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Mental illness, attention deficit disorder, and suffering

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Re: Mental illness, attention deficit disorder, and suffering

#81

Post by ekanes »

drewcoo wrote: post #31
GavinMcG wrote: post #16

The author really does not do a great job, here, at least in saying something sensible as a response to DeBoer's piece. The core premise seems to be that: > I find it so very irritating that there is no term for my so-called ⸢attention deficit disorder⸣ that does not have the word “disorder” baked into it. I know what a disorder is, and this isn't one. But the author then argues against a strawman: > Why does any dev…

That's not a straw man. He's just stating the same thing you are when you say: > disorders require that the deviation amount to a disorder That is medicalizing diversity. Creating "disorders" where no one is bothered by them. This is not uncommon in psychology. In the 1970s, homosexuality was also a "disorder."

Right, a disorder is something that interferes materially with your life.

Re: Mental illness, attention deficit disorder, and suffering

#82

Post by MonaroVXR »

Mandatum wrote: post #25
GavinMcG wrote: post #16

The author really does not do a great job, here, at least in saying something sensible as a response to DeBoer's piece. The core premise seems to be that: > I find it so very irritating that there is no term for my so-called ⸢attention deficit disorder⸣ that does not have the word “disorder” baked into it. I know what a disorder is, and this isn't one. But the author then argues against a strawman: > Why does any dev…

I think the main gripe sits with how we label it and the way we associate with the label. Yes, in a medical context we can use words like retard, but it's not acceptable to use this word in front of a patient because often the medical definition isn't known. To the same degree disorder may be an acceptable label by a clinician, but we need a different word for regular everyday use - because if I come into work and te…

>"...And then back into the closet that information goes."

Or used against you. Happened several times in my life, no thank you. The iron thing is. Most of them are working in care.

Re: Mental illness, attention deficit disorder, and suffering

#83

Post by throwaway6532 »

99_00 wrote: post #66

A person with ADHD exists in a broader social, economic, genetic context. Having a high IQ, being economically privileged, very good looking,is going to change the impact ADHD has on someone. Also, its widely agreed that ADHD is over diagnosed. Keep those points in mind when reading accounts like these.

>Having a high IQ, being economically privileged, very good looking,is going to change the impact ADHD has on someone.

In my case it meant staying out of jail, managing to graduate college and getting a career I could thrive in. Still... serious downsides along the way and always a struggle to hold it all together.

Re: Mental illness, attention deficit disorder, and suffering

#84

Post by triggercut »

symlinkk wrote: post #56
lghh wrote: post #50

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I am 30. I got diagnosed with ADHD a few months ago and I started treatment (adderall and lifestyle changes). Growing up, ADHD was my biggest enemy in life and I didn't even realize it. Once I began treatment, the change was almost overnight. I know I'm just one data point in a sea of data points, but I really just want to add that I'm on the other end of the parent comment and getting diagnosed, other than my marria…

I mean, anyone benefits from Adderall whether you have ADHD or not. How are you so sure you really have it?

I would assume from the fact they were diagnosed (as they stated) by a professional (hopefully)?

As someone who also fights an internal battle with my diagnosis 24/7, comments like this are not helpful and can even be hurtful.

Would you ask someone with a hearing aid how they could be sure they were deaf? Or someone wheelchair bound how they could be sure they can't just walk if they try hard enough?

The world of work that we have made for ourselves as a society can be as inaccessible as the built environment can be to those who need accommodations to move around it safely.

Re: Mental illness, attention deficit disorder, and suffering

#85

Post by [deleted] »

FollowingTheDao wrote: post #29
GavinMcG wrote: post #16

The author really does not do a great job, here, at least in saying something sensible as a response to DeBoer's piece. The core premise seems to be that: > I find it so very irritating that there is no term for my so-called ⸢attention deficit disorder⸣ that does not have the word “disorder” baked into it. I know what a disorder is, and this isn't one. But the author then argues against a strawman: > Why does any dev…

If the authors life is not being impacted by his ADHD then he does not have ADHD. The clinical diagnosis for a mental illness is that it impacts your life in a negative way. His attention deficit does not impact his life in a negative way, therefore it’s not a disorder. The author frankly does not know what he’s talking about. And, clinically, he does not have ADHD. I have a mood disorder (NPSLE). I am on permanent d…

[deleted]

