pesus's recent activity
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Comment on What is the process for adult ADHD diagnosis? in ~health.mental
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Comment on I was brusque with my family today in ~society
pesus LinkYou're not in the wrong at all. I'd say you've been far too kind for too long about this, honestly. Conservatives, and Trump supporters especially, are driven pretty much entirely by emotion and...You're not in the wrong at all. I'd say you've been far too kind for too long about this, honestly.
Conservatives, and Trump supporters especially, are driven pretty much entirely by emotion and impulse, at least in regards to their sociopolitical beliefs. I think the authoritarian personality is coming into play here - for people with that mindset, anyone who is "disloyal" or questions their leader is subject to an intense emotional reaction. My family is pretty much entirely the same way, and even though at times they can be lead to think some things through logically, it doesn't really matter in the grand scheme of things - they didn't come to their viewpoints from reasoning or logical methods, and they therefore won't separate from their viewpoints via any reasoning or logical method.
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Comment on What is the process for adult ADHD diagnosis? in ~health.mental
pesus Link ParentGood call, I totally forgot about that one! I believe grapefruit/grapefruit juice has an especially strong effect in that way too.Good call, I totally forgot about that one! I believe grapefruit/grapefruit juice has an especially strong effect in that way too.
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Comment on What is the process for adult ADHD diagnosis? in ~health.mental
pesus Link ParentI'm totally with you on that one. I know they at least attempt to come at it from a risk reduction point of view, but I don't think SSRIs fit into that model very well. The side effects can be...I'm totally with you on that one. I know they at least attempt to come at it from a risk reduction point of view, but I don't think SSRIs fit into that model very well. The side effects can be insidious and far longer lasting than just about anything stimulants could cause (barring psychosis or something). I blame the DEA and their ilk for it.
But yeah, it seems so obvious in hindsight! It's hard to not be sarcastic about it, but who would've thought that removing the source of anxiety and depression would help fix things!?
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Comment on What is the process for adult ADHD diagnosis? in ~health.mental
pesus Link ParentYeah, if you're able to conquer than and improve your situation, that's honestly ideal! ADHD sucks ass, and if you don't have to deal with it, you're better off. :-)Yeah, if you're able to conquer than and improve your situation, that's honestly ideal! ADHD sucks ass, and if you don't have to deal with it, you're better off. :-)
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Comment on What is the process for adult ADHD diagnosis? in ~health.mental
pesus Link ParentYeah, that's true, and there are many overlapping symptoms that can make it very tricky to narrow down. You just have to be prepared to advocate for yourself, especially if you aren't the...Yeah, that's true, and there are many overlapping symptoms that can make it very tricky to narrow down. You just have to be prepared to advocate for yourself, especially if you aren't the stereotypical adhd case (e.g. not a man, not hyperactive, successful, etc)
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Comment on What is the process for adult ADHD diagnosis? in ~health.mental
pesus Link ParentI'm with you on this one. ADHD is a burden on myself, and would still be even if I was the last person on earth. I have trouble doing things I desperately and actively want to do, and even with...I'm with you on this one. ADHD is a burden on myself, and would still be even if I was the last person on earth. I have trouble doing things I desperately and actively want to do, and even with feeding myself without proper treatment.
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Comment on What is the process for adult ADHD diagnosis? in ~health.mental
pesus (edited )Link ParentIt depends on the provider, but they'll likely need to do tests to make sure you're ok to take stimulants - an EKG most importantly, and blood pressure readings. I know some insurance companies...It depends on the provider, but they'll likely need to do tests to make sure you're ok to take stimulants - an EKG most importantly, and blood pressure readings. I know some insurance companies like Kaiser often require drug screening initially and/or regularly. If all that goes well, you'll likely be prescribed a relatively low dosage of some kind of stimulant medication to try.
I say relatively low because each person is different - I'm fairly sensitive to drugs, and the starting dosage of 10mg for me was just too high at the time since I was also at a fairly low body weight. Don't be surprised if there are side effects - pretty much all of them have side effects to some extent, but you need to figure out what's tolerable for you personally. For example, for whatever reason, Ritalin doesn't work well for me at all, but Adderall does. I also tolerate the instant release versions better than the extended release versions, which is the inverse of most people. Adderall still has side effects, but they're a lot more manageable for me, and they often do get more manageable after regular usage. From there, it's basically just seeing whether they work in your life or not, and then working with your psychiatrist to adjust things as needed.
Some things I wish I knew before I started (some of which you might not find on Reddit because the r/adhd mods will ban you for it, seriously):
- Sleep and diet are vital to the medication working. Do your absolute best to get a decent amount of sleep.
- Speaking of diet, eat at least a little bit of protein before you take the medication. It will make it significantly more effective and less harsh on your body.
- If you consume caffeine, cut back on most or all of it while you try the meds. You may become overstimulated if you consume the same amount.
- Your appetite is likely to be affected. You will probably have to force yourself to eat, and you may not feel hungry at all, especially at first. Not everyone has this issue, but it's pretty common. Eat whatever you can get down, even if it's not the best for you. Something is better than nothing. Weight gain shakes are a lifesaver for me personally, even after taking it for 6+ years or so.
