summarize 1) strict consistent sleep routine 2) consistent exercise 3) structure environment to function properly, have a place for everything, always put them back. eg. keys
So basically create a routine, which I do want but can't seem to form. I can't even brush my teeth daily or take medicine daily to save my life. 😭Having a routine feels like it goes against every fiber of my being.
Yes I think the whole point is that people with ADD/ADHD have problems with routine and doing the sort of things she is suggesting. I must say I sat here thinking that! So I'm not sure how much help the video is. I really identify with you saying it goes against every fibre of your being. I am able to follow routine to an extent but it has never sat comfortably with me.
starting a morning ritual helped me. i literally lay in bed and think play by play (in detail!) what i am going to do in the bathroom, kitchen ect.. then mentally start over if need be until i get the order down. i don't have any other rituals yet but i got that one down. my first honest to goodness habit. crazy. i think it works because its not a routine for me.. its a ritual which doesn't need to be exactly the same everyday. what is the same is that i perform it. hope that helps.
I feel the same way. I feel as if where I to be a leper I would prefer it any day to ADHD. It ruins my life and I’m not in any position nor location to acquire the treatment in any form. God why?
Absolutely "everything has a place" is super helpful for not losing things with ADHD. Minimalism and learning to organize have been super helpful for me.
The most frustrating part of ADHD which non-medication solutions don't address, is my inability to focus and concentrate. I developed routines and habits on my own, before I was diagnosed but those things don't help me with the key struggle I have.
After reading up on ADHD, I am fairly positive that this is what I have. My "aha" moment was after I befriended a person with ADHD who was kind enough to open up about her symptoms and educate me on some of the common misconceptions of ADD/ADHD. I am desperate to get help because I do not have insurance or the extra money to see a psychiatrist for a proper evaluation and my husband doesn't understand my struggle so it isn't really a big priority in his eyes that I seek treatment. I am just so sick of feeling like a failure because I can't be consistent with things like homeschooling my kids, keeping up with the house, laundry, shopping, putting the keys where they belong, angry outbursts when I am overwhelmed etc etc etc...I know treatment would help, but I am just feeling trapped.
This is from the perspective of fourteen-year-old who was diagnosed at age 6, slowly trying to make your life more of a routine and just like working at will really help but it takes time and you have to be very patient. I have improved somewhat through this in the past year
Hi Summer, what helps me with my keys, is trying to be consistent in always putting them in the same specific spot as soon as I reach home, if not as soon as I reach home, Definitely before I organize for bed. Hope this helps.
I know this is some time on from when you posted, but I wonder - do any of your kids show similar behaviours? If so, you could get them assessed and then if they have it, your husband may learn more about it and take your situation more seriously.
Hey! If you're struggling making a routine (starting is half the problem) then try and pair one thing you need to do with a habit you already have. Even if that habit is just waking up. So like, keep your meds by your bedside, and once you have that down, brush your teeth after you take your meds. You dont have to start the entire routine all at once
For sleep routines, which are FUCKING HARD and I still dont have down, something that's helped with is I make sleep pacts with my friends. Sometimes I have to renew it, but what we do is we decide that we're all gonna go to bed by midnight. Then we check in, half an hour before (I set alarms to check in) and tell each other the things we've done to prep for bed. Basically! That's how we provide external structure for each other
For placing stuff- you want stuff to be in order of you use it. So like, if you use your spatula or pan or keys or whatever a lot, find a space to leave it out! That's its spot. It doesn't have to be "away" bc if we put stuff away it yeets itself out of our brain and awareness. So make the stuff you need visible if possible. If you have someone you can go to to help you hold accountable on stuff, that helps, bc again, needing that external structure. My friends and I are constantly reminding each other to eat, hah, because we forget
yeah consistency is one of the hardest things with ADHDers so I think it's ironic that the advice is often, "be consistent" like I'm only consistently inconsistent lol
Agreed how do we do things consistently? No one ever talks about that. Routine is good if you don’t battle with this. But I haven’t been able to stick to anything my whole life except breath eat and be married and even that is a struggle
I really hate how a lot (if not all) of the adhd tips that are supposed to help, are nearly impossible for people with adhd to do (we are not capable of being consistent, forming routines, or regulating ourselves).
