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Reverse engineering my ADHD test

nullpt.rs

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Re: Reverse engineering my ADHD test

#211

Post by pstuart »

annzabelle wrote: post #96
pstuart wrote: post #92

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I can roll with that. I do have executive dysfunction and other "fun" facets of a funky neurobiology. I also recognize that every body and mind is different and it's a personal journey to find the right tools. I recognize that non-medical options should always be front line approaches but there can be a chicken and egg effect as to making that happen. In my youth I adhered to a "better living through chemistry (wink…

On the non-medical options front, I will note that my lifelong hyperactive and neurotic tendencies dramatically improve with a 3-4 day a week distance running training regimen. I enjoy running enough, even though it is very difficult, that I've kept up with it for several years. I'm not as consistent about this, but I also found yoga classes to be a way to make mindfulness fun and easier. That's not to say I'm not on…

I wish I could run. I recognize that exercise is a foundational facet of health all the way around. I'm "blessed" with enough comorbidities that make that a challenge but I am going to get a personal trainer to help me work through that.

Re: Reverse engineering my ADHD test

#212

Post by datadrivenangel »

alexfoo wrote: post #135

I sat a similar test at the start of my ADHD diagnosis (in the UK for reference). The one I did (QbCheck) was a similar setup but you were presented with shapes on the screen, either a square or a circle, and either blue or red. All you had to do was press the spacebar when the shape on the screen was the same shape and colour as the previous one. No sound distracitons (or maybe I just had the volume muted.) You also…

The 20 minutes was one of the longest and hardest 20 minutes of my life. The worst.

Did confirm that I have very above average reaction times though.

Re: Reverse engineering my ADHD test

#214

Post by gwbas1c »

thomastjeffery wrote: post #202
gulugawa wrote: post #153

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Some friends I've known for over a decade clearly have ADHD, and I'm not going to tell them unprompted. I feel like it is very disrespectful, especially when the conversation is about something completely different. Also, I'm not a medical professional, and it is possible that their ADHD-like symptoms are caused by something else. That being said, if they ask if I think they have ADHD, or any other form of neurodiver…

Then tell them about ADHD. The main problem is that most people have no idea what it is, or how effective treatment can be. ADHD is one of the most poorly named and broadly misunderstood conditions ever.

Or, when the context is right, just ask, "hey, did you ever get diagnosed as ADD?"

I once had a close friend ask if I had [other syndrome], and my answer was "I have all the symptoms but don't care to seek a diagnosis."

It was a very polite way to inform me, and a polite way for me to say that I was happy living my life the way I want to live it.

Re: Reverse engineering my ADHD test

#215

Post by LocalPCGuy »

erlich wrote: post #198
LocalPCGuy wrote: post #188

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Not going to get into a back/forth due to the pseudo-conspiracy end, just stating that this is significantly inaccurate. Those are some possible outcomes, yes, but it is not a black/white thing, and that is actually WHY it's important to work with a qualified doctor to monitor medication, effects, dosage and so on, and make adjustments as necessary. Different medications work very differently as it relates to dopamin…

Amphetamine used to be legal. As an example, President JFK received regular injections containing high doses of amphetamines from his personal physician. Then the risk of abuse and side-effects in the population were observed and it was banned. Did JFK have ADHD? No, it just helped him with energy levels. Like it would anyone. There are no conclusive bio-markers for ADHD. Therefore its not possible to say who doesn't…

You seem to have your mind made up, so just gonna say that for anyone else reading this, this is not accurate or scientific information. Lacks an understanding of how the medication works, the differences in kinds of medications. The fact it used to be legal is not relevant. Misrepresents how ADHD is diagnosed, the criteria for it (by professionals), and even to a lesser extent the biomarkers statement.

Re: Reverse engineering my ADHD test

#216

Post by Nevermark »

robby_w_g wrote: post #201
Swizec wrote: post #182

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> The most surprising thing my adult ADHD diagnosis revealed was that as I began telling friends that I had been diagnosed positive they told me they had known that since they met me. These were childhood friends. As someone with peer reviewed ADHD but not official diagnosis, what are friends gonna do about it? They can tell you, you're always late and it's annoying but that's about it. At some point it becomes just…

> I feel like a diagnosis in my 20's would've been useful. Now it's like I got me my coping strategies and they work pretty well. If I do or don't have ADHD doesn't really change anything. This is what I told myself before I started taking medication around age 30. But ultimately my coping strategies felt flimsy, and I felt like my life could fall apart at any second. Getting medicated and getting therapy has improve…

I didn't know - but I was adaptively self-medicating.

