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Ask HN: How do ADHD people cope on here?

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Re: Ask HN: How do ADHD people cope on here?

#291

Post by annie_muss »

reify wrote: post #289

Do you really have ADHD?. Or are the symptoms you exihibit more related to the medication you take? In the mid 1990's where I lived there were no instances of ADHD. I worked in a local children's psychotherapy service. As far as I am concerned the prevalence of ADHD has been growing since then, from parents who beleived that all children should; "be seen and not heard", "should not be loud and unruly", "needed a medi…

ADHD is a disorder that affects people of all ages.

Yes, children do not have the executive function (and therefore attention span) of an adult. As children get older their executive improves and they get better at self-regulation. Adults with ADHD have limited executive function, just like children. Imagine putting an 8-year-old behind the wheel of a car. It wouldn't be surprising if they got into a wreck. That same level of inattention in an adult when driving is one of the risks of ADHD.

The stakes are much higher when you're in school. Missed homework and test scores can go on for years without huge knock on effects. If you constantly miss things at work? You get fired! Then you have real adult problems staring you in the face, like rent and bills and spouses.

> I doubt ADHD is a relevent or even a genuine psychiatric condition or diagnosis.

Of all the things you said, this is the most dangerous. Please learn more about ADHD before you dismiss it as non-existent.

Re: Ask HN: How do ADHD people cope on here?

#292

Post by littlelady »

I have a bookmarks list of "cool projects that I'll probably never do". That prevents me from fixating and gives me the peace of mind that it's not "gone forever" in case I ever want to refer to it again. Tags help semi-organize the list.

Similarly a "Maybe Someday" list or a list that contains ideas for projects or tasks or wishes, but I tend to cull this list every month or so.

Both of these things help me to reduce overwhelm of the multitude of awesome stuff I could be doing, but I'm so overwhelmed by choice that I don't do anything.

Using a timer or a blocker may also help you. Or as others have already pointed out the "noprocast" setting is an option on HN.

Realizing when I was entering the "time-blindness tunnel" has been the single most tool for me. At that point I would ask myself what was going on emotionally. This was aided by a website blocker that redirected to a page that just had the question: "What are you feeling emotionally and physically right now? Why did you want to go that website?"

I've learned to identify triggers that get me sucked in and by limiting my access to certain services/websites I've been able to waste less time.

Re: Ask HN: How do ADHD people cope on here?

#293

Post by z3c0 »

hollerith wrote: post #254
z3c0 wrote: post #212

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm not denying that some people have a harder time than others, but to restrict an ADHD brain is not unlike repressing a child. The "distractions" are only distractions to an orderly system - it does not imply that your brain is inherently disorderly, only that it doesn't mesh with the order defined by our society. Learning to reconcile the gap between your natural strengths as an ADHD individual and those needed to…

You describe it as "living without fulfillment", but if the average internet-connect white-collar Western person stopped all consumption of video entertainment, news and non goal-direct use of the web and the smartphone, then after adjustment period of a month or so, I suspect that the remaining pleasures in their lives would become more fulfilling with the result that their average level of fulfillment would be abou…

> stopped all consumption of video entertainment, news and non goal-direct use of the web and the smartphone, then after adjustment period of a month or so, I suspect that the remaining pleasures in their lives would become more fulfilling with the result that their average level of fulfillment would be about the same as it currently is.

I wholly agree with this, as I've done it myself, but nothing about this requires treating oneself like they are "born in sin". This whole idea of "I'm a broken person so I must live a curtailed life" is lifted straight from Puritan ideals. In fact, a lot of American culture carries the tinge of Puritanism still, as if it's the only solution against the Wests' hedonistic level of distractions.

The reality is that a bit of self-examination can help one monitor the ebb and flow of their attention, and maximize it for effectiveness. Putting guard rails on every corner of your life will likewise limit the positive elements of having a wandering mind. As a good autistic friend of mine put it: "my disability is my superpower". He doesn't hide away in his room out of fear that his poor social skills will offend someone.

Re: Ask HN: How do ADHD people cope on here?