- Stay extra hydrated. A big risk with stimulants is dehydration - drink extra water, even if you don't necessarily feel like you need it.
- Take some vitamins - these are more important than you think, especially in terms of reducing the severity of side effects, but also in improving medication efficacy and your health in general. Daily, I take Omega-3, Vitamin D, a probiotic, Zinc, and Magnesium. If you can only choose a couple, I'd choose magnesium first and a probiotic second. Magnesium is a necessity, and without it my body just ends up extremely tight and unable to relax, since stimulant medication is known to reduce magnesium levels in the body.
- Overstimulation may not feel like what you imagine: it took me a while to figure out my dosage was too high rather than too low. Rather than becoming anything like "cracked out" or "tweaking", as you might think would happen, I became extremely tired and withdrawn into my own head. It's almost like it starts having the opposite effect at some point, at least for me. I think of it like a bell curve.
- Medication won't magically make you productive - you still have to build good habits. It will be much easier to get the ball rolling once you find a medication that works for you, however. You may feel euphoric and able to conquer the world in the beginning - that feeling will wear off quickly, but use it to start building good habits in your life. Don't up the medication just because you don't "feel" it anymore - it may still be working just fine, but feel much more subtle.
- Related to the above, you may find yourself getting very into or hyperfocusing on what you're doing when the medication kicks in. I'd recommend timing it so you're starting work/school/whatever when you take it. The stories online about "stim fapping" (for lack of a better word) for hours on end are no joke, lol.
Good luck! I realize the irony of writing all of this for someone with ADHD, but I hope it helps :-)
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Comment on What is the process for adult ADHD diagnosis? in ~health.mental
pesus Link ParentHave you switched from name brand to generic, or from generic to another brand of generic? Generic manufacturers can often use different "filler" ingredients which some people may not tolerate in...Have you switched from name brand to generic, or from generic to another brand of generic? Generic manufacturers can often use different "filler" ingredients which some people may not tolerate in the same way.
FWIW, sleep/exercise/diet/stress all have a very significant impact on medication efficacy in my experience. If any of those have changed for you, it's very possible that could affect it.
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Comment on What is the process for adult ADHD diagnosis? in ~health.mental
pesus Link ParentIn my experience, every single psychiatrist will blame anxiety and depression before they even consider you might possibly have ADHD. It doesn't matter that ADHD symptoms can cause anxiety and...In my experience, every single psychiatrist will blame anxiety and depression before they even consider you might possibly have ADHD. It doesn't matter that ADHD symptoms can cause anxiety and depression, you just have to go through the process of trying antidepressants even if they do more harm than good. Not saying this is the case here, but it's worth keeping in mind that many psychiatrists are skeptical or downright hostile towards people who think they have ADHD. You will likely have to advocate for yourself and really analyze your symptoms to get the treatment you need.
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Comment on Waymo’s robotaxis are now available to everyone in Los Angeles in ~transport
pesus Link ParentOnly speaking from my experience, but in the past 4 years or so the quality of Uber drivers has really gone downhill in SF and the Bay Area as a whole. I've had way too experiences with drivers...Only speaking from my experience, but in the past 4 years or so the quality of Uber drivers has really gone downhill in SF and the Bay Area as a whole. I've had way too experiences with drivers that drive extremely recklessly to the point where I thought I might die, drivers that spew racist/sexist/etc conspiracy theories, and drivers with awful hygiene and car conditions. I'm not surprised they resent Waymos, because they're largely going to be replace by them in the near future and most riders are happy about it. I've had some great experiences meeting some interesting drivers, but at this point the negative and off putting ones are just too numerous. It would likely be much worse if I was a woman or some other easy target for the skeevy drivers. I'm sure it's directly related to the pay (or lack thereof), and I do feel bad for those that rely on driving for Uber for their income, but it was probably inevitable.
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Comment on How Donald Trump won, and how Kamala Harris lost in ~society
pesus Link ParentOh god, I'd almost forgotten about that already. That's such a comically bad message to send that it almost makes me believe they were intentionally sabotage their campaign. History is not going...Oh god, I'd almost forgotten about that already. That's such a comically bad message to send that it almost makes me believe they were intentionally sabotage their campaign. History is not going to look fondly on them for that.
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Comment on How Donald Trump won, and how Kamala Harris lost in ~society
pesus Link ParentI've always been baffled why they don't lean into this more. Conservatives pull that any time it'll benefit them, and it works, even though it's almost never true. In this case it is true, and...I've always been baffled why they don't lean into this more. Conservatives pull that any time it'll benefit them, and it works, even though it's almost never true. In this case it is true, and it's incredibly easy to show. I can only cynically assume those in charge of the Democratic Party are either are too scared of potential legal conflicts and/or have too many donors/politicians/etc connected to that.
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Comment on How Donald Trump won, and how Kamala Harris lost in ~society
pesus Link ParentI think this is key - you can promote it as something like freedom, which is supposed to be a vital part of being American. Every conservative person I've seen come around to at least supporting...I think this is key - you can promote it as something like freedom, which is supposed to be a vital part of being American. Every conservative person I've seen come around to at least supporting the right to gay marriage has generally been because of that basic idea, not because they're interested in creating a more equitable world or anything along those lines.
