How to Read Books When You Have ADHD • Hacker News Board

Re: How to Read Books When You Have ADHD

#191

Post by m463 » Wed, Apr 14, 2021, 9:41 PM UTC

nicbou wrote: post #84

I really dislike this sort of blog. Every article feels like it was written for their affiliates and for search engines, and rarely for the readers. It's certainly not written for people with ADHD. Here's the only useful paragraph in the article: > This idea came from Megan, a guest on Hal Elrod’s podcast. Megan explained she keeps track of all the books she reads in a spreadsheet. Each time she finishes a book she a…

> Every article feels like it was written for their affiliates and for search engines.

I've noticed this with youtube videos. Sometimes I will search for something, and I get a video equivalent to this webpage, very generic/general with a synthesized voice. It's getting harder and harder to wade through the crap.

> but once I'm in that zone, I'm good for a while.

Yes, I thought people with ADHD had superfocus as well.

Re: How to Read Books When You Have ADHD

#192

Post by grozzle » Thu, Apr 15, 2021, 5:43 AM UTC

splithalf wrote: post #177

sethc2 wrote: post #156

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think you might have been missing his point. It came off to me that he was trying to defend drug addicts not shame people using drugs. Like if you have no money the way you might treat your anxiety is different than the way the wealthy developer does. Someone might get a new prosthetic leg, but they might have to fight their asses off to learn how to not rely on their former chair or crutches and they’ll likely kee…

You read me right. We stigmatize low income people as “addicts” and throw them in prison. People have pain and other issues which will cause them to seek drugs and other solutions. That’s a fact of human nature. We shouldn’t classify that as good or bad based entirely on a person’s access to healthcare. But we do. My second point is that we have a system where the capitalist incentive structure is driving the drug se…

>only in the sense of attaining better wages or holding a job >nothing to do with medical need >defining mental health as employability

I reject this entirely. The same meds give patients the ability to pursue their hobbies, self-care, and lifelong learning effectively, which can be vital for self-esteem, quality of life, and avoiding depression.

Re: How to Read Books When You Have ADHD

#193

Post by bryanrasmussen » Thu, Apr 15, 2021, 7:33 AM UTC

EdwardDiego wrote: post #169

bryanrasmussen wrote: post #39

I've been diagnosed as having ADHD, but am able to lay in bed reading books all day long (sometimes I need to put the book down and walk around thinking about what I've read but often I can read straight through), so I wonder - is my diagnosis wrong or is this common. Obviously also able to program all day without rest as long as the task is interesting enough. on edit: obviously I was able to spend all day reading b…

No, ADHD differs from person to person. Can you read a book that's necessary, but dull? Your comment about "as long as the task is interesting enough" is why I ask. I found the medication made a big difference for me in doing the boring, but needful.

>Can you read a book that's necessary, but dull?

hmm, probably not. I would have to take lots of breaks. probably end up reconsider whatever had taken me to that point in my life I needed to read something dull.

Re: How to Read Books When You Have ADHD

#194

Post by JackMorgan » Thu, Apr 15, 2021, 9:07 AM UTC

Leparamour wrote: post #104

JackMorgan wrote: post #76

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I believe ADHD people are fully capable of training their minds to become extremely productive. Granted, most people don't want to train anything, much less their minds, so it doesn't manifest much in the wild. But in those that do, it's like a superpower. I spent several years training my hyperfocus to the point where, barring externalities like lack of sleep or food, I can engage it at will. For challenging or crea…

>I spent several years training my hyperfocus to the point where, barring externalities like lack of sleep or food, I can engage it at will. Please do share your suggestions. Hyperfocus isn't the problem for people suffering ADHD. It's applying hyperfocus selectively on worthwhile tasks. "Neurotypicals'" best advice is usually "you just have to will it".

I setup my life such that I had two thirty minute blocks without interruption every day at the same time. No internet, no calls, nothing. I ensured that I could not easily skip this block. Then I gave myself a task: write something, anything for that time. Maybe a book, a blog, a personal programming task, homework for a course, a journal, etc. Then as soon as the time was up, I'd slap the laptop shut and walk away. I'd repeat this again later in the day. Over a year, I found myself able to snap into focus instantly, as if I'd never stopped from the previous session. Meanwhile I wrote 100k words of public blogs, two books, an open source product still used today by a local school, took two university courses, finished the exercises in SICP, and kept up a github streak over 1000 days long. If I choose, I can "flex" that muscle and be 100% focused on a task within a few seconds.

