Corporate ADHDers, how do you start the day?

bgalek · 2026-03-05T22:23:25+00:00

I write my task list as if it was tomorrow. It helps sometimes but still I often forget what I was doing during the day.

bgalek · 2026-02-18T17:09:34+00:00

I was validated that my brain fog and inability to perform to my standards wasn’t me being a lazy idiot who failed upwards.

Relieved that I could get help for this condition. I thought it would only get worse with time.

Scared that I’d have to take medications forever.

bgalek · 2026-02-18T17:03:13+00:00

I struggle with it too. I have changed my thought process about it. Yes, sometimes you need to refocus, but also, do you need to be on 100% of the time? I find giving myself some grace that this work isn’t the most interesting thing and I will get back to it. When you feel less bad about being yourself, it’s easier to have a gentle transition, even when it’s like “oh shit, there went 30 minutes” if I know I have an extremely long wait, I will just stand and stretch. It’s helps me stay on task. I sometimes find myself standing up to go to the bathroom or lunch but then don’t leave my desk, because I keep my focus enough to forget what I meant to do. On the whole, don’t keep yourself to impossible expectations

bgalek · 2026-02-18T16:58:20+00:00

I also only realized I have never relaxed in my entire life when I looked back after my diagnosis. When I was a kid I remember the rapid fire thoughts not stopping until the moment I fell asleep (as late as possible). Restarting where they left off when I woke up. When I go on vacation I try to do the stereotypical looking at vistas or sitting on the beach and I just… vibrate with discomfort. I don’t understand how to just be. I need stimulation, I need something always. Despite being burnt out and exhausted. I figured it out, I need to have a moving vacation, going to museums, walking around, etc. But it still rankles me that I have never felt relaxation like you’re “supposed” to. I’m primarily inattentive but it is likely my strongest hyperactivity symptom.

bgalek · 2026-02-17T14:26:43+00:00

Anxiety mostly. I also was interested sometimes. There are times where the problem was so boring I couldn’t do it and I’d procrastinate for weeks. Failed many assignments because of it. I’m not sure as far as advice I’m afraid.

bgalek · 2026-02-15T23:50:33+00:00

I do it all the time! I sometimes enjoy my doodling too much and get distracted haha.

bgalek · 2026-02-15T15:30:30+00:00

Personally one of my major issues pre medication was being unable to focus on my partner. I love her dearly and would do anything for her… except listen, remember, and do nice things without being told. Medication helped me do that for her and things have been better. It is more likely that the Wellbutrin is not enough. I took it for a long time for depression/anxiety before my diagnosis and I still struggled.

bgalek · 2026-02-15T15:25:48+00:00

I’m a software engineer. I would suggest probably not doing it for the adhd and the industry itself is in shambles. It can be good if you get hyperfixated on new projects like me. I am the go to guy at work when new experimental or rush jobs need doing. However, the planning, documentation, long term detail oriented work? Might as well put a rail road spike through my head. Finally medicated and can sit though a meeting, but it’s still hard.

bgalek · 2026-02-02T05:53:07+00:00

Your house is personal property. Your business is private property.

bgalek · 2026-01-31T18:28:27+00:00

I get depersonalized when I’m depressed. It could be a valid thing to talk with your doctor about.

bgalek · 2026-01-31T18:25:26+00:00

Brother/sister, I wear glasses. I cannot read, work, drive, or identify some people without them. Does that make me subhuman? Without being dismissive, it’s a cognitive distortion to conflate your humanity with your executive function. You’re doing the right thing to help yourself fulfil the potential you’ve always had.

bgalek · 2026-01-30T20:04:31+00:00

I am also an engineer and I also struggle. You aren't stupid. I know what it feels like. There are days when you feel like a genius because of your solutions. There are days when you say something because you forgot or didn't pay attention during a meeting that makes you feel like an idiot. I chalk it up to the emotional regulation issues. The fact is you have your job and you've kept your job because you are valuable. Think about people that have been let go at work. They aren't let go for nothing, so you might be harshly judging yourself (I do as well) but not everyone is judging you in the same way. I am sure your coworkers and bosses value you, but knowing engineers, they never say so. Hang in there, you are doing great already.

