> ADHD isn’t a disorder in the sense that people that have it are “ill”. It’s a personality type, and the disorder part of it comes when the characteristics of that personality conflict with then life you lead.
If it was a personality type, you wouldn't be able to treat it with medication. It's a difference in physical brain structure the same way schizophrenia is. There's far less side effects to Adderall than most other psychoactive drugs like SSRIs.
> You may procrastinate for a few days, but an ADHD sufferer will procrastinate for months and months.
Plenty of more physical effects than that, it's not all at the conceptual level. You also can't sleep well and your heart rate variability is different.
> There's far less side effects to Adderall than most other psychoactive drugs like SSRIs.
I would be cautious about saying that. They're very different and hard to compare directly.
Adderall can cause or worsen hypertension, which can cause cardiac issues or stroke. It can also trigger anxiety and, particularly when abused, psychosis.
If you stick to a low dose it's relatively benign, but with it being so intensely addictive, that's a significant challenge for some people.
SSRIs have worse psychological side effects, especially in the start up phase, but they're fairly safe physically provided you don't mix them with other serotonin drugs.
Personally I can't hack Adderall as it makes my anxiety reach psychotic levels while also making me quite sleepy.
Oh, I meant to say mental side effects. But don't SSRIs need a ramping-off period if you stop taking them? With Adderall you just get a bit tired for a week.
I also don't find it addictive at all, ie I often forget to stop taking it. Forgot today in fact. The non-stimulant ADHD drugs like Intuniv are actually substantially more habit-forming, in that you can't quit them cold turkey or your heart rate will be quite affected.
> If it was a personality type, you wouldn't be able to treat it with medication.
I don’t follow your logic here. Why do you say that? FWIW what I’m saying here is supported by psychiatrists who prescribe the medication.
> Plenty of more physical effects than that, it's not all at the conceptual level.
Of course, I just gave one symptom that many people find relatable when looking at the list of potential ADHD indicators. The symptoms you mention can also be indicators of ADHD but many people can’t sleep or have variable heart rates unrelated to ADHD, so thanks for these physical examples.
> I don’t follow your logic here. Why do you say that? FWIW what I’m saying here is supported by psychiatrists who prescribe the medication.
That's interesting, because I was thinking of something my psychiatrist said - he explained it as something like "your frontal lobe doesn't work properly" and compared it to a lightbulb flickering on and off. Of course, his practice targets engineers and I expect he just says things that sound good.
But they also start off by prescribing medication before anything else, and then diet and exercise. For a personality disorder or something like PTSD, wouldn't you start with therapy and then consider medication after?
Some therapists do suggest other things before medication. More often than not a combined approach of medication, therapy, and lifestyle changes is recommended.
Psychiatrists tend to reach for medication because it’s one of their most powerful and effective tools, and it tends to offer fast and immediate relief. And with the effects of medication it can be easier to then make other changes.
If it was a personality type, you wouldn't be able to treat it with medication. It's a difference in physical brain structure the same way schizophrenia is. There's far less side effects to Adderall than most other psychoactive drugs like SSRIs.
> You may procrastinate for a few days, but an ADHD sufferer will procrastinate for months and months.
Plenty of more physical effects than that, it's not all at the conceptual level. You also can't sleep well and your heart rate variability is different.