That's a great way to put a positive spin on it, but be realistic. ADHD is not a super power, it's not all sunshine and roses, it is a disorder. You can sometimes harness parts of it for positive outcomes but it has a lot of negative results too.

Another thing to remember: your ADHD is not everybody's ADHD. Some people have less severe cases, others have more severe cases.

Implying you can control or induce these hyperfixations in a productive way is disingenuous at best, measurably harmful at worst.

If you work in a job that can use use the chaos in a productive way that's great, but I'm willing to bet you still face abnormally high difficulty with general life tasks, and consistently struggle to enforce a work/life balance.

You're not helping people with ADHD by posting this. You're establishing an unattainable standard for people that are already doing everything in their power just to get by.

This swerves way into "ADHD is a superpower" territory which is bullshit.

edit: For example, while I have a lot of these traits, I also can't remember to put a new trash bag in the trash bin when I take the full bag out to the garage, which is a 1 minute task. Despite reminding myself AS I'm removing the full bag. Twice a week. For years now. Because I will see something in the garage or think of something while doing the mundane task that completely derails my train of thought.

if it's immediately rewarding

Hell of a caveat there.

If anybody here is an engineer, I'd highly recommend applying for jobs at tech startups. It's very chaotic and disorganized; you'll be constantly putting out fires. But you know where you're at when you're putting out fires? Flow state.

Pretending it doesnt have downsides is disingenuous.

Where are these high functioning ADHD people? The adhd person I know I’m my life can’t really get things done in a reliable way.

ADHD, great for exploring, hunting and making it back home. Not so great for cubicle work…

ITT:
"it's not a superpower! i cant even do a boring and monotonous task!"
and
"I love that I found a place where I'm able to utilize the benefits of the way that my brain functions!"

🤔

But what can you actually DO?

I cannot read this sentence. I have tried 3 times but nothing is reaching my brain.

It seems we've been taught strict expectations about "functioning." When a machine doesn't get the resources it needs to do its function, it does not function, and it is not expected to function, if the mechanics are understood. We know a lot about what people need (still more to discover) but we're expected to "function" without having our needs met.

But you don't understand, Mr... Sandbag Tiara, was it? Can I call you Sandbag?

Sandbag, what we're really looking for in this position is someone who's really a people person, you know? Somebody who's a team player, ready to go the extra mile, fit in with our company culture because we're a """""family""""" here. Really shine in our three pointless but mandatory department-wide meetings per day, smile on demand, have a very firm handshake, and really help us close those KPI numbers.

The job in question is a backend software dev position, where the employee will theoretically never have to interact with anyone except their immediate boss, and has no reason whatsoever to emerge from their dungeon. But never mind that.

Employers wants slaves and servants, not mentats. Yes, its fucked up

Are there things we can do to take advantage of this? Even on my meds I struggle to write my documentation, but the initial period of trying to find a solution and making a working POC is so great

I struggled with this most of my life without knowing why, always feeling like I never measured up. Since being diagnosed and treated at 47 it made a huge difference. I set reasonable boundaries at work and I'm blessed with a sympathetic manager. He gives me tasks that allow me to play to my strengths and make a positive difference in the workplace.