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What Stops Me From Starting?

Why do you procrastinate? The problem is not poor time management. Procrastination stems from weak self-regulation of emotions and moods, which is a problem common in people with ADHD. But you can turn intentions into actions by finding your procrastination personality type and following these strategies.

6 Comments: What Stops Me From Starting?

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  1. Thanks you for this deeper analysis of a too often underemphasized aspect of ADHD which is life debilitating! My son, almost 17, suffers from chronic procrastination as do I (we both have Dx for ADHD). It is nice to see this topic being researched. I would like to see more laid out around this. There were no solutions posed for the “perfectionist” profile (mine) and also, I identified with about 3 procrastination types. I think the author started off strong but fizzled at the end. I appreciate the article though. More please.

  2. melodiemicelle1963 If you have health insurance of any sort, please talk to your primary care provider & see if they will work with you. I have so little income that I contacted the drug manufacturer personally – not thru a 3rd party & filled out the applications had my doctor fill out their portion & fax the completed applications to the manufacturer. Now I pay nothing for 2 otherwise very expensive medications. I have prescription coverage through Medicare Part D BUT normally they won’t cover these medication & when they do, my co-pay is very expensive. Both manufacturers have a rather high annual income level for applicants – higher than I’ve ever earned. As for the article – It’s very interesting; however, there are areas not covered & it’s a little too pat as far as I’m concerned.

    That said, if all else fails, try Energy drinks – careful . . . only drink about a 1/4 per day. Or try drinking strong coffee or espresso.

  3. I identify with more than one of the personality types and also 2 of the procrastination types. All I know is that my ADHD unmedicated is getting worse with age and I simply cannot make myself get up and clean my kitchen. Now that is crazy to me because I was never like that.

  4. This article suggests that ADHDers have just one procrastinating personality type. I struggle with 5 out of 6 of them so I must have multiple personalities.

    The last paragraph states, “Finding the motivation to begin, and sustaining the effort to reach completion, requires intense self-control. With a bit of determination and a lot of desire, a person with ADHD can gain the discipline to improve her procrastination.”

    Is the author referring to people on appropriate medications and dosage that have gone through therapy already? Once I find the right medication, dosage, and begin therapy, I can only hope it will be possible to find motivation and sustain effort despite the task at hand and I don’t lack desire or determination as this article implies.

  6. I’m shocked and disappointed that ADDitude would publish a piece that straight up labels ADHD patients for being “weak at self-regulation” of anything. This is akin to telling an alcoholic they are “weak at self-regulation” when it is well-known to be a physiological disease.

    Just in October, ADDitutde’s own advisor, Dr. William Dodson wrote that a person with ADHD has a nervous system that is “a unique and special creation that regulates attention and emotions in different ways than the nervous system in those without the condition.” An atypical nervous system, not weak resolve, is the reason that so many ADHD sufferers benefit from medication “to guide their atypical nervous system.” Dr. Dodson also stated that “Medication, though, is not enough. A person can take the right medication at the right dose, but nothing will change if he still approaches tasks with neurotypical strategies.”

    Self-regulation is a neurotypical strategy. Why not just go with the old “Pull yourself up by your bootstraps!” since it’s seemingly our fault for being so abnormal in the first place.

    An article about “procrastinators” and lumping in those with ADHD simply because procrastination is one of the many symptoms of ADHD is like giving tips at an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting on “how to stop after one drink” as if there isn’t a physiological cause for the allergy and compulsion that makes up alcoholism.

    I would love to hear Dr. Dodson’s take on this piece – or at least re-read it after he’s edited it to include his own ADHD-specific procrastination research.

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