6 ms·

I'm an ADD adult and this especially hits me when I'm participating competitions, be it leetcode coding competition or examination. I just hate to do it and eve

by stevefan1999 6y ago

I'm an ADD adult and this especially hits me when I'm participating competitions, be it leetcode coding competition or examination. I just hate to do it and every other bits of attention source will got me seeked on, like a notification from my phone, or someone dropped a pen to the ground. That's how fast I lost focus. But on the other hand sometimes I can be extra-focused, with a prerequisite it's something I enjoyed -- where I truly focus on one single task nonstop, like I finally got the ebb and flow in a tranced out state. This resulted me in one case coding straight for 7 hours. It's not until my body started to crave for food or I don't know how long will this loose cannon shoot. ADD is both a blessing and a curse to me. This is how I accquired coding and various IT skills since 13, all self-taught. But this also fucked me over exams, and my so life experience is greatly impacted. I also tried to play rhythm games to control focus, only to see it ultimately failed. The only thing I had to deal with it slightly is my Ritalin...only so slightly I can "normally" focus for an hour. I just hope things go right in the rest of my life.

summitsummit 6y ago
:( > This resulted me in one case coding straight for 7 hours. This happened to me this weekend. It's truly scary in retrospect. I got a business idea thursday, and coded nonstop until Sunday. It's a rentable AI service for dating apps. I launched it and it's super neat imo, but I lost almost 8 lbs in that time because I didn't eat, drink water, and slept only when my thoughts started to blank out. I am now focusing on rehabilitating by eating a lot and going to the gym. I got so skinny. I wasn't on any medication either.
GABeech 6y ago
> The only thing I had to deal with it slightly is my Ritalin...only so slightly I can "normally" focus for an hour. I just hope things go right in the rest of my life. Talk to your doctor, there have been many advances in ADHD meds and they all work differently on different people. Some people respond well to Ritalin, Some respond well to the generic. Some respond well the Adderal, or Vyvanse. For some people only the name brand formulation works. Some people any formulation works. Also, make sure you are at the right dosage. You can and do build up a tolerance over time. I try to take weekends off when I don't have anything in particular I need to do, and at least one or two weeks a year (normally when I go on vacation).
- fnord77 6y ago
  > there have been many advances in ADHD meds respectfully, I disagree with this. The last new therapy was atomoxetine, which is almost 20 years old now and not seen as terribly efficacious. Everything else new has been some variation on mixed dextroamphetamine/amphetamine salts or methylphenidate. Vyvanse is just a pro-drug for dextroamphetamine. The only novel thing in the pipeline is SPN-812, which may work similar to atomoxetine.
  - garmaine 6y ago
    New formulations are advances. I'm on Vyvanse and it has way fewer side effects than other amphetamine formulations. I could see someone deciding meds are not for them based on side effects or short duration and the come-down lows, and then have those go away entirely by taking Vyvanse.
  - AnthonBerg 6y ago
    Lisdexamfetamine is profoundly different than other variants of amphetamine in utility and experience. It’s not just a prodrug – it has a rather clever molecular time-release mechanism. It comes in very slowly over a period of two hours, with plasma concentration plateau of two more. This makes a big difference; I experience no cravings or drug-seeking for more of the drug at any point. It’s also less of a “jolt”; The slow, steady increase in effect is much more conductive to steady yet limber focus. It’s just incredibly functional medicine. Also, the description of a 14-hour effective duration is accurate in my experience. It’s definitely a relatively new development and a much more humanely effective drug than previous options. — It is dextroamphetamine, which I’m inclined to believe is the more useful handedness. Levoamphetamine has more “body” effects. To the dextroamphetamine is bound a lysine molecule, and this together is an inactive powder. Enzymes in red blood cells are needed to cleave the lysine off and activate the dextroamphetamine. I’m quite certain that the dopamine rate-of-change detection mechanisms in the central nervous system cause very different behavioral and cognitive pattern cascades when it’s an almost imperceptively slow change, compared to an unhindered uptake of free amphetamine. Compare the difference in addiction potentials between faster and slower routes of administration of, say, nicotine - smoking fast, patches slow.
jv22222 6y ago
Has ADD had any kind of effect on your relationships? If so, in what way? I was wondering if ADD might make it seem like one doesn’t care about people because it’s hard to maintain focus on them.
- thrav 6y ago
  It absolutely does and is extremely challenging for a particular type of partner. There are many books on the subject. Most ADHD people are also susceptible to RSD (Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria(?)) that can make us feel like the entire planet is crumbling when we experience even minor rejections. As in, suicidal ideation level pain that at some point we have to learn how to move through or just avoid relationships altogether.