This has been my method so far: 1. set an alarm to wake up at the same time every morning and don't press snooze,🙅♀ ever. 2. set an alarm with a name every 5-15 minutes so you can remember and maybe actually do your routine/ have structure and hope nothing intervenes with that, (hard to do when you live with others) 3. Then just, constant bullet to-do lists so you can get a visual of everything you have to do because you will forget and so you can cross things off. Then the issue is just not getting distracted and actually doing it in the time you're predicting it SHOULD take you so you can complete your list and your timers don't overlap/ you don't miss your deadline. AKA mission almost impossible lol but that's what the dinging of the timers for. Really, in the end, just a lot of overpreparing, getting to know your habits WELL and trying to take preventative measures.
Her advice having a place for everything is good. Also remember we have issues with object permenance, so if you can have things open (shelves rather than cupboards) seeing it visually will help you remember
Putting my keys and wallet in the same place is great but I’ve also learned that appealing to extreme solutions like trying to put almost everything in a certain place inevitably leads to frustration. I think it’s important to breath deeply, relax, and then pick a small manageable list of to-dos.
I was hoping for more tips like alarms how to deal with not being able to finish things tips and tricks to trick your brain into doing things instead of just thinking about it and wasting time
This video helps...I had to keep forcing myself to watch it because I kept losing interest. But I'm going to try using a white board and trying to force a daily routine in my life. Everything is chaos and it's driving me mad. However everything i want to do is very spur of the moment. It's so crazy. This really is a struggle
OMG MY MIND IS OFFICIALLY BLOWN! I was thinking about doing all these things but the only thing ive gotten around to is the environment part. I know that I can do these things but now its different because my girlfriend just moved in with me and she just lets things lay around and doesn't always put them back and that tends to cause a lot of fights because it really irritates me for some reason and im always talking about "mise en place" I learned this in culinary arts which has helped me a lot over the years but now a days the people I live with just let everything lay around and it drives me crazy!
I can stay up 24 hours straight no problem - thankfully the propranolol I take for my anxiety attacks keeps me relatively calm but I just cannot concentrate for my work as a software developer - I have half a dozen projects I just CANNOT finish no matter what - I've been try to for a year. Its like I lose the buzz when I get to 60% and have cracked the hard part and then no matter how hard I try I cant concentrate to finish - literally it has now driven me to genuine despair. I am in my 3rd year of recovery from alcoholism and worrying that I will never function normally again - booze somehow gave me focus and sleep time. I wrote this with 20 browsers and a dozen apps open while working and watching TV. For years my way of doing stuff was "my genius" but now it's rapidly becoming my own private hell.
I've had it since i was a kid but never got it treated cus i was able to function and do well in school. Now with so many things in my life, social COLLEGE and work, i cant even sit down and study for more then 2 hours ( never could). I run cross country so exercise isnt a problem. I was offered adderal but i don't want it before trying non medication techniques. I have no idea what to do :(
@@robertmichael1266 i went on Vyvanse. it works great for me. since i didnt want to be dependent on it i just stay around 20mg which is on the low side and I come off of it during school breaks.
People with ADHD, what is your best solution to forming and sticking to a routine -- and not ignoring messages and especially tasks and schedules because they're too overwhelming? I have over 100000 emails I've been ignoring for this reason alone
I only have a schedule/routing for first thing in the morning and last thing at night. The rest of the day I have tasks i would like to perform and over estimate how long they will take me. Then I do them whenever I feel like it. Seems to be working pretty well. I also allow 1 day a week to do litrally anything I want, even if that is staring at the ceiling (but still keep to the morning and evening routing). (appriciate with kids this could be difficult)
I have three killers, PROCRASTINATION, FAILURE TO START and specially and specifically FAILURE TO FINISH. These are killing me softly. I'm a writer and people really do love my works whenever I do some articles. Yet, so many people who really do love me and look me up including my mom, siblings, friends and admirers, are still waiting for my first book to be published. Thanks to my ADHD I both do love and really hate, I'm still struggling to finish writing a book that has been began some 12 years ago, August 2006. Painfully, I'm still half way. Nobody knows the pain of ADHD except those of us in it, those who have it and those who struggle to help us overcome it. Can you pleae give me some advises being specific to my three killers? Thank you in advance.
