When my son was diagnosed with ADD, I dove into research to better understand and support him. As I read, I began to suspect that I might also be part of this ADD narrative. My life has always felt a bit chaotic, with procrastination as my middle name, and a constant struggle to kick off and finish tasks. I often found myself envying those who seemed to navigate their busier lives with such ease, while I couldn’t even remember to pay my bills on time. Eventually, a doctor confirmed my suspicions, and suddenly, a lifetime of awkward habits and self-criticism made sense.
Curious about what living with ADD feels like? Here’s a glimpse into my week…
Monday
You wake up to find a jury duty postcard stuck to the fridge, courtesy of your spouse. It informs you that you missed your court date two weeks ago and could face a fine. Relieved to be dealing with an automated system, you avoid the shame of explaining to a human being how you lost the original summons—likely buried under a mountain of bills, your kid’s craft projects, and a slew of unmailed thank-you notes in your cluttered kitchen “in basket.”
Tuesday
Your phone buzzes, and the caller ID reveals it’s your credit card company. What could they want? Ignoring the call, you scroll through social media. You’re sure you paid your last bill. It’s probably just a reminder about that new card you received ages ago but can’t find. To ease your mind, you log into your credit account. Shocked, you find the payment is overdue. How did that happen? After calculating the late fees, you begrudgingly make the payment.
Wednesday
You have a dermatologist appointment scheduled for today, but you forgot to jot down the time. You think the reminder card is in your purse, or did it end up in that infamous basket? No, it’s on the dresser. After a frantic search, you find it under a glass of water. Your relief evaporates when you realize the appointment is this morning at 10:45. It’s already 10:27. With wet hair and sweatpants, you race to the clinic, congratulating yourself for being only five minutes late while trying to ignore the stares at your disheveled appearance.
Thursday
You’re scrambling to finish an essay for a contest due tonight. Although you knew about it for months, you only started yesterday. Yet, you feel good about your progress. Then you remember that it’s your daughter’s back-to-school night. Assuring yourself that you’ll finish the essay later, you dash off to her school. By 10:30, you’re almost done when a panic strikes: was the deadline at 11:59 PM in your timezone or Eastern Time? A frantic check reveals the worst—you’ve missed it.
Friday
The car registration you’ve been procrastinating on arrives in the mail. You know you should immediately stick the new tags on your car, but you’re tired and hungry. What’s the rush, right? You toss the envelope into the kitchen basket, confident you won’t get pulled over for expired tags.
Saturday
Still puzzled by the credit card company’s calls, you log into your bank account. Your heart drops as you see no record of your payment. Furious with yourself, you resend the payment, double-checking to ensure it goes through this time.
Sunday
You rush to the ATM to deposit various checks you’ve collected, including a birthday check from your mom from July and payment for an article you wrote months ago. You leave the ATM without the cash you intended to withdraw, but perhaps that’s for the best—given the late fees you’ll owe to the credit card company and the DMV for those expired tags.
Reflecting on the week, it wasn’t a total loss. You managed to finish an essay ready for submission elsewhere, got your daughter to school on time every day, walked the dogs, prepared meals, and picked up your partner’s dry cleaning. Plus, the biopsy you delayed for a year came back normal.
Though I briefly tried medication for my ADD, it wasn’t the right fit. However, understanding the biological basis for my behavior has been liberating. Joining support groups, breaking tasks down into manageable chunks, using short to-do lists on my phone, and regular exercise have transformed my life. I’m paying my bills on time—most months—without the relentless calls from collectors.
For more insights into navigating parenting challenges, check out this helpful resource on IVF, which can be a great support for families considering various paths to parenthood. If you’re interested in exploring home insemination kits, visit this link for information on kits that could assist you. They also provide excellent options for male fertility support, which you can find here.
Summary: Living with ADD brings its unique set of challenges, from missed deadlines to forgotten appointments. However, understanding the condition and employing practical strategies can lead to improvements in daily life. Through support and self-care, it’s possible to manage ADD effectively.
Keyphrase: Living with ADD
Tags: [“home insemination kit”, “home insemination syringe”, “self insemination”]