r/ADHDthriving

So I have this story I have in my head but my issue is while I see it vividly in my head Idk how to structure it like how do I string paragraphs together to form a coherent scene that the reader can follow? For context I have ADHD and it can be hard for me to write without a certain guide or structure I can follow like:

Paragrapg A Opening

Paragraph B. Character inner monologue

Paragraph C. Conversation

Paragraph D. ….. ok what do I put here

Paragraph E. Chapter world building

Paragraph F. …… more conversation I guess

Paragraph G. And etc

Edit: I guess what Im really asking for is a “table of contents esqe” like structural guide on writing cuz that would ease some load off my Adhd brain cuz we thrive on structure but struggle on making a routine.

Hey guys! Background: So I just had a forced overhaul of my room (yay mold!) and clearing out my room has made me reevaluate a lot of my systems or lack there of. Laundry is my enemy but particularly putting away clothes (taken out to try on or coming from laundry, etc.). Before this incident my floor was so covered in clothes I wouldn’t even let my cleaners in (it felt embarrassing and pointless). Now that I HAD to get everything together I really want to do my best to keep up with it. And I came to a realization/gap in my needs I’m not sure the solution to yet!

Advice? We all know “the chair” - that cute little armchair meant as a reading nook or decor, that ends up covered in clothes. Okay, so I don’t want *that* haha. BUT I need somewhere to, realistically, temporarily put clothes when I’m, say, trying on outfits I’m not immediately putting away, or want to set my clothes out for the morning. It needs to work for non-hanging items and doesn’t necessarily need to work for hanging items but bonus points for that!

So has anyone found or had an idea for something that would be useful, but take up somewhat minimal space, and be helpful while not necessarily enabling me to not put things away ASAP (ie it can’t be too big where I can pile endless things to doom, but something that could fit a few outfits while keeping them off the ground).

Happy to answer any clarifying questions too! I appreciate the wealth of experience and compassion in this group and thought someone might have “that thing” before I end up in a doom scroll search where I don’t even know what I’m looking for 😂🩷🤞

Recently, I finished reading the book "Delivered from Distraction" by Dr. Edward Hallowell. After having read it and taking notes, I decided to see my PCP and see if he can make some referrals for me to get some tests done related to my ADHD - Spect Scan, qEEG, etc etc. I wrote up a whole list of questions for my doctor with the intention of emailing them to him but, in an effort to be as thorough as possible, decided to first email a very ADHD-knowledgeable organization some questions so that there answers can help me to pose more questions to my doctor, if that makes sense.

Well, there were a decent bit of emails listed at the very end of the Delivered book but many of them were not up to date and had changed. I decided to email one that was listed on there - West Virginia Parent Training Information Inc. - at wvpti@aol.com, but I have not heard anything at all since I emailed it in late April. I then tried 7 days ago to just email a place that seemed, from online searches, to be likely to respond in a timely manner - CHADD. The email I used was customer_service@chadd.org which is apparently the email you are supposed to send ADHD related questions too. Again, it's been 7 days, and nothing. Not even a confirmation that it has been received and is being looked at.

Does anyone know how long it takes these organizations, particularly the latter one if I utilize this customer service email, to get back to me?

And on top of that, is anyone aware of any other places to email that are pretty quick to respond about ADHD related questions?

Thank you.

I want to be able to say words like "neurodivergent", because it really is a word entering the mainstream of psychology. I do want to talk about marijuana use, too, because a lot of people with ADHD self medicate with it.

The automated removal based on key words by bots makes the r/ADHD forum unwelcoming and oppressive. Why are they like this? Even my own therapist though they were too aggressive.

I hope posts like this are acceptable to you all. If not, feel free to delete.

got a 3K essay to do in a day. i can do it, ive done it before, but ive realised my relationship with studying is just trash. even on meds. i just have these walls built up in my mind. thinking of studying makes me so anxious and drained and when i start i stop after 10 mins. my whole life ive wanted to be good at studying. any advice? how do i just lock in and do it

I have loved swinging and singing ever since I was 13, and now I'm 16. Ever since I started, it became a massive habit that I do all the time. I always put my headphones on, turn up my music, and just swing for hours at a time.

I was diagnosed with ADHD, and I know that plays a huge role in why I do this. It honestly feels like the ultimate tool to help me regulate my emotions, clear my thoughts, and calm my nervous system down when I feel overwhelmed. The combination of the rhythm of the music and the repetitive movement of the swing helps my brain focus and relax like nothing else can.

I am feeling super confused about it lately because it takes up so much of my time, and I don't know anyone else in real life who does this. Does anyone else out there experience this or have a similar habit? I am really seeking some empathy and validation to know I'm not the only one!

