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Comment by erlich | Hacker News Reader

"No objective test can confirm or rule out the diagnosis of ADHD" [1]

"hyperactive impulsive and/or inattentive symptoms for at least 6 months...five or more for adults...no other disorder better explains the symptoms"

Probably the most well-organized effort in the world to push drugs. If they work for you without side effects, good for you. But all drugs have side effects. Would I would to mess with my dopamine levels to optimize my economic output, no fucking way.

[1] Download Slides - https://www.adhdevidence.org/resources

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“Optimising economic output” is the last thing most ADHD people are looking for. Being able to live day to day without nerve-shredding vertiginous chaos touching every part of one’s life is much stronger a motivation.

I wear glasses to see better. Not that much different to be honest. It optimizes much more than productivity.

Yeah, I get it, why should we have to change to fit in a capitalism shaped hole? Absolutely. I struggle with that constantly. But it's much more than that. If it's only affecting your work and nothing else in your life then you're almost lucky.

Would you take the meds if you were retired with more cash than you need?

I certainly would. I wouldn't want to spend my retirement getting angry at myself that I suck at executing my hobbies, neglect relationships with people I care about, can't meaningfully rest even if try hard, struggle with keeping the space around me tidy even in the most generous meaning of that word etc.

In fact, that scenario would motivate me to seek medication much more than just having troubles with being productive at work. For now, I somehow manage to be productive enough for my job without having to use medication, so I'm trying not to fiddle with my organism needlessly. However, I'd still like to be less of a burden to the person I live with (who, thankfully, understands what I'm going through very well).

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