I won't play online coop games without it. Until there's a suitable, universal, easily configurable in-game voice communication system, I'm not interested in going to the effort to reboot my PC to play one game, which I can quit my current game, and boot another one, without diconnecting my voice chat system.
And it turns out there was an explanation, and a treatment, that could have benefitted me years ago if I'd only known.
My symptoms are periods of extreme activity, when I am single-minded, incredibly dedicated, and incredibly productive. At home this evidences itself as deep dedication to my hobbies and family. Sounds great right?
Not really.
For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. Following the periods of super-activity are periods of extreme lethargy. I can sit in front of my PC for hours and do nothing. Even if I have things to do, important things, I cannot keep my mind upon them long enough to get them done. At home, all I do is watch TV. I can't be bothered to converse, as all it does it make me angry. And there's nothing I can do about it.
It's been like this for (at least) 10 years. Fortunately for me, the majority of the time I am hyper-productive, so the periods of lethargy were un-noticeable. Starting about 2 years, that gradually changed, and now it's become the opposite. I hardly ever have the desire, energy, or attention span to accomplish anything.
I spent more time and energy than I care to describe trying to correct this behavior in myself, on the assumption that is was simply something I needed to work on as I aged. To a great extent it worked, allowing my to remain semi-productive during the low points, and over-compensate during the high points. But no amount of dedication could make it stop getting worse.
As it turns out, I am bipolar. Specifically, I'm mixed bipolar, meaning I oscillate between mania and depression. It runs in my family (which I did not know until several months ago), and has ruined the lives of several of my family members. I always thought they were just eccentric, or jerks, but they have the same problem as me. The sad thing is that when untreated, bipolar disorder gets worse with time, until you sorta drift out of reality. I have an older relative who has gone untreated all her life, and it's sad to see what it has done to her. She's extremely wealthy, but lives like a pauper because she's convinced that she has no money, and that the government is coming to take it all away. She's incapable of having a conversation that does not involve her money, it's the only thing she can think about.
It's funny on one level, and horribly depressing on another.
The solution: medication. There are several to choose from, and my doctor and I are working to find a combination that works for me. So far, it's been difficult, but things are getting better every day.
The lesson here is that if you honestly cannot solve it yourself (and I mean honestly - it took me 4 years to decide I had to seek help), you should see a doctor. Start with your family practioner, and if they canot help, they will refer you to a specialist.
And as a closer, I also believe ADHD/ADD, and a variety of other related disorders, are widely over-diagnosed in this country. Many people who simply need to get their ass in gear and do their share are relying on pills to solve their problems. But if you are one of the few who truly need medication, it's important to find out now, before it becomes unmanageable.
I know the feeling! I have a 1979 Yamaha XS650. I got it about a year and half ago, and it hasn't been until recently (within the last month) that I've gotten it to run dependably, and run well. Now it purrs like a kitten, and I know a hell of a lto about mechanices that I didn't know a year ago!:)
The wind, the freedom, the thrill, it's a totally different feeling than anything I'm accustomed too.
Fortunately for me, all it took to convince my wife was a ride, and she was sold. We got out licenses together, but we've only go the one bike, but she's ok with passenger status as we live in a congested metropolitcal area. We go out riding together every night now, and it's definitely some of the best time we've ever spent together.
I also am building a custom bike, mines an old skool long bike, with a stretched and raked frame and a very long springer. I find working on the beast to be an interesting distraction from an otherwise geeky life.
Mines built around a British engine ('73 BSA A65), and will mostly be one-off custom parts. I'm not a machinist, but I know people who are, and I have them make the custom pieces I cannot make myself.
I also study Wing Chung Gung Fu. I started about 18 months ago, and I train 3 times a week, for 3 hours per session. Being a dyed-in-the-wool nerd (with a physique to match), it's extraordinarily difficult, but deeply satisfying and educational. I've learned far more about relaxation, control, attention,a dn focus from Wing Chun that my job or education could have ever taught me.
Wehn done correctly, it's also very, very beautiful. Assuming you eyes can follow it, as it's remarkably subtle.
I live in and study in Chicago, with the Chicago Wing Chun Gung Fu Club, http://chicagowingchun.com
We welcome any interested visitors to come and experience it. I went on a whim after I saw Legend of Drunken Master on cable, and it totally changed my life.
When I'm not busy with that, I also build custom motorcycles. Currently, I'm working on a long chopper built from a 1973 BSA enginge, with a crazy long springer and a serious attitude.
