ADHD and Clutter: Is It Organized Chaos or Just a Mess?

Many ADHD adults have cluttered workspaces and homes. If you work well in those surroundings, then it's time to make peace with your organized chaos. If not, learn how to prevent clutter from overwhelming you.


Filed Under: Cleaning Up Clutter, Organization Tips for ADD Adults
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Many ADHD adults have cluttered workspaces and homes, but if you work well in those surroundings, then it's time to make peace with your organized chaos. ©istockphoto/fasching

Some ADHD experts believe that a cluttered desk, closet, or house reflects a disorganized mind; others take it as a sign of genius. A lot of ADD adults, including me, agree with the latter opinion.

Either view can be true, depending on the individual and the degree of his disorganization. Those who are organizationally challenged spend hours -- days, even -- trying to get things neat. We lose quality time with our kids or a night on the town. “Controlled chaos” might be a better choice for ADD adults. On the other hand, a mess that is ignored can grow larger, until we feel overwhelmed by it.

How do you distinguish a productive mess from a debilitating mess? Read on...

Next: Messy and Organized


This article comes from the Fall 2009 issue of ADDitude.

To read this issue of ADDitude in full, buy the back issue.


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