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Usually the question of why I'm avoiding doing the thing I need to do is answered with "ADHD". Although I did appreciate the post.

wnkrshm 3y ago
Yeah, I'm dealing with it at work right now for a deadline. I'm using my entire tool box.
- tailspin2019 3y ago
  Care to share what some of those tools are? :)
  - wnkrshm 3y ago
    I have a report where the actual project work done is not exactly what was planned, so that's triggering some avoidance. It was hard to start with directly writing the report. So what I did is the classic 'break it down' but with a pinch of artificial compartmentalization from the part triggering the avoidance: I tried to focus only on what was actually done (significant in volume of work) switched to itemizing everything that was done first, not directly working into the report template. I report on each of these items in isolation first, without reference to the plan, which gives me momentum since the pages fill up fast. The last part is sorting the pages into the report template, according to the work items they fit best with. Edit: The idea being that the momentum from the documenting of the work in isolation, will carry me through producing relatively little text referring to the plan. It's not honorable work but it needs doing.
    - tailspin2019 3y ago
      Smart! As someone who has similar challenges, this was interesting to read. Edit: Good luck with the report. Just the word "report" makes me convulse :)
qumpis 3y ago
Doesn't adhd just exacerbate the problem, but isn't the real cause? Like I will sometimes avoid some tasks because they highlight my insecurities
- annie_muss 3y ago
  The executive function deficit that comes with ADHD means that you don't have as much control over those emotions. The discomfort of the task is overwhelming and so you avoid and procrastinate. The fact that avoiding the task is rooted in emotion isn't exacerbated by ADHD, it is ADHD.
  - jamiek88 3y ago
    Yes and it often be a physical response too like my arms will start to have phantom aches when forcing myself to do something my adhd is screaming against. Weird.
    - TeMPOraL 3y ago
      This. For me it's occasional chest pressure, and constant phantom hunger. It's like my un/subconscious mind decided to go to war with the conscious part, and is using bodily sensations as weapons.
  - edrxty 3y ago
    Really well said. It's really hard to describe to neurotypicals because while they experience avoidant behavior and lack of motivation, doing the dishes doesn't feel like being tasked with penetrating a foot thick tungsten wall using only your teeth. They just think you should be able to do waves hands something involving bootstraps so therefore you're just stupid and lazy.
  - reuben364 3y ago
    At the worst of times, when I had a university assignment I would sit at my desk to do the assignment and physically feel a repulsive force from my work. Like a really strong gust of wind. And now I have unlocked middle school memories of staying up all night, alternating between lying down from exhaustion to forcing myself to sit and write a few words each round for my English essays that day.
deleted 3y ago
[deleted]
jimmaswell 3y ago
Medication made a life changing difference in my case. It's no longer a problem at all doing the things I want or need to do, like getting deeper into hobbies or starting on work projects I'd been dreading.
- justinator 3y ago
  I have a history of family drug abuse, so I don't trust myself with things like meth. Also, it's been very hard to get legally.
  - jimmaswell 3y ago
    It was surprisingly easy for me - I went to adhdonline, took a long questionnaire, next day got a diagnosis back from a doctor who reviewed my responses, and the day after that I had a 30 minute zoom call and a prescription to pick up the same day. Not sure where you are but this service is available in almost every state in the US. A low dose stimulant like the methylphenidate I got isn't the same as getting high on meth. For someone with ADHD it just brings them up to feeling normal. I have a family history of drug abuse too but I don't think it's a good reason to avoid legitimate medical treatment.
    - justinator 3y ago
      There's a drug shortage of Adderall, I guess you're immune. https://time.com/6272668/adderall-shortage-update/ https://time.com/6272668/adderall-shortage-update/ That service sounds kinda fucked to be honest. With the right crank doctor, I can get most anything honestly - see everyone on Tik Tok on steroids. >A low dose stimulant like the methylphenidate I got isn't the same as getting high on meth. For someone with ADHD it just brings them up to feeling normal. I have a family history of drug abuse too but I don't think it's a good reason to avoid legitimate medical treatment. How about I'll make the call on what drugs I put in my body, thank you. You don't know me, my family, or my history. If you think I'm taking mental health advice from someone on hn with a My Little Pony fetish, you're fucking crazy.