How I implemented this was to find a job that required me to take a train into work. This train was light commuter rail, only about 25 minutes. I brought a laptop with me and would sit with it balanced on my lap in a shaking (sometimes quite loud) train. At first it was very difficult to get into focus, but over a year I just found it easier and easier.

I think if I was to do it again, I'd probably find some dumb reason to leave the house every day. Perhaps I'd never keep breakfast food in the house and have to go walk or drive to the store every day for that day's breakfast, then sit in the parking lot or store cafe for thirty minutes. Perhaps I'd make a daily Starbucks routine, ensuring I'm there thirty minutes early every day. Or I'd convince myself to get to work early to beat the traffic, but then sit in the parking lot for 30 minutes.

It doesn't much matter how, all that matters is outcome.

Re: How to Read Books When You Have ADHD

#195

Post by JackMorgan » Thu, Apr 15, 2021, 9:09 AM UTC

biased_coin wrote: post #89

JackMorgan wrote: post #76

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I believe ADHD people are fully capable of training their minds to become extremely productive. Granted, most people don't want to train anything, much less their minds, so it doesn't manifest much in the wild. But in those that do, it's like a superpower. I spent several years training my hyperfocus to the point where, barring externalities like lack of sleep or food, I can engage it at will. For challenging or crea…

Please share your techniques to train your hyperfocus. I am currently willing to try anything (except drugs) to help my attention. Pomodoro and meditation have helped me enormously in the past. But now, with kids at home, everything has taken a beating.

See my other comment above

Re: How to Read Books When You Have ADHD

#196

Post by JackMorgan » Thu, Apr 15, 2021, 9:20 AM UTC

gunshowmo wrote: post #123

JackMorgan wrote: post #76

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I believe ADHD people are fully capable of training their minds to become extremely productive. Granted, most people don't want to train anything, much less their minds, so it doesn't manifest much in the wild. But in those that do, it's like a superpower. I spent several years training my hyperfocus to the point where, barring externalities like lack of sleep or food, I can engage it at will. For challenging or crea…

This sounds great and all but feels more like a cope. A proper dextro dosage will make you much more productive, more consistently, than you could ever "train your mind" to be naturally.

I had some pretty bad reactions to various medications. Also I'm very interested in being self-sufficient if at all possible, even if it means serious inconvenience and effort. I don't begrudge anyone else the tools they choose to improve their lives, and I expect the same attitude in return. If a medication gets you the same effect without a lot of work and that's what you want, awesome, and I'm glad you found it.

I'm very proud in some ways, so training my mind is satisfying to me on several levels. I love knowing that short of a knock on the head, no one can take this away from me, that I've forged this thing myself. It's only mine, can't be faked or bought, only earned through hard work. That's appealing to me. Likewise, I train my body, with heavy lifting, grueling rucking, challenging gymnastics, and fast running. I love that I can change parts of this form I inhabit to be my own, both inside and out. Sure I still have to wear my glasses and get sick etc, but I get a tremendous joy improving those things I can.

Re: How to Read Books When You Have ADHD

#197

Post by ajdlinux » Thu, Apr 15, 2021, 11:03 AM UTC

EdwardDiego wrote: post #170

ajdlinux wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm also not sure what "one thing I am going to take action on" means when the current book I'm reading is a history of Australian-East Timorese foreign relations. In general it sounds like a tactic for reading self-help or spirituality books and not much else?

You could perhaps lobby Australia to cut the Timorese some goddamn slack on the oil?

Indeed, or at least lobby my government to cut the oil spying whistleblowers, including the author of the said book, a bit of slack... alas these things might be a bit out of place alongside the "get more exercise" and "change my morning routine" items on the One Thing List.

Re: How to Read Books When You Have ADHD

#198

Post by interleave » Thu, Apr 15, 2021, 11:14 AM UTC

CubsFan1060 wrote: post #114

interleave wrote: post #91

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I very much agree and share a similar experience. Struggling with ADHD is not a matter of not being able to focus. Part of the issue is directing and keeping attention on non-pleasant tasks that are stacked up against a brain chronically low on dopamine and norepinephrine transmission. As someone with diagnosed and treated ADHD, these articles are misleading. In my opinion it's dangerous to claim "Do this ONE behavio…

> Please, consult with a medical professional instead. I feel like this might be a dumb question, but what brand of medical professional should you go to? I've discussed with my GP, but those discussions usually don't have any meaningful advice.

