After my son was diagnosed with ADD, I immersed myself in research to better support him. The more I discovered, the clearer it became that he may not be the only one in our family facing this challenge. I’ve always been disorganized, a master procrastinator, and have struggled to initiate and complete tasks. I often found myself perplexed by how others, who seemed far busier, could be so productive while I struggled to meet even basic obligations. Ultimately, a medical professional confirmed that I have ADD, shedding light on a lifetime of behaviors that have caused me embarrassment and, at times, hindered my progress.
If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to live with ADD, here’s a glimpse into my week.
Monday
You wake up to a notice from the County Court on your refrigerator, courtesy of your partner. It states that you missed jury duty two weeks ago and could face a fine. Grateful for the automated phone system, you call the number on the card, avoiding the awkwardness of explaining to someone why you never received the original summons. You suspect it’s buried somewhere within the chaotic pile of bills, photos, and other assorted items in the ever-expanding “in basket” on your kitchen counter.
Tuesday
Annoyed by a call from your credit card company, you ignore it and scroll through social media instead. You’re certain that you’ve paid the latest bill. They’re probably just reminding you to activate the new card you lost track of. Just to be prudent, you check your account online, only to be dismayed to find that your payment is overdue. How could this happen? You reluctantly pay the bill, knowing that you’ll have to cover the late fees.
Wednesday
You have a dermatologist appointment later in the day but forgot to note the time on your calendar. You think the reminder card is in your purse, or maybe you tossed it in the cluttered basket. After a frantic search, you find it under a glass on your nightstand, only to realize that your appointment was at 10:45 AM—and it’s already 10:27. Rushing out with wet hair and stained clothes, you feel a slight sense of victory for only being five minutes late, despite the stares you receive in the waiting room.
Thursday
You scramble to finish an essay for a contest due that night. Although you’ve known about it for months, you only began writing yesterday. As you prepare to leave for your daughter’s back-to-school night, you assure yourself that you’ll finish it when you return. Later that night, a dreadful thought crosses your mind—was the deadline Eastern Time? A frantic check confirms your fear—you’ve missed it.
Friday
Your car registration arrives in the mail. Despite telling yourself for weeks that you had plenty of time to pay it, you still managed to submit it late. You know you should head outside to apply the new stickers, but you’re tired and hungry. Tossing the registration in the kitchen basket, you convince yourself that two weeks is plenty of time to avoid any issues with expired tags.
Saturday
You’re baffled as to why the credit card company is still contacting you. They should have processed your payment by now. Upon checking your bank account, you’re shocked to find that no payment has been recorded. Angrily, you send the payment again, double-checking to ensure it goes through. It did, right?
Sunday
You rush to the ATM to deposit a stack of checks you’ve been meaning to cash, including a birthday check from your mother and payment for an article you wrote months ago. You leave without withdrawing the cash you intended to, but perhaps it’s for the best, considering the late fees you’ll owe to your credit card company and the DMV for expired tags.
Reflecting on the week, you realize it wasn’t a total loss. You completed your essay, got your child to school on time, and even took care of the dogs and meals. Moreover, the biopsy you had put off for a year came back normal.
While I briefly tried medication for my ADD and found it ineffective, simply understanding the biological basis for my behavior has been a huge relief. I’ve also gained valuable strategies through support groups, breaking tasks into manageable steps, maintaining concise to-do lists on my phone, and incorporating exercise into my routine. Now, I manage to pay my bills on time most months and have not faced creditor harassment in over a year. For a deeper dive into home insemination, check out this post on intracervical insemination. If you’re looking for reliable tools, CryoBaby offers excellent products for home insemination. For those navigating the IVF process, this resource is incredibly informative.
In summary, ADD can create a unique set of challenges in everyday life. Understanding the condition and implementing effective strategies can significantly improve managing daily tasks and responsibilities.