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My ADHD founder toolbox

hypatia.ca

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Re: My ADHD founder toolbox

#351

Post by rmckayfleming »

ojkelly wrote: post #307
darkwater wrote: post #269

I have this question which comes up in my mind every time I read about ADHD in tech (here, Twitter, blogs etc), which is really genuine and with no second intentions: my feeling is that ADHD seems over represented in tech, but I don't know if it's because ADHD is more invisible in life outside tech jobs, or because people with AHDH in tech are "louder", or because there is a relationship between ADHD and being good a…

> my feeling is that ADHD seems over represented in tech We are overrepresented in tech, relative to the general population. In the most recent StackOverflow developer survey, respondents self-reported at a rate about double the global average. > but I don't know if it's because ADHD is more invisible in life outside tech jobs You almost certainly know or have met people in other industries with ADHD and didn’t know…

There might also be a relationship between those quotes about great software engineers being lazy and ADHD often looking like laziness from the outside...

Re: My ADHD founder toolbox

#352

Post by ryanianian »

sph wrote: post #328
ryanianian wrote: post #309

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Take a couple days off, and it's obvious it was working all along. This is key to appreciating the value of the medication and also benefits as a way to fight tolerance. "Medicine holidays" it's often called. Every month take a weekend off, and every 6 months take a week off. Those off days will leave you terribly lethargic. But going back on will make you really appreciate it. Or not in which case take a longer br…

AFAIK there is no real proof these holidays work, and many therapists do not even prescribe them to their patients. I wonder if the dopamine system might need more than a few days to reset. In my experience with addiction, it takes months.

You don't need to get tolerance to zero as you might with addiction-level situations, just back to levels where it's no longer completely adapted.

I've been on adderall for 20 years and haven't ever had to increase my prescribed dose. I even usually reduce my dose in the summer after my week-long break. I bring it back up after subsequent holidays in the autumn.

The only times when I've thought it wasn't working, the med holidays brought it right back on track.

Could be placebo. Also n=1. There's very little lost in attempting (it assuming your dr is kosher with it).

Re: My ADHD founder toolbox

#353

Post by hirvi74 »

ojkelly wrote: post #277
emptyfile wrote: post #230

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't care about stigma, but comparing a drug to a wheel chair is just ridiculous. I don't want to get addicted to another thing in my life, here in Europe we're quite familiar with (ab)using speed (amphetamine paste) and the idea of being on speed every single day seems pretty bad. I don't feel "more like myself" on speed and I seriously doubt most positive effect would persist after a year of using and rising tol…

> comparing a drug to a wheel chair is just ridiculous. Not every disability is visible. By definition they have a significant impact on someones life, as such there isn’t use for competition. A wheelchair is a great comparison. Both enable someone to do something they previously couldn’t. Both are temporary, and stop being useful when removed. Both have a very different effect on someone who does not need them. > I…

> Do you have a deficit of dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine?

What evidence exists that points this is the cause of ADHD? Wouldn't a dopamine deficit be more akin to Parkinson's Disease?

Also, last I remember reading, I am pretty sure we are not fully aware of why stimulants help people with ADHD. I think the leading hypothesis is that dopamine plays a role somehow, but I thought that he yet to be fully observed.

Re: My ADHD founder toolbox

#354

Post by hirvi74 »

sph wrote: post #328
ryanianian wrote: post #309

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Take a couple days off, and it's obvious it was working all along. This is key to appreciating the value of the medication and also benefits as a way to fight tolerance. "Medicine holidays" it's often called. Every month take a weekend off, and every 6 months take a week off. Those off days will leave you terribly lethargic. But going back on will make you really appreciate it. Or not in which case take a longer br…

AFAIK there is no real proof these holidays work, and many therapists do not even prescribe them to their patients. I wonder if the dopamine system might need more than a few days to reset. In my experience with addiction, it takes months.

I thought it took at least 3 days for the medication to clear your system.

Re: My ADHD founder toolbox

#355

Post by hirvi74 »

devde wrote: post #101
eyelidlessness wrote: post #75

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I’ve never experienced more energy to do things nor euphoria from my stimulant meds. They make me less anxious and allow me to muster executive function that I struggle with otherwise. Not because I’m more focused or productive or whatever else people ascribe to the drug, because I’m less overwhelmed by the world that’s loud and fast and bright and complicated and dangerous. My brain and the world around me are quiet…

Same here. If anything I actually feel a bit tired when they kick in throughout the day.

