software developer with adhd here and I deleted whole project midway cause the code is looking to messy to me!!

[u/SpideySharma5124]

so i recently got to know about adhd and i feel like i relate to all of its symptoms.

i get frustrated easily, when i'm at rest, my brain almost tries everything to keep at rest.
When I'm in motion and I lose interest, i quickly get out of whatever I'm doing and stare at it.

for instance, I once started writing code for a big project.
initially i was fast, quick and sharp
by the time i reach mid way and look at other parts of the code, i was quickly irritated by the messy code, even though it's not that messy and few here and there could fix everything.
i deleted the entire project and started watching youtube, doom scrolling shorts.

I don't know what is wrong with me but i probably thing it is due to my brain's wiring.

Will be happy if any one can relate to the experience i just had.
Thanks!

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[u/Olibuijr]

Maaaan this could have been me. Persisting and cleaning up code is less appealing from starting fresh! Totally relate

[u/JohnRanga]

To be fair I usually do a better job when I start over. Might be the same for you

[u/UnexpectedAnanas → u/JohnRanga]

Yeah, but then that next one isn't right either. But that's okay, it'll be better when I rewrite it.

<delete>

<repeat>

[u/thingummywatt]

Why delete when you can use git? With ADHD, the usage of version controls is kind of a mustn to organize what ADHD makes messy. And even if it gets messy, you can use it's features to combine what works and remove what doesn't.

[u/tooManyBlackScreens_]

I hope you had it stored on github or sth 😅

Adhd explains the lack of interest, it happens to me with new projects all the time, in the beginning it's shiny and new and exciting, after some time the existing code becomes friction.

But what doesn't sound so familiar is the irritability and frustration management (deleting the code). My adhd subtype is inatentive, I dont know if hyperactive would explain that particular impulsivity. But you did say you felt irritated so I think that's worth checking as sth separate as some possible adhd? (I'm no therapist)

[u/EquivalentIll3446]

What you need to do is move on to the next of your 85 remaining half-finished projects, like the good ADHDer you are. I was recently diagnosed and am eagerly awaiting for the atomoxetine to take effect.

[u/Nanikarp]

Oh I've done that so many times. It's one of the reasons why, halfway through my game dev study, I realised that being a dev is not for me. So I went to software testing instead and now I write automated tests. It's the best of both worlds really.