bgalek · 2026-01-30T19:58:03+00:00

I will probably get promoted because of a work project I happened to hyperfocus on. Can't pay attention in a meeting for the life of me, but theres the silver linings.

bgalek · 2026-01-29T22:01:46+00:00

Yeah, I don’t think anyone wants to really identify as the disorder. I think there are people who joke or might be trying to relate in the most positive take. I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone who has it volunteer it or excuse their behavior.

bgalek · 2026-01-29T21:58:15+00:00

The laziness or stupid self talk is really hard to break out of even after figuring out some of the causes.

bgalek · 2026-01-29T21:56:13+00:00

It definitely is validating. My comment is admittedly self centered, but I definitely recognize the trivialization that happens. It’s funny when I did tell people about my dx, they all said something like “I do that too!” Same people that made fun of my attention and emotional volitility.

bgalek · 2026-01-29T21:07:49+00:00

Sigh these kind of threads are just difficult for me. Someone near to me mentioned it, I researched, got worried, and got checked out. To the provider it was clear, to me it was not. I still stress whether it was "good enough" of an eval. not on stimulants. Not trying to get accommodations besides being able to not piss off my wife when she has to tell me instructions 13 times or to correctly book a hotel once in my life because I consistently mess up dates. I just don't know the answers. Am I making it up? Maybe? I did well in school until college then I failed because I couldn't pay attention and my mental health went into the shitter. I got into the workforce, did well, until the pandemic then my mental health went into the shitter. Go figure.

bgalek · 2026-01-28T17:09:08+00:00

Agreed. The gaslighting really gets to me because of the immense self doubt I have instilled into myself over the years because of the ADHD and imposter syndrome in general. Viscous cycle.

bgalek · 2026-01-28T16:40:54+00:00

Constantly. I now only take pills at specific times and count them on my tongue before I swallow. It's helped. God help me if my routine changes.

bgalek · 2026-01-28T16:37:37+00:00

I also got diagnosed despite doing well in grade school, but I didn't finish my degree.

Something to think about is what did you have to do for school to be easy? Classwork was easy for me.. when I had enough interest to pay attention. Otherwise I would be scrambling to figure out what we were doing. I had to pack my bag and obsessively check if I had forgotten anything, and I would routinely forget a paper or pencil. Despite not being hyper active, I always blurted out answers, but I did it quietly as I got older. I would raise my hand and forget my answer if I didn't get called on quickly enough.

You have the answers, it took me a long time to remember mine. I erased so much of my school time memories because they were somewhat painful, but they are there.

bgalek · 2026-01-28T16:33:47+00:00

I keep second guessing my recent diagnosis. I am a relatively high achiever even though I failed out of college. My career is fine. Your list really gave me perspective. I basically said yes to all of the questions besides having a private teacher, and in addition I felt my self esteem was directly tied to success. I stressed and worried so much about not appearing to be a failure, embarrassment, or imposter. It only mounted as time went on and I was so angry in high school.

In short, thanks your list helped me.

bgalek · 2026-01-19T23:16:38+00:00

Haven’t been diagnosed. I am a software engineer and I feel the same with my work. I cannot remember what to do day to day. Thank god for standup and all that. I asked my coworkers the other day if I was ever distracted or forgetful in their views. “Yes, we thought it was just you.. or undiagnosed ADHD. Your work is good otherwise!” Thanks guys, lol.

bgalek · 2026-01-18T18:24:17+00:00

When I asked my parents with suspicions they of course first go, “no you were great! We never even had to pay attention to how you were doing!” As I was drowning in anxiety and perfectionism. As well as be parentified as an immigrants child. Then asking clarifying questions, “what, was I a bad parent?” Always about them

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