This post is an explanation of how my personal motivation works, and I am curious how others here relate to it, and if it is a common thing with ADHD.
For starters, I have inattentive-type ADHD, have been diagnosed and on various medications for ~5 years, and am roughly college age for context. I am very highly motivated by other people, basically anything where people are depending on my for something, or will directly help/harm someone depending on my actions. Of course I still have executive dysfunction struggles regardless, but that external motivation helps immensely.
In school this manifested as struggling a lot with homework (often not doing it), but doing very well in-class and with group projects. In my limited work and internship experiences, somewhat predicably, I have done very well as directly working hands-on with coworkers highly motivates me. Unfortunately, personal life progression things like actually getting a job and finding and applying for further education is the exact opposite, and is a struggle. There are of course plenty more examples, but I think that gives the gist of my experience.
Could have written the same thing myself. Pretty much nothing to add, just saying that you’re not alone. It’s even worse working remotely. Whatever evolution has done, it hasn’t prepared me for this way of life.
I tried research work, but yeah… I don’t have to explain how that felt. It’s terrible closing the remote meeting call and feel the previously tangible motivation vanish in the same instant the last hint of microphone echo quiets down.
Medication wasn’t the answer either. I think I just need to work and be around other people.