Quote:
Originally Posted by seekersinking
I guess I need a strong motivator. A few days ago I was looking in the cabinette over the fridge for something. Well, I saw some mouse droppings. I immediately emptied that cabinette; cleaned it out; put a mousetrap in it and checked it every day. Caught nothing. There was a quarter inch wide space between boards. I filled the space with wood putty. Cleaned the cabinette again. And started to put the stuff back. Well, it somehow did not fit. So, I decided to rearrange the cabinette next to it as well. I am pleased with how it came out.
This inspired me to clean out my desk drawer. Well, basically, I just filed some papers lying loose in the drawer. Then I tried to work on the pile of papers on the kitchen table. I only found a few to throw away. I have a box of "important" papers sitting by my end table. I started to sort. I got about one inch down. Well, by then, I was feeling hugely overwhelmed. So I stopped.
Today, I have some housework to do. I do not know if I will get any more sorting done until I am off again in two weeks.
All this may sound trivial to some people. It is a really big roadblock in my life. I hate clutter, but cannot seem to mentally deal with it. I am pleased that I accomplished something on my day off.
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This is not trivial at all and is a terrible problem. I was recently diagnosed (about 5 years ago at 40) and my son also has ADD. We are both not hyperactive, we are primarily inattentive. It sounds like you could be too? My pdoc told me that people with this type of ADHD tend to need a fire lit under them to start projects. Not out of laziness but because our minds just don't process information the way other people's do. I know I always miss the small details in things and it gets me in trouble. With the clutter in cleaning I don't see things (like paper on the table, or a sock on the floor) on an individual basis. I see it only after they pile up into a big overwhelming mess. Then there is a wave of adrenaline to get things done but I don't know how and get frustrated.
My friend taught me that the best way for me to work with clutter is to purge and throw things away (or donate) constantly. I just try not to let things accumulate.
But to get to this point, the best help I've had is medication. You say there isn't help where you live, but do you have a primary doctor who can prescribe you something? There is a lot of misinformation and stigma attached to stimulants, but when you have a
real diagnosis of ADHD of any kind, it is usually the best help available. Over years the ADHD will lead to anxiety and depression, so it's no wonder you're overwhelmed. Even if you can't get anyone to give you a stimulant, Wellbutrin or Straterra (and SNRI) are used as well, so maybe a doctor could help you there?