When my daughter was diagnosed with ADD, I dove into research to better understand her condition and how to support her. As I absorbed information, it dawned on me that perhaps I wasn’t alone in our family’s struggle with ADD. My life had always felt frenzied; I was a master procrastinator, perpetually battling to start and finish tasks. I often found myself envious of those who seemed to juggle a million responsibilities seamlessly while I struggled to keep track of my bills. The confirmation from a doctor that I too had ADD brought clarity to a lifetime of behaviors that had caused me embarrassment and frustration.
Curious about what living with ADD is like? Here’s a glimpse into my week…
Monday
You wake up to find a postcard from the County Court stuck on the refrigerator courtesy of your husband. It informs you that you missed jury duty two weeks ago and could face a fine. You call the number at the bottom, relieved to speak to an automated system instead of explaining to someone how your original summons likely got lost in the chaos of bills, your daughter’s art, and various receipts cluttering your kitchen counter.
Tuesday
Annoyed by an incoming call from your credit card company, you ignore it, thinking they’re just nudging you to activate the new card you misplaced. However, a quick check online reveals your payment is overdue. How is that even possible? You grumble as you pay the bill, calculating how much you’ll lose to late fees.
Wednesday
You have a dermatologist appointment later that day, but you forgot to jot down the time. You’re certain the reminder card is in your purse—or is it buried in that overflowing basket of random items? After a frantic search, you finally find it, only to realize your appointment was this morning. In a mad dash to get there, you arrive just a few minutes late, trying to dismiss the stares you receive for looking disheveled.
Thursday
You scramble to finish an essay for a contest due tonight. Despite knowing about it for months, you only started yesterday. While racing to your daughter’s back-to-school night, you convince yourself you’ll complete it when you get home. By 10:30 PM, you’re almost finished when panic hits—was the deadline midnight Eastern Time? A quick check reveals the truth: you missed it!
Friday
Your car registration renewal arrives, and despite telling yourself you had time, you still send it late. Facing the decision to go to your car and put the new stickers on or relax and eat, you choose the latter. After all, you have two weeks before the old tags expire. The registration envelope goes into the kitchen basket, and you convince yourself you won’t get pulled over.
Saturday
You’re baffled as to why the credit card company is still reaching out. Logging into your bank account reveals your payment didn’t go through at all. Infuriated, you send the payment again, double-checking to ensure it’s processed this time.
Sunday
You dash to the ATM to deposit a pile of checks you’ve been meaning to cash. There’s the birthday check from your mom, and payments for an article you wrote ages ago. You drive off without withdrawing cash for yourself, but maybe it’s for the best; late fees and a ticket for expired tags are looming.
That evening, as you reflect on the week, you realize it wasn’t entirely a failure. You completed an essay ready for submission to other publications, got your daughter to school on time every day, managed to feed and walk the dogs, and even prepared meals while picking up your husband’s dry cleaning. Most importantly, the biopsy you put off for a year came back normal.
I briefly tried medication for my ADD, but it wasn’t effective for me. However, understanding that there’s a biological reason for my past struggles has been liberating. I’ve found support groups helpful, and breaking tasks into smaller steps, keeping short to-do lists on my phone, and regular exercise has made a significant difference. I now manage to pay my bills on time most months and haven’t heard from collectors in over a year.
For more insights and supportive resources on parenting and life, check out this enlightening post on Modern Family Blog. And if you’re considering at-home insemination, Make a Mom provides reputable syringe kits, while Rmany offers valuable information on pregnancy and home insemination.
In summary, living with ADD presents unique challenges, but with the right strategies and support, it’s possible to navigate daily life successfully.
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