Ask HN: Experienced software engineer – but unable to consistently work
I have a strong case of ADHD. Can't take medication that would help me due to other medical reasons. I'm also not a social person and now have developed strong anxiety after consistently failing for a decade (working on that with a psychologist/psychiatrist but it's been a year and so far no significant improvement).
I have long periods when I just can't focus on doing anything at all (2-10 weeks) followed by short periods of extreme focused activity (1-3 weeks).
I'm unable to hold a job. I'm "the best programmer they've ever seen" but only for the first month - then they start to hate me because I'm not working.
Programming is the only thing I can do - and the only thing that makes me enough money to survive. I was unable to finish high school, anything resembling academia sounds like absolute torture.
I have long periods when I just can't focus on doing anything at all (2-10 weeks) followed by short periods of extreme focused activity (1-3 weeks).
I'm unable to hold a job. I'm "the best programmer they've ever seen" but only for the first month - then they start to hate me because I'm not working.
Programming is the only thing I can do - and the only thing that makes me enough money to survive. I was unable to finish high school, anything resembling academia sounds like absolute torture.
What to do? Please help me.