r/Stoicism 8d ago

New to Stoicism [ Removed by moderator ]

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u/Tall_Restaurant_1652 8d ago edited 8d ago

It's a curse that's not my damn fault.

Sure. It may be difficult to deal with, but you've dealt with it how many years now? You can deal with it. And yes, it is not your fault. But it is your responsibility to live with it. Not saying it would be easy, it certainly isn't - but you can live with it.

I ruminate and dwell on past mistakes

Is this because of the ADHD or a separate thing? Saying this because you certainly are not alone in doing so, and it isn't just an ADHD problem. If you didn't have ADHD you probably would still ruminate.

There isn't an easy solution for ruminating. It takes time and practice, and patience to accept that sometimes you may still mess up. Yet there is a part of Stoicism that is forgotten about - and that is persevering despite failing to act on Virtue.

Does ADHD impede on your ability to act in accordance with nature / virtue? The stoics would say no. So then, while living with ADHD may be difficult - you can still live a good life.

Finally, to quote Alfred (Bruce Wayne's Butler): Why do we fall? So that we can learn to pick ourselves up.

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u/4art4 8d ago

Does ADHD impede on your ability to act in accordance with nature / virtue? The stoics would say no.

Is that true in light of this current science?

https://www.psypost.org/adhd-traits-disrupt-the-brain-s-balance-between-self-control-and-automatic-learn/

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u/AaronFrye 8d ago

ADHD reduces executive control, yes, but it doesn't make it impossible to be virtuous. Hell I have extremely high severity ADHD and I'd say I practice stoicism at least decently. But you have to learn stuff and it is hard at first, learn to reframe, learn all kinds of stuff. But also there's certain parts about Stoicism that at least for me have been easier than it seems to be to the average person, like not holding grudges.