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Comment on How Donald Trump won, and how Kamala Harris lost in ~society
pesus Link ParentYep. For lack of better word, the general population is stupid, and the Democratic Party refuses to acknowledge that to everyone else's peril. The message has to be simple to be effective. It's...Yep. For lack of better word, the general population is stupid, and the Democratic Party refuses to acknowledge that to everyone else's peril. The message has to be simple to be effective. It's not like you can't promote Democratic Party policies and candidates in a simple manner - keep screaming about protecting their freedom, keep screaming about protecting their children, keep screaming about improving their financial situation and lives. It's objectively far more true for Democratic policies than republicans, so lean into it.
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Comment on Why US Democrats won't build their own Joe Rogan in ~society
pesus Link ParentI see your points, and I do understand and empathize, but I think this sort of striving for a perfect person is ultimately doing more harm than good. I don't think there's a person on earth I...I see your points, and I do understand and empathize, but I think this sort of striving for a perfect person is ultimately doing more harm than good.
Much like Rogan, Bernie supporters were not super great about women. And I never felt inspired by him, still don't. He makes some good points, his supporters still suck, and I don't always agree with him either.
I don't think there's a person on earth I would always agree with on everything. I'm sorry you've had bad experiences with some of Bernie's supporters, but you just told me I suck, for little other than some of them being "not super great" with women and disagreeing with him some of the time. Maybe you were understating your views on things, but to me this just comes off as making perfect the enemy of good, and alienating people in the process for no actual reasons other than not quite liking the vibe. I really don't mean to downplay legitimate issues with sexism or other things, but the fact of the matter is right wingers understand the need to stick together to achieve their common goals, and they do it. For whatever reasons, most of us on the left are just unable or unwilling to be pragmatic enough to actually get shit done and get a message pushed out there.
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Comment on Why US Democrats won't build their own Joe Rogan in ~society
pesus Link ParentI think this is overlooked way too much. Many conservatives or people who were swayed to the right do have legitimate concerns, they just came to very wrong conclusions on the cause and solution....I think this is overlooked way too much. Many conservatives or people who were swayed to the right do have legitimate concerns, they just came to very wrong conclusions on the cause and solution. Ignoring these concerns or not addressing them sufficiently has really damaged us.
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Comment on Why US Democrats won't build their own Joe Rogan in ~society
pesus Link ParentI like him and enjoy the podcasts, but I don't think he has that much universal appeal in the same way. Behind The Bastards is too negative and singularly focused for it to have much impact. I...I like him and enjoy the podcasts, but I don't think he has that much universal appeal in the same way. Behind The Bastards is too negative and singularly focused for it to have much impact. I know I can't listen to it very frequently because it's just depressing.
I don't think being a podcaster is necessary. It just needs to be someone that can reach and excite people.
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Comment on Why US Democrats won't build their own Joe Rogan in ~society
pesus Link ParentI disagree, at least partially. We don't need a cult leader that relies on scapegoating and bullshit, but I still think we need a strong uniting figure of some sort. Bernie is the perfect example...I disagree, at least partially. We don't need a cult leader that relies on scapegoating and bullshit, but I still think we need a strong uniting figure of some sort. Bernie is the perfect example - that's the only time I've seen left wingers (and others) really rally around a single figure that really energized and inspired people. (Maybe campaign Obama was close.) Bernie was able to attract people who were disillusioned with the current political system as well, which I think is a significant portion of this country. They're not a fluke. They probably significantly outnumber people who are satisfied with the status quo.
You don't need to lie and blame minorities like right wingers do, but you do need to provide a clear message that things can improve, will improve if you vote for ____ (insert figure here), and that there is a group of people that have been working to make your life miserable (aka the extremely wealthy), and that we will both stop said people from doing so and make sure they're held accountable for it. It doesn't have to come at the cost of having actual solutions, but those solutions need to at the very least be marketed much better, and resonate with people. This obviously won't take the exact same form as figures like Joe Rogan, but I do think we need someone to fire up and reach the millions of people who are desperate for change.
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Comment on 2024 United States election megathread in ~society
pesus Link ParentIf it helps, the NYT are now controlled by a right-wing billionaire, so they most certainly have a vested interest in a Trump win.If it helps, the NYT are now controlled by a right-wing billionaire, so they most certainly have a vested interest in a Trump win.
No problem! Your boom/bust cycle sounds exactly like me in the past - it still applies to some extent, since my ADHD seems to be fairly high on the scale, but it's significantly more manageable now. Feel free to reach out if you've got any questions about side effects, or anything really. I didn't get into all the possible side effects or even all the ones I've experienced, (sexual, cold feet, etc) so don't be alarmed if you get any!
I don't know if you mentioned it, but I get the vibe that you'd be considered at least somewhat successful in our society, so I think you've got a great handle on being able to improve yourself and your situation. I think you'll do very well, and good luck with it!