View Full Version : How to 'deal' when you're ADD (LONG)
I've never been officially diagnosed, but I pretty much fit the profile of someone with Attention Deficit Disorder. So, some of my challenges are focusing. I have trouble reading, even though I love to read and read and write well, because I have trouble staying focused on the text. I have a hard time proof reading because I have trouble focusing on words.
I have a difficult time with any tasks that require attention and detail. My mind flits from thing to thing. Funnily enough I get things done, just very randomly. I cannot just finish one task. I liken myself to my old pet ferret. He would just follow his nose. Wherever it pointed, there he went; or like a magpie. "OH look! Something shiny!" And there I go. It can be very hard. If I don't follow a ritual coming and going from the house, I inevitably lose, forget and scramble things, leave stoves on and whatnot. So, those are a few examples of how ADD affects me. Loud noises distract and irritate me. Too much information at a time confuses me. I have a hard time staying focused on one task at a time.
Anyway, recently I read a post on another forum (a teachers forum) about how to be a teacher when you have ADD. I thought this was brilliant. It's true, keeping up with paper work and being organized and on task is my biggest challenge. The thread never really gave me any real ideas for how to work with this. But wow, it really made me think. It's not just 'getting organized', it's how to be organized in a way that actually works for people who have trouble staying focused. Like many folks with ADD I have no order and am unorganized and chaotic. So, how to become more organized when being organized creates a physical state of confusion? At work I cannot seem to create a workable system that really helps me stay on task. I file things and forget where I filed them. (because not everything is exactly clear, and often could be cross filed. So, do I file this under social emotional or language? And how do I remember which I filed it under???.) I do things and then forget what I did. I write notes on my hand or at home even on the wall, so I can't lose the note. I get several projects going at once. That's ok, because in the end I get things accomplished, but I also lose track, get confused and get unfocused. If I organize a drawer to 'get organized' I forget, later where I decided to put things in order to 'stay organized' and then actually lose things for a long time!!!>:(
So, here's my question: Does anyone have any ideas or experience for how to get and stay organized when you have ADD? What kind of things work for those with Attention deficit disorder? Do you know of anything that actually focuses this kind of aspect? When I googled it, I found lots of ideas for getting organized but they actually make me lose focus more. That's the problem. The more organized and detailed something is, the more I feel physically disoriented and confused. I cannot focus and lose whatever ground I gained. I know this is hard to explain. But I was wondering, does anyone have something that they know of that actually helps this kind of disorder to stay focused or to be organized? I always start the new school year with the best intentions and create systems, but I can never stick with them and always lose track and fall out and end up terribly disoriented and disorganized again. So, there it is. I hope I can get some actual ideas that pertain to the issue of how to stay organized and on track with ADD and not just general advice that could apply to anything. If 'anything' worked, I'd be doing it. So, thanks for reading, and if you have any ideas, I'd like to hear them.
Tussiemussies
5-14-13, 1:12am
Don't have anything to share except that I'm sorry you have to deal with this...best wishes to find the solution that feel most comfortable to you...
fidgiegirl
5-14-13, 8:30am
Tiam, you mentioned a routine when you leave the house and it sounds like that's what makes that part of the day more manageable and less frustrating. What exactly does that routine look like?
I have some technology-related ideas for you for work, but do you have the flexibility to come up with new systems, or are you stuck with doing files/procedures a certain way? Are you a person who enjoys technology or finds it relatively ok to learn? If you have a huge learning curve with technology, then that's not a good solution for you to feel more at ease with life. But if you have flexibility and at least not an aversion to it, I could offer up some of those ideas.
You mentioned that you are actually getting things done. Is the issue more about that the journey is so stressful, like always making it to your destination but getting lost EVERY TIME you drive your car? Or is it more the sensory stuff, like the noises, etc. that are really bothering you right now?
Sorry, couldn't read such a long post. I have ADD.
No, seriously (and I am kind of serious), I also am pretty sure I have ADD. I've always had a horrible time staying organized and focused.
