Starting My Day the ADHD Way

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is not only a daily struggle, it’s a morning struggle. Especially for me, because I wait to take my meds until just before I leave for work so I can get the most use out of them during my nine-hour day. Getting out of bed, showered, dressed, and making it to work without forgetting something at home is almost a superhuman feat… more like a super-ADHD feat.

I have a lot of alarm-related problems. When I finally get up, it feels like my body is twice as heavy; it takes physical effort to drag myself down the hall and into the shower. As soon as I get out of the shower, I want to check my email, or listen to music, but what I really need to be doing is drying my hair, so I don’t look like a crazy person all day.

Deciding on an outfit is hard for me too; I can never seem to leave the first thing on. Needless to say, my room’s pretty messy when I leave. The flat iron and blow-dryer are usually on the floor, waiting for anyone who dares to come in and burn their foot at 7am.

Almost every day I leave something at home. The most common item? My phone. Of course I don’t realize it’s missing until I’m already at work and it’s too late to go back. I’ve found it in some pretty strange places too (hamper anyone?).

Sometimes, I leave my house without shoes on, and when my feet hit the pavement, I think, "Wait, where are my shoes?" I’ve left my calculator or highlighters at home just because I was sick of lugging them around in my purse all the time and I took them out. Now, everything stays in there, because I know I’ll forget.

The worst thing to forget? MY PILLS! When I’m in a rush to get out the door I don’t stop to get my meds before I leave the house. I’ve learned to keep some in my purse for this reason, but let me tell you, I learned this the hard way -- through nine hours of torture!