#294

Post by z3c0 »

ryloric wrote: post #284
z3c0 wrote: post #238

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Once again, you're being presumptive. I have a rather severe case of ADHD co-morbid with PTSD, and nothing that I've stated as a solution is easy. If anything, it requires more discipline than simply cutting out temptations. You will need to learn to recognize when "it's time" and step away to re-calibrate. This requires knowing oneself and being transparent about your problems with others. The routes described prior…

First, sorry. I was probably needlessly aggressive, I've heard similar words from everyone around me all my life and I may have assumed you were being similarly dismissive and gotten a bit angry. I'm not saying you have to use commitment devices forever, but it's a great starting point. When one is deep into their faulty harmful behaviors, it's hard to have the mental energy to practice mindfulness and take a step ba…

With that, I do agree. I encourage my peers to pull "hard stops" when they find that they are entrenched in their habits. For me, it was dropping social media, putting the "procrastination" timer on my HN profile, etc. But I always caution that if one doesn't gradually reintroduce the situations in which they struggled before, they will not have actually improved, just hidden themselves from failure.

I'm likewise sorry if I came off as dismissive, as that was never my goal. I was more concerned than anything. I am aware that a great deal of people downplay the impact of living with ADHD, and that can cause no end to frustration. This very thing led to me dropping out of college. However, I'd also like my easily-distracted brethren to see how they are empowered by their disability as well, and my goals were more to that end.

Re: Ask HN: How do ADHD people cope on here?

#295

Post by z3c0 »

BatteryMountain wrote: post #282
z3c0 wrote: post #176

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This seems like a very puritanical viewpoint. So much so, that it's a little peculiar and almost feels like a caricature. A life of avoidance does not help an ADHD brain, and the idea that your brain wants stuff to do is not the case at all. You will burn out very quickly going down that path. You'll get much further just taking a few times a day to slow your thoughts via meditation or engaging in a passive activity…

Not puritanical-intended at all. The point being, remove all the stuff from your environment that hammers the brain 24/7, become a bit calmer, then use your newly freed minutes for intentional time-bound actions. The way we all live is not normal to begin with.

I agree with your point here, but your methodology seems very strict. Almost to the point of self-defeat, because turning to a distraction and finding it isn't there isn't improved attention, only distraction with more steps. I do hope you find your balance, and whatever gets you there is your own, but having grown up under the same approach you're describing, I can attest to the likelihood of an eventual collapse.

Re: Ask HN: How do ADHD people cope on here?

#298

Post by rtontic »

b112 wrote: post #76
stared wrote: post #15

> There’s a never ending number of things I bookmark. One of the key features of ADHD is a never-ending list of things to do. Edward M. Hallowell (who wrote "Driven to Distraction") remarks that perhaps it is the most characteristic feature of ADHD. Previously, browser crashes saved my sanity— killing dozens of open tabs with fascinating articles. Now I try to let it go . In a Zen/stoic way, knowing that nothing will…

Now I try to let it go. In a Zen/stoic way, knowing that nothing will happen if I don't read something. Wha?! I download every movie and book I can. The more rare the better. I know, deep in my heart, they must be saved from dead torrent links. Even deeper nestled in the depths of my endlessly deep heart, I know that if there is a disaster, that government agency which tracks all, knows this, and I am on a list. A li…

Keep fighting the good fight my man!

Re: Ask HN: How do ADHD people cope on here?

#299

Post by jcpst »

nus07 wrote: post #133
jcpst wrote: post #125

The most recent thing I've done is make my phone a whole lot less distracting. I used this guide: https://whatifididnt.com/blog/iphone-dumb-phone/ I kept one of my note taking tools, voice memos, and bank apps. I still haven't reinstalled a web browser or email. It's been a little over a week. I wasn't on HN all weekend, where normally I would have been checking it throughout the day. It not being at my finger tips h…

I have to keep my phone next to me for 2FA, MFA while working. What workaround can I use to not have my phone in a different room while working?

I still have all my work auth stuff on my phone.

If I really wanted to take it farther, I could put in a request for a company-owned smart phone that I could keep by my desk for just that purpose.

Re: Ask HN: How do ADHD people cope on here?

#300

Post by paulkrush »

ap77 wrote: post #235
paulkrush wrote: post #165

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Can you elaborate on this: "ADHD has prevented me from learning programming"?

Yeah... I thought ADHD is a almost a requirement for programmers.

I feel there are 2 main types: ADHD and the other type that we need to respect and be kind to. I suppose there is a gamut of sub-types in-between. Come and enter the "realm" of developers!
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