Not sure how to put this but I was just wondering if anyone else had this as well, i.e. boredom not only when it comes to current tasks, but more of a long-term thing when you get used to a new situation and grow bored with it (in addition to getting bored with a boring task and not being able to concentrate on something "boring").

Just got an Email from my parents, my dad's just remembered how,ever since kindergarten, I always ended up falling into depression as soon as I was getting used to/bored with kindergarten and school (a new playgroup, a new hobby - anything, really, was eventually dropped again because I quickly grew bored of it), I'd be dead unhappy with myself and with everyone in class, and only got "back to my old self" when a new school year started. Then I'd be happy and enthusiastic for a while and over time as I got used to it I'd drift towards depression again and got fed up with everything.

I still get this these days although I kind of try and keep myself happy by alternating small things (like the way I take to work, types of food I eat, places I go to for a drink, tv programmes I watch etc.) which doesn't really work too well.

So has anyone else experienced this/is there a name for this and is this also part of AD/HD or some other problem? And please note that in this case the depression and dissatisfaction clearly stems from boredom and lack of stimulation, not the other way around (i.e. not depression leading to lack of motivation, but lack of stimulation leading to depression).

Yes, boredom has always been an issue with me. Boredom with jobs and relationships has made the last 20 years of my life so colorful that I could write several books and my resume is several pages long. I am changing my profession now, and even though computer programming may seem boring, I find it very exciting and stimulating. And relationships I gave up years ago because for some reason I kept ending up in abusive ones. I'd rather not have one at all than to have a boring one though.

I am changing my profession now, and even though computer programming may seem boring, I find it very exciting and stimulating.
LOL programmer myself here, don't diss it ;)

I work mostly on my own on about 5 different parts of the system so there's plenty of change and no day is the same, still manage to get bored though most days :yawn:

Weird thing is though I've kind of given up on looking for better things (kind of the opposite) because every time I've done that so far it went wrong and I got bored of it again, I tend to hang around in relationships far too long because I don't trust my own judgement any more of when I've had enough, and in jobs it's the same, especially since I can't get on benefits so there's no way I'd give up this job. I really want to make this relationship work though as for once I seem to have caught myself a good one, just as well I've found a decent neurologist (one of 2 in the UK) then :o

LOL programmer myself here, don't diss it ;)

I work mostly on my own on about 5 different parts of the system so there's plenty of change and no day is the same, still manage to get bored though most days :yawn:

Weird thing is though I've kind of given up on looking for better things (kind of the opposite) because every time I've done that so far it went wrong and I got bored of it again, I tend to hang around in relationships far too long because I don't trust my own judgement any more of when I've had enough, and in jobs it's the same, especially since I can't get on benefits so there's no way I'd give up this job. I really want to make this relationship work though as for once I seem to have caught myself a good one, just as well I've found a decent neurologist (one of 2 in the UK) then :o

I also experience the same sense of boredom in almost all aspects of life. I had to laugh after reading about the resume--mine is no 'short-story' itself. What I find really interesting (imagine that) is ALOT of people with ADD work as programmers. Can you guys tell me what the job/work/environment is like?? I am a nurse and as soon as my twins are in school I would like to change professions. Any info would be great.

Not sure if I can help you with regards to the environment, because my workplace is in no way typical for a programmer (I work for a small publishing firm, we have a few programmers but I'm the only one working on the internal system and website) and I also don't program commercially (i.e. I write stuff internally, not for our customers).

However the job in itself is great because it demands flexibility and strong problem-solving abilities, which from what I can gather are both very strong in people with ADD. Also as long as you can remember (or write down as I do) what you were working on the night before, it doesn't really matter if your memory is rubbish because you can always look up the correct wording for a function, as long as you can piece it all together quickly and effectively, it doesn't matter whether you get the terms off the top of your head or have to quickly look them up!

Yes, frequently feeling some degree of boredom is one of the main symptoms of AD/HD.


The relation between computers and AD/HD is very interesting.. I'm a software engineer and a grad student in computer science, so obviously programming is a major part of my job. I also enjoy physics a great deal as well, especially the math behind abstract concepts, such as "different dimensions", etc.

Sigh... I don't feel so alone now. I have to find other ways to stimulate myself while working or else I lose all interest. I am usually multitasking to keep myself interrested and focused.
Jodie, I am a RN too. Did L&D for 7-8 yrs until I was injured one too many times on the job. Am now working in a business setting for an Insurance company using my RN skills. I have heard that AD/HD persons have a tendency to be drawn to Medical Jobs, esp ER, L&D, EMT, Paramedics... always changing situations.
My job has recently changed and where I was once mentally active and challenged and physically able to move about, I am now "tied" to a telephone "queue" and am having to find some creative ways to keep mentally stimulated. We are also transitioning to a work at home environment, which will allow me to physically move around while on the phone more. But the drawbacks are the isolation and possibly harder to make myself leave the house.
It was very comforting to see that others are experiencing the same/similar things. Also you just might want to expound on your RN degree with additional skills before totally changing or getting out of Nursing.

Thanks all - its good to know I'm not alone!
I've always suffered restlessness and long term boredom at work, in my relationships and generally in life. Always needing to move on and find somthing new of which I quickly beccome bored again.

I also find that certain tasks or things that I do compleatly captivate me and I'm unable to think or do anything else this can go on for a long time and I find it difficult to motivate myself away from things - does this happen to anyone else?

I also find that certain tasks or things that I do compleatly captivate me and I'm unable to think or do anything else this can go on for a long time and I find it difficult to motivate myself away from things - does this happen to anyone else?
Yup, that's partly what I'm addressing in the autism link post I've done - has something to do with having problems shifting attention (hyperfocussing), although I am not sure in how far the term "hyperfocussing" counts for the long-term aspect of it (i.e. when does it turn into an "obsession" like with Aspergers)

Yup, that's partly what I'm addressing in the autism link post I've done - has something to do with having problems shifting attention (hyperfocussing), although I am not sure in how far the term "hyperfocussing" counts for the long-term aspect of it (i.e. when does it turn into an "obsession" like with Aspergers)

Hi, sorry I've not read that thread as yet!! I'll go and have a read!

Boredom could probably be the alternative name for AD/HD. I started a Peer Tutoring program at the school I work for and even won an award for it. After 3 years of running it, I was so bored that I just stopped the entire program. Its like when the newness is gone....so am I! I even change the sequence of how I get dressed and put on my make-up everyday...just to make it different. I always wondered (before I was diagnosed) why I do such stupid things! Also....does anyone else find themselves singing outloud or in your head when there's nothing specific to think about? My husband just brought that to my attention the other day....that if I'm not talking, I'm singing!!! I must be a real "trip" to live with!!! hahaha

Oh - my - God! How incredible to read that I'm not the only one with a resume longer than I am tall! I get so incredibly bored with every job I've ever had, from Nursing to Life Insurance to driving a school bus. The longest job I've ever held down was as a medical transcriptionist for a cardiologist (2 years to the day) that I dearly hated and stayed so long out of spite. He couldn't fire me because he would have had to pay me unemployment. When I did quit, I started driving a school bus (which also got boring quickly) and everytime school was off, he would have to pay part of my "off" time for the first year. It's not in me to be so spiteful...but I was "focused" and I did it. Is this so typical?