Working out helps because of the sleep pattern and muscle/mind connection but I do both and still have trouble and it's so messed up I zoned out watching this as well!
Thank you Jennie. I have been fighting with adhd my whole life. A constant battle with my own mind from the moment I wake up to the moment i go to bed. Trying to do something like find work and wanting to go , but having an invisible wall in my mind stopping me for a reason i cant even understand myself has been. I have tried Ritalin, but in the end i found myself abusing it. I do not want to be abusing drugs. so i decided to stop taking it. Ever since it has been almost impossible to do anything with my life. i find my self in a complete mess in my own mind. I have begun sleeping on a scheduled and started going to the gym once every 2 days on a routine basis. I am starting to find that other routines, like work are starting to get easier, I have even started doing things like waking up at 9, shower, eat good, work out, go to work, and staying in that routine has made my life a fair bit easier. Thanks for giving me these options, I will continue to try to keep everything in routine. as it seems to help allot. Thanks from another poor soul fighting with there own mind :)
You should be able to get help through the GP. Just keep asking. I’m on the UK and my son was just diagnosed, maybe it’s different for adults I don’t know
ADD makes organizing and finding a place for everything hard because staying focused to do it and not be distracted from other things seems impossible.
Advice for regular exercise: have other people to do it with. Having accountability and friends to hang with will motivate you. Motivation first, exercise second
Just want to thank you for making this video. I will do my best to follow a routing and I hope it can get better. I am actually a medical student who struggles with this. Once in a while when i focus is amazing what i am able to accomplish. I highly dislike all the other students who take it illegally just to get ahead. Hope we can all build endurance and discipline to control this.
My problem is that I have a chaotic home environment but I can't get the rest of my house on board. I love when the house is organized quiet and clean but It seems like I'm the only one putting in all the effort to keep it clean and everyone else treats it like oh he will take care of it. Its like the list task keeps getting longer than I can keep up. I Really want to move out but' I first need to find employment so that I first get a car. Sometimes Life feels more than I can handle
I had to laugh at your "the keys should always go there and should never go anywhere else". That's something I do for my keys but it reminded me of the strategy and I'll have to try it with a few other key components. I was wondering if maybe you had some tips for getting up in the morning and getting myself off the bed at night. I find those are the times I get the most distracted/least amount of rational decision making (likely congruent with most people, in general, but I know it's a factor that ADHD deal with). I have a hard time getting up in the morning.
Hi, Glad you liked the key idea. With regards to sleep, do you have a delayed sleep cycle? This is where you tend to fall asleep a few hours later than most people at night and wake up a few hours later in the morning than most people. Delayed sleep cycle is common in adults with ADHD and can cause chronic lateness. If you think this is the problem, you could consider methods to shift your sleep cycle back a few hours. Some possibilities for this are a change in your night routine and a bright light (daylight simulator) first thing in the morning. Best, JB
I refuse to take medication. Us people with ADHD are known for addictive personality and traits, therefore taking meds that are used by people recreationally is never a good idea. In my opinion I feel it’s a way for the government to have a large drug operation running without being questioned .
Looking around my apartment while watching this and realizing I don't have an ADD-friendly organizational system in place but have been frustrated with myself for always having clutter to clean up at the end of the day. Light bulb moment. I'm gonna get an organizational book specifically for people w/ADD and also look more into Clutterbug's YT videos. I know she mentions different organizational styles and think it will be helpful to figure out what mine is, rather than taking a cookie-cutter approach.
Tip for sleep: find a yellow lamp or light for the evening. As you do whatever you're doing, try to make as much light as yellow as possble to kick start the production of melatonin
Hi! Would you do a video for people like myself with adhd on how to finish things you start...tips mindset... stuff like that maybe dip into how to help unfog my brain or some memory exercises? Thanks for this vid btw!
Impossible to fix sleep schedule. Stuff takes me way longer to do than other people so to be able to keep up, I can't afford to lay in bed for hours trying to fall asleep. Sometimes I wonder if jobs like these are just not for me. Like I'm doomed to go back to menial jobs just because zoning out mentally doesn't slow down that kind of work as much
I used to lay awake for hours too. For me, listening to an Audio book instead of my own thoughts, gets me to sleep much faster. The program has a timer. I set it to turn off at 30 min. Or an hour. I wear good headphones so hubby doesn't hear it too.
