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Launch HN: Shimmer (YC S21) – ADHD coaching for adults

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Re: Launch HN: Shimmer (YC S21) – ADHD coaching for adults

#101

Post by lazyasciiart »

Lionga wrote: post #16
endisneigh wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Though I do agree with your point, the symptoms of adhd can be managed with lifestyle changes

Would be very happy to hear your lifestyle changes that manage (what does that mean?) the symptoms. Honestly if they work that would help me an others a lot. For me the symptoms are loosing around a few ten to hunderd of thousands of dollars a year (maybe even millions) in my work/career. How can my lifestyle changes manage that? No attack, really really curious.

That’s a pretty uselessly vague “symptom”. Do you lose it by literally withdrawing cash and misplacing it? By purchasing expensive things on a whim and ignoring them? By gambling? By failing to sign contracts or meet deadlines? By making the wrong product and incurring contract penalties or regulatory fines? All of those have different triggers and ways to avoid them.

Re: Launch HN: Shimmer (YC S21) – ADHD coaching for adults

#102

Post by jazz_from_hell »

ttul wrote: post #98

This is definitely a service that needed to exist, so I'm really glad that someone finally did it. That being said, if you have ADHD or suspect you might have ADHD, I highly recommend seeing a medical professional to get diagnosed first before beginning any form of treatment. ADHD is caused by poor functioning of the connections between neurons in certain areas of the brain that are responsible for impulse control an…

It’s entirely possibly to have ADHD and opt out of medication. If it’s appropriate or not is very individual though, probably not something we can settle on a message board.

Re: Launch HN: Shimmer (YC S21) – ADHD coaching for adults

#103

Post by lazyasciiart »

fortysixdegrees wrote: post #100

A message to those diagnosed or not with ADHD. It's also ok to be yourself, and not try to 'fix' yourself. Shit at some aspects of life? All good. Good at some things? Great. Not saying treatment is bad, just that being yourself, with all its costs and benefits, is a completely legitimate option. Medicate always as a last resort

No. Medicate when you think it will help you at a cost-benefit trade off you’re happy with. Same with a coaching service like this, or regular therapy, or other treatment. You aren’t going to stay the same person throughout life, no matter what.

Re: Launch HN: Shimmer (YC S21) – ADHD coaching for adults

#104

Post by Mechanical9 »

fortysixdegrees wrote: post #100

A message to those diagnosed or not with ADHD. It's also ok to be yourself, and not try to 'fix' yourself. Shit at some aspects of life? All good. Good at some things? Great. Not saying treatment is bad, just that being yourself, with all its costs and benefits, is a completely legitimate option. Medicate always as a last resort

Alternatively, don't define who you are by your mental illnesses. People are not built equally, and some things can be considered objectively broken.

Shit at some aspects of life that are easily treatable? Treat them.

ADHD remains one of the most easily medically treatable diseases. Do not listen to people propagating the stigma that you should just accept a substandard life. For most people with ADHD, medical treatment works very well and massively improves quality of life. Medical treatment does not have to be a last resort.

Re: Launch HN: Shimmer (YC S21) – ADHD coaching for adults

#105

Post by krono »

fortysixdegrees wrote: post #100

A message to those diagnosed or not with ADHD. It's also ok to be yourself, and not try to 'fix' yourself. Shit at some aspects of life? All good. Good at some things? Great. Not saying treatment is bad, just that being yourself, with all its costs and benefits, is a completely legitimate option. Medicate always as a last resort

Clearly you are not aware how debilitating ADHD can be at times, even with proper and continuous care/treatment.

This is a hereditary neurodevelopmental disorder, not just a feeling anyone can pick up tomorrow and be cured of again in a couple of weeks if they just put in the work and keep smiling.

Re: Launch HN: Shimmer (YC S21) – ADHD coaching for adults

#106

Post by cpsns »

fortysixdegrees wrote: post #100

A message to those diagnosed or not with ADHD. It's also ok to be yourself, and not try to 'fix' yourself. Shit at some aspects of life? All good. Good at some things? Great. Not saying treatment is bad, just that being yourself, with all its costs and benefits, is a completely legitimate option. Medicate always as a last resort

> It's also ok to be yourself, and not try to 'fix' yourself.

