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Hacking ADHD: Strategies for the modern developer

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Re: Hacking ADHD: Strategies for the modern developer

#11

Post by 83457 »

icepat wrote: post #3

I've been in the diagnostic process for ADHD twice. First time I ended up losing all the paperwork, and getting kicked out of it. In the time between the first and second attempt, I developed PTSD which essentially stalled the second diagnostic as they could not cleanly differentiate between the two. For some reason, getting a diagnosis has been nearly impossible for me, despite each diagnostician saying "ADHD is hig…

How does your PTSD present?

Have you tried meditation and breathing exercises?

Re: Hacking ADHD: Strategies for the modern developer

#12

Post by upupupandaway »

matheusmoreira wrote: post #7

Extremely relatable. Hyperfocus... I can easily spend over twenty hours focusing on something once I get in the zone, but it's extremely difficult to open the editor and start programming. Coping mechanisms and adaptative behaviors are all good and all but the power of lisdexamfetamine cannot be underestimated.

At least one study found no relationship between hyperfocus and ADHD. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S089142222...

Re: Hacking ADHD: Strategies for the modern developer

#13

Post by bre1010 »

toyg wrote: post #6

I'm sure the post is useful but i'm getting really distracted by the AI anime-like art. Maybe tone it down a bit, yeah? For a post about helping ADHD sufferers focus on what matters, it's quite incongruous.

I'm into the art style, but was tipped off that it's AI-generated because it's filled with almost-letters making up almost-words

Re: Hacking ADHD: Strategies for the modern developer

#14

Post by LeafItAlone »

What is everyone’s experience getting officially diagnosed and treated? I match up pretty closely with textbook symptoms and all of the free online “tests” indicate I should get treated for it… but how? I’ve found places that offer an ADHD screening at the tune of multiple thousands, not in network with any insurance, but those places don’t also treat it. I’m more interested in pharmacological treatments rather than typical therapy (after over 40 years, I’ve developed coping mechanisms like the author), but it’s hard to choose what type of doctor is best here. What experiences does everyone here have?

Re: Hacking ADHD: Strategies for the modern developer

#15

Post by coremoff »

jakey_bakey wrote: post #8

"Coping Mechanisms: Over the years, adults develop various coping strategies that can mask ADHD symptoms. For instance, someone might excessively rely on calendars, to-do lists, or alarms to compensate for forgetfulness." You're goddamn right I do

do you find that todo lists help you?

I certainly agree with calendars/alarms but todo lists for me are a place to put things instead of doing them and then they become a separate problem all of their own

Re: Hacking ADHD: Strategies for the modern developer

#16

Post by upupupandaway »

LeafItAlone wrote: post #14

What is everyone’s experience getting officially diagnosed and treated? I match up pretty closely with textbook symptoms and all of the free online “tests” indicate I should get treated for it… but how? I’ve found places that offer an ADHD screening at the tune of multiple thousands, not in network with any insurance, but those places don’t also treat it. I’m more interested in pharmacological treatments rather than…

I am surprised you are having any problem getting diagnosed. ADHD is one of the easiest conditions to fake: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3173757/

Re: Hacking ADHD: Strategies for the modern developer

#17

Post by m463 »

upupupandaway wrote: post #10

I swear that every time I read an article by somebody who claims they've been diagnosed with ADHD, it is the same formula: "when I was a child...", "I didn't know what it was", ..., "I was finally diagnosed with ADHD", then finally "I have super powers no one else has so I will use them to my advantage". I would love to see an ADHD version of the horoscope/personality tests administered by Stagner and Forer. I predic…

I read a book once decades ago about ADHD, and it said lots of children are misdiagnosed with it. One of the very common causes is that kids who don't eat regularly (or eat sugar then crash) will encounter low blood sugar. The body reacts to this by dumping adrenaline in the bloodstream and ... voila ... an excitable kid with little focus.

Re: Hacking ADHD: Strategies for the modern developer

#18

Post by iteria »

LeafItAlone wrote: post #14

What is everyone’s experience getting officially diagnosed and treated? I match up pretty closely with textbook symptoms and all of the free online “tests” indicate I should get treated for it… but how? I’ve found places that offer an ADHD screening at the tune of multiple thousands, not in network with any insurance, but those places don’t also treat it. I’m more interested in pharmacological treatments rather than…

Not me, but my BFF managed to get diagnosed in her mid-30s. She was killing her heart with all the stimulants she was taking and her other ways to cope. I don't k own hoe she got diagnosed, but she definitely didn't do it for thousands of dollars. She couldn't have afforded that.

I do know that therapy and medication made it night and day for her. She immediately dropped all caffeine. Her sleep and general mood was so much better and she wad way less flakey. She doesn't dismiss therapy although I know she hasn't gone every week for a while not and mostly goes when she's feeling like she needs it. Medication was a trip and error, but she's much happier with this steady state.

Re: Hacking ADHD: Strategies for the modern developer

#20

Post by thibaut_barrere »

upupupandaway wrote: post #12
matheusmoreira wrote: post #7

Extremely relatable. Hyperfocus... I can easily spend over twenty hours focusing on something once I get in the zone, but it's extremely difficult to open the editor and start programming. Coping mechanisms and adaptative behaviors are all good and all but the power of lisdexamfetamine cannot be underestimated.

At least one study found no relationship between hyperfocus and ADHD. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S089142222...

For reference:

Highlights

• We could not demonstrate a higher frequency of hyperfocus in adults with ADHD relative to healthy controls.

• Hyperfocus is experienced both by healthy and ADHD adults although it correlates positively with ADHD traits.

• Age and educational level are important determinants of hyperfocus.

• Motivational, situational and clinical aspects of hyperfocus need to be taken into account in future studies.

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