Awareness | ADHD Information

I was out with some friends on Saturday night and as we're sitting there chattering away, I realized how tough it is for me to pay attention to one conversation.  Now, I don't know if this has always been a problem for me or if it's just something I finally observed.  I couldn't decide which conversation to take part in.  It was hard to hear the people across the table (couldn't tune out all the other noises).  I've always done much better with one on one company - now I see the connections.  I can also see how this inability could isolate me.  I also see how this inability to focus on one topic can make me appear as if I'm not listening - especially when someone says something important about their life and later I can't remember it.  This is all ADD related.  I realize it now.  Not sure if there's a solution and I don't want to have to be the sole educator to all my friends of my ADD. But I guess I'm going to have to help them be aware of my ADD if I want their friendships.  They are very compassionate people and I'm sure they'll love me just the way I am.  That's similar to the way that I unthinkingly interrupt people in mid-conversation, abruptly change the subject (sometimes back to something we were just talking about a few minutes ago) and carry on multiple conversations simultaneously, I think. Sometimes I just get overwhelmed and sit back and listen in groups. This is good and bad because if I suddenly think I have something to contribute, I blurt it out, inevitably interrupting someone. I'm not trying to be rude, it just happens! Totally understand!  sometimes I'll be engaged in a conversation and a topic will come up and I've got a thought, I need to share it before I forget it.  i can't tell you how many times I've had to "excuse" myself because I've cut someone off.  Or at work, I'll go up to someone's desk and start talking to them before checking to see if they're on the phone.  I do that a lot.  but knowing this is an ADD tendency/trait, I am more able to slow the whole process down and it doesn't happen as much.  I try to ask the person first "are you on the phone?"  If I can remember that, then it stops the automatic outburst and makes me appear more considerate.  Thanks for your confirmation, Kal.

That's a great idea kal I burst into rooms alot already mid sentance. That sounds like a good way of preventing it. I also have problems in conversations when I have something to say of being almost too timid and by the time there is enough of a pause the subject has changed.

sometimes i try too hard to "fit in" and say something totally inappropriate or irrelevant to the conversation.  i am then left shrinking away in embarrassment.  people will sometimes give me a strange look like "were we talking to you?" 

i also will think of something clever to say long after the topic has changed.  i have this problem alot when someone insults me in some way.  it's very frustrating.  but at least now it all has a name.