Hi Im 28 and I’m a surgeon, and I have an extremely important exam coming up soon, but I still can’t get myself to study seriously. I keep procrastinating until the fear of failing becomes overwhelming enough to finally push me into action.

I’m currently on Atomoxetine and Fluoxetine, but they don’t seem to be helping much. My psychiatrist suggested switching to Methylphenidate, but I’ve heard it can cause terrible headaches, which makes me hesitant.

What makes this even worse is the guilt. After spending hours scrolling and wasting time, even if I technically still have time left to study, I feel mentally drained and low — like I’ve already used up all my energy doing nothing.
Please give your best techniques to help me study and stop procrastination,
Also only hear and stress make me to act upon something important like exams or projects,can it be changed so I stop doing everything only when it becomes and emergency

Hi, so I’m 23 m and have suspected for a long time to be neurodivergent in some capacity, and always believed it to be autism, which I still do believe I have. However, I have always found it very difficult doing certain things that most people I know seem to not struggle with, for example tidying my room at consistently and not letting it slip, cleaning my clothes, even running out-the-house errands. I am also a musician who struggles to practice often enough, especially when it involves new techniques or styles that I have become infatuated with (see: Autism) and balancing all of this with my job (I work nights stocking the shelves in a supermarket 5 days a week from 10pm-7am). Recently, during a shift that I had been struggling my way through as I was extremely tired and unmotivated, a coworker of mine offered me an Attentin 20mg ADHD tablet, saying to take half and see how it goes- I understand this is irresponsible of us both but he was only trying to help and I needed something haha. I took it at the start of a 30 minute break and when we returned to the shop floor, I found that I was so intensely focused on my work that I stayed later than necessary to help other members of staff just because I could, without being asked.

This has led me to believe that perhaps Ive got ADHD, as taking this tablet has benefitted my life to no end. I have been able to keep of top of tidying my room, cleaning my clothes, running errands and there’s even a noticeable difference in my playing (quality and dexterity) of guitar.

Now, my question is, do I actually need to see about getting these prescribed or am I over thinking it? And if I do need to get this prescription, do I mention that I’ve taken them before and seen a benefit? I know that may sound like a stupid question but at this point I’m in such a good place that I don’t want to return to getting nothing done and would like to keep going on the track my life is currently on.

Thanks!

Dealing with multiple tasks feels like playing a precarious game of tetris. I'm constantly strategizing and doing the mental calculus to ration my time and energy. It's always a non-negotiable trade off: today, do I want to shower or clean my room or write an essay for classwork? I have to pick one. And so on.

Showers are especially exhausting to plan, because I know I won't have the bandwidth to shower daily, and I can't deal with greasy hair in class. So if it's, say, a Saturday, and I feel disgusting, I can't shower because I won't be able to shower again on Sunday. And then I'll be greasy on Monday. So I sit and feel disgusting until Sunday night. The overplanning makes me feel insane, especially in the intermediate period between when I first plan to do something in advance and when I do it. It's also impossible to explain to others.

Added is the shame of feeling unproductive if I don't reach some arbitrary definition of daily achievements. This "achievement" can only be met if I actually complete something (a homework assignment (just doing a reading doesn't count), a hygiene activity, or an act of service for someone else) so for most weekends when I'm in the middle of a project or process, I feel like a failure. I could spend all day cleaning half my room and I'd feel like a useless POS because I didn't "actually do" anything.

All this to say, ADHD makes me miserable. How does anyone deal with this? Or with the shame? That's not a rhetorical question. Someone please advise.

I tend to 1) wake up knowing exactly what I want to wear today and 2) have trouble locating any particular piece of clothing quickly.

Recently I sorted all my skirts (the main item of clothing I’m obsessed with) into colours. At the start of the hanging rack are pink skirts, then, red, orange, green, blue, purple, greys , browns and blacks.

Then I expanded on the idea as it worked, I could locate any skirt within seconds instead of going through the whole rack.
I sorted all my drawers into single colours too.

Everything but bras and undies are now in the drawer full of their colour. Jumpers/ sweaters, t shirts, tights, Sox all in the same drawer if they are the same colour.

Its working really well for me.

Now when I wake up and immediately think of what I want to wear, I can find every piece of the outfit in minutes.

An ADHD trait — pathological procrastination— and how it can destroy you

Does anyone have experience to share about a common simple task that you hate and how you had success getting yourself to do it?

Possible solutions to schedule in calendar - reminder- every Wednesday during boring meeting: ‘check VM log.’ It’s a task I hate… Any other tips for how to get myself to do it? I’m excellent at ignoring Reminders. Maybe I have too many.

I’m just curious if anyone’s OCD symptoms improved after going on medication for ADHD? (If yes or no, which medication?) Thanks so much!