Society is very clear that it is not okay with this. If I'm "just myself" then I wouldn't be able to hold down a job and survive.

> Medicate always as a last resort

We shouldn't be so hesitant to medicate. It can be extremely useful, especially in combination with other management techniques. This stigma against medication hurts people.

Re: Launch HN: Shimmer (YC S21) – ADHD coaching for adults

#107

Post by christalwang »

samstave wrote: post #86
samstave wrote: post #7

I have severe ADHD, but I have paid THOUSANDS to therapists and honestly - I NEVER got any benefit from it other than more stress from having to pay so much money for something out-of-pocket. My ADHD has cost me a lot more than money, but what specifically, or HOW specifically is your therapy different than the therapists I have already spent $$$$ on?

I cant believe you didnt even answer my question, a person who has already spent thousands on this problem personally and youre announcing a fucking launch IM YOURE FUCKING CUSTOMER

Thanks for your comment, and apologies on the delay here.

> what specifically, or HOW specifically is your therapy different than the therapists I have already spent $$$$ on?

First I want to re-clarify that we are not providing therapy. We providing coaching services for ADHD-related symptoms and skills (like executive function). However, coaching (along with therapy) definitely does not cure ADHD, as ADHD is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition.

Answering your question directly, our approach is rooted in Health & Wellness coaching, and incorporates large amounts of positive psychology and behavioral change science. The way Shimmer works is that you pair up with an ADHD coach and each week you declare 1 focus area (2 or 3 if you're feeling ambitious) that you're going to work on. It could be implementing a habit or system, or practicing a skill. Throughout the week, your coach helps you fight fires if something comes up.

Specifically re: Therapy, it's different in that it's focused on the daily actions and routines/habits you will try out and implement. It will require significant effort or at least commitment on the member's part as well, as our coaches cannot make the changes for them.

Really appreciate your question, and thank you for your patience as we work through these comments.

Re: Launch HN: Shimmer (YC S21) – ADHD coaching for adults

#109

Post by all2 »

Ilasky wrote: post #84
kevinqinhu wrote: post #76

Interesting concept. Personally, I'm not a fan of therapy (tried it 3 times and it didn't stick) because I felt like I wasn't learning anything tactical that I can apply to my life. I'm a founder with ADHD so I'm very focused on building and "unblocking" myself -- e.g. getting myself to do the thing I know I need to do but can't do for some reason. If having a coach who can help unblock me quickly when I'm in a state…

Another ADHD founder here. I've found that having someone else around when I need to to that thing, or a "body double" ( https://doubleapp.xyz/blog/body-doubling-proxy ), is a super useful tactic to "unblock" myself and overcome motivational hurdles like the ones you may experience.

I realized when I was rather young that I performed much better when I was around other people. I always chalked it up to being a show-off or needing someone else's validation.

TIL this is a thing.

Re: Launch HN: Shimmer (YC S21) – ADHD coaching for adults

#110

Post by fragmede »

kevinqinhu wrote: post #76

Interesting concept. Personally, I'm not a fan of therapy (tried it 3 times and it didn't stick) because I felt like I wasn't learning anything tactical that I can apply to my life. I'm a founder with ADHD so I'm very focused on building and "unblocking" myself -- e.g. getting myself to do the thing I know I need to do but can't do for some reason. If having a coach who can help unblock me quickly when I'm in a state…

> I tend to try a bunch of different methodologies to manage my ADHD but have trouble sticking to them

a therapist is going up help talk you through this but the point is you have ADHD so it's no system is going to stick, so what you need to do is reframe it so that it's not that you tried a system and it failed, but to look at the 3 days/weeks/months and celebrate the time that you had with it, and to see that as positive. from there, launch into being able to pick up systems, new or different, doesn't matter, and use them to improve your life within your means. with practice it gets easier and easier and suddenly things aren't in shambles anymore.

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