wnkrshm 3y ago

Yeah, I'm dealing with it at work right now for a deadline. I'm using my entire tool box.

tailspin2019 3y ago
Care to share what some of those tools are? :)
- wnkrshm 3y ago
  I have a report where the actual project work done is not exactly what was planned, so that's triggering some avoidance. It was hard to start with directly writing the report. So what I did is the classic 'break it down' but with a pinch of artificial compartmentalization from the part triggering the avoidance: I tried to focus only on what was actually done (significant in volume of work) switched to itemizing everything that was done first, not directly working into the report template. I report on each of these items in isolation first, without reference to the plan, which gives me momentum since the pages fill up fast. The last part is sorting the pages into the report template, according to the work items they fit best with. Edit: The idea being that the momentum from the documenting of the work in isolation, will carry me through producing relatively little text referring to the plan. It's not honorable work but it needs doing.
  - tailspin2019 3y ago
    Smart! As someone who has similar challenges, this was interesting to read. Edit: Good luck with the report. Just the word "report" makes me convulse :)

qumpis 3y ago

Doesn't adhd just exacerbate the problem, but isn't the real cause? Like I will sometimes avoid some tasks because they highlight my insecurities

annie_muss 3y ago
The executive function deficit that comes with ADHD means that you don't have as much control over those emotions. The discomfort of the task is overwhelming and so you avoid and procrastinate. The fact that avoiding the task is rooted in emotion isn't exacerbated by ADHD, it is ADHD.
- jamiek88 3y ago
  Yes and it often be a physical response too like my arms will start to have phantom aches when forcing myself to do something my adhd is screaming against. Weird.
  - TeMPOraL 3y ago
    This. For me it's occasional chest pressure, and constant phantom hunger. It's like my un/subconscious mind decided to go to war with the conscious part, and is using bodily sensations as weapons.
- edrxty 3y ago
  Really well said. It's really hard to describe to neurotypicals because while they experience avoidant behavior and lack of motivation, doing the dishes doesn't feel like being tasked with penetrating a foot thick tungsten wall using only your teeth. They just think you should be able to do waves hands something involving bootstraps so therefore you're just stupid and lazy.
- reuben364 3y ago
  At the worst of times, when I had a university assignment I would sit at my desk to do the assignment and physically feel a repulsive force from my work. Like a really strong gust of wind. And now I have unlocked middle school memories of staying up all night, alternating between lying down from exhaustion to forcing myself to sit and write a few words each round for my English essays that day.

deleted 3y ago

[deleted]

jimmaswell 3y ago

Medication made a life changing difference in my case. It's no longer a problem at all doing the things I want or need to do, like getting deeper into hobbies or starting on work projects I'd been dreading.

justinator 3y ago
I have a history of family drug abuse, so I don't trust myself with things like meth. Also, it's been very hard to get legally.
- jimmaswell 3y ago
  It was surprisingly easy for me - I went to adhdonline, took a long questionnaire, next day got a diagnosis back from a doctor who reviewed my responses, and the day after that I had a 30 minute zoom call and a prescription to pick up the same day. Not sure where you are but this service is available in almost every state in the US. A low dose stimulant like the methylphenidate I got isn't the same as getting high on meth. For someone with ADHD it just brings them up to feeling normal. I have a family history of drug abuse too but I don't think it's a good reason to avoid legitimate medical treatment.
  - justinator 3y ago
    There's a drug shortage of Adderall, I guess you're immune. https://time.com/6272668/adderall-shortage-update/ https://time.com/6272668/adderall-shortage-update/ That service sounds kinda fucked to be honest. With the right crank doctor, I can get most anything honestly - see everyone on Tik Tok on steroids. >A low dose stimulant like the methylphenidate I got isn't the same as getting high on meth. For someone with ADHD it just brings them up to feeling normal. I have a family history of drug abuse too but I don't think it's a good reason to avoid legitimate medical treatment. How about I'll make the call on what drugs I put in my body, thank you. You don't know me, my family, or my history. If you think I'm taking mental health advice from someone on hn with a My Little Pony fetish, you're fucking crazy.