rheanna

Heabc,

One of the characteristics of many ADDers is that we need stimulus in order to focus. If you havent developed the skills to learn how to focus on a task (do it right now!) and plan ahead (that's what notes and datebooks and such are for!), then it's very easy to get that stimulus by creating drama in your life. When you're panicked that you'll fail the test or be fired because you were supposed to do a task yesterday, the panic and adrenaline will help you at least pay attention to what you were supposed to be doing all along.

We get used to this. Until we learn ways to schedule (create structure on the outside to make up for the lack of structure on the inside), we set up the emotional turmoil of panicking -- that'll make any brain finally take notice! Drama queens or kings -- that's us!

Unfortunately, it's not a very productive way of doing things, and we lose friends and jobs and treasured possesions because of it, but it's the only way we know. The parents and teachers from our childhood don't understand that we need other means to help us to focus, so we don't learn how to do that as children. These skill CAN be learned as adults, but they have to be tailored for us.

Two suggestions:

One, look for some guidance from someone who knows about how to help ADDers get organized, and in the beginning will coach you (that means set you up with a way to organize your most pressing tasks, and then meet regularly with you to remind you of these new skills which are so new to you because you forgot since the last time the two of you met!).

Two, look for a job or profession where deadlines are always looming and the adrenaline rush is constant and therefore you can enjoy the "high" of the adrenaline, and you and the job will be a perfect fit.

--Rheanna