After my daughter was diagnosed with ADD, I dove deep into understanding the disorder in hopes of supporting her. As I explored the topic, I began to suspect that I might share similar traits. I’ve always been a bit scatterbrained, an expert procrastinator, and tackling projects felt like an uphill battle. I often found myself questioning how others, who seemed busier, managed to be so productive while I struggled to even get my bills paid on time. Eventually, a doctor confirmed that I too have ADD, and suddenly, a lifetime of behavior patterns that had caused me embarrassment and frustration began to make sense.
Curious about what living with ADD is like? Here’s a glimpse into my week:
Monday
You wake up to find a jury duty notice stuck to the refrigerator, courtesy of your husband. It informs you that you missed your appointment two weeks ago and may face a fine. Gratefully, you call the number on the card, relieved to navigate an automated system rather than explaining to an actual person that the original summons has likely vanished in the clutter of bills, photos, your daughter’s art, school announcements, and the thank-you notes you never sent—all piled up in the ever-expanding “in basket” on your kitchen counter.
Tuesday
Your phone rings, and the caller ID shows it’s your credit card company. Annoyed, you ignore the call and scroll through Facebook instead. You know you’ve paid your last bill, so they must just want to remind you to activate that new card that you received ages ago but can’t find. Just to be sure, you log into your credit card account and, to your surprise, discover that your payment is overdue. How did that happen? After some soul-searching, you take a deep breath and pay the bill.
Wednesday
You have a dermatologist appointment in the afternoon, but guess what? You forgot to write the time in your calendar. You think the reminder card is in your purse… or maybe it’s in that infamous basket. After a frantic search, you finally find it—under a glass of water on your nightstand. Your heart sinks when you realize the appointment is this morning at 10:45, and it’s already 10:27. With damp hair and stained sweatpants, you speed to the clinic, relieved to be only five minutes late, though you can’t ignore the curious looks you get in the waiting room.
Thursday
You rush to finish an essay for a contest with a deadline tonight. You’ve known about it for months but only started yesterday. As the afternoon rolls in, you remember it’s also your daughter’s back-to-school night. You reassure yourself that you’ll have time to polish off the essay when you return home. By 10:30 p.m., you’re nearly finished when a panic hits you—was the deadline at 11:59 PM your time or Eastern Time? You frantically check the rules and—oh no!—you missed it.
Friday
Your car registration arrives, and you remember you promised yourself you’d pay it on time this year. But you’re tired and hungry, so you toss the envelope in the kitchen basket, thinking you have two weeks to spare. Surely, you won’t get caught driving with expired tags again… right?
Saturday
Confused about why your credit card company is still calling, you check your bank account. Shocked, you see no record of your payment. Furious, you resend it, triple-checking to ensure it processes this time. It did… right?
Sunday
You rush to the ATM to deposit a stack of checks you’ve been holding onto, including the birthday check from your mom back in July. You think about all the insurance claims you never filed but try to focus on the positives. You drive away without the cash you meant to withdraw. But hey, maybe that’s a good thing—you’ll need the money to cover late fees and that ticket for those expired tags.
As the week wraps up, I take a moment to reflect. It wasn’t a total disaster. I completed an essay to send to other publications, got my daughter to school on time every day, walked the dogs, cooked meals, and picked up my husband’s dry cleaning. Plus, the biopsy I put off for a year came back normal.
I did try medication for my ADD, but it didn’t work for me. However, understanding that my behavior has a biological basis has been incredibly liberating. I’ve also found support groups helpful, learned to break tasks into smaller steps, use short to-do lists on my phone, and stay active. Nowadays, I manage to pay my bills on time most months and haven’t had collectors breathing down my neck in over a year.
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Summary
Living with ADD can be a whirlwind of chaotic moments and unexpected challenges, but understanding the condition has brought clarity and relief. With strategies like support groups, organized lists, and self-care, it’s possible to manage daily tasks more effectively despite the hurdles. Embracing the journey is key.