Right now, as we speak, I just finished a report for my clients, but my reports are TORTUOUS to do. I can't tell you how many demons I have to slay to get them done! And it's not that I don't like writing or feel like I'm not a good writer, I just can't settle down.
My son is like that, but 10x worse. After many bumpy roads, which I've described here, he's made it from high school drop-out to law school graduate (he graduates in two weeks). He's been a student while working full time, and if you asked me if he could do it a few years back, as much as I love him, I would really wonder how, given his ADD tendencies. The choir director of the church let him try his Ritalin, and based on that, my son got his own prescription, and whether it's placebo effect or not, it has worked beautifully.
As for me, I'm sorry to say that I haven't found any really good solution. My best one is to get up at 5 am and do what I need to do then, for two reasons: it's the least distracting time of the day. I'm all alone in the wee hours.
Also, there's a psychological thing about it: I feel that if I've suffered to get out of bed that early, it's a real waste to use up that time surfing the web or whatever.
The other little mind trick I play is one that my mother used to use, and Thich Nhat Hahn, the Buddhist monk, says it, too: Start where you are. By focusing on just what is RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOU you can practice blocking out all the other gnatty thoughts and visual and audio distractions.
Also, I find I really need to keep my office clutter free, and my decorating style is monochromatic for the most part. Any excess visual stimulation sets me off--that's why I'm a huge victim of "broken window syndrome." If one thing is out of place, I fall into despair and won't pick up for days.
So I'm anxious to hear the tips other folks have.
Fidgie it's a bit of both. Noise and stimulation at work are a huge contributor. I work in a shared office and it gets quite noisy. When this happens I put ear phones in and listen to meditation or preferred music and drown it out. At home, when I leave I have to walk to the stove and visually look at it. I point to each burner and say "Off, Off, Off, Off" if all are off. If one isn't, I stop and fix that. Then I walk carefully and say outloud things I need to take with me, and that can vary based on whether or not I'm taking school supplies with me. So, I say "Purse, Phone, lunch, sweater, sunglasses, books, playdo, etc." When I get home, I ask anyone at home to give me 10 minutes before talking to me. If people talk to me right as I get home I get confused, agitated and flustered. So, I get home and put my purse down, but I say "I"m putting my purse on the table." outloud. As I take off my shoes I say "I'm putting my shoes next to the door." If I don't do these little rituals I am hopelessly lost. If people are talking to me, I can't do the ritual. At work, most of the work is physical. We have an online observation and grading program, that is fine. It's more like the mounds of paperwork that are constantly geneerated. The child file is fine, because the papers are coded and need to be filed in code order, but there are my own files. So, I have a file drawer with some paper tools, such as home visit forms, another file for personal things that accumulate through the year, paystubs, evaluations and such. Then a file for work generated information. This is where I get really mixed up. Because there are lots of different pieces and as I said, some pieces cross over. So, we get printouts from trainings, memos with current info or new rules. There are accident reports, communication reports, team and meeting notifications. There are this weeks lesson plans and sign ins. Plus, there is the stuff I generate. As it is a preschool I am always in a project. The projects generate lots of paper cutting and prep work. I have a file box for templates but I still get mixed up. There's usually a constant incoming outgoing number of things on my desk. This weeks project that required sea shells, is there, along with last months art project because I haven't remembered to take it home. There are markers, crayons, pencils, foam, construction paper, string, hole punchers all there for activity prep. There are observation notes, and meeting notes and piles of children's work. I will do a purge and clean and get rid of things, but I can't always find a natural home for some things and they start to pile because I don't know where to put things. Then, while I'm purging, I'll create files for things, to put them away, then later, when I am looking for that thing, I cannot decide(remember) what I decided to file it under. We are not allowed to have clutter around our desks so a lot of times I just end up pushing huge piles of stuff into my file drawer so it becomes invisible. So, what I see is that I need a system that is easy to follow. I need a system that is intuitive. The more technical it gets, or the more specific it becomes the more physically confused and agitated I become. At work there is a lot of interpersonal information sharing, both by emails and person to person. People come up all the time and have to talk. (exchange information) It's not always a convenient time, but it's when they have time and it's urgent and has to be shared. So then I get interrupted a lot and mixed up and off task and need to refocus again. I have a desk calendar with information on it, but 50% of the time it's covered with projects that have no where else to live. I see teachers who keep track with things like excel, but I'm not good with excel. In fact it has that very aspect that confuses me. Anything extremely graphlike like that that will have that affect on me. (I'm also discalculate), things that are graphlike, or very modular like tend to create a sense of confusion and disorientation. (to this day I haven't been able to complete my degree due to this issue with math). So, again pretty long, but I just wanted to kind of paint a picture for how organization can be difficult for me. Thanks for listening.
