Hey everyone, I saw a community called ADHD Talk, but it’s got no users, so I came here instead.
I like this community because it provides a lot of funny contexts for the difficulties I come across in understanding my diagnosis, and some honest stories from other ADHD people (victims? Possessors?, Space cadets?)
It’s also hard because, like some legitimate OCD possessing members that groan at every mild example of specificity, it’s hard to filter out the general decrease of attention spans due to technological advances/rapid cuts used in animation from other people trying to understand and live with a diagnosed disorder.
Anyways, hoping I can make some new friends here (which despite being very social in person and 33 years old, I haven’t figured out how to make friends online somehow?)
Welcome!
it’s hard to filter out the general decrease of attention spans due to technological advances/rapid cuts used in animation from other people trying to understand and live with a diagnosed disorder.
The thing is, ADHD isn’t just about attention span. It is a disorder which affects executive function so in addition to directing and holding mental focus, prioritizing and planning are difficult. Issues with estimating time to do things, managing time, keeping track of time passing, seem to often be involved. Poor short term memory is an issue. Coordination and spatial awareness (bumping into things) can be problems. Social difficulties are common and some lack of self awareness I understand to be issues too. Self motivation (the ability to “just do it”) is difficult.
Even in terms of attention it is really more like being unable to consciously control what you focus on. You might hyperfocus on something you shouldn’t, to the exclusion of more important things, or you might be able to focus on the thing that’s important, or you might have a hard time switching focus between things (especially quickly).
I’ve always thought that ADHD is the most poorly named condition I’ve ever seen. It’s borderline offensive. They named the condition after the fact that other people find us annoying, and even then, the name describes a single sign, and is far from all encompassing. It’s like calling Parkinson’s Disease “shaky hand syndrome”.
The group responsible for the DSM needs to get off its ass and do better.
“I’m afraid the diagnosis is Fuck You You Shaky Bastard Syndrome”
Mad respect, as someone who is trying to understand it better, it’s hard breaking down what I thought it was and how limited that is. It really starts with the name itself, I never really considered that.
They really need to rename it something that actually sounds as serious as it is, like ExecutiveDysfunctionDisorder (EDD) or some shit. My entire life was being played on Legendary difficulty due to no diagnosis until I was in my late fucking 20’s, and I was finally given medication and an understanding of all the ways my own shithouse brain has been holding me back.
I’m now slowly catching up on life. It fucking sucks.
To be fair, EDD is far too close to erectile dysfunction disorder.
Well, I saw someone calling ADHD erectile dysfunction of the mind, so…
I’m 40 and only just now getting diagnosed!
I really appreciate this explaination, it goes past most of what I usually hear about and yet perfectly encapsulates all of the issues I’ve always had that seemed to get shrugged off by my family.
I even got passed over for a raise today because even though I excel as a service technician with the most positive reviews from customers, my paperwork isn’t consistent enough. Clerical stuff just shuts my brain down, even simple paperwork I’ve filled out hundreds of times before. I’m feeling really down about it and trying to figure out how to work around this spaghetti pile between my ears.
Wait, ADHD might be why I occasionally bump into walls, too? Does it relate to why I seem unusually prone to biting my cheek/tongue? I think I have ADHD; I went to a psychiatrist last week for an evaluation but forgot to ask at the end of the session if he thinks I have it, but he wants to try me on stimulant medication so I’m assuming that’s a yes.
Yeah I recall Dr. Barkley or someone saying something about awareness of oneself in space in relation to other things or something like that. I bump into door frames way more often than is normal for no reason whatsoever.
I think I have ADHD; I went to a psychiatrist last week for an evaluation but forgot to ask at the end of the session if he thinks I have it
Not saying you do or don’t (not qualified) but… That’s got to be one of the most ADHD things I’ve heard :)
I don’t remember if nervous habits are typical (besides, like, bouncing your leg or stuff like that) but I know I have similar quirks.
If they’re trying stimulant medication it sounds like a “likely” or at least “maybe”? Best wishes.
ADHD isn’t just short attention span. It’s the disability of directing attention. This is why ADHD folks can also spend twelve hours straight reading (e.g.) about the history of donuts. It’s not that we have little attention. We just can’t pick where it goes. And sometimes it goes hard.
That’s very true. I’ve been down so many rabbit holes by now though that I have started giving up trying to do anything because I feel like as soon as I get good at it I’ll lose interest/it’s pointless/etc. Thanks for replying and making me feel a little bit seen.
I call that “chasing the dopamine”. Once the dopamine vanishes, it’s over.
It makes it hard to start things knowing it’s likely to end in boredom or burnout. I find it helps try to focus on the good things in life, and appreciate that life is a series of menial tasks but joy can still be found around and within despite the seeming monotony.
I sometimes will remind myself that even on my worst days, the life I live is charmed in ways I don’t always realize. I saw a note in someone’s house once that said, “Remember when you wanted what you now have.”
