ADHD

ADHD is a neurochemical condition that affects an individual’s ability to regulate attention, activity and impulsivity. Many with ADHD have weak executive functioning skills, like forgetting things, poor sense of time, forgetting to do something at the right time, procrastination of boring projects, difficulty sustaining effort during boring projects, and not being able to remember past successes or failures to help with current decisions. These deficits can be frustrating for the individual with the ADHD and for their family members.

 

It’s difficult for individuals with ADHD to initiate routine/boring tasks, like organizing, laundry, dishes, grocery shopping, paying bills, lawn care, car care, and other cleaning or maintenance activities. Often they are completed in time for an event or deadline instead of on a regular basis. This can create stress and sometimes avoidance of the event or activity. It can also make the home cluttered and unwelcoming for visitors between these spurts of tidiness and often makes the homeowner avoid house guests altogether.

 

It can be helpful to figure out what gets in the way of starting the activities, so new habits or patterns can be established that will be affirming instead of depleting. Creating a plan or system to manage these activities in an ADHD-friendly way allows you to use your strengths and call upon your resources and will be key to accomplishing your goals.

 

If you have ADHD and struggle with disorganization, please check out Chronic Disorganization.

 

 

You may find this test a good place to start the dialogue between you and your counselor if you suspect you have ADHD but have not been diagnosed. I am not qualified to diagnose anyone with this or any other condition.