Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

How I Run a Company with ADHD

andrewaskins.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

311–320 of 515 posts

Re: How I Run a Company with ADHD

#311

Post by andai »

Mirioron wrote: post #255
jordanbeiber wrote: post #168

It’s interesting to see how hard if is to separate ADD from ADHD by a description of traits or behaviors. I have ADD and pretty much recognize myself in a lot of this. It’s almost impossible to focus on anything that is not interesting “right now” and what is “interesting” changes in cycles spanning a few weeks. During a cycle I become completely absorbed, you know, not eat, not sleep and not being communicative, abs…

ADD is now under the umbrella of ADHD. ADHD just has 3 types:[0] 1. ADHD Predominantly Inattentive (ADHD-PI) 2. ADHD Predominantly Hyperactive (ADHD-PH?) 3. ADHD Combined (ADHD-C) ADD falls under the first one. It makes sense that you'd recognize yourself in that. They're now considered to be the same disorder, but just presenting in a different way. One of the things that's usually not discussed, but what you should…

I too highly recommend Russel Barkley's videos about ADHD. They taught me so much. The most striking thing was learning how it's a primarily emotional disorder, and how this has harmed my relationships.

Here's a fantastic lecture (split into ~5 minute segments -- this guy gets it :) by Dr. Barkley:

ADHD - The 30 Essential Ideas Everyone Needs to Know

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzhbAK1pdPM&list=PLzBixSjmbc...

Re: How I Run a Company with ADHD

#312

Post by louthy »

frereubu wrote: post #306
louthy wrote: post #295

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This measured response to the GP is better than other "You're wrong" comments below. I've never been diagnosed with ADHD (I'm in Europe), but I'm absolutely certain I have it from all of the reading I've done on it in the past (and I recognise everything from the blog). I totally get what the GP is trying to say, and you captured it with: > the current structure of society could be causing this distress to a personal…

What you've written feels very familiar. It became clear early on to me that I wouldn't be able to fit into standard models of what "work" is, and running my own company was the way I found to make a living without feeling utterly miserable. In terms of organisation I have a system that's like a low-tech version of Todoist. I have these text files on my desktop set up to sync through Dropbox so I can access them on m…

That's interesting, thanks for sharing. If Todoist doesn't work out, I'll try something like that.

Re: How I Run a Company with ADHD

#313

Post by least »

hycaria wrote: post #260
jordanbeiber wrote: post #236

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Many people not ”suffering” is of this opinion. The quotes around “suffering” imply that you yourself might not even know everyone around you suffers, i.e. you’re suffering by proxy, but you’re the one causing it. Everyone can relate to specific “symptoms” of ADD/ADHD, the question is: can you control the impulses and is it affecting your ability to lead a “normal” life. Normal here means looking after yourself and p…

I agree and feel the same about many mental illnesses or traits (intelligence in that regard seems close to attention span). In the end, some with higher impulses and inner trouble still manage to have more control and lead a successful life when others with little disabilities are overwhelmed. What awes me the most is how one can be willing to mess with his brain chemistry with drugs rather than arrange one's life a…

I am not certain as to why you feel the need to ponder about the reasoning someone else might choose to take medication to alleviate issues in their life. In what way is it harmful to your life that others choose to use medication that you don't?

Psychology/Psychiatry is derided on HN frequently and any time a submission comes up about ADHD or any other mental illness, inevitably people will chime in about how they feel about medicating children or that people just need to make lifestyle changes.

Why is it awe inspiring that someone might use drugs to help alleviate what they see in themselves as a deficiency? Are painkillers taboo as well? Anesthesia for surgery? Coffee or Tea? These all affect the brain chemistry but perhaps they're on your approved list of ways in which drugs are allowed to interact with people's brains?

ADHD can not be fully encompassed with the idea that it's simply unorganized people that forget appointments. You are correct that there are strategies that people can employ to tackle that particular issue. You are incorrect in separating drugs away from other tools.

You are not required to take medication for your ailments or explore recreational drugs. You can choose to eschew all these things in your life. You don't need to denigrate people that choose a different path from you, though.

Re: How I Run a Company with ADHD

#314

Post by throwaway743 »

jordanbeiber wrote: post #184
rtpg wrote: post #174

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I remember hearing something about how ADD is now not considered qualitatively different from ADHD in terms of what it does to you, and that it's just "ADHD with a bit less hyperactivity". Would definitely be interested in hearing your wins running a family and managing this

Just had to cut out a long digression in true ADD fashion. I'll save it for my future blog! So in short list format, just sharing some methods I employ, sans digressions: 0. Awareness. Took way too long for me to reach it. 1. What is mentioned in the article: prioritisation! That needs to lead to routine. Hard work this, but most important, as I have to be able to engage auto-pilot for "non-interesting" tasks. 2. Sle…

>> 4. Physical activities. Go for a 20 min run. It is boring, but reach the point of proper sweating and keep going for another 10-20 min.

