The lighter side of ADHD
Whenever someone suggests the ole remove distractions, I get reminded of that Rick and Morty scene that's like I NEED TO GET ALL OF THIS SKIN OUT OF MY PERSONAL SPACE. Then the character flays themselves.
Thinking about it, if this were possible, I'd probably continue picking whatever is underneath.
I read this post, then read this comment. All while chewing my fingers. I wish i could say i learned something.
I'm a little better these days. It takes a lot of mental bandwidth for a lot of time. I've retrained myself to just rub my fingers together or sth. Meds help to stay on it. Also lots of moisturizing, so 1) you get to do sth with your hands and 2) there's less stuff to pick at. I'm far from cured though- managed to grow my nails out, but still get my cuticles bleeding regularly.
I literally clutter my space in the vain hope that random mis-positioned object x will remind me to do task y. Blank wall isn't going to remind me to do shit.
Me sitting on the couch listening to my clock and making it go from "tick tock tick tock" to "tock tick tock tick" back and forth in my head for 27 minutes straight.
Ouch, this one is too real!
Even with relaxing. Just yesterday I told myself, “Hell yeah it’s Sunday I’m having a gaming day for myself!!”
I turned on my game and sat there for 5 hours doing nothing. I hate it.
In school, because I was disruptive, I was often told to copy parts of the dictionary as "punishment." I can only assume this was meant for normies. I would instead actually read the dictionary as that was far more interesting than writing it down.
Anyway, afterwards when I hadn't written anywhere near enough they'd ask what I did instead of writing. "I read it." So they'd take it away and quiz me on what was there. Naturally I was able to answer their questions as I had actually read it. Eventually they decided that the TAG program was the best way to keep me from interrupting the kids who needed the class.
I’ve learned that my brain’s ADHD department needs the opposite. It needs constant stimulation to keep it distracted so that it leaves me alone to have some semblance of executive function.
Audio stimulation works best. I used to always listen to podcasts, but I’ve found that specific types of music are best for getting work done. (in my case, it’s upbeat energetic thrash and groove metal)
Trance or DeepHouse here
That’s interesting. I kind of go back and forth. Sometimes I’ve got the TV going and three other devices plus headphones in, sometimes I need everything quiet.
One of my absolute favorite things to do is just lay on the bed in a cool dark room with the fan blowing at me. It’s both for cooling down because I’m heat sensitive (completely separate medical issue) and for the sensory deprivation and recharging.
Sometimes I will still put on something to listen to, even in that case. Usually it isn’t typical music though. It will typically be a long form video of a video game speed run or some kind of asmr video with people talking in japanese.
And at work, on days I’ve stayed late for whatever reason, it gets very peaceful and productive for sure.
Being absorbed in my music while working brings that kind of peaceful productive feeling with it, actually. By occupying a certain part of my brain, it must prevent certain anxieties and distractions from getting that attention.
This! Thrash metal or some good electronic music is the only thing that helps. Chiptunes too. I can pump out shitloads of work that way. Unfortunately, ever since Teams was introduced, people keep calling me without hesitation. People invite me to (recurring) meetings faster than I can decline them. I fucking hate the post covid era. I can't listen to music for more than 2 minutes before the next interruption.
hmm maybe headphones with transparency mode would help? you can still listen to music while having the call on speakers. just an idea, don't know if it's feasible
At least for myself, music is great at helping me concentrate on non-verbal tasks, but the second I'm expected to pay attention to speech or (god forbid) talk to someone, it makes it impossible too. That may be the autism causing that as well but I'm not sure.
I have to, I mean HAVE to, get paperwork done today.
So far today I have mowed/weed wacked the yard, weeded and watered my garden, pulled meat from the freezer to defrost and planned dinner for tonight, and took one phone call in regards to said paperwork. They called me, of course.
I'm now on break and it's nearly noon. This paperwork is over my head and I am overwhelmed. I could start on other chores just to avoid it, instead I uh, am taking break. I have to get this done, and I am annoyed as to why I have to do it at all.. I might just pull it out to look at it. That's step one no?
Yes definitely pull it out. Celebrate any progress in the right direction. Write down one word. Fill out one tiny section. Now positively reinforce it - that section was easy, nice. If that's what you get done today then so be it. The next section will be easier.
Hey, checking in. I know what this paralysis feels like. I do encourage you to JUST take it out. Maybe skim it if you can. Nothing else, then take another little break for a time. You got this <3
You took a phone call? You overachiever, you
Would you look at that, I have hands.
I remember back when I was in school and staring at my hands seemed infinitely more important than homework. Also watching shadows change as the sun moved across the sky.
Thinking about really makes me appreciate Adderall.
You had a WINDOW?! Lucky. I got a windowless room in school all by myself to do my homework in, as my reward for even having an IEP (that was never followed)
Maybe I'm the odd one out, but I need some form of background noise to concentrate on anything. Whether that be music or someone endlessly yapping with a monotone voice in a video. Just anything that drowns out my endless stream of thoughts that have 0 to do with my task.
Me with distraction: feeling fine, barely getting work done
Me without distraction: rumination HELL, feel like shit, still barely getting work done
Give me interesting work and I will give you unlimited output
Same. I don't struggle with difficult tasks that I can dig into and use my knowledge and problem solving skills to resolve. I spent 2 hours writing a script last week that will save me 2 days of work and didn't get distracted once. What I struggle with is tedious bullshit.
I thought removing distractions would help too. But even with no distractions, attending a meeting feels like I’m listening to a radio while driving between states.
"Write stuff down and put it where you'll see it!"
— proceeds to completely see through the stuff you wrote down because it is now blends into the background scenery —
Yup. Getting tired of people saying "just write notes and reminders!"
Okay, my brain immediately deleted the memory of the reminder once it popped up, now what.
I carry a notebook around for this and that works pretty well. If I need to do something I write it in there first and that way even if I get sidetracked it's there. It also helps prevent getting sidetracked because I can put whatever is sidetracking me on the list instead.
Alternative: about six years ago I was struck with an idea for a new campaign setting after watching a video about orbital resonance in tightly-packed planetary systems. I was about to get into the shower at the time, but I completely forgot about that for the next three hours as i started scribbling equations on the walls with soap and on the steamed-up mirrors with my fingers. That was the moment that made me realize I actually needed medication
Yeah. I’m my own distraction.