1. Do I have more problems prioritizing my work and activities than most people I know?
Answer. Over these many decades I have often prioritized my work and activities. And I have often worked on the highest-priority item on each list, followed by something else, then other things. Many of the items on each list, and many others, do always get done, but seldom in the desired sequence. So, yes, I suppose so.
2. Do I have more trouble planning ahead than almost anyone else I know?
Answer. I would like to think that I live in the moment, except that I seldom do that either. I do make plans, but they tend to become buried by other papers. Sometimes I find the plans, but usually after the do dates. If I tape or pin a plan to the desk directly in front of my head, I will always forget to look in that direction until it's too late. So, yes, I suppose so.
3 Do I very frequently make careless mistakes and fail to finish tasks on time?
Answer. Well, for example, when I write poems or bits of prose to post for all my very literate friends to read, I doubt that I make any more careless mistakes than they do on their own first drafts. But then I carelessly post them. And mixed in with my oh so clever turns of phrase are always a generous number of grammatical blunders and typos. I edit later, after my literate friends have had their chuckle. Why do I post them unedited? The term usually used is high impulsivity. But it may just be that I'm so excited to have written them. Usually I put off tasks until the last possible minute. For instance the summary and photos of the last open mic have been patiently waiting to be put to paper for nearly a week now. I will be excited the moment it's done. So, yes, frequently, frequently.
4 Has this been typical of me for a long time? (Note here that the vast majority of people who have ADHD have had substantial symptoms by age 12.)
Answer. As far back as my embarrassed memory will allow me to go, yes.
5. Is there no other obvious explanation, such as drug addiction, a head injury, a sleep disorder, or--we really hope not--early signs of dementia?
Answer. Does this count? Once as a child I was totally soaked inside a cloud of DDT that was dropped from a biplane spraying for an insect infestation. It caused in me a strange form of childhood epilepsy: Time sped up, then slowed down. The nearby receded into the distance, then returned. As for dementia as a cause, could it instead be a symptom?
6. Have these issues caused me clear problems in my work and/or relationships?
Answer. Why, yes, now that I think of it. I would be a retired scientist about now had I been able to focus for extended periods (longer than, say, five seconds) on those three-inch-thick text books. Relationships? Difficulty listening, and being distracted by everything and anything, doesn't help.
7. Do I have any (and possibly many) close relatives also suffering from chronic distraction and impulsivity?
Answer. Nope. It must be the DDT.
This explanation of many of my life-long struggles is a thrill to contemplate. I'm serious. I've always loved to understand things--everything and anything--and now the fog of my own life is thinning. It's wonderful.
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9Lynn Tait, Barbara Green, Meredith Moeckel and 6 others
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Stan Burfield People who read this are assuming I'm just joking, I'm assuming. Well, for once I'm right and everybody else is wrong.
Like · Reply · 1 · 8 March at 15:28 · Edited
Meredith Moeckel I don't know why anyone who has taken the time to read through this post would think that you are joking Stan....and to be totally honest, I am puzzled by this last comment of yours. Have you ever seen a psychiatrist before (just curious, and naturally, you do not need to answer....I'm just trying to understand where you're coming from)?
Like · Reply · 8 March at 17:08
Stan Burfield No, I never have. I spent my whole life diagnosing and trying to treat myself. It didn't really work. For instance, I tried to treat shyness by forcing myself to do something that was extremely difficult, with the idea that it would make me stronger. T...See more
Like · Reply · 8 March at 21:37 · Edited
Stan Burfield Meredith Moeckel And about my first comment above, uh, I guess you could say that it is the joke. ha ha. Well, it was funny to me anyway, but that's my sense of humour.
Like · Reply · 8 March at 18:39
Meredith Moeckel I will reply to this tomorrow. As I've said many times I just can't type much from my cell. So I'm hoping to remember to come back to this whenever I'm on my laptop tomorrow. Sweet dreams for now.
Unlike · Reply · 1 · 8 March at 21:01