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I was introduced to all of these techniques at some point throughout my childhood and pre-mid-20s life. None of them really helped me. Prescription amphetamines did, though.

It kind of sucks feeling dependent on them to do uninteresting tasks and make it through the less-interesting workdays, but it sure beats being a 25-year-old NEET.

Fortunately, as software engineers, we have the privilege of being able to be choosy about our jobs. Which means I can find a new job or team as soon as things stop being fun.

I sometimes wonder if I would be capable of doing anything but programming work without completely hating my life. I'd probably be using my prescription every day at that point, instead of 3-4 times a week.

"Once a ladder, now a crutch"



Just want to point out that a huge part of the workforce is addicted to coffee and can’t be productive without a daily dose of the drug.


It doesn't really do anything when you have it that often. They could taper off in a week and be normal.


Same here, I've noticed about 18 months or so in I get bored of every gig I've had an because of that have jumped every 2 or 3 years. It has helped in some ones as I've got a lot of exposure but as I get older I'm starting to worry about how sustainable it is, and if I am just doomed to a life of pushing myself through a lot of things with medication.


I have done the same, albeit with no medication for 25 years of working.


There is nothing wrong with depending on medication every day. You have a physiological disorder.

Medication is the first line of treatment for ADHD. The second is a mix of cognitive behavioral therapy and medication.


Unfortunately there is something wrong in this case: it stops working if you take it every day.




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