At one time it was Jolt Cola ("all the sugar and twice the caffeine!"), then energy drinks came along. I can drink 10 a day, because I genuinely function better that way.

But Adderall works really well now, and unlike caffeine, it doesn't set me up to lose sleep.

Re: Reverse engineering my ADHD test

#217

Post by willy_k »

ge96 wrote: post #200

I feel like I would have been a different person if I was diagnosed. Probably finished my physics/aero degree. But idk... I would buy it and it was fun to do recreationally which supposedly means you don't have ADHD. Anyway I ended up not finishing school but I got lucky that I still became an SWE. People would say "just ask for it" but I remember having to try and do these tests like look at these abstract shapes an…

> I would buy it and it was fun to do recreationally which supposedly means you don't have ADHD.

That’s something some people with ADHD need to hear to be ok with taking what is a powerful drug. A comorbidity of ADHD is substance abuse, and stimulants are very rewarding neuobiologically speaking (because they, especially amphetamine, promote dopamine release and persistence in the reward areas near the brainstem, as opposed to non-stimulants like Strattera which does effect dopamine reuptake but only in the prefrontal cortex, the primary area of impairment in ADHD [it does this by exploiting the fact that the NET is used for Dopamine reuptake exclusively in the PFC]), especially when treated like a recreational substance to be taken freely in a dose designed to be fun.

There is a lot of variety in people with ADHD, but I think that perception is more due to how the drugs work when taken medicinally vs recreationally and individual propensity for abuse.

Re: Reverse engineering my ADHD test

#218

Post by gwbas1c »

kalinkochnev wrote: post #152

I was researching this test yesterday for my own appointment and did not expect to see it on hacker news. I am having a really difficult time finding a reputable psychiatrist to assess adult ADHD. I called 15 places and only heard back from one. I scheduled an appointment. They had 1/5 stars, gave me a 30 year old 1 page questionnaire, and asked to see my childhood report card. I did not see them again. Yesterday I g…

> It all smells fishy

Because for some, an "ADHD" is like playing up a symptom to get "Medical Marijuana." It makes it hard to differentiate between people who have a legitimate need for treatment, and people who just want uppers. (There's a joke that if you want a prescription, just look for a 1-star doctor and make sure to accept the vaccinations so they can bill for more.)

Have you asked your general practitioner for help finding a psychiatrist?

Re: Reverse engineering my ADHD test

#219

Post by orvergon »

I find really interesting the description of the ADHD assessments, both on the post and on the comments. It seems like everyone had one or two tests plus some interview at most.

My diagnosis came after I had multiple tests and interviews in a 2 month period, including interviews with my mother and my partner. Sure I was also diagnosed with autism, but the final report given to me was so complete and descriptive of my pains, symptoms and the impact on my day-to-day functioning that it just couldn't be made with a single interview.

Re: Reverse engineering my ADHD test

#220

Post by Nevermark »

thirdtruck wrote: post #160
gulugawa wrote: post #153

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Some friends I've known for over a decade clearly have ADHD, and I'm not going to tell them unprompted. I feel like it is very disrespectful, especially when the conversation is about something completely different. Also, I'm not a medical professional, and it is possible that their ADHD-like symptoms are caused by something else. That being said, if they ask if I think they have ADHD, or any other form of neurodiver…

Speaking as someone who only got our ADHD diagnosis in our late thirties and our autism spectrum diagnosis at forty fucking two, please consider just telling them. That could be years or decades of social, pharmacological, and even legal assistance that they deserve and need and aren't otherwise getting.

I agree with this.

My ever optimistic self would fail and fail and fail, create a system, fail, create another system, fail, .... at seemingly easy things.

As soon as I had a rational reason for otherwise inexplicable challenges, enormous amounts of stress evaporated.

Now I know what things are a lost cause: So I get help, delegate, find another way. Being bad at something, and recognizing it, is not the same as failing.

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