Hey there! Sorry for the delay – it's not a dumb question at all first off and a lot of solid responses were posted below.

Here's what worked for me (EU) after suspecting ADHD early last year:

1. I searched for and found a local psychotherapist who is specialized in ADHD and had experience with adults[^1]

2. We met and went through several weeks of testing that resulted in a specific diagnosis[^2]

3. She referred me to a local psychiatrist who I've since worked with in regards to medication[^3] As stated below, psychotherapists can NOT (EU) prescribe medication.

Things I had wished I knew before:

1. To work with a psychotherapist in parallel because the diagnosis was both, very liberating and de-stabilizing and needed space to discuss. In my experience, the psychiatrist is NOT your talking buddy but a professional who you work together to find a treatment that works for you.

2. To not expect family or friends to understand the (positive) impact diagnosis and treatment have on you.

Hope this helps!

- [^1] While I also think that it's important to highlight and discuss "Adult" ADHD because we're adults here, it's the same underlying neuro-genetic disorder, so I don't personally make the distinction often

- [^2] See "Types" at https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/facts.html

- [^3] I'm intentionally vague here mostly to not suggest or recommend a specific class or product.

Re: How to Read Books When You Have ADHD

#199

Post by Leparamour » Thu, Apr 15, 2021, 3:57 PM UTC

JackMorgan wrote: post #194

Leparamour wrote: post #104

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>I spent several years training my hyperfocus to the point where, barring externalities like lack of sleep or food, I can engage it at will. Please do share your suggestions. Hyperfocus isn't the problem for people suffering ADHD. It's applying hyperfocus selectively on worthwhile tasks. "Neurotypicals'" best advice is usually "you just have to will it".

I setup my life such that I had two thirty minute blocks without interruption every day at the same time. No internet, no calls, nothing. I ensured that I could not easily skip this block. Then I gave myself a task: write something, anything for that time. Maybe a book, a blog, a personal programming task, homework for a course, a journal, etc. Then as soon as the time was up, I'd slap the laptop shut and walk away.…

Thank for the reply. This didn't go unnoticed!

What you're describing sounds a lot like the concept of "Deep Work" as popularized by Cal Newport. Unfortunately this is exactly where people with ADHD fail (or maybe it's just me).

I've been trying to set up a work routine, like the one you describe, for years now. Without much success so far. It doesn't even matter how high the stakes are or how close the deadline looms, I simply can't "force" myself to focus. It feels like every day the dices are rolled anew.

For over 20 years now, I've also been (on and off) trying to practice meditation and mindfulness even before this got popular and I still can't go 2 minutes without my thoughts wandering to what I want to do next.

But I nevertheless respect your effort and the results you achieved. There's a current thread about the application of Psylocybin to depression. Perhaps that one is interesting to you as well:

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=26816444

Re: How to Read Books When You Have ADHD

#200

Post by splithalf » Thu, Apr 15, 2021, 4:58 PM UTC

grozzle wrote: post #192

splithalf wrote: post #177

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You read me right. We stigmatize low income people as “addicts” and throw them in prison. People have pain and other issues which will cause them to seek drugs and other solutions. That’s a fact of human nature. We shouldn’t classify that as good or bad based entirely on a person’s access to healthcare. But we do. My second point is that we have a system where the capitalist incentive structure is driving the drug se…

>only in the sense of attaining better wages or holding a job >nothing to do with medical need >defining mental health as employability I reject this entirely. The same meds give patients the ability to pursue their hobbies, self-care, and lifelong learning effectively, which can be vital for self-esteem, quality of life, and avoiding depression.

I am in favor of medication (and drug use) that improves quality of life. I am not in favor of using drugs for competitions, regardless of the domain, eg employment, sports, academic. I feel that many people medicate for the wrong reasons and that we are over medicated as often as we are under medicated, because of our competitive nature. We can do better if we had better reasoning about when how and why to medicate and didn’t draw the arbitrary line around legal substances (cocaine and opiates being less prohibited than marijuana).