Comment by lghh | Hacker News Reader

Comment by lghh | Hacker News Reader

Parent Full thread

I understand why you're asking. I have often felt that way myself and it's why I put off getting treatment for so long. I was worried I would just end up being some 30 year old tech dude addicted to adderall who didn't actually need it. I want to address those questions in others since getting a diagnosis was so helpful for me. I want to educate around it.

The short answer is that I was diagnosed independently by 2 professionals, I have a family history of ADHD, and I exhibit all of the symptoms of ADHD.

Anecdotally, I know what stimulant abuse looks like. I have seen friends abuse adderall and other stimulants. I react totally different to it than they do.

Since starting: I'm less angry. I'm less annoyed. I have the ability to listen to my spouse talk to me. I'm not jittery or jumpy any more. I am not always singing, tapping, humming, talking over people, talking at yelling volume in normal conversations. I know when to stop talking. I can actually take naps now and go to sleep before my body almost literally shuts down like I used to not be able to.

I'd be happy to give you or anyone else a more in depth walk through how I got here and how I'm sure of what I have, but I understand that's not what you asked for.

> Since starting: I'm less angry. I'm less annoyed. I have the ability to listen to my spouse talk to me. I'm not jittery or jumpy any more.

THIS! Absolutely this.

Bit crazy that these are also the symptoms of someone on withdrawal from amphetamines and other stimulants†, huh?

But wait a sec... we had these before going anywhere near medication?

Could it possibly be we've been living a life of dopamine withdrawal?

† I was going to say "amphetamine addiction" but stopped myself... a significant number of these poor folk are self-medicating to escape the constant agony of their inner turmoil. They just couldn't get what they needed under the supervision of modern medicine, and micro-dose their intake so it delivers the beneficial effects and minimises the side-effect.

edit: formatting

Since not all ADHD medicines are dopaminergic, people would have to be short on norepinephrine and… whatever it is Intuniv/Tenex does as well.

I'm not very keen on the "everyone needs a dopamine break" hypothesis because I'm not sure those are actually the symptoms of amphetamine withdrawal. I mean, for me when it crashes it just makes me unable to get off the couch or go home from work because I forget to do it.

As someone still struggling to get an appointment just to possibly validate a diagnosis but with all these symptoms.

Thank you. I may not have adhd but at least it gives hope.

I know I'm telling you what you likely already know. But please please please please try to make the appointment. The only reason I was able to was because I created some sense of urgency to do it. Maybe have a friend that you make yourself accountable to? Tell them you owe them money if you don't make an appointment before X date and then more money if you don't go to the appointment?

If you need someone to talk though it with or if you have questions, my email is in my profile.

Thanks, but i did multiple :) It is just that they tend to take a few months of waiting list each time, to hear at the end "yeah you may have it, but i do not do adults".

It is not taking the first appt the problem, it is continuing despite the system spiting in your face.

From one data point in the sea to another, this is genuinely good to see.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com