catherine
5-14-13, 10:07am
Here's another thing about to-do lists: I only put 3 things on it at a time. Forget David Allen and Getting Things Done with his lists and sublists etc... I so strongly identified with you on this, Tiam. Your behavior and mental confusion sounds just like mine.
If I put three things I have to do on my list for the day, I can manage that.
I just started using the app Wunderlist which is very, very simple. So far it's kind of worked for me.
https://www.wunderlist.com/
How are you with color coding paper things? Sometimes that extra visual might help.
You are right. And it all sounds good. Till I try and create a stick by a system. It's very hard to find a way to organize that works. I watch what other teachers do. They seem to have systems that work for them. I still haven't found the exact way. Some of it is just to follow my own tendencies and find ways to use them successfully. Like dumping. I'm a dumper. Big piles dumped on the desk. Well, I can create files for somethings, like lesson plans and just tip them in. Now it's a vertical file. But more specific things, I get lost, because as I said I cannot even remember what system I used. I don't remember where I chose to file something or put something away at. It's that "I'm a piler not a filer" pattern. Piling works but only so far. Filing works if I could just remember how it works! Everytime I go on a mass organization attack, the next day I can't find anything. Whatever made sense yesterday doesn't make sense today. It's an interesting dilemma, because it goes beyond just 'getting organized'; it's 'getting organized successfully with ADD'.:laff:
When you file, you could put reminder slips in alternative folders to tell you where to look for an item. For example, if you file a new procedure under "Recess," you could leave reminders in the "Procedures" and "Rule Updates" folders to look in the "Recess" one.
I define "distractible," but I would never cop to a pop-psych label. So glad I came along before everyone had to have one.
When I am somewhere about 85-93% done with something I feel the strongest urge to go do or start something else. I have to say to myself, as if talking to my kids, "Stay focused and complete what you are doing." If I don't, I end up with multiple things begun and never finished.
The most hilarious thing I ever did was when I worked billable hours. I am a 'Spurts' person - I can dink around most of the day, then in about a 2-3 hour period I can really crank some things out. Trying to get this to fit into a billable hours system was truly laughable for me.
When I was in cubeland, I had to put a sign at my cube entrance on certain Crank It Out occasions, "Unless your matter is an emergency, please send me an email and I will get back with you before the end of the business day. Thank You" (then I would carve out the last hour of work to respond to these emails as promised)
And I have definitely learned when I am on a role and interrupted that I have to say, "I am in the middle of something, I will be down to talk with you as soon as I am done." Then I write it on a Post It Note immediately and put it close to my computer screen.
I like using folders on my desk that are graduated heights - kind of like this http://www.staples.com/Staples-Metal-Incline-Desktop-File-Sorter-6-Compartments-Black/product_218420
If it is out of sight, it is out of mind for me too.
In general I find if I eat protein at every meal & exercise every day and watch my sugar/junk intake -- my mind is much more calm and can deal.
Have you come across additudemag.com in your research?
