Procrastination

Hi all,
I have major trouble when off work getting motivated to move from the sofa and do something. I do everything literally in the last minute when getting ready to go to work. Will dress in clothes found on my bedroom floor (after wading through the clutter) and usually forget to do something and leave the house in a mess.
When in conversation with others I am continually distracted by other things going on and look away/change the subject. I lose my keys all the time. The other day found my wallet in the food cupboard! I have had these problems since early childhood. As an adult I have had bouts of anxiety and depression, but I don't feel depressed now and am more disorganised than ever.
I was born three months premature and believe this has caused this problem and that it might be ADHD. It's embarassing that I still need a lot of help from family/friends to organize the most basic things I am in my thirties now.
Any thoughts anyone?
Thanks

Have you spoken with your doctor or consulted a psychiatrist on the matter? It could very well be. I finally got a diagnosis at 25, after having the same kinds of issues since preschool. I currently take Adderall, and it has been very helpful, especially with motivation! How was school for you?

Hi Sabrdawg,
Saw a doctor 7 years ago. He wasn't sure if it was depression causing the symptoms so he recommended antidepressants. Things are just the same on antidepressants apart from my mood is better. I remember forgetting lots of things at a young age. Was sacked from my job as wooden block player in a school play for daydreaming when I was supposed to be playing! Other kids had to get me for music classes as I forgot to go. My school reports have many references like "easily distracted" and "inability to concentrate" and not working hard enough, not being prepared for lessons.
In my teen years I became very withdrawn and didn't speak to other kids for a while, only regaining confidence in last two years of school. I remember that people laughed at me because I didn't understand the conversation so I just stopped speaking. I think this is why the doctor thought it was depression....but that doesn't explain why I had these difficulties in earlier childhood and why I have them now in the absence of any other depression symptoms.
I am thinking now of going for a second opinion cos surely if I was depressed I would feel sad in some way? I keep letting people down and it's not good. Never remember birthdays etc. Whatever it is, I need help.
Thanks

Lol I know what you mean about the report cards. Mine usually said that I was "conscientious and hardworking," however in kindergarten, my teacher wrote "Susan does what Susan wants to do." On the next report card, she wrote "Susan still does what Susan wants to do." Lol XD I guess I've always stayed true to myself While I did relatively well in school, it has always been a struggle to pay attention, and like you mentioned, remember to bring things. I was also in band, and in I think it was senior year, I forgot to bring my band uniform for the yearbook picture. Oops.... I would also forget parts of homework or copy the page numbers down wrong. How old are you now, and are you working? I work as a Supported Housing Specialist for a mental health agency. I have to write everything down and keep it in front of my face or else it's forgotten! I manage pretty well using that method, and once my Adderall kicks in, I'm in the zone for a few hours! Hope to chat soon

I am 32 and work as a carer for disabled adults. Sometimes it is hard to tell who is caring for who, but between us we manage ok! Colleagues tease me for being forgetful and so do the people we care for.

Thankfully paperwork is not a big part of the job, but I do forget to do a lot of tasks I'm supposed to do. It's like I can manage a certain amount of tasks but beyond that it's information overload and I just don't register the rest.

I see you are in the US? I'm British and really in this country a lot of doctors don't believe in ADHD in adults. I will go and see one who specialises in it and will talk to family members/friends. The last one didn't do this and didn't check school reports.

Have you tried those attention span tests? I tried an app called Focus Monitor. My score was 8% ! That can't be good.

I also hold a relief position as a res hab assistant for people with developmental disabilities, at a supervised apartment It's a lot of fun! When I was diagnosed with ADHD, I took this test on the computer that consisted of a series of letters flashing one at a time, and I had to click the mouse whenever one appeared....except for the X. If an X appeared, I was supposed to resist clicking. It was like a video game, so I enjoyed it XD

boxoffrogs wrote:Hi all,
I have major trouble when off work getting motivated to move from the sofa and do something. I do everything literally in the last minute when getting ready to go to work. Will dress in clothes found on my bedroom floor (after wading through the clutter) and usually forget to do something and leave the house in a mess.
When in conversation with others I am continually distracted by other things going on and look away/change the subject. I lose my keys all the time. The other day found my wallet in the food cupboard! I have had these problems since early childhood. As an adult I have had bouts of anxiety and depression, but I don't feel depressed now and am more disorganised than ever.
I was born three months premature and believe this has caused this problem and that it might be ADHD. It's embarassing that I still need a lot of help from family/friends to organize the most basic things I am in my thirties now.
Any thoughts anyone?
Thanks

Welcome to our world. I'm sorry the doctors in your country seem to pooh-pooh Adult ADD; here in the States there are a number of doctors who are quite empathetic.

Enjoyed your post, it reminded me of me. I once found my teakettle in the refrigerator.