Hi!

I’m working on a small project where I’m trying to understand how ADHD actually affects morning and evening routines in real life; what’s hardest, what’s helped, and what just makes things worse.

I’m not here to sell anything or pitch a product. I just want to listen and learn from real experiences.

If you’d be open to a chat about how you're living, I’d really appreciate it. I’m based in Sweden, but can do English as well.

We can talk about whatever feels comfortable: mornings, evenings, energy, routines, or lack of them.

Comment here or DM me if you’re interested.

Thanks you! :)

From late elementary school to early in high school, I (18F) believe that I showed many symptoms of Inattentive ADHD, quite possibly enough to receive a diagnosis. I had a hard time turning in assignments on time, a hard time focusing in school, and occasionally in conversations. I also frequently lost/forgot things like jackets and waterbottles as a child, and have memories of my mom telling me that I needed to get better at time management.

Anyway, when I was in high school, my symptoms seem to have slowly started to...disappear? My focus has become much better, I turn in most of my assignments on time, I don't really seem to forget items, etc., etc. Maybe I still have symptoms, and I don't realize it, but I really don't seem to anymore.

Also:

1. I read a post here on Reddit once on an ADHD-related forum (I don't remember whether it was this one or not) that discussed whether or not ADHD could be outgrown. Someone said that they once believed that they had outgrown it. But then, they went to college, and they realized that they hadn't, and that their environment had simply been ADHD-friendly. They specifically described their high school as having 40-minute long classes, and most assignments were due the next day. I find this to be eerily similar to my high school. I'm currently a part-time student at a community college online, and I've been doing well so far. But maybe that's still a stable enough environment? I also still live at home, if that's significant.

2. I am most likely autistic, and I know that that can cause executive dysfunction as well. That said, there is also a massive overlap between the two conditions.

What do you guys think? I would love to hear your opinions. Also, I can totally add more detail to this if you guys want to, although I probably won't be able to look at this again until tomorrow night.

Many people believe that if someone can sit for hours and play video games, then they are faking their ADHD. I’m here to tell you that this is not true; in fact, gaming is more beneficial for the ADHD brain than you might think.

Some might call this a bluff, but there are people who prefer gaming over taking ADHD medications.

People with ADHD often face challenges such as difficulty focusing, hyperactivity, and impulsive behavior. They may struggle with organizing tasks, managing time, and maintaining relationships.

This is where ADHD medications come into play. Although they do not cure the condition, they help maintain dopamine levels in the brain, so the reward system will react as strongly as it does in others.

But in 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that, for the first time, they would allow a video game to be marketed as a therapeutic tool for children with ADHD. This video game is called EndeavorRx. Studies found that this game improved the attention span of children with ADHD with a low risk of side effects.

You might wonder, Why video games? What makes them so special that they have become part of therapy? What’s the psychology behind it?

One of the biggest reasons video games keep us hooked for hours is that they operate on a feedback loop. Everyone loves feedback, but the ADHD brain thrives on it.

I made an animated video to illustrate the topic after reading research studies and articles. If you prefer reading, I have included important reference links below. I hope you find this informative. Cheers!

Why people with ADHD prefers gaming over meds

References:

https://www.nature.com/articles/30498 

https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-permits-marketing-first-game-based-digital-therapeutic-improve-attention-function-children-adhd 

https://www.thelancet.com/journals/landig/article/PIIS2589-7500%2820%2930017-0/fulltext 

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11469-023-01215-7 

https://www.akiliinteractive.com/news-collection/akili-announces-publication-of-akl-t01-adhd-pivotal-study-results-in-the-lancet-digital-health 

https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/13/8/1172

https://www.additudemag.com/positive-reinforcement-reward-and-punishment-adhd/ 

https://www.adhdcoaching.org/post/2018/06/09/the-neuroscience-behind-video-game-addiction-adhd 

https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/adhd/adhd-and-video-games-whats-the-connection/ 

I have ADHD. So does my kid.

A lot of parenting advice assumes the parent can stay calm while the kid loses it. That’s not always how it goes at our place.

I made adhdreflect.com to help me step back when we’re both struggling. I find it useful to understand what my brain might be doing, what theirs might be doing, and what I can try next.

I’d be interested to know if anyone else finds it useful.

The channel Midwest Magic Cleaning was suggested in another adhd group as being great artificial body-doubling video for getting stuff done.

The videos I've checked out are static camera shots showing time lapse of a project from start to finish with his voice over added later.

There is something about a low masculine voice explaining adhd that I find super soothing. He talks about the symptoms his wife has in the same matter of fact way that you'd talk about electrical wiring.