I just did a quick Google search too and it has a lot of great info.
fidgiegirl
5-14-13, 7:22pm
Tiam,
I found this link (http://www.helpguide.org/mental/adhd_add_adult_strategies.htm#work) which talks about taking a time just for organization at work. That might help with things like the art project that hasn't gone home, etc. It could be a time to assess every day if things are getting out of control or what.
Kids at school often will use a visual checklist or schedule. What about a wipe off checklist of those things you have to do when you leave the house or at work?
The files - could they be by date? Or maybe everything that's not an eval or kid-specific is by date? How many of those memos, etc. really need to get kept? Could there be a visual with two or three questions you ask yourself about whether to keep a piece of paper? If in doubt, you can look at the list and even physically check or circle a "yes" or "no" to decide, and then throw or place in the file for this week? How often do you need to go back in your files, and does anyone else ever need to? Or, it occurs to me that most paper is truly either "important," "maybe important," and "not important." Not important can go in recycling. Maybe important could go in a folder with that very name. And important can go in its own folder. Perhaps a fresh folder can be started every month. I am just trying to think of ways to get the number of variations reduced, since it sounds like many choices or options are an obstacle. Either it IS important, it MIGHT be, or it's not. Or it happened this week or it happened last week. Am I making any sense?! :)
It has helped me to have "to file," "to read," "to do" in a three shelf desktop organizer. Then it's not so much decision-making all the time, but keeps things relatively neat. Nothing is allowed in there that isn't to keep, though. That has to be thrown at the get go. Periodically I will file away what I stuck in this pile, but then I rarely need it after that, so sometimes it feels a bit futile.
We use a LOT of visuals for kids at school. That relieves the jumble of trying to hold it all in your head. Checklists, pictures of sequence of tasks, calming images, etc.
As for getting interrupted . . . how about cultivating a habit of saying "ooh hang on just one minute while I jot down where I'm leaving off . . . " then writing a word or two that will help you get back into it when they are gone?
Gotta go eat! Does any of this sound like it might work? I am afraid that the ideas from the thread will be overwhelming, too. Just pick one that piques your interest and try it, but give it a good chance. If it doesn't, you can try another.
When you file, you could put reminder slips in alternative folders to tell you where to look for an item. For example, if you file a new procedure under "Recess," you could leave reminders in the "Procedures" and "Rule Updates" folders to look in the "Recess" one.
I define "distractible," but I would never cop to a pop-psych label. So glad I came along before everyone had to have one.
Sometimes having that "pop-psych" label can be a relief. Because it's beyond distracted. It's upsetting, disconcerting and confusing. It feels awful when I'm really struggling with unfocused moments and I am trying so hard to focus and just can't. Kind of like not being able to see well, and getting a prescription. I don't take meds, but still it helps me to think that there may be a reason behind my frustrating lack of focus and resulting anxiety.
Fidgie I'm going to check out your link, and thank you. I just want to add that I made a "To be filed" folder and "To Do" folder and promptly lost them.:laff::laff:
Sometimes having that "pop-psych" label can be a relief. Because it's beyond distracted. It's upsetting, disconcerting and confusing. It feels awful when I'm really struggling with unfocused moments and I am trying so hard to focus and just can't. Kind of like not being able to see well, and getting a prescription. I don't take meds, but still it helps me to think that there may be a reason behind my frustrating lack of focus and resulting anxiety.
I admit I've never experienced the upsetting, disconcerting, and confusing part. It sounds daunting. Maybe you're one of the people medication can help.
When I am somewhere about 85-93% done with something I feel the strongest urge to go do or start something else. I have to say to myself, as if talking to my kids, "Stay focused and complete what you are doing." If I don't, I end up with multiple things begun and never finished.
The most hilarious thing I ever did was when I worked billable hours. I am a 'Spurts' person - I can dink around most of the day, then in about a 2-3 hour period I can really crank some things out. Trying to get this to fit into a billable hours system was truly laughable for me.