Long time skateboarder, hung up in a 9-5, knees are starting to shit the bed at 30, and don't skate much any more as a result. Realized, fairly recently, that over the years my mental state was declining/flatlining largely in part to not exercising. Skating is just fun, provides a sense of freedom, used to be a huge part of my social life, and the physical activity kept my body and mind in shape, and it's totally left a negative impact not having that involved in 50%+ of my daily activities.

Going on a tangent, but I recently purchased a recumbent bike as a means of remaining stimulated/keeping boredom at bay while exercising, and it's hands down one of the best purchases I've ever made. It's a matter of going to YouTube and popping on a walkthrough on a framework/library/etc, the news, documentary, or anything of interest, and just peddling away for the next hour... Only problem is, it's hard to stop going once you start :/

Anyways, read through this thread and your mentions, as someone else has mentioned, are the most articulate descriptions of the struggles that one faces with ADD. Personally, I'm in an environment where many don't consider it "real" and look down upon those who have sought medical help as "meth addicts", and my only wish is for them to understand and also to be able to distinguish the medications from one another and not group them with illicit/highly toxic drugs.

Glad to have come across yours and many other's comments on the topic. Made my morning :)

Re: How I Run a Company with ADHD

#315

Post by chrisweekly »

I found it tremendously helpful to hear AD(H)D described as a set of _traits_, which is only a "disorder" to the degree that it interferes with your goals. There are many ways in which these traits can be advantageous. It's analogous to being multi-threaded, or async / parallel processing; it makes things more complicated and harder to debug, but when harnessed properly, becomes a strength.

Re: How I Run a Company with ADHD

#316

Post by jordanbeiber »

andai wrote: post #311
Mirioron wrote: post #255

Earlier quoted context omitted.

ADD is now under the umbrella of ADHD. ADHD just has 3 types:[0] 1. ADHD Predominantly Inattentive (ADHD-PI) 2. ADHD Predominantly Hyperactive (ADHD-PH?) 3. ADHD Combined (ADHD-C) ADD falls under the first one. It makes sense that you'd recognize yourself in that. They're now considered to be the same disorder, but just presenting in a different way. One of the things that's usually not discussed, but what you should…

I too highly recommend Russel Barkley's videos about ADHD. They taught me so much. The most striking thing was learning how it's a primarily emotional disorder, and how this has harmed my relationships. Here's a fantastic lecture (split into ~5 minute segments -- this guy gets it :) by Dr. Barkley: ADHD - The 30 Essential Ideas Everyone Needs to Know https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzhbAK1pdPM&list=PLzBixSjmbc...

Have to second the emotional and relationship aspect of it.

The general physician I went to initially to kick of the quest for diagnosis obviously had an interest and gave me a book called “the answer” (edit).

If you are Swedish: “hemligheten”

In english the tag line (translated by me): “from moments to lasting relationships”

Re: How I Run a Company with ADHD

#319

Post by jordanbeiber »

throwaway743 wrote: post #314
jordanbeiber wrote: post #184

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Just had to cut out a long digression in true ADD fashion. I'll save it for my future blog! So in short list format, just sharing some methods I employ, sans digressions: 0. Awareness. Took way too long for me to reach it. 1. What is mentioned in the article: prioritisation! That needs to lead to routine. Hard work this, but most important, as I have to be able to engage auto-pilot for "non-interesting" tasks. 2. Sle…

>> 4. Physical activities. Go for a 20 min run. It is boring, but reach the point of proper sweating and keep going for another 10-20 min. Long time skateboarder, hung up in a 9-5, knees are starting to shit the bed at 30, and don't skate much any more as a result. Realized, fairly recently, that over the years my mental state was declining/flatlining largely in part to not exercising. Skating is just fun, provides a…

I used to play handball at elite level, and exactly as you say, years after quiting I noticed these effects of not managing life properly.

It’s two sides to it as I see, as going all in with athletics obviously gives you the physical bit “for free”. Well not for free, really, but you know what I mean.

The other part is the strict routine you have to keep.

It’s not ever a problem as life revolves around an interest!

Rather, I used to get annoyed if something disrupted my routine regarding food, rest and practice.

To get better and stonger (interest) I have to eat, sleep and turn up ready for practice two times, every day.

Ah... good times! But also severely limiting. But also great... But... :)

Awesome that I could help make your day! Inspiring even.

Re: How I Run a Company with ADHD

#320

Post by jon-wood »

jachee wrote: post #112
firecall wrote: post #57

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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,…

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.

When it comes to getting an assessment for any sort of mental health issue the best advice I've heard is to answer all the questions from the perspective of your worst day because that's the situation you're trying to avoid. Coping mechanisms are great but they don't work all the time, and at least in my experience once they fail I end up in a downward spiral that can be really hard to get back out of.

Best of luck to you - I made an appointment to go and actually finish the assessment process off the back of reading this article this morning. I wonder if having started it and got distracted twice previously will count as a point in my favour?

Post reply on HN