Re: Mental illness, attention deficit disorder, and suffering

#86

Post by ekanes »

steve_adams_86 wrote: post #18
TrackerFF wrote: post #7

I have ADHD (ADD), and was diagnosed after 30 - though I've greatly suffered from it since my teenage years. Sure, it is a big part of me, always has been, but I don't really make it part of my identity. I can't control it like a superpower, and there are serious consequences if you're not careful. I've noticed that in the ADHD community, there are some very vocal people that will wear the diagnosis with pride. I mea…

I agree. My adhd has never made me more able than anyone, but has certainly been a detriment to myself and those around me. The best I can do is not hate myself for what I evidently can’t control, and continue working to lessen the damage it does. I mean, I was diagnosed because it’s a problem. Not because I have super powers. I think the idea of wearing it as a badge of pride is because that reflex is easier than be…

I agree that some people could choose to see the positive aspects of adhd because it's less painful, but it doesn't mean they are deluding themselves. As a startup founder I think adhd worked both for and against me. Hyperfocus, the ability to perceive constant emergencies as fun, mania, etc. Downsides were very real too; dropping out of college because it was too boring, not opening my mail on time, being late with things, being disorganized, etc. Now that I have access to medication, I see it as a net positive.

Re: Mental illness, attention deficit disorder, and suffering

#87

Post by michaelbrave »

GavinMcG wrote: post #16

The author really does not do a great job, here, at least in saying something sensible as a response to DeBoer's piece. The core premise seems to be that: > I find it so very irritating that there is no term for my so-called ⸢attention deficit disorder⸣ that does not have the word “disorder” baked into it. I know what a disorder is, and this isn't one. But the author then argues against a strawman: > Why does any dev…

My main grip with having ADHD is why it's so damn hard to do simple things like open the mail or make a phone call, it's almost like needing a secretary to survive. Second gripe is how hard it is to get an appointment to get medication sorted. I've never felt judged or victimized for it, though I have felt personally lacking due to my struggles to get things done.

Re: Mental illness, attention deficit disorder, and suffering

#88

Post by porknubbins »

jeffheard wrote: post #49
GavinMcG wrote: post #16

The author really does not do a great job, here, at least in saying something sensible as a response to DeBoer's piece. The core premise seems to be that: > I find it so very irritating that there is no term for my so-called ⸢attention deficit disorder⸣ that does not have the word “disorder” baked into it. I know what a disorder is, and this isn't one. But the author then argues against a strawman: > Why does any dev…

I find ADHD to be an "occasional" disorder. I feel very much like the author much of the time, but honestly I want it to continue to be researched as a disorder, because I want strategies and medications that are better than post-it notes and Adderall (and yes, I've tried lots and no, none of them are better for me than the occasional 5mg of Adderall). Most of the time, ADD works in my favor. But sometimes, (and NOT…

I have family members with similar issues. If you could could elaborate, what are the common situations when ADD works in your favor, and what are the times when you find you need your brain to work differently?

Re: Mental illness, attention deficit disorder, and suffering

#89

Post by lghh »

triggercut wrote: post #84
symlinkk wrote: post #56

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I mean, anyone benefits from Adderall whether you have ADHD or not. How are you so sure you really have it?

I would assume from the fact they were diagnosed (as they stated) by a professional (hopefully)? As someone who also fights an internal battle with my diagnosis 24/7, comments like this are not helpful and can even be hurtful. Would you ask someone with a hearing aid how they could be sure they were deaf? Or someone wheelchair bound how they could be sure they can't just walk if they try hard enough? The world of wor…

Yes, I was diagnosed by two professionals independently of each others because I was so unsure of the first diagnosis.

Comments like these are hurtful. I ask myself the question the commenter asked me every single day. I just try to approach them with care and the assumption they are coming from a good place. I know that isn't always the case, but it's the best I can do.

Also, it's wild that I already have a strategy and thoughts about dealing with comments like these. It's only been a few weeks, but it's already happened a handful of times.

Musk and Andreessen's recent comments on the matter angered me. And though I don't think Andreessenn's were necessarily out of the same place of hate's as Elon's were, they were still framed in a damaging way.

Re: Mental illness, attention deficit disorder, and suffering

#90

Post by lghh »

99_00 wrote: post #66

A person with ADHD exists in a broader social, economic, genetic context. Having a high IQ, being economically privileged, very good looking,is going to change the impact ADHD has on someone. Also, its widely agreed that ADHD is over diagnosed. Keep those points in mind when reading accounts like these.

> Also, its widely agreed that ADHD is over diagnosed.

posted without source

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