When I was in cubeland, I had to put a sign at my cube entrance on certain Crank It Out occasions, "Unless your matter is an emergency, please send me an email and I will get back with you before the end of the business day. Thank You" (then I would carve out the last hour of work to respond to these emails as promised)
And I have definitely learned when I am on a role and interrupted that I have to say, "I am in the middle of something, I will be down to talk with you as soon as I am done." Then I write it on a Post It Note immediately and put it close to my computer screen.
I like using folders on my desk that are graduated heights - kind of like this http://www.staples.com/Staples-Metal-Incline-Desktop-File-Sorter-6-Compartments-Black/product_218420
If it is out of sight, it is out of mind for me too.
In general I find if I eat protein at every meal & exercise every day and watch my sugar/junk intake -- my mind is much more calm and can deal.
Have you come across additudemag.com in your research?
I just did a quick Google search too and it has a lot of great info.
This sounds like me. I do fine when I'm in my "zone" which I can usually get into with about 30 minutes of real/sustained work and focused attention. That usually gets me to the 85-90% point. But then unless I have an urgent deadline or another reason to shift something out of my space and on to someone else, I can tinker and futz and refine and twiddle till the cows come home and things don't get finished. I have gotten pretty good about just giving myself mental deadlines for things so that I can get them done and they don't hang around forever. That allows me to move on to the next thing.
With email, I do great as long as I can maintain my inbox so that it is at least near inbox zero most of the time. But for the past several weeks I have been overwhelmed with too much work as well as too much time out of hte office, so my email processing/filing has gone all to pot and I feel incredibly anxious about it, which makes me less efficient at other things. I finally cleared out several weeks worth of backed up messages yesterday, and hope to tackle the rest by the end of the week. So feeling better there. But that scattered, I'm not on top of things, what do I do next should I spend three hours cleaning out my email feeling is horrible.
I don't think I have ADD or ADHD but I do have anxiety issues and keeping on an even keel in terms of diet, sleep, exercise and workflow management are all very important to my overall wellbeing and quality of life.
Tiam, I love those little grounding/memory setting rituals you have come up with for yourself. Very impressive! Hope you can keep finding good strategies to cope. You might want to try medication just to see if/how it helps.
I admit I've never experienced the upsetting, disconcerting, and confusing part. It sounds daunting. Maybe you're one of the people medication can help.
It's actually pseudo painful. I mean it doesn't hurt physically, but it hurts psychologically, the same was sorrow or anxiety does.
When I am somewhere about 85-93% done with something I feel the strongest urge to go do or start something else. I have to say to myself, as if talking to my kids, "Stay focused and complete what you are doing." If I don't, I end up with multiple things begun and never finished.
The most hilarious thing I ever did was when I worked billable hours. I am a 'Spurts' person - I can dink around most of the day, then in about a 2-3 hour period I can really crank some things out. Trying to get this to fit into a billable hours system was truly laughable for me.
When I was in cubeland, I had to put a sign at my cube entrance on certain Crank It Out occasions, "Unless your matter is an emergency, please send me an email and I will get back with you before the end of the business day. Thank You" (then I would carve out the last hour of work to respond to these emails as promised)
And I have definitely learned when I am on a role and interrupted that I have to say, "I am in the middle of something, I will be down to talk with you as soon as I am done." Then I write it on a Post It Note immediately and put it close to my computer screen.
I like using folders on my desk that are graduated heights - kind of like this http://www.staples.com/Staples-Metal-Incline-Desktop-File-Sorter-6-Compartments-Black/product_218420
If it is out of sight, it is out of mind for me too.
In general I find if I eat protein at every meal & exercise every day and watch my sugar/junk intake -- my mind is much more calm and can deal.
Have you come across additudemag.com in your research?
I just did a quick Google search too and it has a lot of great info.
