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How I Run a Company with ADHD

andrewaskins.com

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Re: How I Run a Company with ADHD

#211

Post by atemerev »

QuackingJimbo wrote: post #14

I disagree with his list of upsides -- there is no upside to ADHD. It is a disability. I've been able to manage it without using stimulants, through very careful planning and trial and error (step #1 is avoiding useless wastes of time such as reading HN). But it just sucks.

I am diagnosed, and ADHD sucks of course, but I feel there are many upsides. Immunity to the “existential terror” is one (due to inability to comprehend life time as a whole). When hyperfocus turns on on something relevant (which rarely happens of course), magic things could happen.

Re: How I Run a Company with ADHD

#212

Post by bryanrasmussen »

maybe I should write how I ruined my company and went seriously in debt with ADHD and thinking that a government website had an obvious bug and I had done what was required of me when really it was just horribly unusable and I had not. or maybe not

Re: How I Run a Company with ADHD

#213

Post by atiredturte »

rtpg wrote: post #176
atiredturte wrote: post #123

AD(H)D is a complicated and commonly misunderstood condition. Despite its name, it does not mean people with it have a deficit of attention. It involves (amongst other things): atypical dopamine production/regulation, and issues in the Prefrontal Cortex (where executive functions are handled). Because of this, it's not unusual for other conditions to cause people to experience similar symptoms to those with AD(H)D. T…

Best descirption I've heard that sidesteps the "oh yeah I can't read a book either" is that ADHD is about a deficit in intention. Things that aren't "can't focus" that are symptoms of ADHD: - bad temper - speaking before thinking (followed by immediate regret) - often making spur of the moment decisions without thinking of long-term consequences The overarching thing being that lots of people with ADHD do things _des…

Good points!

The symptoms you describe are impacted by the two elements I described (executive function issues and dopamine regulation).

People with AD(H)D have issues with regulation and executive function, which can lead to issues in how one controls themselves. This can lead to the issues of controlling oneself that you describe.

On top of that, dopamine (which is more accurately a "motivation hormone", which creates the desire to do things) is different in AD(H)D brains. Basically, people with AD(H)D will get a dopamine kick from certain types of behaviours, and not from others. This can result in the relative importance of tasks being very different from neuro-typical ordering. As a result, addictive behaviours can be more common (especially for things like video-games), or also the prevalence of hyper-focus that people with AD(H)D experience.

I agree with your last paragraph fully. The lack of understanding around the condition can lead many to make uninformed actions and opinions that can be harmful to those with AD(H)D, diagnosed or not. This can have negative impacts on patient mental health, and is the reason why people should be more aware of this oft misunderstood condition.

Re: How I Run a Company with ADHD

#214

Post by Cthulhu_ »

firecall wrote: post #57
ScottFree wrote: post #36

My reaction to this article has been... complex. ----- Bah! Another article about ADHD. ADHD's over diagnosed and not not as big a problem as people make it out to be. But, I'm curious all of a sudden, so I might as well read it. > For the first 19 years of my life I knew I was lazy. Yeah, I'm pretty lazy too. That's just who I am, though. I don't have ADHD... > So what, you can't stop bouncing your leg at the restau…

I have ADHD. There are other serious neurological issues connected to ADHD. It's a very misunderstood disorder with a broad spectrum of identifiable symptoms that could indicate ADHD. If you are heavily medicating with caffeine, then that can be a signal. I was using Pseudoephedrine and caffeine to self medicate and stabilise my moods and behaviours. That was before I got prescribed Ritalin. But as the article says,…

My girlfriend was diagnosed with ADHD as well a few years ago, after her son was. She's on Concerta in a special delivery mechanism that gives her a 'boost' after a few hours; it's not an all day thing but it gets her through most of it. Same with her son. Ritalin is described over here as a short-working medication; you should look into other medication as well. My girlfriend mentions that her medication is subtle, but effective - it helps with mood swings and all that.

However, I can imagine that some aspects of ADHD - notably the hyperfocus - can be considered a positive trait, something that is hard to let go of. And that's fine, if you want to have it you can skip the medication just fine.

