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Ask HN: Help, How to deal with severe ADHD as a programmer?

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Re: Ask HN: Help, How to deal with severe ADHD as a programmer?

#11

Post by pedalpete »

I don't know if I have ADHD, but am similar in many ways to your description.

I've recently tried meditating to attempt to be more focused, though I don't think it is really helping.

What has helped (during work anyway) is using the Pomodoro Technique. I have the clock in front of me all the time, and you'd be amazed at how quickly 25 minutes counts down. I treat each Pomodoro like a mini-sprint. I am only allowed to work on one feature during a Pomodoro. I am only allowed to write in one language in a Pomodoro. That forces me to write my tests, and my feature and run the tests etc. etc. I'd much rather be doing that than sitting there staring at the screen because I won't allow myself to surf HN or FB.

As far as being forgetful and being more detail oriented, I haven't found a solution for that yet. I am trying herbal supplements like St. John's Wort, and I think it calms me down a bit (I definitely sleep better and don't grind my teeth as much), but sorry, don't have a good answer for you on that part.

Re: Ask HN: Help, How to deal with severe ADHD as a programmer?

#12

Post by GuiA »

danneu wrote: post #10

> I tried medication but it gives me insomnia > and a racing heart. Try a lower dose. In particular, start at the minimum dose. If you are prescribed 20mg Adderall XR or 50mg Vyvanse (or equivalent), then that's an insane first-timer dose. Pills have risks and side-effects for sure. But so does making zero progress on your ambitions in life. Maybe you can find something less harsh: http://www.gwern.net/Nootropics

There are also non-stimulant drugs for ADHD which could maybe work for OP:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atomoxetine

Re: Ask HN: Help, How to deal with severe ADHD as a programmer?

#14

Post by runjake »

AnEro wrote: post #8

I have adhd and I suffer the same problems! I am currently in university (IT-Networking security), I do use medication and meditation. I find that motivation is the hardest part of everything even with the medication! This helps with my motivation: http://lifehacker.com/281626/jerry-seinfelds-productivity-se... Become a Morning Person: https://medium.com/life-tips/621b93619b30 Quick tips(things that help me): - 43 fo…

  > This helps with my motivation: http://lifehacker.com/281626/jerry-seinfelds-productivity-se...
As an aside, Seinfeld himself recently dispelled the rumor that he was the creator of, or ever even used this method, in a Reddit AMA [1] -- even calling it dumb:

1. http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/1ujvrg/jerry_seinfeld_...

Re: Ask HN: Help, How to deal with severe ADHD as a programmer?

#16

Post by phaus »

pedalpete wrote: post #11

I don't know if I have ADHD, but am similar in many ways to your description. I've recently tried meditating to attempt to be more focused, though I don't think it is really helping. What has helped (during work anyway) is using the Pomodoro Technique. I have the clock in front of me all the time, and you'd be amazed at how quickly 25 minutes counts down. I treat each Pomodoro like a mini-sprint. I am only allowed to…

I have an ASD, and many of the same problems focusing. The only cure for being forgetful is a pen and a piece of paper. Keep a small notebook that you carry at all times. Don't write anything in it other than the things that you are supposed to remember to do.

Re: Ask HN: Help, How to deal with severe ADHD as a programmer?

#17

Post by jacobquick »

Well if you feel like you're bored with mundane stuff you could do what I do and take contract work. Most people think it's terrible and occasionally you get some bad companies but most of the time I am hired for a specific project and it's only 3-6 months so I can get everything in place, if I like them maybe clean up a bit of their technical debt, and then find another contract before the boredom sets in.

Other than that I take a ton of wellbutrin instead of adderall. It's ostensibly for depression but the side effect of the extended release tabs is it acts like a mild upper for about 12 hours.

I've never been able to get past the part where I feel like meditation is wasting my time. Other people I know who have this issue mostly beat themselves up at the gym 4-5 times a week. I've spent some time trying that in the past and it helped a little if I took care of it in the morning before work.

Re: Ask HN: Help, How to deal with severe ADHD as a programmer?

#18

Post by BWStearns »

runjake wrote: post #14
AnEro wrote: post #8

I have adhd and I suffer the same problems! I am currently in university (IT-Networking security), I do use medication and meditation. I find that motivation is the hardest part of everything even with the medication! This helps with my motivation: http://lifehacker.com/281626/jerry-seinfelds-productivity-se... Become a Morning Person: https://medium.com/life-tips/621b93619b30 Quick tips(things that help me): - 43 fo…

> This helps with my motivation: http://lifehacker.com/281626/jerry-seinfelds-productivity-se... As an aside, Seinfeld himself recently dispelled the rumor that he was the creator of, or ever even used this method, in a Reddit AMA [1] -- even calling it dumb: 1. http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/1ujvrg/jerry_seinfeld_...

Well that said it does kinda seem like the github commit history calendar.

Re: Ask HN: Help, How to deal with severe ADHD as a programmer?

#20

Post by shitgoose »

Sounds familiar. I was trying 'three things per day' technique, but found it overwhelming so I simplified it down to 'one thing'. Each day I am setting one goal, which can be anything, and I have to accomplish it. Helps to establish the routine and some sort of discipline.

Edit: it is also important to understand that out of the box nonlinear creativity etc in our case serves just one purpose - to find excuses not to do what we are supposed to do.

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