I like that folder system. It's just what I need. Something I can see, not disappear into a box. If I can't see it, I forget it entirely Well, I forget where it is at least. Unfortunately I don't know if I have that much desk space. Also a lot of the files need to be confidential and locked up. But it's getting me thinking. Those look like something I could make work. I can be pretty creative. I just need ideas and helpful tips. It isn't enough just to learn organizational tips. They have to be ones that work for what's keeping me back. Interestingly enough, even though I can start projects and not finish them, I do get all my work done on time, even though I'm running in 4 lanes simultaneously. Somehow I still get to the finish line on time. One of the things organized people do is make very careful systems, with cross references, and sub categories. I can't focus enough to create these. Today though, I was going over a list, and I was having trouble focusing on it. I just told myself to spend 2 minutes finishing it and then I could be done. So that helped. I get good grades in school too. And online university classes which are hard in a way because you have to be self organized. They are hard for me too because I never seem to create any viable system. I get really confused doing them. Yet, my last class, last term I got 1000 out 910 points. So, I'm doing something right. (not proofreading! Thank goodness for spellcheck!).
mtnlaurel
5-15-13, 10:04am
I like that folder system. It's just what I need. Something I can see, not disappear into a box. If I can't see it, I forget it entirely Well, I forget where it is at least. Unfortunately I don't know if I have that much desk space.
The graduated file sorter system worked best for me when I had an L-shaped desk and another time when I had a narrow credenza in my office right next to my desk.
That way my desk was kept sparse and had plenty of work space and the files were within arms reach and in eyesight.
And if you get push back from your employer or officemates on setting up a successful work situation, especially if you are at a Gov. related place - you can go to the Nth degree using HR to get what you need.
I once worked for a gov org and a woman had dr. diagnosed sensory issues and the greatest pains were taken to make sure that this one person on a floor of 60 people was accomodated -- when at the end of the day, to my pragmatic eyes all that needed to happen was move her away from the biggest jibber-jabberer on the floor. :)
This is beyond the scope of your OP, but I can't help myself... and I'm just writing this for me to say it out loud for myself, not implying that my experience is your experience:
The saying, "I can't compare my insides to other people's outsides", has helped me tremendously in life with situations like this.
For all you know those people that seem so 'organized' may be one misfile or slight catastrophe away from complete spontaneous combustion.
In a world where we are bombarded with images of Martha Stewart-esque lifestyle now being posted every millisecond by the 'common [wo]man' on Pinterest, it's kind of hard to be what I call a "Squiggly Line" kind of person :)
Lots of times I just visualize riding a wave - that's what I try to do, just stay on top of the wave of life.
Also, I use prayer to help me with these everyday things.
I love the Third Step Prayer http://www.silkworth.net/aa/3rd.html
I know not having an effective filing system at work is an infinitesimal thing to to classify as 'Difficulty in Life', but sometimes it seems like it just signifies everything I wish I could change about myself.
I am a unique individual and there ARE benefits to being Squiggly vs. Straight Lined.... and visa versa - it's not a contest, we are all just different.
What I DO have to take responsibility for though is to put myself in work positions where my Squiggliness can be an asset and help me get ahead.
I have been pleasantly surprised at how much you can accomplish in short bursts of a few minutes. Most tasks (even cooking) can be broken up that way.
decemberlov
5-15-13, 12:45pm
Tiam, I wanted to share this "Tickler File" system (http://www.lifehack.org/articles/productivity/back-to-basics-the-tickler-file.html) with you. Not sure if it's what you are looking for but I think it's genius!
Also have you ever tried using caffeine? My daughter has ADD and when she has caffeine it does the exact opposite, instead of stimulating her, it slows her down. In the past I have given he 8oz of coffee (approx. the equilivant of 5 mg of ritalin) about 15 mins before we would start homework and this was just enough to get her to slow down and focus. However, we don't do this anymore as she also has tourettes and stimulants make tics worse :(
I'm very unorganized and forgetful myself, by nature. What I've learned to do and have made a habit out of is making sure all my things are in order the night before. Purse on the table with anything else I'll need for the next day - that way I'm not running around like crazy in the morning looking for stuff.