Same, I feel like I could fall asleep, but I know I couldn't if I tried.

Re: My ADHD founder toolbox

#356

Post by sph »

hirvi74 wrote: post #354
sph wrote: post #328

Earlier quoted context omitted.

AFAIK there is no real proof these holidays work, and many therapists do not even prescribe them to their patients. I wonder if the dopamine system might need more than a few days to reset. In my experience with addiction, it takes months.

I thought it took at least 3 days for the medication to clear your system.

The lessened effect is due to your body getting used to having increased levels of dopamine and norepinephrine, so stops producing as much.

The fact that the medication is out doesn't make your dopaminergic system more sensitive by itself. It might take a while.

Re: My ADHD founder toolbox

#357

Post by sph »

ryanianian wrote: post #352
sph wrote: post #328

Earlier quoted context omitted.

AFAIK there is no real proof these holidays work, and many therapists do not even prescribe them to their patients. I wonder if the dopamine system might need more than a few days to reset. In my experience with addiction, it takes months.

You don't need to get tolerance to zero as you might with addiction-level situations, just back to levels where it's no longer completely adapted. I've been on adderall for 20 years and haven't ever had to increase my prescribed dose. I even usually reduce my dose in the summer after my week-long break. I bring it back up after subsequent holidays in the autumn. The only times when I've thought it wasn't working, the…

Well, if it's worked for you I might as well give it a shot. Reaching now the 6 months mark, already took a a few days off here and there, I'll try a whole week off around Christmas.

What was good to know was that there doesn't seem to be any addiction potential for me at all. I hate being lazy and unmotivated without the meds, but there is no urge nor withdrawal whatsoever, which is fantastic, as someone that got addicted to half a dozen things in their life.

I was afraid I would start to enjoy the meds too much, but I am much more dependent on the cup of coffee I drink once a week (and every day during work I start craving a Coke) than amphetamine.

Re: My ADHD founder toolbox

#358

Post by reilly3000 »

LoganDark wrote: post #251
reilly3000 wrote: post #126

Anyone who has an ADHD diagnosis should also look into ASD. Comorbidity rate data range between 33% and 80% between ADHD and ASD. I’ve only discovered that recently after 10 years as an adult with ADHD. Since then I’ve been looking into the past and recalling things like toe walking as a child, intense sensory issues, painful social interactions, and speech issues. As I’ve done so I’ve also connected with a lot of su…

I was formally diagnosed with ASD from a young age, but only recently found out that I might have ADHD too. So this goes both ways, I think. Trying for a diagnosis and some meds of course, appointment in 11 days.

It definitely does. Stimulants really have helped me in meaningful ways. I also recommend ADHD/ND specific therapy. Not just CBT, we tend to play too many meta head games for that to work well on us. The meds work best when you have learned behaviors that you’re changing along with the clarity and motivation that they can unlock. If not, you end up being a lot more motivated and effective at done the least useful things lol.

Re: My ADHD founder toolbox

#359

Post by RHSman2 »

baby wrote: post #141
throwawaaarrgh wrote: post #51

I diagnosed when I was like... 8 years old. From then to 17 I was on various meds, finally gave them all up. So for about 22 years I've coped with ADHD without meds. I am a Staff Engineer and make a good living, respected in my field. Regardless of anything else, I think the key thing to remember about ADHD is that you do not need to be a high-performing human being, at all, in life. You will forget things and get di…

As a noob, can you guys give me an idea of what it is to live with ADHD? My understanding is that focus is a spectrum and different people are on different spots on that spectrum. I always imagine that something becomes a condition and gets a name (like ADHD) once it becomes an issue in your life and prevents you from functioning in society. When I hear that you're a staff engineer it sorts of tells me that it's not…

Life falling apart and you go play in the woods ;)

Re: My ADHD founder toolbox

#360

Post by jethro_tell »

RHSman2 wrote: post #344
RHSman2 wrote: post #342

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I’m 46 and a fully fledged animal

And ‘parenting’ and the other things I’ve manage to choose. However, jobs I can’t stand I leave (eventually) One of the concerns over meds is that it would enable you to do those jobs you just don’t (and maybe shouldn’t) do.

lol, I don't think I take enough of anything to do things I don't want to or shouldn't do.

This has helped me to do the things that I want to do. It more helps on the task level and less the overarching job level.

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