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Comment by flakeoil | Hacker News Reader

> You start the day in a dopamine deficit and need to start with small tasks that gives you quick wins. You can't tackle the important but absolutely boring work head on, you need to do some stimulating activities first to get the ball rolling.

Sounds like just about every human being.

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The difference is that neurotypical people often have a super power that is called not having a executive dysfunction. If they want to do the task, think the task is important and are able to do the task, they can just do the task.

It is hard for me to even imagine that such a thing can exist but it absolutely is the case.

The difference is how strict the "need" it. Like neurotypical people also benefit from working on something they are interested at but for ADHD people it is not optional but necessary to function.

Also neurotypical people get much more dopamine out of even simple tasks while I can have the best conversation ever with someone and still need some fidget toys to not go crazy from sitting around.

Exactly. Before I was diagnosed with ADHD, I was experiencing severe executive function. Just nearly no ability whatsoever to do things I wanted to do, even if they were fun. But had big impacts in terms of friendships (not actively trying to socialize very much, because planning basic get together felt insurmountable) and home life (simple chores were almost impossible to get done). And it doesn’t feel like laziness (which I think is more like you just don’t want to do the annoying thing right now), but like I really wanted and needed to do it, and just couldn’t make it happen.

ADHD meds have been almost a literal lifesaver, and the amount they make work halfway tolerable is… crucial.

Are you on an AD(H)D medications?

Personally no because I am currently too disorganized to find a doctor that would prescribe it to me, despite being diagnosed already. I live in a country that is very backwards when it comes to mental health and where the system is designed so it is very hard to get help in hope most people don't so healthcare costs can be kept down.

Generally, medication is the most effective treatment for ADHD by far but also does only work for like 80 percent of ADHD people. Some need to cope without it either way.

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