[wolfshades]

This is an excellent post, wrong_writer! Don’t know how I missed reading it before.

There’s another aspect to “the interrupter” – sometimes, we interrupt not because we think we have something better to say. It’s because we’re so keenly aware of people in general that we find some of them predictable. So, while someone is struggling to come to the end of his sentence, we often intuitively know where they’re going so we end up interrupting by offering up the final few words of his thought. In some cases, it’s appreciated but in some others (and I can think of some occasions where I’ve done this) there is resentment.

We just want the thought to end so that we can continue on with something else. Ahh. I’ve thought about apologizing for this behaviour, but …to what end? I’m too easily bored. I accept that. *grin*

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[wolfshades]

I was at that workshop too, and keyed in directly on that discussion as well. I always believed I was an introvert. But that interview and Dr. J.’s subsequent discussion/analysis got the brain cells just firing away. It made so much sense, didn’t it?

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[wolfshades]

I like what you’ve written, WW – in both comments.

This is all fairly new to me – within the past year or so – although I’ve always had a problem with focus since I was a kid. I emphatically agree with your thought about not defending, and in fact, that’s been my habit (not defending) on pretty much everything else. But because ADHD is so new to me, I kind of forgot. Sort of.

Like migraines, ADHD is hard to understand unless you’ve actually experienced it. Can’t tell you how many times when I was younger that my boss or friends looked at me in a weird way when I told them I couldn’t make it into work, or go out for a party because of a migraine. “What? You’re staying home because of a headache???” Sort of the equivalent of “you can’t finish this project because of a lack of focus? Well GET FOCUSED! TRY HARDER.”

Ugh. Ugly, no matter which way you look at it.

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[wolfshades]

@Larynxa: I know the pain and horror of that kind of dynamic. Fortunately I have a microwave and never ever cook anything on or in the stove. Well, hardly ever. So I never have to face that.

But yeah – double and triple checking the door, and then making it all the way down to the lobby, only to turn around and come back a few times. Been there (AM there).

Also – my kitchen sink has a low water flow. So…being impatient and distracted, I’ll often turn it on and walk away for a while while the sink fills so that I can do the dishes. You’ll never guess what happens next……

Yup. Water all over the counter and floor. Ugh.

Really messes up my chi.

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[wolfshades]

Shelby: yup! And when you find yourself doing stuff like this, it’s hard to process – without benefit of realizing that it’s a product of ADD. Before I was even aware of ADD, I kept telling myself I was stupid for leaving stuff behind all the time. Like the time I left my PalmPilot in the washroom at the football stadium – only to realize *just* as I sat down at my seat to watch the game, that I’d left it there. Did a mad run back to the stall but of course it was too late.

And wouldn’t you know it – I did the *exact* same thing just yesterday at the movie theatre. Left my iPhone on top of the TP dispenser in the stall. Thought to myself at the time “DON’T’ forget to grab this. You don’t want to leave it behind”. Went out, washed my hands, went back to the show and sat down…..wasn’t until some music came on screen that I wanted to check (using the Shazam app) that I realized it wasn’t in my pocket. Did another mad dash back to the washroom and……there it was. Thank GOD. Ugh.

I wonder if ADHDers need a higher rate of pay, because they keep outfitting the rest of the world with their belongings?

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[wolfshades]

Wow Jaybird. That’s something all right.

I like how Ginniebean put it: “that’s all it takes. To turn from what I’m doing”. Two seconds. That’s it.

Not even two sometimes.

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[wolfshades]

A thought I had about order and chaos a while ago:

Order is often perceived as preferred, where chaos is considered to be harmful, and out of control. In fact, chaos presumes randomness, variety, and an infinity of rainbow possibilities, limited only by imagination. Order often requires imposed and limited structure, and despises any original thought, unless that thought increases its control.

Chaos is random, curious, infectious, sometimes frightening and never ever dull.

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[wolfshades]

Interesting idea DogFather.