- gavinray 6y ago
  Yes, this is why I stopped filling my prescription two years ago. I excelled at work but it was damaging my relationship due to being so "zoned in" and at times robotic.
  - jjeaff 6y ago
    It affect people differently. It makes me much more attentive and able to listen to what my wife has to say. She has been very happy with the effects.
    - gavinray 6y ago
      Yeah absolutely. It seems most people get only positive effects. Must be personal neurochemistry/predisposition. The breaking point hit when my partner showed me a video she took where she called my name 8 times standing right next to me trying to get my attention, and I had no clue. I was so zoned into the screen. After seeing that I was like damn.
- nullsense 6y ago
  Its very hard on relationships. It's not just seeming like you don't care, but also putting the burden on others when they pick up your slack and frequently letting them down by things you do and/or don't do.
heimatau 6y ago
I'm in the same boat as you. As I've aged, I've realized it's necessary for me to have medication for me to be productive for an extended period of time. I encourage you to embrace the chemical imbalance as the reason. The medications do work and withdrawing from them isn't bad either (if you decide to take a pill holiday or extended non-use). Finally, it's not about 'normal' focus. It's about you. If you're content with your productivity and behavior, then nothing is needed to change in your life. If you want to maximize your potential, then please consider medication. It doesn't go away (CBT never worked for me). Embrace your choice. Whatever you decide, is normal, it's your normal. That's perfectly acceptable.
- sibeliuss 6y ago
  > withdrawing from them isn't bad either Perhaps for you, but for others its a nightmare.
  - heimatau 6y ago
    > but for others its a nightmare. I can only assume one of two reasons: 1. They were on XR. 2. Abuse. If it's another reason, maybe the formulation isn't the best for them because it's highly unlikely to have a 'nightmare' problem with getting off.
    - robertely 6y ago
      +1 on the XR makes it worse, but -1 on the only other reason being abuse. These drugs are not one-size-fits-all. Different people have different reactions.
      - heimatau 6y ago
        > These drugs are not one-size-fits-all. True but...on a probability basis, the two situations I gave are more than the majority of people's reason.
        6y ago
titanomachy 6y ago
I agree with the "blessing and curse" characterization. I owe my career to thousands of hours spent hyperfocused on learning programming languages for fun while I was supposed to be doing homework. On the other hand, I've come close to losing my job because of difficulty carrying out assigned tasks that don't matter to me. Interesting contrast though: for me leetcode, certain exams, and interviews often trigger hyperfocus. Studying and assignments, as well as day-to-day work, rarely do. I take a fair bit of medication so I can do my job. I'm trying to pivot towards something which more naturally engages my interest, maybe SRE or security work. Interesting how we're all affected differently. I recommend skimming "delivered from distraction" if you haven't already, there are some good tips in there on how ADHD folks can deliberately create the right conditions for flow.
- christopher22 6y ago
  I’m ADD and I don’t think it’s a disorder, but a trait that was selected for. I think it’s an explorers gene. It’s just difficult for us to fit in to the system. Not only school, but a traditional 9-5 for me is difficult. Especially while not on medication.
  - Azrathud 6y ago
    I definitely agree with this. I seriously suspect that I have ADD, and a burden has been lifted off my shoulders ever since I quit my 9-5 startup job and started travelling the North America a van + freelance coding. Turn on, tune in, drop out
    - summitsummit 6y ago
      that's riskier
  - nullsense 6y ago
    >I’m ADD and I don’t think it’s a disorder It is in the context of this society as we're fairly maladapted to it and struggle with a lot basic things that cause big problems in our lives.
bobloblaw45 6y ago
I also have ADD. I'm untreated since it's kinda expensive and my job is easy enough to not need to be. I'm glad that ADD/ADHD is more accepted now because I remember when the idea some people have problems focusing was immediately dismissed as laziness or a fault in character. I didn't even consider getting tested until far into adulthood because of the stigma.
matheusmoreira 6y ago
Similar experience here. As a kid I couldn't manage to read a couple paragraphs on a boring subject but I could study and practice programming for 12 hours straight. Developed plenty of coping mechanisms and was only diagnosed in adulthood halfway into medical school. Every ADHD patient I've seen has a similar story of hyperattention... I'm convinced this disorder is named after attention and hyperactivity because the children don't adapt well to school. At least not the traditional mass education model where kids sit in a class listening to lectures all day. There's probably a lot more we don't know about it. Some doctors I've seen think it's a made up illness created to sell amphetamines.
- nullsense 6y ago
  It's named after how we annoyed our parents and teachers as kids. Such a terrible name for it.
  - summitsummit 6y ago
    wow that's a really interesting and seemingly insightful perspective and now i view the ADHD label as an insult.

