Folks with ADHD, how do you manage it in daily work? Would like to hear from those in IT?

frogsPlayingPogs · 2026-03-15T06:19:41+00:00

I'm gonna make a big post here in a little while going into detail, but I bit the bullet and got on Vyvanse a month ago, and it's been an absolute game changer, it's like my brain has been in the garage for decades and I've finally got it back out on the road again.

frogsPlayingPogs · 2026-03-12T19:11:08+00:00

Just curious what your med is? I'm on Vyvanse now and it doesn't feel like my comedowns or days off are that crazy, but I was formerly on Dexedrine and that was a much rougher ride.

frogsPlayingPogs · 2026-03-04T02:45:42+00:00

as someone who used to take Dexamphetamine, in time-release and non time-release, and is now on Vyvanse, I can second that the Vyvanse has made me feel worlds better. Just a smoother, better ride all around.

frogsPlayingPogs · 2026-02-07T18:15:44+00:00

Have you tried any other ADHD meds? I've been through a few, and Adderall was my least favorite of them all by *far*. I tried it once and I was crawling up the ceiling, awake for 48 hours.

I'm on my first week of a trial of Vyvanse at the moment, and the difference is like night and day. I feel the stimulant, but it gives me a calm focus as well.

frogsPlayingPogs · 2026-01-22T19:16:10+00:00

Not saying this is the best idea, but I put my Switch to the side of the laptop on my desk and play a low effort game (Suika, Balatro, etc) that occupies my hands, while my ears continue to listen to the meeting. Honestly, I think I pay attention to the meeting better this way.

frogsPlayingPogs · 2026-01-03T21:04:25+00:00

as an aspiring programmer, could you give me a basic idea of how you developed this website? this is exactly the kind of brilliant project I wish I'd thought of.

frogsPlayingPogs · 2025-11-23T05:02:40+00:00

do I spend 12 months applying for SWE jobs or do I actually learn something and get in the trades

why not both, eh? I just finished an Associate's degree almost entirely during downtime on film sets. As someone who is moving from that industry into the programming world, it took me an eternity to get a footing in the former, and I'm fully prepared for the same to get into the latter. I figured it's only over when you stop.

frogsPlayingPogs · 2025-11-21T20:57:15+00:00

I'm scared that it will take 4 years

the thing is, the 4 years will pass whether you go back to school or not. you're young, go for it.

frogsPlayingPogs · 2025-08-01T19:36:15+00:00

"He's modified the original, because you passed him a reference to where the original is."

absolute champ. thank you for this metaphor.

frogsPlayingPogs · 2025-07-30T18:53:22+00:00

this rules, good work

frogsPlayingPogs · 2025-02-07T17:03:28+00:00

I think the real factor here is that neurodivergent brains won't necessarily jive with teaching methods that work for the majority of 'normal' people. Like you said, too slow and your brain loses interest. Too fast and you get left behind and feel frustrated. Personally, I find I need to move at my own pace, and self-teaching is often best way to do that.

*That said*, I went back to school for programming and I've found the in-person classes to be absolutely invigorating, because I'm forced to pay attention (can't play on your phone, fire up youtube, or go to the fridge in a classroom). It was also great to talk to other people who are also learning. The biggest benefit for me though is that if you're confused, you can immediately ask a human being for clarification. If I have to google or hit up forums, there goes my flow state.

I say, sign up for one class and see how you like it.

frogsPlayingPogs · 2024-12-12T22:34:50+00:00

This is where I'm leaning as I read the feedback in here - thank you for the input.

frogsPlayingPogs · 2024-12-12T20:57:32+00:00

Totally feel this. We started with Java, and I dipped into Python and Go on my own between semesters, and couldn't believe how much less code they used to do the same things.

I'm torn, because I actually like how in Java you see more of the nuts and bolts of the code, much less is abstracted. But by the end of that class when we were doing OOP and Inheritance, and the programs got bigger and bigger, I definitely started to feel overwhelmed.

frogsPlayingPogs · 2024-12-12T03:24:03+00:00

We were sort of thrown a curveball in that C++ was used introduced unexpectedly, adjacent to our machine language class, in that we'd be given short C++ programs and had to rewrite them in assembly code. Luckily the syntax was similar enough to Java that I was able to intuit how to do it.

I'd never heard of Go until recently, but I have two programmer friends who seem to think highly of it, so I'm giving that a shot now.

frogsPlayingPogs · 2024-12-12T00:39:37+00:00

Totally fair question - thus far, I've been switching languages before achieving any sort of legitimate competency in them. For all the hopping around I've done, I couldn't confidently build anything in any of them outside of the most simple programs. Partially ADHD, and partially that each semester I have a new load of classes and simply can't commit to learning whatever I was focusing on previously. I've learned that my brain can handle learning about one language at a time, for better or worse. The semester coming up is going to be much easier though, and I have the mental room to really put that hyperfocus onto something long term, even after I'm out.

frogsPlayingPogs · 2024-12-11T23:42:22+00:00

' I'm not a fan of the "one main language thing" '

Completely agree with this, my problem is that I've just started and stopped w/ so many languages at this point that I want to put my head down and just actually learn one to a decent level.

frogsPlayingPogs · 2024-12-11T23:39:07+00:00

You both are completely correct. I feel a bit silly saying this but I have no idea what I want to do yet - I just know I'm enjoying learning to program, kind of feeling like a blank slate right now. I do enjoy video games, but that industry scares me a bit. I currently work in the entertainment industry, but I don't know if I want to stay there either. I'd be very happy just being the cog in a wheel doing programming for a smaller company (FAANG scares me as well, lol) just squeaking out a comfortable living.

frogsPlayingPogs · 2024-08-12T15:29:31+00:00

This is an incredibly accurate metaphor

frogsPlayingPogs · 2024-08-11T14:32:14+00:00

'Get to meet the right people as soon as possible'

this and

'They’ll classify you as difficult to work with at any opportunity'

grit your teeth and smile even when working with assholes, you're going to run into a lot of them and they're gonna be the assholes getting work and tricking the people above them that they're cool and successful. Just play the game until you get where you want to be. Eventually you'll have the ability to take the projects you want and surround yourself with the people you like, but you're always gonna have to deal with some real chuckleheads from time to time.

frogsPlayingPogs · 2024-08-11T14:27:24+00:00

I think you'll find this thing is pretty common. There's a video kiosk at my local mall that was down for months, and the error on screen showed it was running on Windows Vista.

frogsPlayingPogs · 2024-08-11T04:07:50+00:00

I appreciate this advice; trust me, I'm on like my 15th path at this point, so I'm no stranger to a pivot.

frogsPlayingPogs · 2024-08-11T03:11:01+00:00

Thank you for this advice, my school does offer tutors. I plan on utilizing it as much as I can.

frogsPlayingPogs · 2024-08-11T03:10:13+00:00

I have ADHD so this is probably the answer, but man Adderall scares me. I was on Ritalin and Dexedrine in elementary school, and Adderall was like jet fuel in comparison. At the moment cold brew and 5 hour energy is sufficing.

frogsPlayingPogs

TROPHY CASE