I was supposed to do boring life stuff today but I got heavily sidetracked by trying to model a physics problem.

This sort of distraction happens a lot to me, when I'm meant to be doing one chore but drop it and do a different one when I see it needs to be done. Like needing to clean the stove, then noticing the cupboards aren't clean, and then staying up late cleaning my kitchen from top to bottom. The sort of thing where it's hard to find motivation but once I do then I'm unstoppable.

I have a friend on adderall, and how he describes that drug it wouldn't work to help this because it helps you focus, but not necessarily on the right thing. He once took it to finish an assignment and then got fixated on a videogame instead and played it until 5am.

  • niph [she/her]
    ·
    8 months ago

    Hello, I am diagnosed with ADHD and I take Vyvanse. It’s similar to adderall but much slower release, and I find that it helps me a lot with both motivation and focus.

    Unfortunately there is no shortcut to avoiding the rabbit holes. The things that are proven to help are the things we want to do least, like setting and sticking to a strict schedule. If you need to get specific things done, body doubling (asking a friend to cowork or just be in the same space as you) can help for short bursts.

    The more you practice mental discipline with small things the easier it gets with bigger things. But ultimately there is no “cure”; it’s all learning to live with it best you can.

    Feel free to DM me with any ADHD stuff. I am not an expert but can maybe share experiences/insights.

    Solidarity x

    • rio [none/use name]
      ·
      edit-2
      8 months ago

      I take that too. I wish there were an even slower release version because I find it makes me great for 4-5 hours and then I get vague again by about 3. And I double dose then I can’t sleep.

      Nonetheless it’s literally changed my life. I can’t even begin to describe how positive it’s been for me. Literally it’s changed everything.

      • niph [she/her]
        ·
        8 months ago

        I take a second lower dose at about 1pm. It helps push the effect all the way into the evening. But yes - it’s been life changing for me too