Hi, Sorry to hear you are struggling. I would recommend that you schedule an appointment with a therapist or psychiatrist to evaluate your symptoms and help you with a treatment plan. JB
All of the time and money I have spent with several therapists and you just hit all of my symptoms with solutions in less than 30 minutes! Are you still practicing and do you take virtual clients?
I can make a schedule, stay organized with my stuff, ive run a marathon and exercise every day. When I am in specific class environments focus is extremely easy for me. I cannot study or work alone. Everytime I open a book or get out notes or open up a video I cannot focus. It takes me 1.6 hours for me to get through an average of 30 minute amount of work (I timed 3 different occasions and used the average. Its not BS). Im not lazy. Discipline isnt the problem. If it was I wouldnt be so good at things I do and dont like. How do I deal with this?
I’ve been working out for 10 years now. I’ve never realized it but I lose interest in the workout. Haven’t been in a month because last time I got there ready to workout and 20 minutes in I lost interest and left 😂
These are all good tips, but I guess my lifestyle just isn't suitable for me also managing my ADHD. I do shift work which means I HAVE to sleep at completely different times every day, I work LONG shifts so sometimes there is just no time for exercise or tidying up for most of the week... this is all ideal stuff if you work 9-5 jobs, though.
The place in my house where the keys go is my pocket. They always go in the pocket. If they are not in my pocket they are lost and it is time to panic and possibly call the car person to break into my locked car and get them out of the ignition.
I have been wondering if I should see a psychiatrist to see if this is a proper diagnosis for me. When having a conversation with someone I often check out suddenly and don't remember anything the other person said. This happens to me a lot at work and has caused me a great deal of struggle during training periods at a new job.
Same here Diana, and this has created a challenge for me at work. It's terrible but I have found that you can actually TRAIN your focus in order to improve it. Once you improve it you still have to make a conscious effort to maintain the betterment and even maintain the training but it can be done.
I've spent the last years trying to deal with my depression and anxiety, but I've completely ignored my ADHD (which oddly enough was the first thing I was diagnosed and prescribed medication) ..
This explains why its so hard for me to sleep at night. I was diagnosed with adhd as a child and i had a bunch of issues, but from what I've been told that to really know for sure if I have adhd i should ask a doctor now that I'm older. Is this accurate?
I have tried to organize somethings like keys are next to the door and anything like tweezers, nail clippers, etc., should be in the bathroom. However,my hubby goes and gets them, uses them and lays them somewhere else. It drives me nuts, and I asked him why he doesn't put it back and he said that they didn't need to be in the bathroom. So, how can you get family members to put things back in their place? I have picked them up and put them back and he just seem to become annoyed.
I definitely have ADD. I am a teacher. I have 30 kids in each of my six classes. Different grades, different textbooks, but they are all too hard for me to handle. I can't even remember all of their names and I am supposed to track their development and stuff. ADD people should never become teachers. It is mental and physical torture.
Not sure if I agree. I think I have ADD - as many other teachers. There are a number of reasons why I think people with ADD make great teachers: 1. The job is perfect because there is never a dull moment 2. The ability to handle many different tasks almost simultaneously is a skill that comes in handy as a teacher. 3. The kids love teachers with ADD - even though they might not be as organized and structured as other teachers. I wish you good luck with this amazing - and also incredibly challenging profession. May you find the position in the teaching field, where you can live out your strengths! Now that I work with younger kids and teach only two different classes, I feel it works better.
thank you for the clear simple advice. i am going to try to reorganize again and go to an adhd meet up. coaching would be great but i cant afford it. do you know of a forum or some place i could find an accountability partner. oddly enough, i am better at helping other people stay on track so it could be a two ways street.
i have ADHD and have had it since I was a child . I took medication such as (concerta) for a few years and I have stopped due to the effects of the medication . I wouldn't sleep eat and would be very anti social on the medication. I started smoking weed at The age of 15 I am now about to be 24 years old and i feel like I have learned how to control 80% of my ADHD . I want to receive treatment again but don't want the same affects what can you recommend ?
Smokers Though Of The Day no advice here just relating to what you said. I started burning when I was 14 and consistently have for 9 years pretty much. Now as an adult I am totally lost some of the time, it doesn't take much to feel overwhelmed and I find myself going to it to escape my head and "go on with things".
