I’m a 27-year-old female, and I feel that my life is collapsing due to ADD, but I can't afford to seek help.


I’ve been experiencing ADD (inattentive type) related symptoms as far as I can remember… all through my childhood. I didn’t complete my university degree because I just couldn’t get down to finishing assignments and getting to class.

My partner and I have been together 10 years and we run a business together; I’ve managed to get my act together somewhat and we’re starting to make things work slowly.


But some things just don’t seem to work. I can’t concentrate on any project and just can’t sit down and finish what I have to do. I write list after list, and get nothing done. The things that I do manage to focus on (hyperfocus on, rather) and complete, I do really well – but that’s very rare. Almost every dream and project I’ve started on hasn’t been completed. My fridge, closet, and bag are almost always a mess. The only thing that sooths and calms my mind is music.

My partner and I have a great relationship in every aspect, but my absent-mindedness leads to huge problems for us. I’m always daydreaming and I forget to turn off taps and light switches; I leave things behind, can never find my keys, I don’t look when I’m crossing the street… and just today, I went to the ATM to withdraw some cash, and forgot where I put the money (and it was a considerable amount). I don’t know if I dropped it, or if I left it in the ATM and didn’t collect it.

It’s so hard because we’re trying to get our business off the ground and we can’t afford to lose any money to carelessness. My partner tells me that it’s really difficult being with me when I’m like this, and that I’m like a kid, and he always has to double-check everything I do. I feel so bad that I keep screwing up and that I lost all that money, but I just don’t know what to do. Even when I tell myself to always pay attention to what I’m doing, I end up being absent-minded again.

I don’t know what to do; every time I tell myself to try harder, wake up earlier, and be more organized, I just screw it up and feel even worse about it. It’s affecting me in real, serious ways – especially losing large amounts of cash. At this moment, I can’t afford to seek professional help or to go on any medication.

I would really appreciate if anybody could give me some suggestions or help – something that I can do in my everyday life to make this better. I can’t continue like this; I’ve lost enough in my life (materially and emotionally) already, and it’s putting a strain on my relationship, too.


Please give me any suggestions you can.


Thanks very much.