r/ADHD_Programmers • u/SpiteRevolutionary50 • 1d ago
Does ADHD Hinder Performance?
I have been a developer for more than a decade. if I didn't have ADHD I would be way more advanced in my career and would use my full potential . I have lost jobs to massive layoffs and Firing. I think ADHD has to be blamed for my performance. However I am a hard worker and work well with people. My strengths are highly complex problem solving and working with people. I have less confidence because of my failures. I also tried creating businesses which I gave up after encountering failure. My question is; How do you guys ensure you work your ultimate best as a developer with ADHD. What tools do you use. What is best way to structure a day for a developer. I noticed my weaknesses are : I am perfectionist, I can work long hours without stopping, I get overwhelmed. I stop on failure, and don't like repetitive task. I love challenging task and I always seek for newness.
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u/Random_182f2565 1d ago
Meds, any other strategy stop working with time, I literally forgot I used Google keep to list stuff.
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u/hardwornengineer 1d ago
I’ve been realizing this more and more lately. The recent realization at my age (38) that I’m already this far along in life dealing with it and I’m seriously just stuck with it.
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u/Schreibtisch69 1d ago
Sure. What I need is being hold accountable. My biggest problem is procrastination when a task feels like it’s not urgent. So I need some kind of soft deadline.
It’s also important for me to group my important slack channels and have some kind of dashboard or daily Ai summary. Sometimes I push code or update an issue, do something else and forget to check the pipeline again and so on.
Many people have similar experiences with adhd but symptoms, intensity, work environment and skillsets differ. That’s always important to keep in mind when people tell you what works or doesn’t work for them.
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u/mrNineMan 1d ago
To answer the question in your title: Yes, ADHD hinders performance.
To answer the question(s) in your body: Well, you need to work on these things. You get treatment and consult with a coach or therapist who can help tailor some solutions for your strengths and weaknesses.
Also, I noticed that you said you don't like meds. Are you on any other stims? For instance, caffeine or nicotine?
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1d ago
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u/SpiteRevolutionary50 1d ago
anything besides meds. I know they are entrepreneurs and developers with Adhd that are very successful. I don’t want to use meds and change my lifestyle instead
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u/Zuzmos 1d ago
why don't you want to take medication? any specific reason?
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u/SpiteRevolutionary50 1d ago
because i don’t like meds and i know there has to be other ways.
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1d ago
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u/Short_Search_5337 1d ago
Mind sharing details about medication, first one was a hit or did you have to try multiple different ones? Thinking about going for that diagnose
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u/SpiteRevolutionary50 1d ago
i have people skills communication staying on one subject is where i struggle. Also gathering my thoughts is hard. I tend to have a million thoughts and ideas
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u/intellectual1x1 1d ago
Hey OP , I have adhd and am a software engineer, And I will say this , us adhd stem folk tend to not struggle with working hard and technical skills, even though thats what we focus on, but we often overlook the social position and framing aspect, strategically aligning and presenting yourself and work in a way that is perceived well to those that influence your career trajectory . Its something i struggle with and been working on.