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Ruca705 t1_itl6wu4 wrote

Reply to comment by AaronfromKY in Study finds brain changes associated with ADHD remission. As the brains of those with ADHD mature, some individuals may repetitively engage in strategies that compensate for symptoms. These repetitive behaviors may result in the brain changes seen in those who went into remission. by Wagamaga

No, being able to cope is definitely a good thing. Didn’t mean to seem like I was against it!

I have heard of remission for bipolar disorder, which is usually when someone has gone an extended period of time without having a manic episode. But that type of remission is only achieved through the use of medication, 99% of the time. I would assume the same for ADHD honestly, but the difference to me is that bipolar isn’t a neurodevelopmental disorder present at birth. And, most people don’t get full relief of ADHD symptoms even with meds. I guess I’m just stuck on the use of the word remission here because what I’ve read up til this point is that the concept of people growing out of ADHD is outdated and incorrect, and that people learn to compensate and work around their symptoms, but they don’t actually go away.

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ManiacalDane t1_itloyjr wrote

I don't see how large parts of the brain being developed and linked together in a different way (sometimes vastly different) is something that you just... Grow out of. So I reckon you're right; remission is just... The outward-facing symptoms subsiding.

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Angerwing t1_itnxecb wrote

Your take reflects my lived experience (anecdotal as it is). I'm medicated for my ADHD and it doesn't neutralise my symptoms at all, it just mitigates some and pushes me in other areas so I can work around or capitalise on my quirks. Since being medicated I would describe myself as high functioning and my career trajectory has rocketed.

I can often trick myself to force interest in a task so I hyperfocus on that and produce great work. If I'm faced with a bunch of tedious busy work (my bane) I then spend most of my brainpower thinking about how to streamline the process. Workplace loves that stuff, and I love removing unnecessary work from my to do list. Some of the more complex work I've done has been thorough and detailed just because I was personally intrigued by the situation and wanted to deep dive for my own curiosity.

A lot of the thought processes behind the last paragraph have caused massive issues for me in the past. Hyperfocus on the wrong thing, removing unnecessary work by just not doing it, not trying to be interested and then blowing it off etc. The root causes are the same symptoms I've always had, I've just learnt to reroute them in to productivity.

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