Reddit reviews Fast Minds: How to Thrive If You Have ADHD (Or Think You Might)

Well, you're definitely going to see your application take longer, as answering yes on any of those questions just automatically flags your application for review.

Honestly, as someone with the same diagnosis and even the same medication, I just wouldn't have even answered yes to that. As others have mentioned, that question is actually much more specific than just "mental health."

>16d) During the past five (5) years, have you threatened or attempted suicide, or have you suffered from or been diagnosed or treated by a medical practitioner for: depression; alcohol, drug or substance abuse;behavioural problems; or emotional problems?

ADHD isn't any of those things. Its a mental... impairment, maybe? Learning disability? Its not really any different than having bad eye sight. It negatively impacts your ability to get things done, but can be helped somewhat by medication. Its certainly not a behavioral or emotional problem.

If anything I'd say it would make you more safe with guns... the weird thing about ADHD is that while its very hard to keep attention on things you have no interest in, you can get super attentive with things you really like. If you really like guns and shooting, your brain is going to be in that second mode when handling them. To me, ACTS and PROVE isn't just stuff you have to do, its weirdly entertaining and cathartic to me because I'm interested in firearms.

Absolute worst case, the CFO might make you get a letter from your doctor saying you aren't a threat to yourself or others. Do let us know... I hope I don't have to go through some nonsense when I renew the PAL.

Sidenote unrelated to guns, check out this book if you haven't already. Its been very helpful to me.

Sounds like me a few years ago! Not sure what country you’re in because it means different access levels. My GP in Canada sent me to a specialized adhd clinic for rigorous testing which cost me a cool $1000. My bf managed to find a psychiatrist who was covered by the provincial drug plan and cost nothing. So you could ask your GP for a referral to a psychiatrist, conversely you could try asking for a referral to a psychiatrist at a walk in clinic.

This will be a tough road and honestly it’s going to come with a lot of judgement because you’re still “school aged” and even when you’re not, because the medication is a controlled substance you’ll get judgy reactions from pharmacists, insurance companies etc etc because they’re jerks and they just think we’re trying to get high on a medications we rely on to get through the day. Obvs not all are like that. I’m only saying this so you can be prepared to stand your ground and remember it’s ok that you’re seeking treatment to better yourself.

So until you are able to secure a diagnosis (keep pushing because it’s so important for your success if you do have adhd!) there are a few resources that really helped me you can check out:

I always want to be where I’m not: https://www.amazon.ca/Always-Want-Where-Not-Successful-ebook/dp/B00K1LGMJG

Fast minds: how to thrive if you have adhd or think you might: https://www.amazon.ca/Fast-Minds-Thrive-Think-Might/dp/0425274063

Driven to distraction: https://www.amazon.ca/Driven-Distraction-Revised-Recognizing-Attention/dp/0307743152

I hope you find a bit of peace in a few of these things, and remember that you know yourself the best, keep pushing until you find someone that will listen to you.

I would rate the book 6.5/10. Here is an Amazon link if you would like to read more reviews.


If you haven't read many self-improvement books and lack a basic knowledge of ADHD then it is worth a read. The book has worksheets following each chapter and can be helpful in identifying behaviors and offering ways to correct them. I found the worksheets to be more micromanaging than I would like. This book would be a great read for a family member that does not have ADHD and would like to know the conditions impacts their loved one's life.

I was a little intoxicated earlier so I might have been mixing up the details.

I assume you really hated your old job then lol. Must be hard finding something you enjoy and I assume it might be because you are pretty intelligent; fast learner? And I assume a lot, but not statements as matter of fact or what I really believe about you, but more to bounce the idea off of you and look for your corrections in my assumptions. So sorry if I seem a little direct in what I’ve been saying.

And me? I’m just a starving artist with a relatively useless film degree. Living check to check to pay rent and credit card bills. Not where I wanna be by a long shot. But I have my ups and downs too. Right now I feel a bit manic in that I could probably accomplish all my goals in the next year. Sad.

What keeps me at my peaks are my hobbies though. You have any?

Edit: https://www.amazon.com/Fast-Minds-Thrive-Think-Might/dp/0425274063

This book is about ADHD, but instead of looking at it from a psychiatric lens, it looks at it more from a humanistic standpoint. Not saying you have ADHD as I’m not qualified, but based off some of your key points, you seem to have traits of a “fast mind.” Haven’t read it in a bit so my assessment may be off. Still a good read regardless.

Pretty good summary: https://rachelgold.com/book-insight-fast-minds/

I (44m) was recently diagnosed with adult ADHD and for me what goes through my mind is ..... Everything... all at once.... over and over and over again. Often the thoughts are then punctuated with a feelings of guilt for being such a fuck up under achiever. I can’t remember anything I’m not interested in and I find it impossible to finish almost any task. I have been diagnosed with depression and anxiety previously and I believe both are a direct result of my ADHD. I was so relived when got a the diagnosis as it allowed me to feel a bit “less” guilty for my personality. It’s nice to know that there is some sort of reason for the way I have always been. Definitely an emotional relief to realize that I am different then most others and that there is an actual reason why am the way I am. The ADHD meds seem to help with focus, but there are a lot of tactical things I still need to address in order to live my best life. The diagnosis was just the start of my journey and I have a long way to go. I would take a look at FAST MINDS by Surman/Bilkey if you would like to understand more about how folks with ADHD operate and practice methods to change that operation.

https://www.amazon.com/Fast-Minds-Thrive-Think-Might/dp/0425274063/ref=nodl_