Coping strategies | ADHD Information

As this is a forum for those who have adult ADD, it should be a good place to exchange notes and tips on how to deal with our unique problems.

What are some strategies you use to cope with the problems stemming from ADHD, aside from medication?

Some suggestions:
-How do you stay focused on big tasks that need to be done?
-What do you do in order to keep track of deadlines etc.?
-How do you keep your living space organized?
-How do you keep track of time commitments, appointments etc.?
-What are some strategies to reign in your mind when it's really out of control?
-How do you stay focused on conversations and avoid the tendency to drift off?
-Do you have any strategies to catch your mind wandering and to bring yourself back?
-What are your time management strategies?
GBFEommas39764.363587963 [QUOTE=alexadhder]hi,

does anyone have any ideas for how to sit still in one place for about an hour in a really boring and irelevant staff meeting!?

any ideas would be greatly appreciated...

alex[/QUOTE]

I like the doodling idea but I actually turn it into productive use.  I'll scribble down a grocery list, my weekend to-do list, a song I hear that I'd like to try and learn on the guitar, etc.

Fortunately I only have to sit through one staff meeting per month but its a 46hr one on a Saturday no less.  Its AGONIZING!  My coworkers & boss know I have ADD so they tolerate my comments fairly well, esp since I'm one of the more experienced guys and my comments are usually relevant and often helpful.

hey,

thanks Karen!

ill try that

alexI have learned how to organize my living space.  It's taken 45 years, but I got there!

The first thing I needed to do was to get rid of anything and everything that is absolutely unnecessary.  The more simple my life has become, the easier it is to manage.  I was surprised how much I could live without.  To organize my papers, I have a large 4 drawer file cabinet.  Most of the files are the same color but it helps me to have some different colors so I remember what they look like later.  In the very top drawer, in the front, I have a folder "To File".  Every time I get something that needs to get filed, goes there first.  Then every couple of months, I go through it and file everything away.  All the folders are in alphabetical order and in some cases categorized.  It has taken me a long time to develop this system but it works and works well for me.  I must say it's a huge accomplishment for me.

I also keep a plastic ring-bound multi-folder (found at office supply store).  In first pocket, I keep things that need to be filed in cabinet and I also keep a small calendar there.  In next pocket, I keep all my bills along with my multi-colored spreadsheet with what bills need to be paid and when, etc.  In the next pocket, I keep things related to my house that hasn't sold yet that I need to stay on top of.  Next pocket, return address labels, next pocket, empty at the moment, last pocket is a print out of important names, numbers and passwords for various websites and accounts.  It works well and I bring it everywhere!

Some people find that utilizing a palm pilot helps.  I had one of those but I'd forget to write stuff in it.  I've gone back to using a purse calendar and purse address book.  I don't always remember to write appointments and phone numbers in them but hey, I can't be perfect at everything!

Hope this helps.

Karen

The only things on that list I'm able to answer are:

-Do you have any strategies to catch your mind wandering and to bring yourself back?
-What are some strategies to reign in your mind when it's really out of control?

I just shake my head. Like you see on comedy shows when there is a flash back. When the person comes back they do a head shake to get rid of the image from their mind. It's retarded, but most of the time it works.

But for the rest of those....some of the questions are the same, thing but worded differently.  :)

 

hi,

does anyone have any ideas for how to sit still in one place for about an hour in a really boring and irelevant staff meeting!?

any ideas would be greatly appreciated...

alexAlex - You could try doodling or taking notes one what the speakers are saying.  It makes you look interested and you can just recycle the notes later! 

Well I can't only say that I have an answer to one or two.  Before I discovered the calendars and to do list on my iphone I use to have a day planner that I would write every appointment in.  I even wrote in family get togethers and anything that required minimal importance.  I have to put everything in.  I got an application called "my diary" so I can write down my thoughts that I want to remember to tell the doctors and councilers and that has also helped with my anxiety just to let things out. 

Time management is hard for me, I just recently realized it takes me a half hour to drive to town, so if I have to be somewhere at 2:00 I know I have to leave at 1:30 but I have to start getting ready at 12:30 or earlier if I am going to poke around getting the kids ready too I have to start even earlier.  It is frusterating because if it is at 2:00 it feels like an all day event.  I am still usually late.  I walk into work at 7:01 every morning but I push my limits by filling that last few seconds before I have to leave only to realize my car is iced over and I forgot to warm it.  SO I even put an alarm reminder in my phone at what time I have to go start my car.

I am cureous about those who put themselves on a schedule how they follow through with it when they are not in the mood, or something interfiers with it.  How they go back to it.  I am such a slob I can never remember to put anything away but I can't find the energy to go clean my bathroom even on a schedule and when I do I don't do a great job at it. 

Thanks for the thread, I love this forum

 

Phoebe