications and prodding will work to solve overwhelm and and distraction. What we need is…

I have adhd myself and I am designing assistive technology for myself.

My software is basically "self spyware", a (mouse/key/browser history/etc) logger for linux. In a way like an open source (though not yet) microsoft recall but even more extensive and with better search and no AI. The idea is to:

1. Be able to put in small notes easily and quickly without having to think of name, tags, etc.

2. Be able to recall what I did, when I did it and what else I did around that time, with _time_ being the main link. So you don't have to semantically link things together like in e.g. obsidian. You can, but using locality of reference should already provide good results.

I wrote some code already for the keylogging parts. Where I got stuck is when thinking about/designing the parts that require cryptography. When I have more free time I definitely want to get back to it.

What I found I need most due to my adhd:

1. A way to do anything "in the moment". Let's say I'm about to procrastinate on my phone but know I have to write an email. Then I must have the ability to do that very quickly right from my phone. If mentally the task of "turning on my laptop" and doing it there seems like too much, I won't do it. So the "preparation friction" to do any task must be as small as possible. This is somewhat a difficult problem but technologically it requires everything to be cross platform and easily accessible.

2. A way to very quickly confirm what I already did before or confirm that I already did something. I have to constantly confirm it because I can't remember if I did. This part is what my software tries to address.

Re: Launch HN: Indy (YC S21) – A support app designed for ADHD brains

#83

Post by ljf »

Kiro wrote: post #81
theCodeStig wrote: post #43

I’m an adult with combined type ADHD. I feel very strongly that any device which has other apps is a terrible tool for ADHD management and organization. No matter how well intentioned, and I know that you are. One needs to spend less time on devices. Go analogue. Pen and paper. The best tool that I have found is the Bullet Journal Method . It takes time, effort, and there is a learning curve. The ROI is higher than f…

No. Analogue is the worst for ADHD. Physical notes are the easiest thing to neglect and forget about. It becomes another brick in the massive stack of unopened letters and random papers.

"I'll just buy one more note book, this one will be for xxx and will solve all my problems!"

(proceeds to never write in the notebook as I don't want to sully it and don't really know where to start)

Re: Launch HN: Indy (YC S21) – A support app designed for ADHD brains

#84

Post by CastFX »

sureglymop wrote: post #82
ottah wrote: post #74

I need assistance with task retrieval, time management, and working memory. I do not need an app that makes me feel guilty, and quantifies it with pretty charts. We are not lacking in knowledge, and track data isn't particularly useful. Especially if you're ability to consistently engage with an app is not there. No amount of notifications and prodding will work to solve overwhelm and and distraction. What we need is…

I have adhd myself and I am designing assistive technology for myself. My software is basically "self spyware", a (mouse/key/browser history/etc) logger for linux. In a way like an open source (though not yet) microsoft recall but even more extensive and with better search and no AI. The idea is to: 1. Be able to put in small notes easily and quickly without having to think of name, tags, etc. 2. Be able to recall wh…

As ADHD dev that thought about something similar (but never worked on it) I'd love to see the code. Please make a post when you intend to release it as opensource, it seems super interesting

Re: Launch HN: Indy (YC S21) – A support app designed for ADHD brains

#85

Post by riedel »

I personally already was hesitant downloading an app that is health/disability related from the Google play store, but you triggered me. Actually my brain lacking impulse control, however, the deinstalled the app again after getting towards the account creation dialog ( the question answer thing was good to grab my attention). I moved on, because I was already thinking about pricing and whatever: quickest thing was running away and continue procrastinating on hacker news...

Re: Launch HN: Indy (YC S21) – A support app designed for ADHD brains

#86

Post by r_lee »

bluishgreen wrote: post #67

The only thing that reliably works is co-working with another human. This is hard to find and not always possible. The reason it works is that it triggers the "empathy brain," which transfers the importance of the person to the importance of the task. Having an invested person always at your command is impossible, and an AI robot simply doesn't trigger that same empathy. It costs three cents per interaction. It is a…

For me it's not about empathy, it's the external accountability and pressure, I.e. it needs to be someone you're not suuuper comfortable with.

But it is by far the best way to motivate myself.

