Credits: Social Media
Doctor with ADHD swears 4 hacks can make a huge difference�
ADHD makes it extremely difficult to focus on menial tasks that are met with delayed rewards. It can’t be cured, but there are a few hacks that make it easy to cope with the mental health condition.
The exact cause of ADHD is unknown, but researchers believe several factors contribute to it, including genetics, social environment, and even brain injuries. If ADHD is distracting you from living a fulfilling life, consider these four hacks suggested by a doctor with the same mental condition.
4 ‘powerful hacks’ by doctor with ADHD
ER doctor J Mack Slaughter claims to have ADHD and he believes that not everyone with the mental condition thinks or behaves similarly.
Different systems prove effective for different individuals, but certain self-help techniques or hacks can make it easy to navigate daily life. Here’s what the doctor suggests doing:
1. Body Doubling
As he notes in his TikTok video people with ADHD struggle to initiate any task – they don’t find it difficult to finish them once taken up.
So, Dr. J Mack recommends trying “body doubling”, which is including another person in your immediate environment who can hold you accountable for not taking up the task.
2. Habit stacking
Being organized is crucial if you’re struggling with ADHD. AMundane tasks become overwhelming when the mental condition causes a lot of distractions. Therefore, “habit stacking” can help you retain your focus.
For example, the ER doctor places his medicines right next to his toothbrush stand so he is prompted to take them immediately after brushing.
3. Anchoring
Similar to habit stacking, collecting the items you want to bring with you while stepping out of the house ensures you aren’t leaving anything behind.
J Mack says he doesn’t trust his brain to remind him of the to-do list, so he rather “anchors” items and even chores to one thing he can easily spot. “When you have ADHD don’t trust your future self. You can trust your present self,” he says.
4. Partner with neurotypicals
It’s common for people with ADHD to hyperfocus on one interest that lights up their brain. However, it can still become difficult to keep up with the initial excitement as time goes by.
The doctor recommends partnering with neurotypicals who have better control over a train of thought to help you get back on track when staying becomes difficult.
Dr. J Mack Slaughter is a certified emergency physician and former actor. He did his MD and Residency in Emergency Medicine from the UT Southwestern Medical Center.
