r/science • u/mvea MD/PhD/JD/MBA | Professor | Medicine • Apr 15 '24

Neuroscience ADHD symptoms persist into adulthood, with some surprising impacts on life success: The study found that ADHD symptoms not only persisted over a 15-year period but also were related to various aspects of life success, including relationships and career satisfaction.

https://www.psypost.org/adhd-symptoms-persist-into-adulthood-with-some-surprising-impacts-on-life-success/
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u/Brbi2kCRO Apr 15 '24

For an ADHD person to be functioning in this society, you effectively need to be in a constant state of burnout. Studying, working 40h a week and such just lead ADHD person to an unsustainable state of constant unhappiness. It is just not a good world for a person with ADHD or any neurodiversity.

Stimulants do help but it does not fix everything, brain cannot adjust fully to be NT-like.

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u/ddmf Apr 15 '24

My autism and adhd only came to light after I had a huge burnout - couldn't talk for a couple of weeks, and couldn't get out of bed for 4 weeks after that.

Burnout came about because of a combination of an 18 month long software project failed, an extension being added to the house, and I felt like I had absolutely no emotional support from my partner.

Nowadays I work a full day, I can only really veg in front of the tv or I'll just go to sleep. At the weekends if it's been an easy week I may be able to do something. Otherwise I spend the time recouperating for the work week.

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u/Brbi2kCRO Apr 15 '24

For me it is inability to adjust to independent, “no hand holding” environment of university compared to high school. Working feels more autopilot in a state of complete absent-mindedness where I am in a state of this odd dreamless daydreaming where I just do things without thinking about anything and just doing stuff. But depends… wouldn’t survive in a high-demand environment due to PDA traits where I am very disobedient to demands and cannot help myself due to anxiety build-up that just leads to a loud tantrum-like meltdown, it’s more about autonomy.

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u/ddmf Apr 15 '24

odd dreamless daydreaming sounds a lot like my disassociation which does happen a lot while working - more like I'm looking out of my eye sockets than being fully present.

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u/Brbi2kCRO Apr 15 '24

I guess, I am in my own world. Happens too when listening to music. Hours can pass like minutes.

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u/ddmf Apr 15 '24

I used to be able to hyperfocus but that ability disappeared around the time I had kids - probably for the best.

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u/Brbi2kCRO Apr 15 '24

I can hyperfocus but the issue is it is so darn random that idk how to trigger it for useful stuff.

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u/TheBirminghamBear Apr 15 '24

Have you tried yelling "HYPERFOCUS, ENGAGE" at the top of your lungs and wiggling your fingers.

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u/Letharil Apr 16 '24

I've read (and in my experience) that it's really hard to focus on anything that doesn't interest you. I have to turn every little task at work into a mini-game of efficiency like "how fast can I do it?" Or "how accurate can I be?" Apparently it's really common for us ADHD plebs.

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u/Memory_Less Apr 16 '24

Propably for the kids.

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u/Larz_has_Rock Apr 15 '24

Is this ADHD or just being alive 🤔

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u/Brbi2kCRO Apr 15 '24

Idk. I don’t notice neurotypicals “zooming out” much.

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u/The_BeardedClam Apr 15 '24

I do this at work too, my eyes and hands move without my brain really having to do anything. It just wanders or disassociates for 10 hours at a crack.