Hi Jenni, do you know about infp? I'm 62 and just been prescribed meds for adhd, tho feel sure my 'symptoms' are normal infp. Many thanks for you vids, hazel.
Hi Hazel, I would recommend you call us at 919-636-5240 for a consultation. Then we can discuss your case further and make recommendations. Best, Dr Byrne.
Im 24 n my adhd is killing me.. I been saying im gonna get treatment which i want to start takin medication but i always put it off too the side n been doin that for like 2 years now. Help? Ps. This isnt my account i just dont kno how to log off it lol im a 24 year old male
I strongly recommend that you get a psychiatric consultation for assessment and treatment of ADHD. Then you can the risks and benefits of medication with your doctor. Good luck! JB
Would it be possible to stop by your office and rearrange those files in the background and rearrange them again ? Ummmm, what was I talking about? I forgot
Hey. Ive been diagnose as a kid and i use to took medication. Now im 22 and recently i feel like i suck at everything. Espacially at work. I didnt thought it might be my ADD kinda coming back (or i just realise it more) I think im gonna see a proffessionnal. Thanks
Thank you so much. I have been struggling with this all my life, and I genuinely nearly gave up and wanted to kill myself. I almost could not cope with my life. My first step was getting professional help and I stumbled upon my condition. But knowing this is only the beginning, and I’m out trying to figure out how to cope with this. Thank you, madam.
I’m at my “I’ve had enough” point. I’m currently spending the day “putting everything in its place” in my home. Please everyone wish me luck on finishing today. I could sure use it 🥹❤
I pity the poor group leader in a group of ADHD adults! LOL, Everyone talking at once and no topic discussed longer than 47 seconds. Only someone with ADHD could keep up with and manage to herd all us cats.
Recently my son was diagnosed with ADHD as I've watched him and then describe what he's doing it doesn't seem foreign at all it's exactly what I go through everyday. I have felt like something was wrong with me my entire life. Who do we go to to get diagnosed with ADD or ADHD I'm struggling with that I got a therapist but I actually struggle to bring it up I forget to bring it up. I'm 90% sure I have ADD or ADHD I'm not sure if those are even different. My issue is finding treatment live in a small town and I don't know who to go to. I'm considering now just talking with my general practitioner maybe they can refer me from there?
Hello! Thank you so much for all of this! I am wondering if weed helps or makes things worse? It helps with my anxiety that I get from not being able to get something done but I don’t want it to have a negative affect on my attention span.
I think I'm inattentive, not sure I don't work or go to school so it's hard to know if I'm inattentive or not. I don't work do to I believe overstimulation too many people telling me how to do just ONE thing telling me to do this and that my brain can't process all of that. What get's me is that I was referred by the mental health and the school I was attending to try part time work at this supported employment that was too much for me. Now I need some help with organizing everything from books to craft things to my bedroom. I'm asking you for answers. Kim T
Hi Dr. Jennie. I have a friend with this disorder and her sister moved far away and this is bringing her upset. What strategies would you suggest she use to help her cope with this new reality? Her family life is no longer "consistent" with the way it used to be because her sister in a sense picked up her life and 'abandoned' the family.
summarize
1) strict consistent sleep routine
2) consistent exercise
3) structure environment to function properly, have a place for everything, always put them back. eg. keys
This comment needs to be pinned
Noooo not consistent sleep :'(
Difficult as hell!!I'm unable to follow that
the way i have....NONE of these!! lmao but the *reason* i dont have any of them is the adhd....chicken & egg😭😭
thank you
So basically create a routine, which I do want but can't seem to form. I can't even brush my teeth daily or take medicine daily to save my life. 😭Having a routine feels like it goes against every fiber of my being.
Trish D I'm not the only one. !!!
Yes I think the whole point is that people with ADD/ADHD have problems with routine and doing the sort of things she is suggesting. I must say I sat here thinking that! So I'm not sure how much help the video is. I really identify with you saying it goes against every fibre of your being. I am able to follow routine to an extent but it has never sat comfortably with me.
