[hluska]

First off, see a doctor and get a diagnosis. Avoid the drugs. Ritalin or its time released bastard cousin Concerta are bad news...in my opinion (I'm not a doctor), they're both worse than cocaine.

Second, if you are on the ADHD spectrum, you will need to change your attitude towards ADHD. Yeah, it makes certain environments less productive, and it can create a whole world of problems in personal relationships. However, ADHD can also be extremely helpful.

For me, ADHD is my secret weapon. My brain is simply better equipped to see all sides of an issue. And, for me at least, ADHD is a big part of my creative process. When I brainstorm, my mind can move through possibilities faster than in a non-ADHD mind.

If you are going to learn to live with ADHD, you have to change your attitude towards it. Yes, it's tough, but it is also an incredible gift.

Third, while meditation is useful, drumming is likely the single best way that I found to treat my ADHD. The drummer's mindset and effortless focus are amazing training for those times when you really need to focus on one thing.

Fourth, carry around a notebook and diary out your life. Keep track of what you eat, drink, do and your moods. Make special note of times when your ADHD is worse than others and try to figure out the triggers. One of my major triggers is a lack of water. If I'm even slightly dehydrated, holy shit, I don't know who you are or what I was talking about, but a bird just flew by my window....

[throwaway_adhd]

>First off, see a doctor and get a diagnosis. Avoid the drugs. Ritalin or its time released bastard cousin Concerta are bad news...in my opinion (I'm not a doctor), they're both worse than cocaine.

If I should avoid drugs why going to a doctor? The symptoms match that good that I don't have much doubt anymore that I have ADHD(and not only the obvious symptoms match, but also stuff like eg terrible time management, I have barely any intuition about time and often am late with no ill will)

> Second, if you are on the ADHD spectrum, you will need to change your attitude towards ADHD. Yeah, it makes certain environments less productive, and it can create a whole world of problems in personal relationships. However, ADHD can also be extremely helpful.

Could you please expand on that. What environments do you avoid and which do you seek? (calm ones?)

>Fourth, carry around a notebook and diary out your life. Keep track of what you eat, drink, do and your moods. Make special note of times when your ADHD is worse than others and try to figure out the triggers.

Will try that out

Thank you for your input.

[hluska]

Thanks for your reply!!

If I were you, I'd still go to a doctor and get a complete work up, including blood and urine tests. That way, you can rule out any physical conditions that could be causing your symptoms. It sounds like you have ADHD, but that way, you know there isn't something underlying (and easily treatable) that is causing these symptoms.

It's more of an insurance policy, I guess.

As for environments, I know that some places just will not be productive for me unless I take strong steps. For example, fluorescent lights and total silence are a bad combination for me. If I work in a dev pit, I need headphones and carefully curated playlists. If I get bored and start hunting for better music, I'm screwed for the rest of the day. If I sit somewhere where people are constantly walking by in my peripheral vision, I'm going to have problems.

I sound like a lovely guy to invite to parties...

But, ADHD is my secret weapon, so sometimes I want to enhance the symptoms. If I'm in a group setting, I'm most productive when we deviate from the agenda. Little bits of small talk mixed in with 'business' get my creative juices flowing. If you let me go, I'll come back (eventually) with something. If I expose myself to chaos, chaos often rewards me with interesting ideas!

Good luck! And, if you need anything, my email is in my profile!