[sugarplum40]

I am trying to keep from falling into depressed mode.

I am normaly upbeat happy go person, even with the ADD. I try to look on the bright side of every thing including my Add because i realize it can have advantages. Today however there is just too much! Things that NEED attention.
I just done my Taxes yesterday and it was the deadline, the yard is aweful, my neighbor found a snake by my front door from lack of mowing, my house needs cleaned, my bills need paid, my mother is upset because i am not calling enough, my grown kids need things from me, i need to scedule some doctor appts, and get some last minute things done for work.
The list goes on and on!!!
What do i do? I got so overwelmed today that i had a crying breakdown.
My Dad had surgery last week and out of 3 kids I am the only one there to help him and my mother... I was there for 3 days and my already crazy hectic scedule just got worse.
I try so hard to priortize, but then up just saying forget it, it's too much and i tomb up in front of my computer playing some online game that gets my mind off everything.
Sorry so long here, but I just need someone who can relate and maybe point me in the direction of some tips, help or advise.
Yes i am on meds, yes they do help some, but I am 40 and just realised i have ADD. And now trying to undo so many years of the same patterns is like untwisting tangled fishing line.
Thanks again

[altonwoodsdrphil]

I can relate to your situation, so many things that seem to be out of your control or somehow beyond your ability to cope with. I rely alot on my wife to help me deal with stuff like paying the bills,keeping track of things we need to get done. Together we decide what is the highest priority. When I read your post these words came to my mind "where would I be without my wife"? and I felt thankful. You need help! I think that you need to establish some boundries of sorts to prevent yourself from feeling overwhelmed. like..."back off world, I need a moment here" then try to ascess what YOUR immeadiate needs are and deal with them FIRST, then (in my opinion) you'll have a much less distracted ability to focus on the things that require your attention. mental health is our greatest treasure, so the same philosophy of retaining wealth applies to it! PAY YOURSELF FIRST.

[sugarplum40]

Thank you for your reply to my post.

I do feel better today and decided that the world will not end because my house is a mess. lol
I did take some steps toward getting things together and that was going to flylady.com and just reading there gave me some hope.

I know that Jesus put me here for a reason and sometimes I just need a simple reminder of that.

Your wife sounds like a lovely understanding woman and you are very blessed to have her.
My husband can only try to understand because his schedule is so hectic also.
But I do thank God for him and his understanding of why things don't get done in a reasonable order.
My brain just won't allow it sometimes. LOL

God Bless you and keep up the cheerful spirit.

[altonwoodsdrphil]

Flylady.com Finally Loving Yourself Lady another satisfied customer...LOL

My taxes arent done yet either, but i think i dont have to be really worried until the end of this month. I dont do them anyway, my parents do, but i keep forgetting to give them all the stuff they need in order to do them.

[chaotic13]

Sugarplum40,
I can totally relate. My To Do list is getting longer by the minute as I sit here and complain about it on PC. :-) Non-preferred tasks are difficult for everyone, but especially difficult for me. ADHD even with medication makes choosing, prioritizing, and FINISHING tasks incredibility difficult.

When I get overwhelmed, I just start trying to check "something" off the list. I say the hell with priorities sometimes and simply go with, "I need some success at finishing" something, even if it is just... getting the car washed. (I was going to put something else but didn't want to offend anyone. Once I feel productive the anxiety lessens and I can get some of the harder stuff done.

[Frozen_Heart]

Sugarplum40, a big hug for you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If I didn't see your name there I would have thought I posted that myself!!!! I wish we were neighbors, I'd come give you support because I know exactly what you are talking about!!!

Ugh. . . (((HUGS))))

[cruces01]

New here. Just joined today. I have been making lists for everything for years to cope. Past relationships have said I am a weirdo for making lists of everything.

I have very strong feelings of putting things off, but will not. I also have OCD so it makes me go through the tasks. It is very unpleasant. My ADD mind is ruled by my OCD mind.

I am not on any prescribed stimulants, but find that a couple of cups of coffee has a profound relaxing effect on my mind. When a series of days pound on me with my million-mile-an-hour mind, I self-medicate with alcohol (Bad) I find that working out at the gym is very helpful in quieting my mind for a couple of hours.

I am a newly converted Catholic and have a hard time praying the Rosary due to the countless distractions. Any other Catholics out there will know what I'm talking about. I feel real guilty not focusing on Mary when I'm praying the Rosary.

My medical record is now shot due to a four-day hospital stay for myocarditis this March, so I might as well add a visit to my GP for possible treatment to ADD. I am tired of missing out on football games, movies, or dates because of this. I'm 45 now and still have not grown out of it.