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Comment by komali2 | Hacker News Reader

I don't even get how they're supposed to help with ADHD. They require too much attention to use (or I just suck at using them). I've always managed ADHD by doing things that require practically no attention - twirling a pen, doodling without looking, pacing the meeting room, etc.

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How long have you used one? I bought one thinking it'd be a fun toy for the gyroscopic effects, but after using it for less than a day, I was able to spin/fidget with it completely absentmindedly using only my off-hand. Previously my method of fidgeting would be fairly destructive, like breaking pens or picking nails. The spinner has had a very beneficial aspect on that, allowing me to fidget in a way that wont cause my fingers to bleed.

"I don't even get how they're supposed to help with ADHD"

They can become habitual to play with but frankly they are no better than lots of other things that move and be twiddled with. If you find doodling without looking distracting or any other coping mechanism works then stick with that.

If you can't get on with something that is supposed to be a "fix" then I suggest that you avoid it and do things that work for you.

Have you used one? I'm not pushing fidget spinners but I've been a pen-twirler since junior high and the spinner is almost the exact same motion with the same amount of attention involved.

I don't know how you've been using them but I think you're making them far more complicated then they need to be.

The same motion? Really? I hold the middle and spin it. Usually it just hurts my nail lol. Guess I am doing it wrong.

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