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by forsythe_ 1534 days ago
That's what I suspect is happening too.

ADHD doesn't necessarily present as "hyperactive child" or the other stereotypes to which it often gets associated. Many people receive an ADHD diagnosis in adulthood after years of (more or less) successfully coping by employing organizational strategies, e.g. good list-making, appointment reminders, setting extra alarms, and so on.

In terms of OP's rotating interests, the colloquial term is "hyper-focus" and it occurs because people with ADHD are dopamine deficient and generally crave novelty. That can lead to both regressive behaviors like substance abuse or more progressive behaviors like adopting new hobbies and interests.

For the latter, it's easy to get quick dopamine hits when you first dive into a new subject/hobby. But as time goes on and you dive deeper into it, the novelty you first experienced begins to wear off. The quickest antidote is to find a new fixation and start the process over again.

I've experienced this phenomenon many times myself, and much of what OP described resonates with my experiences.

2 comments

I totally agree.

> ADHD doesn't necessarily present as "hyperactive child" or the other stereotypes to which it often gets associated. Many people receive an ADHD diagnosis in adulthood after years of (more or less) successfully coping by employing organizational strategies.

That's pretty much been my case so far :') (though yet undiagnosed, only suspected).

It's not necessary to know that you have ADD/ADHD to tackle these issues, but it gives you a good idea of what's going on.

I suspect I have ADHD as well. Well, at least something similar / along the spectrum. I talk about it more in another Ask HN here: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=30952648

Would love your input! :)

Thanks for this. I did another Ask HN about ADHD-like thoughts and behaviors here: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=30952648

Hope you can contribute! :)