I am new here too.. Although I've been using the resources and articles here for a while when I need tips or encouragement, I didn't realize there were forums. I am autistic, with ADD an executive functioning issues.

My closet IS a mess, but so is my room, so it blends! I try to keep my house under control but it is only succeeding if you can compare it to some of my relatives. My inability to monitor time, find things in the chaos I generate everywhere, remember anything short term (lost my wallet last week, about to give up the search...), and stay on track of anything is an endless source of anger, despair and frustration. I also have sensory issues.. Fluorescent lights, loud or conflicting noises, busy environments, not good.

On the plus side, I can draw or paint just about anything (as long as planning or deadlines arent an issue!), I am also an avid reader like yourself, and a writer. I can easily spend a day doing nothing but daydreaming, or reading, roleplaying or crafting. I have a perfect ear. My abillity to microfocus allows me to pay attention to fine details so that when I -do- manage to clear a workspace, find my tools, materials, stop making 30 trips to the store, shut noise out and change the lightbulbs, I can create some wonderful things.

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Welcome. This is my first time posting in a thread. However, I've been visiting this site for a few months now. I actually discovered it while I was at work surfing the internet (instead of focusing on my job). It was an ADD blessing in disguise. I was officially diagnosed about a year and a half ago, but all that meant was I see my doctor twice a year for about 10min each visit and he gives me 4 months of scripts for adderall. The adderall helps me get motivated but its no miracle cure. At first I thought I was on the right track. The adderall helped me get up and going right from the jump. I was getting to work on time and getting stuff done right away. It was great, but then as time went on I found myself slipping back to my old ways again, which was very frustrating and depressing. I feared that if the meds didn't fix my problems then nothing would. Then i came here and discovered a whole new world full of enlightenment and endless possibilities.

I'm 30 years old and my closet is starting to spill over to the corner of my room next to my dresser. It's not that I'm a slob, I think it's because my room is the last thing I see before bed so I just put stuff in a somewhat neat pile and get ready to relax.

As far as talents go, you both mentioned your unique skills of writing and painting. I suck at both of those. My talents are in performing arts. I'm a stand up comic and been performing for about 5 years now. I still have my piddly day job which I keep for the benefits and a small but steady pay check. My ADD helps me see humor in just about anything. I think anyone with ADD is likely to have a decent sense of humor. How else would we manage to get through the stupid situations we put ourselves in.

Anywho, I'm glad you guys started this thread and I hope this website helps you the way it's helped me.Please feel to message me any time. Its always nice to chat with cool people that actually understand.

Cheers!.

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Just to be clear, I've struggled with ADD ever since grade school. I stated that I was "diagnosed" a short while ago only because that is when one of my supervisors (cool guy) pretty much scheduled the appointment for me and told me to get help or he'd write me up.... again (jokingly but sort of true).

I struggle with multi tasking a lot. I've never been able to do it, yet I always convince myself that I can "build Rome in a day", without any help. This always leads to stress and disaster. I can realistically take on 2 tasks at a time, throw in one more and end result is 3 tasks that are half way complete. To help fix this problem I've started making "To Do" lists for everything. I have a dry erase board on my bedroom door which I see first thing in the morning. I try to list anything I can think of that should be taken care of before I leave (turn off coffee pot, make sure dog has water). I also make a "Do Not" forget list in bold writing. So many times my day is ruined before it even starts because I left my wallet in my pants from yesterday or phone is sitting on the counter because I set it down when I filled the dog bowl with water and then headed off to work. It's embarrassing how many times I've been late to work because I spent 30min looking for my shoes. (not sure how it happened, but I ended up finding them in the closet, where normal organized people would put them). The good news is, these little frustrating moments have become less of an issue since I've started writing myself notes. I usually try to make a list before bed so I wake up and immediately try to check off all the things on it before I leave. I also try to pick out my clothes, and place my necessary items, phone, keys wallet on a launch pad next to the door so i don't miss it on the way out.

I also do not have the ability to "Say No" to things. I can only be one place at one time. However, I tend to double book myself or forget about prior engagements. This creates a lot of stress and pisses people off all the time.

I could go on and on about my other struggles and tips to help eliminate them, but it would take me a week to write it all out. Bottom line, we have trouble doing simple things that normal people don't even have to think twice about. The key is to acknowledging our weaknesses and find solutions for them. Most people don't have to make a "Do Not Forget" list before they leave the house. I didn't think I had to either, but after countless times of forgetting things I acknowledged that I absolutely have to do this in order to function.

Like I stated in my previous post, don't hesitate to shoot me a message should you need any tips or feedback from a fellow ADD'er. This thing is here to help us.

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Oh I can't paint to save my life. I sure can write though!

My biggest struggle is with my job. I'm an English teacher, which is great, but I can't stay on top of things to save my life! I will totally forget I was halfway through grading that stack of papers for that class and it all piles up on me and then I run away!

I'm an adult now, so I know some magic organizer isn't going to sympathize and pop out of the closet and fix my "mess". And I feel (if I were honest with you) as if everything in my life was a mess. Its the equivalent of that feeling one gets when looking at a kitchen that is so messy you don't know where to start cleaning.

I've tried so many things...I'm so lazy!!! I think... Things grab my attention and I roll with it, when I shouldn't. Especially when I shouldn't. I go away so that I can pretend I'm actually okay with being an out-of-control lazy slob. But I'm not. I want so bad to change it, but I am such a failure! I try to fix something, I'll think I'm on top of the world because I got all kind of things done! But then SLAM! something always screws it up because nothing else works right.

It's really depressing! :-(

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Hello all, I'm middle aged female, recently diagnosed after a lifetime of often feeling like "I'm not dumb, but I'm stupid". I've had a relatively successful career with a technical certificate, but have never advanced beyond "staff" level. Not so much because of what I now know to be ADHD, but because I didn't have a degree. Looking back, I can see where certain shortcomings and maturing late would have roadblocked my dreams of advancing.

My current closet is organized enough, but clutter is a constant fight with me. I identify with bits and pieces of your postings. I've had a wonderful spouse who without either of us knowing it has been my coach and best tool so far for coping with "something wrong with me" for years. He says every day I wake up to a whole new world. While there are one or two things I'm good at, I have to have notes to remember details for repeating those projects. And none of them translate easily into the desirable or suitable career for my ADHD. Actually I guess my best asset is my happy long-term marriage to a very understanable spouse.

I'm in a job that pays well for the training I've had, but the stress involved in staying focused, not screwing up and learning more and more is a high cost for me physically. Newly diagnosed, I'm seeking tools and techniques to better cope with the rigors and demands of the job so that I can get sane and stay happy.

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