My problem is just getting going in the morning though. Doesn’t matter how early I get up, I usually lose focus on pretty much everything I should be doing such that I get out the door with just enough time to get to work (and too often, I show up late for work – not a good thing). I work in IT so it’s not too bad a thing, but back when I worked in a factory you got seriously fired if you were late too often. And back then, I recall that the night shift was *far* better for me, in every respect. Never late, and I found myself so very alive into the wee hours of the morning. It didn’t bother me at all to work overtime and leave the plant just as the sun was coming up either.

In the IT world, there just isn’t that kind of luxury anymore. You have to there when the bulk of business is going on. I do recall a few IT disasters that required late night/early morning overtime, and I remember that once again, the productivity factor was quite high for me during those times. I thought more clearly and everything was easier to focus on.

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[wolfshades]

“8 track tape minds”. Love it! I’ve struggled for a term to describe that dynamic, and you’ve nailed it kimberlia. It is SO MUCH FUN when you have a partner who can dive and swoop in those same conversational flight paths isn’t it? I really treasure that part of the whole ADHD deal.

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[wolfshades]

Fascinating feedback everyone! Thank you!

@Larynxa: I feel your pain and agree that you need to call in a noise complaint. I believe 11:00 is the cutoff time. Some construction folk will push the envelope sometimes – it’s happened to me.

Since I’m a night person through and through, I’m thinking I should work out of a cottage up north, and try and focus on the music industry instead of IT. that would be a *mucH* better fit.

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[wolfshades]

I do better with one-on-one situations like yours, Mungo – where I *have* to pay attention or it comes across as the greatest disrespect. In other social situations where there is no employer-employee situation, it’s different and my mind wanders. I can’t stand phone calls for just that reason. (Well, except for a couple of people who I love to pieces. There again though – these are relatives who actually have the same flighty conversational method that I have)

Totally lost when it comes to big management meetings or conferences. I went to a Microsoft conference recently and it was all I could do NOT to run out of there.

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[wolfshades]

Interesting! Mica, I just realized you’re absolutely right. During the daytime there’s just much too much going on, so it makes sense that nighttime allows for much easier focus.

Never realized that before.

Saffron – maybe that’s why ADHD is called the comedian’s (or actor’s) condition. In addition to enhancing creativity, those who make a living at it don’t adhere to regular 9-5 routines.

I’m beginning to think I should focus more on getting on with my music. If I could make money at it, that could be a TOTAL night time activity. And wouldn’t that be awesome?

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[wolfshades]

Hi Emm. Sounds to me like you have found the perfect job for yourself at the kennel, looking after pets. Also sounds like you’re not sure if you have ADHD. If you haven’t already done so, check the virtual doctor test on this site (click on Tools to the left – you’ll find it there).

This isn’t an exhaustive test but it will give you a good idea. If you score high on it, then there’s a chance you do have ADHD, in which case you should probably get your doctor to send you to an ADHD clinic to get assessed. If it turns out you are, there are coping mechanisms and some excellent medicine to assist you. Nothing that will make you into a zombie though, or make you any less than the person you are.

Good luck!

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[wolfshades]

Thanks Rick. I’ll have to remember that. I think I’ve learned to delegate some things just out of necessity. You’re so right about the fun factor too though – and I kind of think that’s the part of this whole thing that’s addictive. When the fun part’s not there, I pretty much feel quite down and irritated even. (Gee, I sound like a kid)

In this case, I was overwhelmed because I hadn’t had a chance to prepare. I have a running list of things we need to talk about and I just didn’t have a chance to look it over before the teleconference began so i got really flustered and kept having to stop and ask for time to think. They were accommodating but even so, I felt the pressure and drew complete blanks. Not fun at all.

Still, it was a blip in an otherwise normal work day and I’m long over it.

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[wolfshades]

Yet it’s so exciting when you meet someone who loves jumping from topic to topic as you do. Man, I have to tell you it’s invigorating and it kind of makes up for all of those times when you’re with “normal” people who want to stay with a particular topic until it’s exhausted before moving on to another one. Nothing wrong with either flavour, I think. I just happen to like the former one.

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