summitsummit 6y ago

:( > This resulted me in one case coding straight for 7 hours. This happened to me this weekend. It's truly scary in retrospect. I got a business idea thursday, and coded nonstop until Sunday. It's a rentable AI service for dating apps. I launched it and it's super neat imo, but I lost almost 8 lbs in that time because I didn't eat, drink water, and slept only when my thoughts started to blank out. I am now focusing on rehabilitating by eating a lot and going to the gym. I got so skinny. I wasn't on any medication either.

GABeech 6y ago

> The only thing I had to deal with it slightly is my Ritalin...only so slightly I can "normally" focus for an hour. I just hope things go right in the rest of my life. Talk to your doctor, there have been many advances in ADHD meds and they all work differently on different people. Some people respond well to Ritalin, Some respond well to the generic. Some respond well the Adderal, or Vyvanse. For some people only the name brand formulation works. Some people any formulation works. Also, make sure you are at the right dosage. You can and do build up a tolerance over time. I try to take weekends off when I don't have anything in particular I need to do, and at least one or two weeks a year (normally when I go on vacation).

fnord77 6y ago
> there have been many advances in ADHD meds respectfully, I disagree with this. The last new therapy was atomoxetine, which is almost 20 years old now and not seen as terribly efficacious. Everything else new has been some variation on mixed dextroamphetamine/amphetamine salts or methylphenidate. Vyvanse is just a pro-drug for dextroamphetamine. The only novel thing in the pipeline is SPN-812, which may work similar to atomoxetine.
- garmaine 6y ago
  New formulations are advances. I'm on Vyvanse and it has way fewer side effects than other amphetamine formulations. I could see someone deciding meds are not for them based on side effects or short duration and the come-down lows, and then have those go away entirely by taking Vyvanse.
- AnthonBerg 6y ago
  Lisdexamfetamine is profoundly different than other variants of amphetamine in utility and experience. It’s not just a prodrug – it has a rather clever molecular time-release mechanism. It comes in very slowly over a period of two hours, with plasma concentration plateau of two more. This makes a big difference; I experience no cravings or drug-seeking for more of the drug at any point. It’s also less of a “jolt”; The slow, steady increase in effect is much more conductive to steady yet limber focus. It’s just incredibly functional medicine. Also, the description of a 14-hour effective duration is accurate in my experience. It’s definitely a relatively new development and a much more humanely effective drug than previous options. — It is dextroamphetamine, which I’m inclined to believe is the more useful handedness. Levoamphetamine has more “body” effects. To the dextroamphetamine is bound a lysine molecule, and this together is an inactive powder. Enzymes in red blood cells are needed to cleave the lysine off and activate the dextroamphetamine. I’m quite certain that the dopamine rate-of-change detection mechanisms in the central nervous system cause very different behavioral and cognitive pattern cascades when it’s an almost imperceptively slow change, compared to an unhindered uptake of free amphetamine. Compare the difference in addiction potentials between faster and slower routes of administration of, say, nicotine - smoking fast, patches slow.

jv22222 6y ago

Has ADD had any kind of effect on your relationships? If so, in what way? I was wondering if ADD might make it seem like one doesn’t care about people because it’s hard to maintain focus on them.

thrav 6y ago
It absolutely does and is extremely challenging for a particular type of partner. There are many books on the subject. Most ADHD people are also susceptible to RSD (Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria(?)) that can make us feel like the entire planet is crumbling when we experience even minor rejections. As in, suicidal ideation level pain that at some point we have to learn how to move through or just avoid relationships altogether.
gavinray 6y ago
Yes, this is why I stopped filling my prescription two years ago. I excelled at work but it was damaging my relationship due to being so "zoned in" and at times robotic.
- jjeaff 6y ago
  It affect people differently. It makes me much more attentive and able to listen to what my wife has to say. She has been very happy with the effects.
  - gavinray 6y ago
    Yeah absolutely. It seems most people get only positive effects. Must be personal neurochemistry/predisposition. The breaking point hit when my partner showed me a video she took where she called my name 8 times standing right next to me trying to get my attention, and I had no clue. I was so zoned into the screen. After seeing that I was like damn.
nullsense 6y ago
Its very hard on relationships. It's not just seeming like you don't care, but also putting the burden on others when they pick up your slack and frequently letting them down by things you do and/or don't do.

