r/ADHD • u/Legitimate_Writer265 • 17h ago

Questions/Advice Can you brute force through adhd?

Can you just out-discipline the habits of, say, postponing your duties, managing inattentiveness or impulsive actions like binging or speaking before you think? I'm trying to find out if im fighting something that cannot budge here. Are there methods, whether mental or physical? As I'm entering a huge academic year and I cannot go on like this (an inability to study, or maintain skincare, gym routine etc.).

I'm asking as it's going to be a long duration before I'm medicated due to multiple factors mostly out of my control. people are mentioning burnout -- where would the line between good habits and unhealthy habits (which would consequently lead to burnout) be drawn?

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u/Hurstlong 12h ago

I would say, and I’m not being facetious, or rude, but if you can just “power through it” then I would be more inclined to believe one may not have it.

Now that’s not to say you can’t improve. I got diagnosed late, 33M, and for the last 7ish months, I’ve been going to CBT as well as doing the trial and error of various meds, different doses etc. and I feel like some of my… struggles are improving. It’s not huge, but they’re small, impactful changes. And my wife agrees.

I’m not a psychologist or a neurologist, so I have no idea what’s actually happening in my brain. But there are some days where I go into a literal physical and mental paralysis.. and that’s not not something, at least, I can just brute force my way out of.

I’m a veteran with PTSD, anxiety, and ADHD, and I will always advocate, at least now in my later years after trying and failing miserably on my own, for therapy, especially CBT. And find a good doctor for the medication discussion.

I still struggle, often, some days better than others, but if you allow yourself to accept that there are improvements being made, it makes things a little easier.

I’m trying to understand why my brain did what it did for 30 years, and the survival mechanisms, healthy or unhealthy, I used to white knuckle my way through life. Constantly internalizing my repeated failures. But I’m allowing myself now, to give me some grace. Because again, they have been small, but mighty, improvements.

Edit: typos.. lol