Comments on: ADDitude, Unclutterer, and chronic disorganization

By: Catherine

Catherine — Mon, 19 May 2008 14:46:53 +0000

I was so sure when I read the comments that no one here would “get” ADD and people would say how it’s not really a disorder. I’m so used to hearing those comments. I was a D & F student in high school and barely made it through college with a decent GPA because of ADD. I wasn’t diagnosed until I went to a mental health professional in my 30’s and he confirmed my early childhood behaviors. I was scared I was going to lose my job due to disorganization.

So imagine my pleasant surprise to read so many like-minded posts. I, too, am an Unclutterer reader because it’s my way of coping with ADD. I read about it and sometimes I even am able to implement some of the solutions and ideas. It makes my life so much easier.

I’m also another one with ADD who ended up as a project manager. I don’t know how on earth it happened, but it’s a very tough job for someone with my issues and unfortunately no one believes me when I tell them the organization issues I have…

Thanks for the resource!

By: Dee

Dee — Tue, 13 May 2008 23:52:35 +0000

@Rachel - have you talked to your PCP yet about medication options? Don’t feel bad - As an adult with ADD that didn’t come to “terms” with it until after I had my first child I can totally relate to the feelings of depression and discontent associated with having a “disorder.” Depression is often a common side effect to having ADD and it can be very hard to pull out of ADD slumps. . .ADD associated fuzzy headedness and feelings of overwhelming chaos can be downright awful! I am currently not able to take my medication because I am breastfeeding my second child but I can tell you that after I FINALLY decided enough was enough and asked for help from my doctor it was like someone clicked a switch in my head. It takes some experimenting to find the right fit for each individual in terms of medication and management but it can be done! I am counting the days until I can get back on my regular ADD management schedule, I miss my meds - lol! Hang in there. BTW - I answered YES to every question on the link you posted :-).

By: Rachel Hill

Rachel Hill — Tue, 13 May 2008 17:00:59 +0000

Hi there,
Thanks so much for this link. I have been struggling with a particularly bad bout of depression related to the overwhelming feeling of being disorganized and out of control. I was diagnosed with ADHD as an adult, but haven’t found the best paths to really seek treatment yet. As I was looking around the ADDitude site, I saw this article about diagnosing ADHD in adult women http://www.additudemag.com/adhd/article/1638.html . I emailed the article to my husband, asking him if we could subscribe to this magazine, and he called me back not thirty seconds later saying he’d found the site this morning and had already subscribed to the magazine! He had found the site because, unbeknownst to me, he also was an unclutterer feed reader! Thank you for posting about this, because whether you realize it or not, I think many of your readers may struggle with ADHD, and it is an often misunderstood and undiagnosed illness.

By: Dee

Dee — Tue, 13 May 2008 00:53:51 +0000

Hey thanks for the great resource! I suppose it makes sense that there was a magazine out there for us ADDers but I never thought to look!

@Michele - please tell your best bud he doesn’t need to live like that! I had the same exact issue with meds and a serious decrease in work performance, creativity, and multi-tasking (I’m a writer) . . .my docs solution? Quick release ritalin (four hour dose) which I ONLY take on the weekends. The script is written as “1-2 doses daily as needed.”

Now I am free to be my usual quirky self at work and get a lot done since my ADD enables me to hyper focus on writing AND then I take one to two doses of meds on my days off which keeps me focused for home organization . . .its been a life saver and I would recommend it for anyone who encounters issues with ADD meds screwing up their work style.

By: Nacho

Nacho — Mon, 12 May 2008 21:37:05 +0000

My daughter and I both have ADHD. I found out about it when she was diagnosed after having trouble in school. My whole life I have struggled with disorganization, poor time management, lack of focus, etc. So I learned to over compensate for those things I was not good at. Now I work as a project manager which requires me to preform the skills I was once worst at.

To help compensate for my weaknesses I have to constantly look after my cluttering habits. Also I follow the GTD methodology for work and personal tasks. I have found that as I de-clutter and simplify my life I am more able to focus and do the things I need to.

For anyone out there who thinks they might have ADHD (http://www.helpguide.org/mental/adhd_add_adult_symptoms.htm) learn about it and what treatment is out there. There are local support groups through CHADD that can help.

By: One Bag Nation

One Bag Nation — Mon, 12 May 2008 18:11:56 +0000

I’ve just started subscribing to the online version of ADDitude. I’ve not been diagnosed with ADD, but feel a kinship with those who have because I struggle so much with lack of focus, poor time management and clutter. I think the publication has helpful organizing advice for anyone who feels overwhelmed by to-do’s and piles.
Ann

By: Dawn

Dawn — Mon, 12 May 2008 17:24:37 +0000

My roommate has ADD; I didn’t realize his disorganization was related to that.

By: Michele

Michele — Mon, 12 May 2008 15:10:06 +0000

One of my best friends has some type of ADD. He’s been off his medication for a while because it interferes with his creativity, which he needs for his job. But he won’t let me into his apartment, which I haven’t seen for about two years.

Last time I was there, he had stacks of old weekly alternative newspapers in one corner, his dining table was covered with a foot of mail and other clutter, and his kitchen was unusable. I think he hasn’t let me back to his apartment because it’s only gotten worse. I believe that my friend is a clear — if only anecdotal — example of how chronic disorganization can be a symptom of ADD.

Thanks for the link to the magazine.

By: Sheryl

Sheryl — Mon, 12 May 2008 13:51:54 +0000

Thank you for this post. My husband and son have ADD, and I had a subscription to this magazine for a few years; I didn’t know they had an online version. This will be helpful.