Adhd

Practical strategies for software engineers with inattentive ADHD to manage risk, avoid missing critical details, and excel in detail-oriented work.

I have a confession: I am absolutely, unabashedly in love with TODO lists. Not just fond of them, not just dependent on them — I’m talking about a deep, passionate love affair that has lasted my entire career. And as a neurodivergent engineer with ADHD, this isn’t just a quirky productivity habit. It’s my secret superpower. The ADHD Brain and External Memory Most neurotypical people use TODO lists as reminders. For neurodivergent minds, they’re something far more powerful: an external memory system that compensates for our unique cognitive patterns. ...

I was recently diagnosed with ADHD. To be honest, it feels strange to even type those words out loud. When the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine began, my mental health completely collapsed. I hit what I now know was the lowest point of my life. I weighed around 140kg, I was severely depressed, constantly anxious, and felt like I was drowning. Doctors put me on SSRI antidepressants, but they didn’t help. The side effects were there, but the relief wasn’t. I felt broken. But somewhere deep inside, my stubborn problem-solving brain was still alive, whispering: “Don’t give up. Keep looking.” ...