Chronic disorganization and adult ADHD
It’s hard to operate in today’s society and not be affected by the various entities vying for our attention. Not being able to focus is an obvious symptom of Adult ADD, but we all experience bouts of poor concentration at some time or another. Let’s look at another symptom that may require treatment.
Just yesterday you felt like you could not get out of your own way. You didn’t accomplish anything and yet you were exhausted at the end of the day. Maybe your partner complained about a task you forgot to manage (again). You thought to yourself, “I’m disorganized, my home is overwhelmingly cluttered. I’m always late. What is wrong with me?”
Does this scenario sound familiar?
Adult ADD is a complicated issue and so is defining its symptoms. Some individuals end up feeling so stressed that their “organized mind” shuts down. Others have a long-term history of feeling perpetually behind the eight ball, never able to catch up.
Seeking therapy from a specialist can help you determine whether you’re going through a stressful period, just dealing with a temporary state, or are chronically disorganized, which is commonly associated with adult ADD.
A patient of mine who I’ll call Janie came to me for therapy because her husband was fed up with the ongoing chaos in their home. Janie worked with me to find solutions to her daily concerns. And with work, she was able to make small changes that had lasting, transformative results. For Janie, a combination of therapy for anxiety and depression combined with coaching on areas of disorganization, really helped. There’s a good chance it can help you, too.
Robin Maier is a licensed clinical social worker who uses a gentle therapeutic approach to guide women in every stage of life toward greater happiness
