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Hacking ADHD: Strategies for the modern developer

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Re: Hacking ADHD: Strategies for the modern developer

#221

Post by fao_ »

sedivy94 wrote: post #210
navjack27 wrote: post #173

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think ADHD is the new norm. Huh? ADHD is a debilitating and disabling disorder... I don't think you're talking about ADHD.

ADHD has little to no physiological markers. As the floor of expectations for attention and executive functioning continues to rise, the rate of diagnosis increases.

citation needed.

ADHD is a deficit in dopamine processing/production within the brain, it has physiological signs that we can look for:

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s11689-022-09440-2

Re: Hacking ADHD: Strategies for the modern developer

#222

Post by tapland »

sedivy94 wrote: post #210
navjack27 wrote: post #173

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think ADHD is the new norm. Huh? ADHD is a debilitating and disabling disorder... I don't think you're talking about ADHD.

ADHD has little to no physiological markers. As the floor of expectations for attention and executive functioning continues to rise, the rate of diagnosis increases.

One thing I noticed: Other people would get hyper from coffee, I would not. My brain would calm down a lot with the help of caffeine.

I would regularly down 3-4 red bulls (diet) in the evening if I knew I needed to fall asleep and sleep well. I'm not sure if it's been studied but anecdotal evidence from others seem to suggest I'm not alone and that some others have the same experience.

Re: Hacking ADHD: Strategies for the modern developer

#223

Post by rovr138 »

pc86 wrote: post #209
keyle wrote: post #33

This hits home. I think we need to really take a hard look at today's world of tech and how we communicate and collaborate. I find that, if time allows, I get a massive productivity boost after 4:30pm and everyone is either winding down or leaving. All the sudden, the walls flatten, the horizon deepens and I enter a deep state of flow. Around 10 AM, after an elongated "stand up", I should be ready to go... And yet it…

Such a minor part of your comment, but I simply cannot focus on anything if my apps aren't all fullscreen. I have two monitors, and two applications visible at any time. Right now I have this on one screen and a non-work YouTube video on the other (Your Mom's House is a great podcast btw, especially if you already have YT premium). I have trouble focusing, I don't think quite to the level of ADHD, but it would be so…

> I don't think quite to the level of ADHD

Or you found coping mechanisms. We all figure out what works for us. Like drinking a ton of coffee or things with caffeine... you're self medicating with your stimulant of choice.

Re: Hacking ADHD: Strategies for the modern developer

#224

Post by rlemaitre »

fwsgonzo wrote: post #2

A very good writeup of how it works. Especially the perfection or nothing thing. I found that Trello helps because the stickers you create can be very simple, and I always need a reminder.

Thanks. I tried Trello, but it wasn't a good fit for me. I prefer using Todoist and I totally relate to the need of reminders

Re: Hacking ADHD: Strategies for the modern developer

#225

Post by zigman1 »

chx wrote: post #126

This again? A blog post stuffed with stolen art and often heard but absolutely not working advice? > Every morning, I start my day by planning it out in a custom template that displays my Google Calendar events and Todoist task list. For real? One of the best ADHD tools I am aware of is called the Anti Planner. It doesn't take long to find posts like "why to-do lists don't work for people with ADHD" https://coachjess…

> post stuffed with stolen art and often heard but absolutely not working advice?

But it gets you to the HN front page!

Re: Hacking ADHD: Strategies for the modern developer

#226

Post by koonsolo »

TheRealHB wrote: post #54

The Blinking LED, A simple Hack that still works for me after years: 1. Place a tiny LED (red or yellow) by the side of your monitor or virtually on the screen corner. Basically anywhere almost bordering your field of view. 2. Make it blink like a fast heartbeat (120-150 bpm) and gradually slowdown to around 60 bpm (or your slow heartbeat base). Make the slope approx 20 to 60 minutes (you can adjust the best rate by…

> Get to work regardless if distracted and agitated. Close all apps except what you need to work and BOOM!, let the magic happen

Isn't this the part that actually does the heavy lifting to get stuff done?

Re: Hacking ADHD: Strategies for the modern developer

#227

Post by qzx_pierri »

nonethewiser wrote: post #91
TheRealHB wrote: post #54

The Blinking LED, A simple Hack that still works for me after years: 1. Place a tiny LED (red or yellow) by the side of your monitor or virtually on the screen corner. Basically anywhere almost bordering your field of view. 2. Make it blink like a fast heartbeat (120-150 bpm) and gradually slowdown to around 60 bpm (or your slow heartbeat base). Make the slope approx 20 to 60 minutes (you can adjust the best rate by…

Seems likely to be a placebo. You have a vested interest in it working, admit its not based on any sort of science, and one of the setup steps is to overcome distraction (which is the problem that’s trying to be solved).

Not to be too confrontational, but why did you feel the need to point this out? When someone has a solution that works for them, why possibly ruin it for them by pointing out placebo?

Mind you, pointing out placebo could be useful if the OP made the claim that their solution could cure a disease or something (such claims could discourage someone from getting effective treatment).

Re: Hacking ADHD: Strategies for the modern developer

#228

Post by KittenInABox »

sedivy94 wrote: post #210
navjack27 wrote: post #173

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think ADHD is the new norm. Huh? ADHD is a debilitating and disabling disorder... I don't think you're talking about ADHD.

ADHD has little to no physiological markers. As the floor of expectations for attention and executive functioning continues to rise, the rate of diagnosis increases.

ADHD is known to be highly hereditary and has genetic markets. I don't think it's normal, as it's fairly consistent globally (not all countries have the same access or culture around technology and yet ADHD occurs at around the same rates).

Re: Hacking ADHD: Strategies for the modern developer

#229

Post by ethanbond »

flir wrote: post #118
TheRealHB wrote: post #54

The Blinking LED, A simple Hack that still works for me after years: 1. Place a tiny LED (red or yellow) by the side of your monitor or virtually on the screen corner. Basically anywhere almost bordering your field of view. 2. Make it blink like a fast heartbeat (120-150 bpm) and gradually slowdown to around 60 bpm (or your slow heartbeat base). Make the slope approx 20 to 60 minutes (you can adjust the best rate by…

Intriguing. Wonder if sound would work also.

Try Endel! Works great for this type of stuff IMO.

Re: Hacking ADHD: Strategies for the modern developer

#230

Post by throwuwu »

nonethewiser wrote: post #91
TheRealHB wrote: post #54

The Blinking LED, A simple Hack that still works for me after years: 1. Place a tiny LED (red or yellow) by the side of your monitor or virtually on the screen corner. Basically anywhere almost bordering your field of view. 2. Make it blink like a fast heartbeat (120-150 bpm) and gradually slowdown to around 60 bpm (or your slow heartbeat base). Make the slope approx 20 to 60 minutes (you can adjust the best rate by…

Seems likely to be a placebo. You have a vested interest in it working, admit its not based on any sort of science, and one of the setup steps is to overcome distraction (which is the problem that’s trying to be solved).

It’s not. It’s called brainwave entrainment and it’s well studied with both sound and light having a strong effect that’s measurable on EEG.
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