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Comment by chrisweekly | Hacker News Reader

I prefer to view it as a trait. It's only a disorder if it's not managed properly. By way of analogy to software, consider parallel processing. A program written by someone ignorant of thread safety will be unreliable or even entirely useless; OTOH, there are huge advantages to multi-core processors and distributed systems. IMHO it's a lazy mistake to label everyone whose mind works in this more complicated way as impaired or flawed. I suggest embracing how your unique mind works, learning more about meta-cognition, and finding whatever combination of tools* works best for you, in order to realize your true potential. Many of the most powerful and successful and happy people in the world have figured this out. Don't let your diagnosis be an excuse for mediocrity or failure!

*eg counseling | coaching, medication, meditation, exercise, productivity systems, journaling, etc.

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I think what makes it a disorder is its severity makes it difficult for an individual to manage it properly without treatment or intervention.

Everything you've suggested are things that most people who are aware that they have the disorder try or do already in order to manage it, I would be surprised if a lot of people found out they had ADHD and used their diagnosis as "an excuse for mediocrity or failure!"

If I were being uncharitable I'd say you were just using this comment as a way to dole out unasked for advice to either make yourself feel better or put down some straw-man you've made up. But since I'm not, I'll just leave it at you ain't said nothing slick to a can of oil.

Respectfully, other than your first sentence (which agrees w my post) you've completely misunderstood and mischaracterized what I wrote.

I'm speaking from personal experience about what's been profoundly helpful to me in successfully overcoming a set of challenges related to how my mind works. My intent was and is to share and encourage others. FYI, learning to view this condition as a trait that can be advantageous (vs a defect or impairment) can be transformational for people suffering needlessly from frustration, guilt and self-doubt -- which mental health issues are rampant in my ADHD cohort. My aim is to speak directly to this group in saying "don't give up! try looking at things in this way, keep searching for the right solution and there's a good chance your life could radically improve, as did mine."

As for your ideas about what constitutes being "charitable", the less said the better. May I politely suggest taking a few slow breaths, ideally w your eyes closed, outside, w the sun on your face, and remember how lucky we all are to be alive.

Have a great day!

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