Traders with ADHD

So I was just recently diagnosed with adult ADHD.
I read an article where it said that S&T is the best job for ADHD and full of people with ADHD. Also, many people recommend S&T over IB for people with ADHD.

Some people make their decisions on a trade based on like 10 to 20 different data points that they're receiving all at the same time, and people with ADHD naturally absorb data from all different angles at the same time. I'm curious to hear any stories that people have trading before taking medication and trading after medication. Did it make you a better trader on medication or worse? Is trading and S&T the best careers for people with ADHD? I have serious trouble to get to the point where I could concentrate for 6+ hours. Does anyone else have this problem?

 

I'm not in sales and trading but have some sort of ADD. There are four things that make me really focused: adrenaline alcohol caffeine (a lot of it) an intense workout (boxing/really good lifting session)

Try doing it without medication. I think you'll be able to focus without it. It's actually pretty amazing how my brain works when I'm under a lot of pressure.

Take a boxing class and have a training session with a trainer. If you're able to follow what's going on, I think you'll be ok.

 

My personality fits great in S&T because I am quirky, someone that prefers short-term projects, has the ability to quickly find solutions to a complex problem, I can handle the pressure when a decision with lots of capital involved needs to be made, I am interested in the markets, human psychology, and such a level of high-stakes decision making. But I worry about the decline in the industry. Would you still go S&t if you were just starting your career? How do you stay focused for 6+hours? [

 
Most Helpful

Well honestly, it’s one of those things that is best experienced to be understood. Anyone that has ever spent time on a trade floor probably had a similar experience.

You can tell that a trade floor was designed to facilitate those with ADD. You have multiple monitors all shooting info at your face. There is probably a TV blaring CNBC, or during certain sporting events, two TV's with games on them in March Madness (RIP 2020). You are having IM conversations with 20 different people and a broker is usually blasting your IM's every 10 mins or so. Everyone is sitting somewhat near each other, and they are shouting jokes and having conversations. Trading rewards the people who thrive in this environment. Only the people that can halfway pay attention to all of these things, while occasionally extremely focusing on some aspects and using them to make money, thrive.

As to medication I take Adderall. I need that Bradley Cooper "Limitless" type of reaction twice a day. I tried Concerta, but that shit messed with my moods and I didn't like being a dick to my family when I wasn’t working on weekends etc.

 

medications are pretty much trial and error because each person reacts so differently to each medication. human mind is super complicated. for adhd, there are stimulants which i would consider how extended release the one you choose is because that can limit the drop effect that happens towards the end of the day for a lot of people. there are nonstimulants which include strattera which is the most similar in its effects out of these to stimulants, guanfacine which has more of a calming effect and makes you a bit sleepy (probably want to take before bed), clonidine which is similar to guanfacine but usually less effective and more sedating, and wellbutrin which is an antidepressant and usually doesn't have too significant an effect. Stimulants are generally the most effective but also have the most potential downsides. Withdrawing from them can be a serious issue and they are addictive if you take beyond what is prescribed. They give a lot of people insomnia and a crash side effect as the dosage wears off towards the end of the day. Make sure you have a good psychiatrist and don't trust anything I just said before actually consulting with them.

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Hey you guys, this forum discussion is incredible...! Thank you to whoever decided to get it started! ADHD has been an uphill battle and honestly I didn't realize that so many people can relate to the T everything I experience... It's no wonder that I have such enthusiasm for trading the markets... I believe we can see patterns immediately on charts and in general, and I have done quite well with my.own low budget trading. Someone told me once that trading money is.much more beneficial than paper accounts because it makes you feel the emotions that paper leaves missing.

I am 31 years old and struggling financially in my life... Other than trading, I am successful at gold prospecting although I am still figuring out how to refine the panned dust (which I have quite a bit of), and make money from smelting. So far I've destroyed everything I attempt. Anyhow, I am looking for a mentor or a community that can help me figure out how to support myself in trading while having no college degree or any job... I'm an ex felon who received christ a few years ago and I'm homeless but not commiting crimes anymore or going to prison again. No longer associated with bad people leaving me wandering around hopeless as society still doesn't embrace me at all.

Can anyone just be a friend and reach out to me?

 

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