Slashdot Mirror
I won't play online coop games without it. Until there's a suitable, universal, easily configurable in-game voice communication system, I'm not interested in going to the effort to reboot my PC to play one game, which I can quit my current game, and boot another one, without diconnecting my voice chat system.
And it turns out there was an explanation, and a treatment, that could have benefitted me years ago if I'd only known.
My symptoms are periods of extreme activity, when I am single-minded, incredibly dedicated, and incredibly productive. At home this evidences itself as deep dedication to my hobbies and family. Sounds great right?
Not really.
For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. Following the periods of super-activity are periods of extreme lethargy. I can sit in front of my PC for hours and do nothing. Even if I have things to do, important things, I cannot keep my mind upon them long enough to get them done. At home, all I do is watch TV. I can't be bothered to converse, as all it does it make me angry. And there's nothing I can do about it.
It's been like this for (at least) 10 years. Fortunately for me, the majority of the time I am hyper-productive, so the periods of lethargy were un-noticeable. Starting about 2 years, that gradually changed, and now it's become the opposite. I hardly ever have the desire, energy, or attention span to accomplish anything.
I spent more time and energy than I care to describe trying to correct this behavior in myself, on the assumption that is was simply something I needed to work on as I aged. To a great extent it worked, allowing my to remain semi-productive during the low points, and over-compensate during the high points. But no amount of dedication could make it stop getting worse.
As it turns out, I am bipolar. Specifically, I'm mixed bipolar, meaning I oscillate between mania and depression. It runs in my family (which I did not know until several months ago), and has ruined the lives of several of my family members. I always thought they were just eccentric, or jerks, but they have the same problem as me. The sad thing is that when untreated, bipolar disorder gets worse with time, until you sorta drift out of reality. I have an older relative who has gone untreated all her life, and it's sad to see what it has done to her. She's extremely wealthy, but lives like a pauper because she's convinced that she has no money, and that the government is coming to take it all away. She's incapable of having a conversation that does not involve her money, it's the only thing she can think about.
It's funny on one level, and horribly depressing on another.
The solution: medication. There are several to choose from, and my doctor and I are working to find a combination that works for me. So far, it's been difficult, but things are getting better every day.
The lesson here is that if you honestly cannot solve it yourself (and I mean honestly - it took me 4 years to decide I had to seek help), you should see a doctor. Start with your family practioner, and if they canot help, they will refer you to a specialist.
And as a closer, I also believe ADHD/ADD, and a variety of other related disorders, are widely over-diagnosed in this country. Many people who simply need to get their ass in gear and do their share are relying on pills to solve their problems. But if you are one of the few who truly need medication, it's important to find out now, before it becomes unmanageable.
I know the feeling! I have a 1979 Yamaha XS650. I got it about a year and half ago, and it hasn't been until recently (within the last month) that I've gotten it to run dependably, and run well. Now it purrs like a kitten, and I know a hell of a lto about mechanices that I didn't know a year ago! :)
The wind, the freedom, the thrill, it's a totally different feeling than anything I'm accustomed too.
Fortunately for me, all it took to convince my wife was a ride, and she was sold. We got out licenses together, but we've only go the one bike, but she's ok with passenger status as we live in a congested metropolitcal area. We go out riding together every night now, and it's definitely some of the best time we've ever spent together.
Phatticus
Nice chop caffeinex36!
I also am building a custom bike, mines an old skool long bike, with a stretched and raked frame and a very long springer. I find working on the beast to be an interesting distraction from an otherwise geeky life.
Mines built around a British engine ('73 BSA A65), and will mostly be one-off custom parts. I'm not a machinist, but I know people who are, and I have them make the custom pieces I cannot make myself.
http://www.network54.com/realm/phatticus
Phatticus
I also study Wing Chung Gung Fu. I started about 18 months ago, and I train 3 times a week, for 3 hours per session. Being a dyed-in-the-wool nerd (with a physique to match), it's extraordinarily difficult, but deeply satisfying and educational. I've learned far more about relaxation, control, attention,a dn focus from Wing Chun that my job or education could have ever taught me.
Wehn done correctly, it's also very, very beautiful. Assuming you eyes can follow it, as it's remarkably subtle.
I live in and study in Chicago, with the Chicago Wing Chun Gung Fu Club,
http://chicagowingchun.com
We welcome any interested visitors to come and experience it. I went on a whim after I saw Legend of Drunken Master on cable, and it totally changed my life.
When I'm not busy with that, I also build custom motorcycles. Currently, I'm working on a long chopper built from a 1973 BSA enginge, with a crazy long springer and a serious attitude.