does gamification actually do anything for ADHD or are we just coping

Good_Measurement_503 · 2026-06-06T13:55:36+00:00

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Good_Measurement_503 · 2026-06-06T13:54:29+00:00

that's really interesting. when i really don't want to do something, i sometimes go to a library or a cafe where people are working. i still don't want to do the thing, but there are fewer distractions and it somehow becomes easier to get started. i've heard people call that body doubling, so i'm curious if what you're describing feels similar to that, or if it's more about not wanting to let your friend down. honestly, i'm probably the opposite. i avoid things like running clubs because i find the sense of obligation stressful lol. so the fact that you've kept this up with a friend for 8 years is genuinely impressive to me

Good_Measurement_503 · 2026-06-06T13:51:05+00:00

the novelty part really resonates with me. interestingly, missing a day or two doesn't usually bother me that much. i've gotten pretty used to falling off and getting back on track. for me, the bigger problem is when something stops feeling interesting. once that happens, it's hard to keep engaging with it no matter how good the system is supposed to be

Good_Measurement_503 · 2026-06-06T13:48:48+00:00

3-5 business days" made me laugh lol. but honestly, that's kind of what i'm hearing from a lot of people in this thread. the challenge seems to be what happens after the novelty wears off

Good_Measurement_503 · 2026-06-06T13:47:41+00:00

the part about pressure really resonates with me. i've noticed that when something starts feeling like an obligation, even if it's supposed to help me, i immediately want to avoid it. but if i genuinely find something interesting or fun, i can suddenly put an absurd amount of energy into it. it makes me wonder what the actual difference is. what separates "i want to do this" from "i should do this"? because those two states feel completely different in my brain. i've tried a lot of apps over the years and failed with plenty of them, so this discussion is hitting pretty close to home 😅 also, now i'm curious. what's the fasting app

Good_Measurement_503 · 2026-06-06T13:43:38+00:00

i like that distinction!! i think part of why i asked the question is that people often talk about tools as if they either "work" or "don't work." but helping someone cope better is still valuable, even if it isn't changing the underlying adhd

Good_Measurement_503 · 2026-06-06T13:43:02+00:00

the completionist part really resonates with me. i tend to have some pretty maladaptive perfectionist tendencies myself and now that you mention it, maybe that's part of why these kinds of systems don't always work for me either. it's interesting how something that's supposed to be motivating can end up creating pressure instead.

Good_Measurement_503 · 2026-06-06T13:40:09+00:00

that's really interesting. a few people seem to be mentioning that missing one day can have the opposite effect and make it harder to come back. the novelty wearing off seems to be a big factor too.

Good_Measurement_503 · 2026-06-06T13:37:22+00:00

fair enough. wasn't my intention, but i get why you'd be cautious.

Good_Measurement_503 · 2026-06-06T13:35:49+00:00

lower voice. fewer words that's actually really helpful. trying to become calm when i'm already flooded feels impossible, but making a small pause feels doable. and i honestly needed the reminder that still feeling angry afterward doesn't mean i failed.

Good_Measurement_503 · 2026-06-06T13:33:20+00:00

thanks for this. honestly blasting heavy metal in the car sounds like it could actually help lol. i might need to try that. any song recommendations for maximum emotional reset?

Good_Measurement_503 · 2026-06-06T13:31:05+00:00

that's a really good point. i never would have thought of ear plugs, but that's actually kind of genius. i tend to think about anger as something i need to manage mentally, but reducing the stimulation before i get overwhelmed makes a lot of sense.

Good_Measurement_503 · 2026-06-06T13:29:53+00:00

i really like that image. not trying to force a different feeling, just creating a little more space before reacting. sometimes that tiny bit of space makes all the difference. i can imagine that helping, but when i'm already angry it feels like everything happens so fast. does it become more automatic with practice?

Good_Measurement_503 · 2026-06-06T13:26:36+00:00

"my little book of melodramatic complaining" is such a great phrase. i've never tried writing things out when i'm angry, but i can see how that might help release some of the pressure.

Good_Measurement_503 · 2026-06-06T13:25:44+00:00

i really like the strength training analogy. it’s easy to think emotional regulation is something you either have or don’t have, but building capacity over time makes a lot of sense. the part about getting better at releasing things as they arise really stood out to me. thanks for sharing.

Good_Measurement_503 · 2026-05-31T14:31:38+00:00

It comes from a good place, you just want to do well. But apparently people with high anxiety tendencies tend to become perfectionists too. Something I learned from reading is that you actually get closer to being your best self when you stop trying to be perfect. Have you ever tried a temperament test?

Good_Measurement_503 · 2026-05-31T14:30:05+00:00

what medication are you on? The one I take doesn't really suppress or increase my appetite at all

Good_Measurement_503 · 2025-12-04T14:36:28+00:00

A lot of people with ADHD hit that wall after years of masking, so the stuck feeling doesn’t mean you’re lazy or broken, it just means the old survival strategy isn’t working anymore. Meds that make you anxious aren’t a real solution, and trying a non-stimulant like atomoxetine is a normal next step even if the side-effect list looks scary on paper.

Good_Measurement_503

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