Along with the caffeine idea, I'd make sure to keep my blood sugar level (regular meals, protein and fat). My memory is generally sharp, but I've noticed some scary lapses when my blood sugar goes too low. Blood sugar fluctuations can fuel anxiety, as well.
Tiam, I wanted to share this "Tickler File" system (http://www.lifehack.org/articles/productivity/back-to-basics-the-tickler-file.html) with you. Not sure if it's what you are looking for but I think it's genius!
Also have you ever tried using caffeine? My daughter has ADD and when she has caffeine it does the exact opposite, instead of stimulating her, it slows her down. In the past I have given he 8oz of coffee (approx. the equilivant of 5 mg of ritalin) about 15 mins before we would start homework and this was just enough to get her to slow down and focus. However, we don't do this anymore as she also has tourettes and stimulants make tics worse :(
I'm very unorganized and forgetful myself, by nature. What I've learned to do and have made a habit out of is making sure all my things are in order the night before. Purse on the table with anything else I'll need for the next day - that way I'm not running around like crazy in the morning looking for stuff.
I learned to make tickler files back when I went to secretarial school. I find I never actually get around to 'doing' it. To making all the notes and then filing them. Filing. That's the thing. AND I forget actually what needs to happen. When I try to make a list in advance, I can do it at home, but at work, I get so scattered I forget what needs to go on the list. Mind you, I accomplish everything, eventually, it's just that I really struggle with feeling so scattered all the time. I write notes to myself on the back of my hand. Best system I've ever come up with, because I make the notes as I think of them. Sometimes I'll just make a still dot or a star but that isn't as good, because later, I forget what it's supposed to remind me of.
Coffee just makes me sleepy. I'm not hyper. I don't have the "H". I'm just scattered, confused and unfocused. It's mostly at work that I struggle. Because there are so many tasks to do, and so little time. Not enough time actually to do it all. It's a non profit, so they don't really care. They just want it done. Either I succeed or I fail. I usually have something with caffeine just to keep me going, it doesn't help focus me. I do agree that having some protein and keeping my blood sugar even is helpful. What is super aggravating is that there are times when I feel particularly 'spun' and I can never really pinpoint what the contributing factors might be.
I think a lot of my trouble comes from the fact that a tremendous amount of the work I do is generated spontaneously or just in the moment or that day. There are have to's that have to happen at certain times, but art projects, literacy activities, song books, rainy day emergency plans, notes and plans tend to get all mish mashed together. I have the reputation at work for being 'the creative one'. My evaluations show I complete all my work. But I feel so mixed up all the time. I feel like a mess. The lesson plan is a long computer program of little boxes and lines and it doesn't help me plan. It mixes it me up and confuses me. But it's required. It takes me hours to complete and it's never very good. But give me a sheet of paper and a pen and I can sketch the day out quickly. But the administration doesn't accept that. They want the program. They want a perfect program that shows all the wonderful things we would have done if we hadn't been stuck on the computer telling them about it!
jennipurrr
5-17-13, 5:48pm
Caffinene really helps my concentration, but completely messes me up anxiety-wise. I never even considered I had ADD until a doctor mentioned it as an adult a couple years ago. My husband and family laughed and said of course I have ADD...I am just fairly intelligent and driven, so I have been able to compensate. I now take medication a few days a week...when I have to get a lot accomplished work/school wise or if I have to drive a significant amount. Um, yeah...I am a very distractible driver and have had accidents and near accidents because of it :(
I'm not a teacher, but here are some of the strategies I have developed to compensate for the life long ADD. I write EVERYTHING down right when I think about it, even if it is just a quick note. I keep a pad by my bed, because otherwise something that may be semi-important will be gone forever.
I have tried numerous schemes for note taking at work and what works for me is to have one notebook and write in the pages chronologically. If it is something I need to specifically follow up on, I put draw a star beside it. Then, once a week or so I will go back and review it. If I have done the starred thing, I check mark it with a highligher. I keep the old notebooks but rarely (if ever) look at them.