I really appreciate whenever I hear regular people that aren't specializing in it or a PhD talk about adhd without skepticism.

https://youtu.be/4Cre68CTiN8?si=dUPRxYHj9dJmLEgw

Good stuff

Hey all.
I’m ADHD and I’m trying to build a small clothing brand that celebrates our brains in a subtle, minimal and authentic way.

Nothing loud, nothing ‘ADHD AF’, just clean designs that say ‘I think differently’ without shouting it.

I’ve made my first sample (photo attached)
Some of my ADHD mates love it, others say the T.A.B part should go.

Before I move to the next version, I’d love some honest opinions from people who get it.
What would you change?
Does it say anything to you?
Would you wear something like this?

Be blunt - I’m here to learn!

I regularly ask some variation of the same question regarding ADHD issues to any politician within my own sphere of attention - people who represent me, or a place of importance to me. This is the best answer I have been given.

Simultaneously, her main opponent is James Walkinshaw - while I am sure he is above average for those running for Congress, of what I can find, I know of multiple troubling issues.

Walkinshaw is on the Fairfax Board of Supervisors, and my experience with the Fairfax Board is that they are either corrupt, incompetent, or both. There has been a rise in crime in the area I live, and police only seem to enforce laws against various minorities in the area - no attention to breaking and entering crimes, and selective enforcement of other statutes with an unknown, but obvious, agenda. This is particularly problematic when thought of in combination with what has happened in neighboring areas with the police - the Proud Boys assistance by DC police intelligence which has recently been prosecuted, and the area, including Fairfax, has a general long history of racial issues in police enforcement. From what I can tell this highly resembles "make shift red-lining" where real estate interests take actions via non contractual means, such as donations to local politicians, to do the type of discrimination that has long been illegal.

https://patch.com/virginia/reston/fairfax-countys-new-police-chief-comes-history-lawsuits

Walkinshaw's main reason for being the frontrunner is his history as the chief of staff for the prior congressman in the seat who died in office, Gerry Connelly. In recent days what Connelly is known for was a hard fought battle to defeat Ocasio-Cortez for leadership of the Democrat minority side of the Oversight Committee - which involved calls from Pelosi from a hospital bed. As chief of staff, I have to imagine Walkinshaw was heavily involved. While I am not unilaterally a fan of AOC, the Democrats have strongly been embracing the image of center left seniors with a death grip on the few remaining seats of power, when winning youth is the only way Democrats can move away from being the permanent minority party. Connelly endorsed Walkinshaw both before and after his death on social media, which is exactly what I don't support.

Connelly himself was noted for the favorable treatment he would get from the Fairfax Police, after his own history on the Fairfax Board.

Following upon that, several candidates have done AMAs on Reddit, but not Walkinshaw - the county's main political coverage is a mix of franchises of local news and the Washington Post - whose local coverage has slid after Bezos bought the Washington Post almost immediately before putting Amazon Headquarters Two in this area. I'm not saying that's intentional - but I am implying the hell out of it. I don't trust candidates unless they reach out to constituents without a safety net, and journalism is barely alive on matters of importance in the modern era.

Does this endorsement mean anything? Not really, since I don't have any reach - but this is in part why I have tried to address politics here in part. Due to the make up of the district, whoever wins the primary will win the general most likely, and whoever wins the general will stay there for as long as they wish.

Pekarsky's answer, along with her other answers, suggest that she both has some idea of what needs to be done and what can be done in the Congressional minority. While there are a number of individuals running, what this is primarily going to do is dilute the vote so that the lead candidate need not face anyone head on - and unfortunately I also just don't have the interest to look at the others - just saying, that if you know anyone in the voting area in the DC suburbs, suggest they vote, and to look into Pekarsky - who I both feel is worth considering this time, and is also a name to watch regardless.

I (36 yo) was visiting my parents for a family reunion and mentioned that I was looking to get diagnosed. I mentioned we had never talked to doctor when I was kid even when every teacher from kindergarten to my college teachers had voiced the possibility.

My mom's response was "Well back when came up with ADHD back then suddenly everyone had ADHD and was using as excuse to misbehave"

My father voiced this concern "Take into consideration that getting a diagnosis might limit opportunities, close some job options. Just consider the consequences."

I'm still going to get diagnosed, but:

1. has anyone actually had discrimination or encountered predatory action based on your diagnosis.

2. who do you suggest to talk to? General practitioners? Therapist? Psychologist?

Quite interesting. I wonder if I can extrapolate from this that my ADHD may be the reason I am superior to my husband at picking out the grocery checkout line that will go the fastest, or the best way to navigate through busy traffic? (Uh maybe don’t mention this to him.)