However, you also mentioned RSD; my girlfriend described that the medication she's on helps a lot with daily mood swings. She seems a lot more patient and resilient about small things in the day now that she's on the medication. Do consider it if you find yourself struggling in e.g. the workplace.

Re: How I Run a Company with ADHD

#216

Post by elcritch »

jhayward wrote: post #136
jachee wrote: post #112

Earlier quoted context omitted.

How, as an adult, did you get a doctor to diagnose ADHD? Every time I've brought it up with a healthcare provider, I lay out my difficulties and coping mechanisms, and the conversation ends with them saying "Well, it sounds like it's not much trouble for you. Anything else?" I just don't know how to make them get it. I feel like I have so much potential for success, but I can't harness it.

Schedule an appointment with a clinical psychologist who specializes in ADHD and ask to be evaluated. It may take some looking to find someone who is accepting adult patients.

If you can’t find and ADHD specialist someone who does IQ exams can also help. My personal route included going to a clinical psychologist who specialized in IQ testing. Thought I might have mild dyslexia or similar. Turns out IQ exams (properly administered ones) show significant patterns related to working memory issues in ADHD.

Re: How I Run a Company with ADHD

#217

Post by ynx »

Vanit wrote: post #191

It seems like I'm not the only one here that felt like something clicked when reading this or felt some anxiety about perceived personal faults. But you (and I) need to keep a few things in mind. - Even if you tick all the boxes it doesn't mean you have ADHD - If you're more or less leading a functional life already it doesn't matter if you have ADHD - https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barnum_effect

> - Even if you tick all the boxes it doesn't mean you have ADHD

On the other hand, whether or not you have ADHD, if you tick all the boxes, you might be able to learn helpful coping strategies regardless of your level of 'functional'.

Re: How I Run a Company with ADHD

#218

Post by vikiomega9 »

xyzzy_plugh wrote: post #59
ScottFree wrote: post #36

My reaction to this article has been... complex. ----- Bah! Another article about ADHD. ADHD's over diagnosed and not not as big a problem as people make it out to be. But, I'm curious all of a sudden, so I might as well read it. > For the first 19 years of my life I knew I was lazy. Yeah, I'm pretty lazy too. That's just who I am, though. I don't have ADHD... > So what, you can't stop bouncing your leg at the restau…

FWIW, I was the same, until I ran into some issues at work. Talking to a medical professional was eye opening. It's worth having he conversation, at the very least. I was very skeptical after being diagnosed. Then I forgot to renew my prescription the other week and it was utter chaos. I can't believe how much focus and discipline I used to lack.

How did the professional help?

Re: How I Run a Company with ADHD

#219

Post by TheOtherHobbes »

Xelbair wrote: post #207
ScottFree wrote: post #36

My reaction to this article has been... complex. ----- Bah! Another article about ADHD. ADHD's over diagnosed and not not as big a problem as people make it out to be. But, I'm curious all of a sudden, so I might as well read it. > For the first 19 years of my life I knew I was lazy. Yeah, I'm pretty lazy too. That's just who I am, though. I don't have ADHD... > So what, you can't stop bouncing your leg at the restau…

It was the same for me... except my tab counter is at 1399 and rising. I should probably see a psychologist someday.

I thought I was up there with 430. Clearly, I still have some way to go.

Re: How I Run a Company with ADHD

#220

Post by jordanbeiber »

mercer wrote: post #206
jordanbeiber wrote: post #187

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I was thinking, "as soon as I find the _perfect_ domain name". It could take a while. =)

Don't forget find the perfect static site generator, realize you might as well use Wordpress with a nice theme, try out a plugin that does badly, write manually, decide to make it a plugin, learn how Wordpress does plugins (it's not great!), get annoyed by theme so build one yourself, find out what this 'css grid' thing is all about, sprinkle in some JS for something cool, use the fancy new features despite not needi…

Oh, the CMS race. Done it a few times already. Many nights spent building custom WP plugins and trying out static site generators.

Not a single blog-post but a lot of potential knowledge.

I’ve landed in static. Either GH pages or through netlify CMS. For now.

Needs re-evaluation, I can tell. But when?! I have a family to run.

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