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by saaaaaam 907 days ago
> I would recommend thinking critically about any given task before getting into the work.

> think of this as reading the instructions and questions on a timed test before foolishly trying to solve the first equation you see

I realise that you’re trying to be helpful here but these comments show a significant misunderstanding of ADHD. For many people with ADHD plunging in without reading the instructions is the only way - or rather, reading the instructions first is nearly impossible, because of impulsivity and hyperactivity. Thinking critically about pieces of work is also difficult because one thought begets another and suddenly you are in a spiral of tangential interwoven thoughts and the whole thing becomes so overwhelming that you can’t see anything except a huge mess of thoughts and interdependencies and “what ifs” and the whole thing becomes paralysing.

What does debilitating really mean? I could always get the work done, and get it done well, but at significant cost to my mental energy. Medication has removed the sprawling overwhelm and allows me to focus and read the instructions first without that sending me into a spiral of overanalysis.
2 comments
Geisterde 907 days ago
The point of these excercises is to interrupt that process before you get in into it, you may or may not be right that they wouldnt work on someone that has ADHD, but having manic behavior isnt always an indication of ADHD, and all else you have to go on is a childhood diagnoses.

So, in my mind you have already skipped that part where you slow down to analyze the problem, and have moved straight into prescribing a solution.

Debilitating I believe has a technical definition, but I would say that if your psychology is demonstrably causing you grief because you cant stay out of your own way, AND less invasive measures have proven ineffective, then medication may be reasonable.

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websitescenes 907 days ago
“What does debilitating really mean? I could always get the work done, and get it done well, but at significant cost to my mental energy.”

That sums it up perfectly for me as well. I get shit done but at a high cost mentally, physically and emotionally.

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