heimatau 6y ago

I'm in the same boat as you. As I've aged, I've realized it's necessary for me to have medication for me to be productive for an extended period of time. I encourage you to embrace the chemical imbalance as the reason. The medications do work and withdrawing from them isn't bad either (if you decide to take a pill holiday or extended non-use). Finally, it's not about 'normal' focus. It's about you. If you're content with your productivity and behavior, then nothing is needed to change in your life. If you want to maximize your potential, then please consider medication. It doesn't go away (CBT never worked for me). Embrace your choice. Whatever you decide, is normal, it's your normal. That's perfectly acceptable.

sibeliuss 6y ago
> withdrawing from them isn't bad either Perhaps for you, but for others its a nightmare.
- heimatau 6y ago
  > but for others its a nightmare. I can only assume one of two reasons: 1. They were on XR. 2. Abuse. If it's another reason, maybe the formulation isn't the best for them because it's highly unlikely to have a 'nightmare' problem with getting off.
  - robertely 6y ago
    +1 on the XR makes it worse, but -1 on the only other reason being abuse. These drugs are not one-size-fits-all. Different people have different reactions.
    - heimatau 6y ago
      > These drugs are not one-size-fits-all. True but...on a probability basis, the two situations I gave are more than the majority of people's reason.
      - 6y ago

titanomachy 6y ago

I agree with the "blessing and curse" characterization. I owe my career to thousands of hours spent hyperfocused on learning programming languages for fun while I was supposed to be doing homework. On the other hand, I've come close to losing my job because of difficulty carrying out assigned tasks that don't matter to me. Interesting contrast though: for me leetcode, certain exams, and interviews often trigger hyperfocus. Studying and assignments, as well as day-to-day work, rarely do. I take a fair bit of medication so I can do my job. I'm trying to pivot towards something which more naturally engages my interest, maybe SRE or security work. Interesting how we're all affected differently. I recommend skimming "delivered from distraction" if you haven't already, there are some good tips in there on how ADHD folks can deliberately create the right conditions for flow.

christopher22 6y ago
I’m ADD and I don’t think it’s a disorder, but a trait that was selected for. I think it’s an explorers gene. It’s just difficult for us to fit in to the system. Not only school, but a traditional 9-5 for me is difficult. Especially while not on medication.
- Azrathud 6y ago
  I definitely agree with this. I seriously suspect that I have ADD, and a burden has been lifted off my shoulders ever since I quit my 9-5 startup job and started travelling the North America a van + freelance coding. Turn on, tune in, drop out
  - summitsummit 6y ago
    that's riskier
- nullsense 6y ago
  >I’m ADD and I don’t think it’s a disorder It is in the context of this society as we're fairly maladapted to it and struggle with a lot basic things that cause big problems in our lives.

bobloblaw45 6y ago

I also have ADD. I'm untreated since it's kinda expensive and my job is easy enough to not need to be. I'm glad that ADD/ADHD is more accepted now because I remember when the idea some people have problems focusing was immediately dismissed as laziness or a fault in character. I didn't even consider getting tested until far into adulthood because of the stigma.

matheusmoreira 6y ago

Similar experience here. As a kid I couldn't manage to read a couple paragraphs on a boring subject but I could study and practice programming for 12 hours straight. Developed plenty of coping mechanisms and was only diagnosed in adulthood halfway into medical school. Every ADHD patient I've seen has a similar story of hyperattention... I'm convinced this disorder is named after attention and hyperactivity because the children don't adapt well to school. At least not the traditional mass education model where kids sit in a class listening to lectures all day. There's probably a lot more we don't know about it. Some doctors I've seen think it's a made up illness created to sell amphetamines.

nullsense 6y ago
It's named after how we annoyed our parents and teachers as kids. Such a terrible name for it.
- summitsummit 6y ago
  wow that's a really interesting and seemingly insightful perspective and now i view the ADHD label as an insult.