Oh my GOD I am finally reading about people with the same struggles that I have had all of my life. It is so comforting to know I am not the only one.
starting a morning ritual helped me. i literally lay in bed and think play by play (in detail!) what i am going to do in the bathroom, kitchen ect.. then mentally start over if need be until i get the order down. i don't have any other rituals yet but i got that one down. my first honest to goodness habit. crazy. i think it works because its not a routine for me.. its a ritual which doesn't need to be exactly the same everyday. what is the same is that i perform it. hope that helps.
I feel the same way. I feel as if where I to be a leper I would prefer it any day to ADHD. It ruins my life and I’m not in any position nor location to acquire the treatment in any form. God why?
Absolutely "everything has a place" is super helpful for not losing things with ADHD. Minimalism and learning to organize have been super helpful for me.
It helps me keep track of my keys, phone, headphones, glasses.
"cope with your ADHD by doing these things. Which you can't do because you have ADHD"
I believe there are drug free answers but these aren't them.
Exactly
i zoned out watching this.. i have a long way to go
Guilty, too!
John McCartney guilty too
John McCartney not guilty, but same issue.
i didnt zone out but i started sorting my bills and opened a 2nd tab for the cognitive therapy reference she made
No, you need medication!
The most frustrating part of ADHD which non-medication solutions don't address, is my inability to focus and concentrate. I developed routines and habits on my own, before I was diagnosed but those things don't help me with the key struggle I have.
After reading up on ADHD, I am fairly positive that this is what I have. My "aha" moment was after I befriended a person with ADHD who was kind enough to open up about her symptoms and educate me on some of the common misconceptions of ADD/ADHD. I am desperate to get help because I do not have insurance or the extra money to see a psychiatrist for a proper evaluation and my husband doesn't understand my struggle so it isn't really a big priority in his eyes that I seek treatment. I am just so sick of feeling like a failure because I can't be consistent with things like homeschooling my kids, keeping up with the house, laundry, shopping, putting the keys where they belong, angry outbursts when I am overwhelmed etc etc etc...I know treatment would help, but I am just feeling trapped.
This is from the perspective of fourteen-year-old who was diagnosed at age 6, slowly trying to make your life more of a routine and just like working at will really help but it takes time and you have to be very patient. I have improved somewhat through this in the past year
I relate to this so much. I hope you’re doing better over there Summer ❤️
Hi Summer, what helps me with my keys, is trying to be consistent in always putting them in the same specific spot as soon as I reach home, if not as soon as I reach home, Definitely before I organize for bed. Hope this helps.
I know this is some time on from when you posted, but I wonder - do any of your kids show similar behaviours? If so, you could get them assessed and then if they have it, your husband may learn more about it and take your situation more seriously.
@@kallie3330 how u worked through concentration while studying.. attention span increase tips please. ?
the real talk start at 2:00. :-)
Hey! If you're struggling making a routine (starting is half the problem) then try and pair one thing you need to do with a habit you already have. Even if that habit is just waking up. So like, keep your meds by your bedside, and once you have that down, brush your teeth after you take your meds. You dont have to start the entire routine all at once
For sleep routines, which are FUCKING HARD and I still dont have down, something that's helped with is I make sleep pacts with my friends. Sometimes I have to renew it, but what we do is we decide that we're all gonna go to bed by midnight. Then we check in, half an hour before (I set alarms to check in) and tell each other the things we've done to prep for bed. Basically! That's how we provide external structure for each other
For placing stuff- you want stuff to be in order of you use it. So like, if you use your spatula or pan or keys or whatever a lot, find a space to leave it out! That's its spot. It doesn't have to be "away" bc if we put stuff away it yeets itself out of our brain and awareness. So make the stuff you need visible if possible. If you have someone you can go to to help you hold accountable on stuff, that helps, bc again, needing that external structure. My friends and I are constantly reminding each other to eat, hah, because we forget
I work retail and my schedule changes dramtically every other day. Maintaining a sleep schedule is very tricky and hard.
im having a really hard time to do all these consistently.
rossana de jesus me too, it's stressing me out
yeah consistency is one of the hardest things with ADHDers so I think it's ironic that the advice is often, "be consistent" like I'm only consistently inconsistent lol
Agreed how do we do things consistently? No one ever talks about that. Routine is good if you don’t battle with this. But I haven’t been able to stick to anything my whole life except breath eat and be married and even that is a struggle
@@kalpic11 it starts with not giving yourself excuses. You have to keep trying.
