Hey Misfit,

I am happy to hear that DBT is teaching you to approach some of these issues! I am in DBT currently and I am just starting to see the benefits. Lets keep at it!

You said, ...I am curious how having ADHD effects your ability to commit to tasks and follow them through. I don't know much about ADHD but I am intrigued! Please share!

I have to say that I struggle ALOT with procrastination as well. Currently I am supposed to be doing something and I have pushed it off for over a week. Because of this - I have a weeks worth of work to do in three days. I don't think I can get it done - but you know what: I will suspect self judgments and remind myself that I have been suffering and that I would have got to it had I really needed to. However, now that I need to get it done and the pressure is on - I no longer have a choice and it has added a huge amount of stress to the mix... Being mindful of how my procrastination negatively influences my stress levels and paying close attention to my desire to NOT do something or to QUIT when I do not enjoy it - helps me to make decisions that benefit me in the long term. Like how Nicky123 mentioned that a clean house effects mood - we can logically convince ourselves that cleaning the house is the best course of action in all areas except the short term.

The whole idea of immediate gratification versus long term benefits... In order to break the cycle we must first - break the cycle. It is truly THAT simple (minus the battle to find the inner strength necessary to do it). Once we realize the long term benefits far outweigh the short term rewards - procrastinating will seem less and less like the more favorable decision to make. Another DBT skill that comes in handy is doing a PROS and CONS list. Just be sure to pay careful attention the long term and short term details! That is where you will most likely find the answer to your problem with procrastinating / willfulness.

I have only been through one full module so far and one of the things I did learn was the willfulness / willingness piece... I find that in order for me to literally do a task - I absolutely must take some time for myself and self sooth - or do something nice for myself - PRIOR to doing it the task. If it is a seriously undesirable task (which I have in my life currently RIGHT now) I find that I avoid and avoid and avoid and tell myself tomorrow is the day - then I never do it. I found that in order for me to begin something I do not enjoy - the best way is to start it with the idea that I am NOT forced to do it all at once. That I can take as many breaks as I want and that I am the one who is in charge and that all the pressure comes from me. Ultimately - learning to shut up and do the task - priorities being the central focus - leads to the best outcome. (in my experience) As far as continuing to avoid - I don't think that is inherently any more of less a problem for you and I.

Thanks,
HD