Thanks for sharing. You're not alone with this, and no not everybody has ADHD and I can't hear that anymore. I got diagnosed last year at the age of 40 and it's life changing. I can totally relate to your experience with the medication, the first thing that I thought during my first two days with medication was "This is how a normal brain works? It's so quiet and I can focus on the thing in front of me" and cried out of happiness. The neuropsychiatrist told me that I will hear from more people around me that they have or might have ADHD simply because neurodiverse people hang out (and marry) neurodiverse people. Because humans make friends with people they like, and neurodiverse and neurotypical people don't get along with each other. And therefore it might feel like everybody has ADHD but it's only because we hang out with other ADHD people.
Plus there seems to be a big proportion of neurodiverse people in the tech scene and amongst entrepreneurs 🤷🏻♀️
I can also relate to the feeling that it's not a superpower. But now it's easier to get help with very specific things you suck at instead of tapping in the dark why things feel so difficult in general.
Anyway. Happy for you that you've found it out and can live a calmer life 🙂
YES I also heard that thing where ADHD people end up with other ADHD people so it seems like it's everyone! Especially in the creative entrepreneur space im in it's really like all my friends!
I'm curious for you what big changes you've seen since starting medication?
The main thing for me is that now - to quote a friend - I have a choice. With medication (Elvanse) I don't get distracted by every tiny little sound and can focus, I stop procrastinating, I get shit done which creates dopamine and makes me want more of it. I can structure my thoughts BEFORE speaking them out, I can listen better, I can read more then three sentences in a row, and I don't feel negative anymore (these "I'm not good enough, I can't do it, the world is shit" thoughts). After a couple of days with meds I can do weeks without because the dopamine gets me out of the doom spiral for some time.
BUT I haven't taken meds since Christmas. It has side effects and there seems to be an issue with people who have both ADHD and Asperger (me). The easy things are easy to handle. I don't do "this last thing before I leave" anymore and since then I arrive on time everywhere. I don't do "this other thing that sounds fun" because I'm aware I'm already doing too much.
But the difficult part is still difficult. Just yesterday I had a little breakdown outside because there were too many sounds simultaneously. Usually I go out with my Airpods, that helps A LOT! I have outsourced things that feel draining to me (I'm a solopreneur myself). I am building up accountability systems, like silent co-working, paying people to be my sparring partner, frequent calls with other solopreneur friends where we help each other mentally to get through the rollercoaster. Focus music (I have my favorites) to focus and get shit done. I plan my activities in a way that it fits to my energy and creativity levels (e.g. meetings in the morning, creative activities in the afternoon). And routines, man, routines, otherwise I'd lose my head. But for example I have no recipe to structure my thoughts without meds.
But maaan it's super difficult, and yeah I also say fuck you to everyone who tells me to "just meditate."
Thanks for sharing this, Jonathan. Not a therapist either, but I felt every word. The part about trying everything and nothing sticking — until the diagnosis and meds — painfully relatable. ADHD isn’t about being loud or lazy. It’s the chaos upstairs. Appreciate your honesty.
Yeah I was trying EVERYTHING! In the end I was like "either I need to go live in a cave where there are no responsibilities or I need to sort this shit out"
By the time I was finally convinced to try medication for ADHD, we were trying for a kiddo and I wasn’t able to take it. Years later, just a few days ago, I just found out I’m pregnant! (Y’all are the first to hear 😅) One of my first thoughts after being excited, was relief that I may be able to try the medication soon! And just yesterday, I thought of you and wondered how it was going. So awesome to hear your good results. 🥳
I am so happy for you, Jonathan! What a wonderful outcome! 😍
I can relate so much to you, whenever you talk about the good and bad of being a visionary, creative person with ADHD. I think my dose of Adderall may have been too high, when I was taking it up until a couple months ago. I think it was making me not sleep as well which led me to be more snippy and unpleasant at times. 😩 I also didn't like how it made my heart noticeably thump in my chest.
Your story is inspiring and makes me want to try it again at a lower dose.
Oh wow, I didn't know you'd been diagnosed! I decided not to try any of the fast-release medication because I knew it had more of a quick "peak" and would make me feel more nervous/frustrated. I'm taking low dose, slow acting "Elvanse".
I don't take fast release medication either. ☺️ I take extended release Adderall (just started again after listening to your podcast). I just take less now. So far, so good. 👍
Inspirational and you've given me a reason to chase my 2 year long wait for diagnosis. Every single problem you have stated is exactly how I feel - the description of how you felt stressed by being high functioning but working harder than others to get there... Exactly that!
I'm a Design Director and have been scared of medication in case it affects that skillset negatively. Such a great listen (as usual) but hearing how you found your experience is like something I'm craving - especially how it allowed you to focus on conversations.
I had my ADHD test almost 2 weeks ago, I get the report later this week. Looks like it will be positive. I went private here in the UK with these guys, I could not do the 2 year waiting list, I want to find out what's going on and start making moves https://www.moaihealth.com/
Really interested to know how you got a diagnose here in Berlin. Was it in German or English? I'm looking for one myself and thought about doing it back home in Brazil but it's going to take a while until I'm back there. Any hints you could share?
Hey Jonathan, thank you for sharing this. You don’t often hear a first hand experience, the pros and cons, concerns, etc. I’m glad to hear that this is working for you! I never did the test, writing it off as “just another excuse for my laziness” 😅 After hearing this I definitely will. Thank you.
