[sibeliuss]

This article hits home so precisely -- not personally but in terms of those who I've worked with in the past, and in particular the reputation bits.

It was been painful to watch, to be honest, because the impact on our team had been so acute, and it simply never got better after so much effort on the part of management, other engineers, etc.

Where I diverge with base assumptions however is that I suspect these particular people had been misdiagnosed with ADHD, were given medication, and it was the medication that led them to drop the ball. Why? Basic physiological needs were never being met, again and again. They were constantly reporting insomnia, missing meals, fatigue and all of the things you associate with stimulants being either misused or abused. Having _been there_, it was easy to spot. And I think this sort of thing is tragically common in our field, and is rarely confronted because of identity issues associated with medical labels.

[binoct]

You seem to be saying that people presenting with classic symptoms of ADHD clearly don’t have it because stimulant abuse can also cause those symptoms?

Sure, people get misdiagnosed or purposely lie to get meds, but tons of people legitimately have the condition. Insomnia, poor basic self care, and fatigue (hello insomnia among others) are 100% symptoms of the condition. Taking medication doesn’t “fix” ADHD, it helps some people cope better in some ways.

[sibeliuss]

I'm speaking only to the high rate of over-prescription and misdiagnosis (this is a fact), and how it's very likely that more than a few people are finding their lives more difficult with medication. The potential for spiraling out is certainly there with amphetamines, and it can sneak up on you, especially when basic physiological needs are no longer being met. Having known these people for a good while, I think they fell squarely into this category.

[ok_dad]

You’re not a doctor.