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Launch HN: Shimmer (YC S21) – ADHD coaching for adults

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81–90 of 264 posts

Re: Launch HN: Shimmer (YC S21) – ADHD coaching for adults

#81

What differentiates you offering from Inflow ( https://www.getinflow.io )? The description of your app sounds almost like a one to one copy. EDIT: I checked the Inflow offering and even the pricing is similar to yours. 2nd EDIT: Also, the 'coaching, but not therapy' thing is similar.

[deleted]

Re: Launch HN: Shimmer (YC S21) – ADHD coaching for adults

#82

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Probably going to get downvoted - but I'll hypothesize anyway... I imagine for the younger folks on HN, we grew up with what seemed like >50% of people claiming to have ADHD, OCD, Tourettes - or some other TikTok-fad "cool" disorder - which obviously not that many people actually have these problems. At least not too long ago when I was young enough to be in that crowd - ADHD was the king of "cool" disorders. Everyon…

> At least not too long ago when I was young enough to be in that crowd - ADHD was the king of "cool" disorders. Everyone wanted to have ADHD. If you were "normal" - that was "uncool". It was like - what's wrong with you? Why don't you have some debilitating problem like everyone else? Speaking as someone who definitely, definitely has rather severe hyperactive type ADHD complete with anxiety comorbidity and tactile…

> How, just -how-, could anyone want this disorder?

Because they don't understand just how debilitating it is and how much trauma it causes a person. It's absolutely shit, especially for those of us who find out later in our lives like both of us apparently. Aside from the normal issues that go with it, now I'm also plagued by the thought of how things could have gone had literally anyone picked up on it when I was a kid.

I don't think it's about being cool, at least not completely, I legitimately think some folks want at least some struggle in their lives. Something to fight against, something to give them...purpose? I'm honestly not sure, but I know if they did have it they'd do everything they could to get rid of it.

Re: Launch HN: Shimmer (YC S21) – ADHD coaching for adults

#83

I really resonate with this and I just signed up for the month intro package! It seems like a small price to pay if it works! My therapist (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy/CBT) and Internal Family Systems (IFS)) always says that the key to ADD/ADHD is to have structure, and this looks like shimmer could fit that prescription! Chris, I am in your knowledge learning section of the app and your videos are not able to be pl…

Thank you so much for signing up and really looking forward to your feedback about your experience on our platform! What Android device are you using for our app?

We'll definitely investigate on our backend and see if we can reproduce the stuttering on our Android test devices as well. You can always email support@shimmer.care or message the Shimmer admin account directly within the app and we'll make sure to log your bug and prioritize it with the team after investigating!

Re: Launch HN: Shimmer (YC S21) – ADHD coaching for adults

#84

Interesting concept. Personally, I'm not a fan of therapy (tried it 3 times and it didn't stick) because I felt like I wasn't learning anything tactical that I can apply to my life. I'm a founder with ADHD so I'm very focused on building and "unblocking" myself -- e.g. getting myself to do the thing I know I need to do but can't do for some reason. If having a coach who can help unblock me quickly when I'm in a state…

Another ADHD founder here. I've found that having someone else around when I need to to that thing, or a "body double" ( https://doubleapp.xyz/blog/body-doubling-proxy ), is a super useful tactic to "unblock" myself and overcome motivational hurdles like the ones you may experience.

Re: Launch HN: Shimmer (YC S21) – ADHD coaching for adults

#85

Im really surprised to see the intense skepticism here. As someone who is just stumbling into this world and studying ADHD as an otherwise successful adult, Chris’ description (and $99 price frankly) resonated with me and made me think I might be in the target market. Even one of his responses to someone thanking someone for feedback is being downvoted. Is there a connotation of ADHD being associated with snake-oil o…

Hi! Chris(tal) here (also, I'm a woman.. she/her, haha. I get that a lot using my nickname) Unfortunately, yes. There are many businesses that take advantage of not only people with ADHD but people in other vulnerable communities (e.g. other neurological conditions and mental illnesses). I've been in this space for a long time since I started with my Eating Disorder amongst other things in my teenage years. Of course…

After clicking around, here’s something I wanted to mention: You mentioned in your post that if you have ADHD or “think you do”, you encourage people to check it out. I’m in the camp of, “I probably don’t have ADHD, but boy, some of those self-diagnosis survey questions hit close to home, and I wish they didn’t, so this might be worth looking into whether I have ADHD or not.” I understand that you aren’t in a position to offer diagnosis, but I found myself looking for something in your FAQ or description that spoke to me. I don’t know what it would say to me that wouldn’t sound like it’s trying to convince me i have ADHD, but maybe how to investigate further, or how to know whether to give your service a shot? I might not have found a statement like that because I’m not in your target market, and I’m cool with that too. There is also a fear I have (and that I’ve observed in others) of being one of “those people” who claim they have a problem and go to the doctor and fear they’ll discover nothing is wrong. So it was reassuring when you said, “or think you do” in your pitch, and I think I was looking for the same reassurance/guidance from the website.

