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I’m 39. I’ve been diagnosed with ADHD/AS about 11 months ago, after having seen a psychiatrist complaining about chronic fatigue (cf. my Ask HN from two years a

I’m 39. I’ve been diagnosed with ADHD/AS about 11 months ago, after having seen a psychiatrist complaining about chronic fatigue (cf. my Ask HN from two years ago [0]). Methylphenidate has helped _immensely_. As has accepting the wiring of my brain, taking a two-months sabbatical, and practicing awareness about the ADHD habits. I’m having the year of my life. I can’t remember being productive this consistently basically ever. [0]: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=29768418 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=29768418

fasteo 3y ago
>>> after having seen a psychiatrist complaining about chronic fatigue Is there a causal relation between ADHD and chronic fatigue ?
- SpaceManNabs 3y ago
  yeah because hyperfocus or losing track of how much energy you are wasting on spurious tasks.
- hughesjj 3y ago
  It's not the only cause, but yes. Could also be hormonal, sickness, stress, lack of quality sleep/nutrition, etc. for men the drop off in testosterone definitely can manifest in feelings of lethargy.
- 8ytecoder 3y ago
  I have been trying to find information on this - but couldn’t find any real scientific literature. Anecdotally, it’s true for me and my current psychiatrist was the first one to recognise the link and start treating my ADHD instead of the depression and low energy and fatigue that I went to her for. Not there yet. But can confirm that the meds help a lot.
comprev 3y ago
I was diagnosed a few years back and use the same drug - the difference is night and day for me. Astonishing difference to my life! When people ask if I'm frustrated/angry that it took until I was mid-30s to get diagnosed, I respond by saying how I'm proud of myself for achieving what I have so far unmedicated/undiagnosed - and excited about what the future might hold.
- hirvi74 3y ago
  > When people ask if I'm frustrated/angry that it took until I was mid-30s to get diagnosed I've seen the Butterfly Effect movie from the early 00s. I know that going back and changing one thing can have drastic consequences, and not always for the better. ;)
boringds 3y ago
I just started on the same medication after seeing a psychiatrist. We are experimenting on dosage. However it's frustrating, first month on 18 mg was almost better than the 27 mg I take right now, even though 18 mg in the end did nothing anymore. How did you find your optimal dosage? My partner reports massive improvements (no fidgetting, calmness, less impulsive) but I still feel .... the same and sometimes worse when it comes to fatigue and work, even though I sleep well.
RHSman2 3y ago
It is such a revelation. But a slow one that takes a while to incorporate into being (I found.)

fasteo 3y ago

>>> after having seen a psychiatrist complaining about chronic fatigue Is there a causal relation between ADHD and chronic fatigue ?

SpaceManNabs 3y ago
yeah because hyperfocus or losing track of how much energy you are wasting on spurious tasks.
hughesjj 3y ago
It's not the only cause, but yes. Could also be hormonal, sickness, stress, lack of quality sleep/nutrition, etc. for men the drop off in testosterone definitely can manifest in feelings of lethargy.
8ytecoder 3y ago
I have been trying to find information on this - but couldn’t find any real scientific literature. Anecdotally, it’s true for me and my current psychiatrist was the first one to recognise the link and start treating my ADHD instead of the depression and low energy and fatigue that I went to her for. Not there yet. But can confirm that the meds help a lot.

comprev 3y ago

I was diagnosed a few years back and use the same drug - the difference is night and day for me. Astonishing difference to my life! When people ask if I'm frustrated/angry that it took until I was mid-30s to get diagnosed, I respond by saying how I'm proud of myself for achieving what I have so far unmedicated/undiagnosed - and excited about what the future might hold.

hirvi74 3y ago
> When people ask if I'm frustrated/angry that it took until I was mid-30s to get diagnosed I've seen the Butterfly Effect movie from the early 00s. I know that going back and changing one thing can have drastic consequences, and not always for the better. ;)

boringds 3y ago

I just started on the same medication after seeing a psychiatrist. We are experimenting on dosage. However it's frustrating, first month on 18 mg was almost better than the 27 mg I take right now, even though 18 mg in the end did nothing anymore. How did you find your optimal dosage? My partner reports massive improvements (no fidgetting, calmness, less impulsive) but I still feel .... the same and sometimes worse when it comes to fatigue and work, even though I sleep well.

RHSman2 3y ago

It is such a revelation. But a slow one that takes a while to incorporate into being (I found.)