@@dmt7674 Ah yes, the "just try harder".
I really hate how a lot (if not all) of the adhd tips that are supposed to help, are nearly impossible for people with adhd to do (we are not capable of being consistent, forming routines, or regulating ourselves).
Exactly.
This has been my method so far:
1. set an alarm to wake up at the same time every morning and don't press snooze,🙅♀ ever. 2. set an alarm with a name every 5-15 minutes so you can remember and maybe actually do your routine/ have structure and hope nothing intervenes with that, (hard to do when you live with others)
3. Then just, constant bullet to-do lists so you can get a visual of everything you have to do because you will forget and so you can cross things off.
Then the issue is just not getting distracted and actually doing it in the time you're predicting it SHOULD take you so you can complete your list and your timers don't overlap/ you don't miss your deadline. AKA mission almost impossible lol but that's what the dinging of the timers for.
Really, in the end, just a lot of overpreparing, getting to know your habits WELL and trying to take preventative measures.
For the people who can't wait, the real tips start at 1:57
Don't know if it's sarcarm about ADHD but it's funny
I didn't perceive it as a trap until after I skipped forward cause I'm impatient 🤦🏾♀️
Her advice having a place for everything is good. Also remember we have issues with object permenance, so if you can have things open (shelves rather than cupboards) seeing it visually will help you remember
I would have to own a fucking house if I wanted everything to have its place
People have their lives so sorted out when I'm still... yeah.
It's not just you bro, don't worry
Putting my keys and wallet in the same place is great but I’ve also learned that appealing to extreme solutions like trying to put almost everything in a certain place inevitably leads to frustration. I think it’s important to breath deeply, relax, and then pick a small manageable list of to-dos.
I was hoping for more tips like alarms how to deal with not being able to finish things tips and tricks to trick your brain into doing things instead of just thinking about it and wasting time
This video helps...I had to keep forcing myself to watch it because I kept losing interest. But I'm going to try using a white board and trying to force a daily routine in my life. Everything is chaos and it's driving me mad. However everything i want to do is very spur of the moment. It's so crazy. This really is a struggle
OMG MY MIND IS OFFICIALLY BLOWN! I was thinking about doing all these things but the only thing ive gotten around to is the environment part. I know that I can do these things but now its different because my girlfriend just moved in with me and she just lets things lay around and doesn't always put them back and that tends to cause a lot of fights because it really irritates me for some reason and im always talking about "mise en place" I learned this in culinary arts which has helped me a lot over the years but now a days the people I live with just let everything lay around and it drives me crazy!
Do you still live with her
audibly groaned at the first mention of sleep bc im watching this at 5am in the morning
I can stay up 24 hours straight no problem - thankfully the propranolol I take for my anxiety attacks keeps me relatively calm but I just cannot concentrate for my work as a software developer - I have half a dozen projects I just CANNOT finish no matter what - I've been try to for a year. Its like I lose the buzz when I get to 60% and have cracked the hard part and then no matter how hard I try I cant concentrate to finish - literally it has now driven me to genuine despair. I am in my 3rd year of recovery from alcoholism and worrying that I will never function normally again - booze somehow gave me focus and sleep time. I wrote this with 20 browsers and a dozen apps open while working and watching TV. For years my way of doing stuff was "my genius" but now it's rapidly becoming my own private hell.
Bro I'm in the exact same situation, I'm a game dev (and cannabis instead of alcohol). Best of luck, hope we find something to help us soon.
I've had it since i was a kid but never got it treated cus i was able to function and do well in school. Now with so many things in my life, social COLLEGE and work, i cant even sit down and study for more then 2 hours ( never could). I run cross country so exercise isnt a problem. I was offered adderal but i don't want it before trying non medication techniques. I have no idea what to do :(
exactly same situation ! did you figure out a solution ??
@@robertmichael1266 i went on Vyvanse. it works great for me. since i didnt want to be dependent on it i just stay around 20mg which is on the low side and I come off of it during school breaks.
People with ADHD, what is your best solution to forming and sticking to a routine -- and not ignoring messages and especially tasks and schedules because they're too overwhelming? I have over 100000 emails I've been ignoring for this reason alone
I only have a schedule/routing for first thing in the morning and last thing at night. The rest of the day I have tasks i would like to perform and over estimate how long they will take me. Then I do them whenever I feel like it. Seems to be working pretty well.