I hope that is helpful.

Re: Launch HN: Shimmer (YC S21) – ADHD coaching for adults

#86
post #7

I have severe ADHD, but I have paid THOUSANDS to therapists and honestly - I NEVER got any benefit from it other than more stress from having to pay so much money for something out-of-pocket. My ADHD has cost me a lot more than money, but what specifically, or HOW specifically is your therapy different than the therapists I have already spent $$$$ on?

I cant believe you didnt even answer my question, a person who has already spent thousands on this problem personally and youre announcing a fucking launch IM YOURE FUCKING CUSTOMER

Re: Launch HN: Shimmer (YC S21) – ADHD coaching for adults

#87

Im really surprised to see the intense skepticism here. As someone who is just stumbling into this world and studying ADHD as an otherwise successful adult, Chris’ description (and $99 price frankly) resonated with me and made me think I might be in the target market. Even one of his responses to someone thanking someone for feedback is being downvoted. Is there a connotation of ADHD being associated with snake-oil o…

ADHD runs very strong in my family. My mom never learned to control it and lets it ruin her interactions. Changing topics 2-3 times in a sentience is not uncommon. My career was a mix of major success and failures. Basically depending how routine or novel the problem set was. Took medication at 40 for the first time. First time in my life I was able to work on something boring where it didn’t feel physically painful…

My mom is similar, but I am not. I can stay on topic quite well and inability to do so is bothersome to me, so I see that and think, “I don’t have any of that.”

But when you said boring tasks are painful, and wanting someone to tap you on the shoulder when you get off task, I was nodding along vigorously. My best solution to this (so far) is to ensure my way of contributing meaningfully to things doesn’t require rote, boring work. :) I’ve considered setting up a camera over my shoulder just to give myself the feeling of being observed…

Re: Launch HN: Shimmer (YC S21) – ADHD coaching for adults

#88
> We understand that life doesn't always go according to plan. Shimmer members can cancel or reschedule a coaching video call without penalty 24 hours in advance. If cancellation is within 24 hours, the session will be forfeited for the week. Thank you for your understanding!

I understand your need to ensure your time is not wasted, but policies like this can wreak havoc on people struggling with executive dysfunction and that's your target audience. I don't know what the right solution is, but a company serving this market needs a more flexible policy for something like this.

Re: Launch HN: Shimmer (YC S21) – ADHD coaching for adults

#89
post #37

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Exercise manages symptoms, it’s not a cure. Honestly if you have adhd I would stop coming to HN. It’s a distraction and the nature of it requires you to constantly check in.

Exercise manages ZERO ADHD symptoms. I can tell you between times of almost zero exercise and anything from once to five times a week the ADHD was not affected. Telling me to stop coming to HN is like telling a drug addict to just not take drugs. Even if I block HN, I will just be distracted by something else.

Good luck

Re: Launch HN: Shimmer (YC S21) – ADHD coaching for adults

#90

I like the site but it seems overpriced - a good therapist is cheaper and can do the same thing. A psychologist and psychiatrist can both clinically diagnose you and give you pharmaceuticals if needed at prices similar to the ones mentioned if you have insurance. Personally I would argue from working with some kids who have adhd in the past that more gamification and reasons to use their phone will exacerbate some of…

Thank you for your comment which clearly stems from your experience of working with the ADHD folk. We are fully aligned on being cautious about the negative behavioural implications of digital tools which includes gaming.

As a coaching psychologist and senior member of Shimmer team, I concur with the prevalent view that the way to improve the quality of life of someone with ADHD is through integrative approach comprising each of the helping strands: the clinical, psychotherapy and coaching.

In this “holy trinity”, the niche filled by coaching reflects on the state of affairs which demonstrate that while humans are fairly capable of navigating their past experiences and manage the “present immediate”, we are not so successful at thinking about, and getting the best out of the future. This gave rise to the areas of psychological sciences which are focused on goal setting, planning, self-motivating and developing through the entire life-course. These pretty much inform our trademark Shimmer approach to coaching psychology and what happens during the coaching sessions, therefore.

Thank you so much for the good luck wishes. These are especially valuable since our aspiration is to evolve efficacy and the evidence-base of ADHD coaching, and to help ADHD folk have an active role in moving towards a better quality of life.

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