Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

scatter brained 22 year old

I'm a 22 year old female , since I have been in high school I've always had problems paying attention. my parents never put anymore thought into it cause I was a teen they thought it was normal .over the years it has gotten worse  it affects my work as a hair stylist,i get side tracked and forget to do steps in a chemical service, I've been in 3 car accidents in the last year..not all my fault but could have easily been avoided if I was paying better attention to the mistakes other morons made.I've  tried writing to do lists  and I have a planner but I will lose them or forget to look at it I carry my planner in my purse at all times I just dont remember too look at it even though I touch it and see it 25 times a day. I get aggravated when I forget stuff  especially big stuff and dwell on it and go into a depression for a little bit. I've noticed when I talk to clients I get side tracked easily, forget what I was taking about and when I talk to a group of people or write something what I had planned to say/ write gets all jumbled and I confuse myself and them..I've tried so many things I've changed my diet,i don't drink, do drugs or practice any other harmful behaviors..is there something medically wring with me out am I just an idiot????? Help please
2 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
I was diagnosed with ADHD as an adult and put on medication at the age of 24. I was told it would relax me. I took it for 2 weeks, called the psychiatrist and explained that if I were any more relaxed I would be dead and stopped taking medications. I am now 40 years old and I must say that I am so happy that I didn't stay on meds. There are so many behavioral therapies available without meds that allow you to stay fog free and functioning. I will tell you that to this day I have to write a list of what I need to do each day and give myself a stern talking to about staying focused on my list for the entire day. I was a very successful Store Manager with 2 stores and over 150 associates working under me. Diffucult? YES! Impossible? No Way. I left my job in July and am homeschooling my husbands 3 boys, ages 6,8 and 13. Difficult? YES YES YES! Impossible? No WAY! The boys think I'm funny because I will walk into a room to do something I will of course forget but 2 seconds later will remember something I forgot to do 10 minutes ago. (The list is for remembering the big things of the day) I forget that I went to the kitchen to get coffee and then remember I forgot to take hamburger out which was what I went to the kitchen for 10 minutes ago which is when I decided since I was in the kitchen, I would get coffee which I forgot I was doing again. It's something I accept and so does my husband, which helps immensely.  It has so much more to do with accepting your limitations and accommadating them the best you can. I was a straight A student in school, I was in gifted classes, I graduated early and have a higher than average IQ. Intelligence has absolutely nothing to do with it. My 6 year old step son is so much like me that it makes me laugh. This child can't remember what was said 3 seconds ago and seems to be scatterbrained to the untrained eye but he is just thinking about alot more things alot faster than people that don't have attention problems. He gets higher grades on the exact same material than his older brothers. He is obviously very intelligent but has a harder time sitting still and concentrating the way others expect him too I own many day planners that I had every intention of using yet forgot I had them. I have about 12 notebooks in the house with lists written for everything. When my husband and I got married last summer I had lists of my lists but could never remember which list was where. I had a beautiful wedding planned and executed by me. Make a concious effort to focus on the important things, make it a routine. Add only 1 thing to your routine at a time until it becomes habit, then youcan add another. Lifting weights and running are amazing for my focus as well as getting enough sleep. You can do anything you set your mind to as long as you can remember what you set your mind to :-)
Helpful - 0
189897 tn?1441126518
COMMUNITY LEADER
   You do certainly exhibit all of the classic signs of ADD.  And idiots can't compose a post as well written or introspective as yours.  I certainly think that it would be worth your time to research ADD.  Check out the post I just did to sleepingbunny
   http://www.medhelp.org/posts/ADD---ADHD/Please-Help--I-think-ADD-has-almost-robbed-my-life/show/1468478
   The sites I recommended to her will also be very helpful to you.  The great things about these sites is that they give lots of good coping skills (besides meds) that even if you don't have ADD you will find very helpful.  I think the fact that you have tried so many different ways (and I am impressed with what you have tried), would indicate to me that you really want to get a handle on this.  Its really tough to deal with something if you don't know what it is.  I think the sites I mentioned will be extremely helpful to you.  And if you decide to try some type of a medication by going through a competent psychiatrist, these sites can give you a lot of feedback on that too.   If I can also be of more help, please post.  Best wishes.
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the ADHD Community

Top Children's Development Answerers
189897 tn?1441126518
San Pedro, CA
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Fearing autism, many parents aren't vaccinating their kids. Can doctors reverse this dangerous trend?
Yummy eats that will keep your child healthy and happy
What to expect in your growing baby
Is the PS3 the new Prozac … or causing ADHD in your kid?
Autism expert Dr. Richard Graff weighs in on the vaccine-autism media scandal.
Could your home be a haven for toxins that can cause ADHD?