In addition to the notebook, I keep a running to-do list in a word doc that I keep saved on my desktop that I update FIRST thing in the morning (ok, most mornings...if I don't get to it ASAP my day goes down the toilet) when I get to work. I go through my emails (I mark the ones for follow up w red flag as they come in, but don't do anything with them until the list part) and notebook as needed. I have a few categories...to do URGENT, to do today, to do this week, on hold. I put a reasonable amount of stuff on the immediate sections, note things I have delegated, and get to work.
I am not sure if this is the best system, but it works for me. I am super happy to be in a position where our projects are mainly small, 2-3 day affairs. My previous job had longer projects and those were not as easy for me to juggle. With bigger projects (and larger papers for school) I really have to focuse on breaking them down to the task level so I can make progress on them.
fidgiegirl
5-17-13, 5:58pm
Tiam, you sound super discouraged and anxious about this, like you are holding it together outwardly but inside you feel like a total mess. We've had some kids like that - on the outside at school they seem fine, but then the stories from mom & dad tell a far different tale when it comes to how they are at home. Perhaps some counseling? I am not sure the best kind of professional for someone in your situation to access. Sure, it's easy for us to spout all kinds of ideas, but it's not our lives we're talking about here. What do you think?
Also, I will add, as you know this is an AWFUL time of year to be a teacher!!! It is sooooo stressful. I work in a position supporting teachers and around this time of year it feels like some of them practically run the other way when they see us coming because they are afraid we will somehow put one more project on them. So as far as the overload of work, I am not so sure that is as much a function of ADD as it is an unfortunate aspect of the life of a teacher. But I'm sure all the factors you've outlined make it feel worse - I'm just saying, in terms of overwhelmed with workload, well, you're certainly not alone in that.
Encouraging words, Fidgie, Thanks. And I won't say I haven't garnered a helpful hint or two here. I did speak to my doctor briefly about it who said he would refer me to a learning specialist. Unfortunately I know my rather poor insurance won't cover it.
Just for kicks I Googled 'Southern Oregon Adult ADD support group' and found a couple of professionals that maybe could point you in the right direction:
http://groups.psychologytoday.com/rms/prof_results.php?city=Medford&county=Jackson&state=OR&spec=6 6th guy down in Ashland
http://031df74.netsolhost.com/Downloads/States.pdf pg16 in Corvallis
I don't have diagnosed ADD, but am a self-described Squiggly Line and have had incredibly stressful jobs that were essentially crisis management - (and I don't mean bona fide crises like natural disasters, more like perceived crises by the client of them not getting exactly what they want and me having to finagle to either deliver it or convincing client what they can get will work).
3 small things that really helped me at work - when my hair is under control (I have humidity sensitive hair that can look tornado like on it's own), I am dressed well (I don't mean expensive, I mean attractive & confident for my body proportions) and getting there before everyone else (so I can get my game plan in place & do an hour of cranking things out before it starts hitting the fan).
When my outsides feel pulled together it really helps me.
We are all rooting for you Tiam!
Tussiemussies
5-18-13, 7:19pm
I think a lot of my trouble comes from the fact that a tremendous amount of the work I do is generated spontaneously or just in the moment or that day. There are have to's that have to happen at certain times, but art projects, literacy activities, song books, rainy day emergency plans, notes and plans tend to get all mish mashed together. I have the reputation at work for being 'the creative one'. My evaluations show I complete all my work. But I feel so mixed up all the time. I feel like a mess. The lesson plan is a long computer program of little boxes and lines and it doesn't help me plan. It mixes it me up and confuses me. But it's required. It takes me hours to complete and it's never very good. But give me a sheet of paper and a pen and I can sketch the day out quickly. But the administration doesn't accept that. They want the program. They want a perfect program that shows all the wonderful things we would have done if we hadn't been stuck on the computer telling them about it!
Hi again Tiam, Maybe you could do both things write down all your work to do in a notebook(which I had to do when I had to work) and then transfer it to the chart?
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