Thanks for sharing. You're not alone with this, and no not everybody has ADHD and I can't hear that anymore. I got diagnosed last year at the age of 40 and it's life changing. I can totally relate to your experience with the medication, the first thing that I thought during my first two days with medication was "This is how a normal brain works? It's so quiet and I can focus on the thing in front of me" and cried out of happiness. The neuropsychiatrist told me that I will hear from more people around me that they have or might have ADHD simply because neurodiverse people hang out (and marry) neurodiverse people. Because humans make friends with people they like, and neurodiverse and neurotypical people don't get along with each other. And therefore it might feel like everybody has ADHD but it's only because we hang out with other ADHD people.
Plus there seems to be a big proportion of neurodiverse people in the tech scene and amongst entrepreneurs 🤷🏻♀️
I can also relate to the feeling that it's not a superpower. But now it's easier to get help with very specific things you suck at instead of tapping in the dark why things feel so difficult in general.
Anyway. Happy for you that you've found it out and can live a calmer life 🙂
YES I also heard that thing where ADHD people end up with other ADHD people so it seems like it's everyone! Especially in the creative entrepreneur space im in it's really like all my friends!
I'm curious for you what big changes you've seen since starting medication?
The main thing for me is that now - to quote a friend - I have a choice. With medication (Elvanse) I don't get distracted by every tiny little sound and can focus, I stop procrastinating, I get shit done which creates dopamine and makes me want more of it. I can structure my thoughts BEFORE speaking them out, I can listen better, I can read more then three sentences in a row, and I don't feel negative anymore (these "I'm not good enough, I can't do it, the world is shit" thoughts). After a couple of days with meds I can do weeks without because the dopamine gets me out of the doom spiral for some time.
BUT I haven't taken meds since Christmas. It has side effects and there seems to be an issue with people who have both ADHD and Asperger (me). The easy things are easy to handle. I don't do "this last thing before I leave" anymore and since then I arrive on time everywhere. I don't do "this other thing that sounds fun" because I'm aware I'm already doing too much.
But the difficult part is still difficult. Just yesterday I had a little breakdown outside because there were too many sounds simultaneously. Usually I go out with my Airpods, that helps A LOT! I have outsourced things that feel draining to me (I'm a solopreneur myself). I am building up accountability systems, like silent co-working, paying people to be my sparring partner, frequent calls with other solopreneur friends where we help each other mentally to get through the rollercoaster. Focus music (I have my favorites) to focus and get shit done. I plan my activities in a way that it fits to my energy and creativity levels (e.g. meetings in the morning, creative activities in the afternoon). And routines, man, routines, otherwise I'd lose my head. But for example I have no recipe to structure my thoughts without meds.
But maaan it's super difficult, and yeah I also say fuck you to everyone who tells me to "just meditate."
Thanks for sharing this, Jonathan. Not a therapist either, but I felt every word. The part about trying everything and nothing sticking — until the diagnosis and meds — painfully relatable. ADHD isn’t about being loud or lazy. It’s the chaos upstairs. Appreciate your honesty.
Yeah I was trying EVERYTHING! In the end I was like "either I need to go live in a cave where there are no responsibilities or I need to sort this shit out"
Thank you so much for sharing.
By the time I was finally convinced to try medication for ADHD, we were trying for a kiddo and I wasn’t able to take it. Years later, just a few days ago, I just found out I’m pregnant! (Y’all are the first to hear 😅) One of my first thoughts after being excited, was relief that I may be able to try the medication soon! And just yesterday, I thought of you and wondered how it was going. So awesome to hear your good results. 🥳
Congrattttzzzzz!!!
I am so happy for you, Jonathan! What a wonderful outcome! 😍
I can relate so much to you, whenever you talk about the good and bad of being a visionary, creative person with ADHD. I think my dose of Adderall may have been too high, when I was taking it up until a couple months ago. I think it was making me not sleep as well which led me to be more snippy and unpleasant at times. 😩 I also didn't like how it made my heart noticeably thump in my chest.
Your story is inspiring and makes me want to try it again at a lower dose.
Oh wow, I didn't know you'd been diagnosed! I decided not to try any of the fast-release medication because I knew it had more of a quick "peak" and would make me feel more nervous/frustrated. I'm taking low dose, slow acting "Elvanse".
I don't take fast release medication either. ☺️ I take extended release Adderall (just started again after listening to your podcast). I just take less now. So far, so good. 👍
Inspirational and you've given me a reason to chase my 2 year long wait for diagnosis. Every single problem you have stated is exactly how I feel - the description of how you felt stressed by being high functioning but working harder than others to get there... Exactly that!
I'm a Design Director and have been scared of medication in case it affects that skillset negatively. Such a great listen (as usual) but hearing how you found your experience is like something I'm craving - especially how it allowed you to focus on conversations.
Man... Mind blown. 👍
2 years?!! Oh noooo man. I found a private provider here in Germany and I only had to wait one week. It cost more but it's worth not waiting.
And the creativity thing: I have seen zero negative effect and i'm in as many workshops and sessions as I always am.
I had my ADHD test almost 2 weeks ago, I get the report later this week. Looks like it will be positive. I went private here in the UK with these guys, I could not do the 2 year waiting list, I want to find out what's going on and start making moves https://www.moaihealth.com/
Really interested to know how you got a diagnose here in Berlin. Was it in German or English? I'm looking for one myself and thought about doing it back home in Brazil but it's going to take a while until I'm back there. Any hints you could share?
Praxis Vianova, english, no waiting time!
Hey Jonathan, thank you for sharing this. You don’t often hear a first hand experience, the pros and cons, concerns, etc. I’m glad to hear that this is working for you! I never did the test, writing it off as “just another excuse for my laziness” 😅 After hearing this I definitely will. Thank you.
Thanks Ivan!
Back to buying a $3000 domain name 😆 - I am so curious to know how many domains you have behind the scenes waiting for their moment to launch!
Great listen, Jonathan.
Actually more like $3500 :) Will i ever use it... who knows. Hhaha!