Re: Launch HN: Indy (YC S21) – A support app designed for ADHD brains

#87

Post by misswaterfairy »

ottah wrote: post #74

I need assistance with task retrieval, time management, and working memory. I do not need an app that makes me feel guilty, and quantifies it with pretty charts. We are not lacking in knowledge, and track data isn't particularly useful. Especially if you're ability to consistently engage with an app is not there. No amount of notifications and prodding will work to solve overwhelm and and distraction. What we need is…

Agreed. This app feels like work, which for ADHD-PI sufferers will stop using almost immediately, forget to use it entirely, or use it inconsistently and then feel bad/guilty for failing then give up anyway.

> No amount of notifications and prodding will work to solve overwhelm and distraction.

+1000. Depending on the 'flavour' of ADHD one suffers, an app that requires data to drive graphs only creates more noise, which is a killer for ADHD brains, especially those with the 'hyperactive' traits of the disorder.

Less bells and whistles. Not more.

Re: Launch HN: Indy (YC S21) – A support app designed for ADHD brains

#88

Post by misswaterfairy »

christalwang wrote: post #76
ottah wrote: post #74

I need assistance with task retrieval, time management, and working memory. I do not need an app that makes me feel guilty, and quantifies it with pretty charts. We are not lacking in knowledge, and track data isn't particularly useful. Especially if you're ability to consistently engage with an app is not there. No amount of notifications and prodding will work to solve overwhelm and and distraction. What we need is…

thanks for this feedback - curious what current assistive technologies you use right now? totally agree on complementing our challenges, and there are definitely a lot of apps that do pieces of it (we have some of these features on our roadmap to integrate in) but what we've found through coaching and our members is that a big part of their barrier to reaching the life they want is around self worth, noticing wins /…

Not OP, but a notepad, a calendar (both I already get for free on my phone), and medication.

Your app interesting, but the tracking data and linked data required is an absolute non-starter for me. Privacy is key, especially for those who are really sensitive about revealing their ADHD diagnosis or symptoms. I know of people who have been discriminated against because of their ADHD diagnosis.

Re: Launch HN: Indy (YC S21) – A support app designed for ADHD brains

#89

Post by pama »

christalwang wrote: post #26
pama wrote: post #19

Thanks! Why would a user prefer this service instead of a conventional AI subscription service with memory (and possibly read access to their desktop data)? The latter can automatically capture key interactions during the day and set reminders for regular checkins. Is there a secret sauce that makes this better so it is worth the extra effort?

A few things top of mind: 1) A big differentiation is the guidance. Indy is based on science-backed frameworks and exercises that set the foundation for and fuel the main scaffolding interactions. For example, by going through the lifeline exercise when you sign up, members are prompted to think of future events across different life areas (vs. often when you tackle this yourself you may just start working on product…

Thanks. That all sounds reasonable.

Edit: A followup, if you still happen to see this edit. What about the privacy concerns that users may have. My interest is for a super-high functioning young adult that is very careful about their privacy and web footprint.

Re: Launch HN: Indy (YC S21) – A support app designed for ADHD brains

#90

Post by Battleshack »

n8cpdx wrote: post #58
Battleshack wrote: post #49

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Subtle joke right there, if I may venture? I think technological systems for managing ADHD are targeted mainly towards J-type personalities (Myers-Briggs). As a hard P-type, I generally perceive Systems as detrimental to my well-being. A take which of course is riddled with both fallacies and exceptions (so don't hold me too harshly to it). What's holding me back from checking out any sort of recommandation is the fe…

This seems insightful. I was going to comment elsewhere that some people seem to find structured systems really bothersome, whereas I personally just do not. But I am an INTJ, if anything. The idea of not taking a systems approach feels incredibly foreign, to the extent I can’t even really imagine where one would start. How do you approach improving your personal outcomes related to ADHD without developing a system?

The short answer is that I try to maximize the strengths and minimize the struggles of ADHD.

Some practical examples:

- I have a job without any long-term projects (only long-term goals), so I never get bored from my tasks.

- I keep my evening schedules clear so I have room to be spontaneous in my hobbies after work. This is prabably made easier by being an introvert as I don't have the need to socialize often.

- I nurture an attitude toward my hobbies which is that the process in itself is always the goal. That it is okay to not finish a project as long as I keep learning new things.

- I depricate any stressfull commitment which is neither important or meaningfull long-term.

Also medication helps to overcome the menial hurdels.

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