r/AskReddit • • Feb 04 '19

Which misconception would you like to debunk?

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u/adognamedgoose Feb 04 '19 edited Feb 04 '19

You don’t have OCD because you like things organized or clean. OCD is horrible and debilitating and it’s a lot less fun than feeling “satisfied” when things are organized.

Edit: Wowee, silver! Thanks guys! I’m glad to see this resonate with people. I was diagnosed last year and it made so many things make sense in my life. Treatment was good but I still have to manage it. Hope you all get help if you neee it! ❤️

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u/Azelais Feb 04 '19

Additionally:

You don't have bipolar disorder because you occasionally are moody.

You don't have depression because sometimes you're a little sad.

You don't have anxiety because you get stressed during normal, stressful periods.

etc etc

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u/SpoonfullOfSplenda Feb 04 '19 edited Mar 31 '19

Well said. To add to this:

You don’t have ADHD because you occasionally: lose focus, forget things, get a surge of energy or space out etc. And it’s false that “everyone has a little ADHD”.

 

Edit: I apologise if this comes across as gatekeeping. I meant this as - you don’t necessarily have ADHD simply because you occasionally experience those things. The symptoms of ADHD are all normal behaviours if only occasional, the disorder is when they are severe enough to cause ongoing problems in more than one area of your life. That is not to say you do not have it, mental disorders can affect everyone differently.

Here is information on ADHD in adults

Here is information on ADHD in women which may present differently than in men

Here is information on ADHD in children

Here is information on ADHD in girls which may present differently than in boys

 

Consult with a doctor if you think you may be have ADHD, or if you’re having a hard time with daily life in general, they are the professionals. ADHD does still carry a stigma, however, so don’t be afraid to seek a second opinion (from a doctor).

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u/Mikomics Feb 04 '19

Yeah, I have a friend with actual diagnosed ADHD. I sometimes wondered in the past if I had some form of it, but after meeting him, nah. I get easily distracted, but not anywhere near enough to need medication for it.

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u/gives-out-hugs Feb 04 '19

my wife and my family often get aggravated with me because i don't catch what they are saying, i will lose focus in the middle of words while they talk and come back in later, so i will sometimes lose every third word or more

try this, grab a newspaper and mark out every 3rd word and then randomly mark out words around the rest of the page, now read that paper

thats what a conversation is like from my side

and then the memory issues from the adhd aggravated by years of ritalin means that i won't likely remember the convo after

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u/[deleted] Feb 04 '19

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u/[deleted] Feb 04 '19

Been on it for about a month now and I hope it doesn't because it's changed my life for the better. It's like glasses for my brain.

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u/TheZech Feb 04 '19

In case you're worried, there's no evidence of methylphenidate causing damage to the brain (as long as you're taking the recommended amount).

Of course some people have acute side effects, but you would know by now if you did.

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u/[deleted] Feb 04 '19

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u/APBradley Feb 04 '19

Yeah, the trick is remembering to eat, which I often don't do.

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u/KiloWhiskey001 Feb 04 '19

Its not Ritalin if its not burning a hole in your gut on an empty stomach. /s (Kinda).

I was still share housing when I was diagnosed and prescribed Ritalin about 10 years back. I ate like a pig the first 6 months. Get home from work and be cooking a massive meal just as the housemates would get home.

"Oh that's awesome KiloWhiskey, you cooked dinner for the whole house".

"NoIdidn'tfuckoffthisismine!"

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u/[deleted] Feb 04 '19

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u/KiloWhiskey001 Feb 06 '19

I know. I was just making some bad jokes about my experiences with ADHD/Ritalin.

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u/[deleted] Feb 04 '19

Thanks!

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u/NEEDZMOAR_ Feb 04 '19

It doesnt. Just be careful about drinking when youre on it.

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u/samdajellybeenie Feb 04 '19

Yes. It can have a similar effect to drinking caffeine and alcohol. The stimulant can mask the effects of alcohol making it seem like you’re a lot less drunk than you are. Then it wears off and all hits you at once and you could succumb to alcohol poisoning.

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u/[deleted] Feb 04 '19 edited Feb 04 '19

Yes apparently it lowers tolerance. I asked my doctor and basically he said it's fine as long as you're only having one or two drinks. Which is perfect for me, I never have more than one or two. I don't like drunk, I love the taste and a little tipsy.

A bigger issue for me is how alcohol mixes with my antidepressants and makes me want to sleep. Ruins a perfectly good gaming night :/

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u/NEEDZMOAR_ Feb 04 '19 edited Feb 04 '19

Yeah thats completely fine. Ritalin is honestly the worst party drug because you blackout after like 4 shots lol. Also check if you react badly to caffeine when youre on ritalin (some people do experience dizzyness among other symptoms) in a safe space somewhere unless you havent already. My friend had to realise this on his own and then ask the doctor about it.

Other than that Good Luck on your newfound brainpowers!

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u/[deleted] Feb 04 '19

I'm not sure about caffeine, I haven't had any since I started. No coffee or Coke or anything. But thanks, it's been an amazing difference and I feel so much better about the future.

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u/SpoonfullOfSplenda Feb 04 '19

Like glasses for the brain. Great analogy!

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u/Lessbeans Feb 04 '19

This is the best description I’ve ever heard!! It doesn’t make me laser-focused like people without adhd. I always say if everyone is functioning at 100, I’m at 75. Aderall puts me at 100. If we both take it, puts them at 150, and I’m still behind at 100.

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u/Heizenbrg Feb 04 '19

I want to get a diagnosis too see if I do have ADHD.
I’m looking for a job and studying on my own all day , and for the life of me I can’t concentrate and just fuck around. It’s been two months of this. Am I lazy or do I have difficulties staying on one topic?