• AnthropomorphicCat@lemmy.world
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    14 days ago

    I have autism but not ADHD. In my case it’s “wait until 1 a.m., take advantage of the night owl super boost”.

    For some reason I can’t concentrate during the day. It’s only after sunset when I can really focus. I wrote all of my master’s thesis after 1:00 a.m.

    • eyes@lemmy.world
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      14 days ago

      Oh yeah that’s real, I got all my best writing done between midnight and 3am.

    • AlpacaChariot@lemmy.world
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      14 days ago

      This is me too, I don’t really understand why it’s like that but I’m SO productive at night.

      Maybe it’s about having eaten a really good meal or something? Or just all the other distractions disappearing?

      I feel like there must be some a more scientific reason!

    • dejected_warp_core@lemmy.world
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      14 days ago

      I’m the same way, except my body insists upon going to sleep at 10PM. I can push past that, but insomnia awaits me after midnight.

      I can’t explain what the underlying mechanism is, only that your brain and body just function differently in conjunction with your circadian rhythm. Provided you have a good rhythm, that is (not all neurodivergent types have that). In the worst cases, like dementia patients, this is called ‘sundowning’ and is a real shit-show. For high-functioning types, it’s where your body prepares for sleep and your brain shifts gears.

      As for what that has to do with ADHD, I’m not sure - it’s probably been studied. My best guess is that melatonin helps, and maybe the brain is more receptive to dopamine at night? You may have fewer environmental distractions at night too; I know I do.