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ADHD, autism or complex trauma? [pdf]

228 points · 265 comments · skeptical1884

  1. thoughtpeddler · · focus · HN ↗
    ADHD/ND here, and I really agree with this one quote from this piece:

    > those most affected by executive dysfunction require therapy to be more directive, specific and accountable; that is, processing of past trauma and relational approaches are not sufficient. What often does not seem like trauma therapy at all can lead to great strides forward if it allows individuals to obtain a greater sense of structure and mastery in day-to-day life tasks

    I've spent so much time in therapy doing the whole "let's go through your childhood and your past" and it was just not effective in tackling what I really needed. It's remarkable how many licensed therapists just didn't know how to deal with this. I'm sure it's really helpful for some people, but outside of increasing some basic awareness about how my family of origin resulted in present-day behaviors, I definitely reached diminishing returns on that route.

    As skeptical as I am of AI as an interventional tool for "reaching our most effective selves", I can't help but feel that if it can be wired up to do the appropriate "micro-interventions" that reflect OP's insight ("directive, specific and accountable ... to obtain a grater sense of structure"), we might see 'ADHD' become a thing of the past (at least for the people that share my phenotype of it). It's my hope at least...

    1. tom_vidal · · focus · HN ↗
      What have you found that’s worked for your own executive dysfunction?
      1. hirvi74 · · focus · HN ↗
        Acceptance of the fact that I will always have executive function difficulties and there is nothing that can really improve it. It's not the realization I wanted to have, but it is one I wish I learned earlier.
        1. jaktet · · focus · HN ↗
          How does that acceptance manifest in the workplace? Or have you found any accommodations that have been helpful?
          1. coldtea · · focus · HN ↗
            Even considering a non-accomondating workplace:

            If you can't help it anyway, would you rather have:

              "non acceptance" and the workplace repercusions of the dysfunction.
              "acceptance"     and the workplace repercusions of the dysfunction.
            
            In both cases the dysfanction and the repercursions are constant.
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