I also allow 1 day a week to do litrally anything I want, even if that is staring at the ceiling (but still keep to the morning and evening routing). (appriciate with kids this could be difficult)
As an adult with ADHD, I found this very useful. Thank you for sharing.
+John Zoidberg Thank you!
I have three killers, PROCRASTINATION, FAILURE TO START and specially and specifically FAILURE TO FINISH. These are killing me softly. I'm a writer and people really do love my works whenever I do some articles. Yet, so many people who really do love me and look me up including my mom, siblings, friends and admirers, are still waiting for my first book to be published. Thanks to my ADHD I both do love and really hate, I'm still struggling to finish writing a book that has been began some 12 years ago, August 2006. Painfully, I'm still half way. Nobody knows the pain of ADHD except those of us in it, those who have it and those who struggle to help us overcome it. Can you pleae give me some advises being specific to my three killers? Thank you in advance.
I am right there with you. So many unfinished writing projects. I don't understand why I can't just finish them. I'm so frustrated.
Did you try to just try doing and not find pleasure in doong the task ? Did it works ?
Working out helps because of the sleep pattern and muscle/mind connection but I do both and still have trouble and it's so messed up I zoned out watching this as well!
Love that they added the chapters to a 9 year old video
Thank you Jennie. I have been fighting with adhd my whole life. A constant battle with my own mind from the moment I wake up to the moment i go to bed. Trying to do something like find work and wanting to go , but having an invisible wall in my mind stopping me for a reason i cant even understand myself has been. I have tried Ritalin, but in the end i found myself abusing it. I do not want to be abusing drugs. so i decided to stop taking it. Ever since it has been almost impossible to do anything with my life. i find my self in a complete mess in my own mind. I have begun sleeping on a scheduled and started going to the gym once every 2 days on a routine basis. I am starting to find that other routines, like work are starting to get easier, I have even started doing things like waking up at 9, shower, eat good, work out, go to work, and staying in that routine has made my life a fair bit easier. Thanks for giving me these options, I will continue to try to keep everything in routine. as it seems to help allot. Thanks from another poor soul fighting with there own mind :)
I hate being like this. i can't organise, i can't focus! The health service in the UK is not intersted in treating ADD/ADHD.
Keep pushing. I just got some help but it took about 8 months
Here, in Indonesia, people with ADHD is treated as it is the patient's fault
You should be able to get help through the GP. Just keep asking. I’m on the UK and my son was just diagnosed, maybe it’s different for adults I don’t know
If you’re having a hard time implementing these methods you should try harder and just focus.
Hahaha!
ADD makes organizing and finding a place for everything hard because staying focused to do it and not be distracted from other things seems impossible.
Advice for regular exercise: have other people to do it with. Having accountability and friends to hang with will motivate you. Motivation first, exercise second
Just want to thank you for making this video. I will do my best to follow a routing and I hope it can get better. I am actually a medical student who struggles with this. Once in a while when i focus is amazing what i am able to accomplish. I highly dislike all the other students who take it illegally just to get ahead. Hope we can all build endurance and discipline to control this.
My problem is that I have a chaotic home environment but I can't get the rest of my house on board. I love when the house is organized quiet and clean but It seems like I'm the only one putting in all the effort to keep it clean and everyone else treats it like oh he will take care of it. Its like the list task keeps getting longer than I can keep up. I Really want to move out but' I first need to find employment so that I first get a car. Sometimes Life feels more than I can handle
I was in that boat. Hang in there. Save up that money. Buy a used car and GTFO of that chaotic household.
I had to laugh at your "the keys should always go there and should never go anywhere else". That's something I do for my keys but it reminded me of the strategy and I'll have to try it with a few other key components.
I was wondering if maybe you had some tips for getting up in the morning and getting myself off the bed at night. I find those are the times I get the most distracted/least amount of rational decision making (likely congruent with most people, in general, but I know it's a factor that ADHD deal with). I have a hard time getting up in the morning.
Hi,
Glad you liked the key idea.
With regards to sleep, do you have a delayed sleep cycle? This is where you tend to fall asleep a few hours later than most people at night and wake up a few hours later in the morning than most people. Delayed sleep cycle is common in adults with ADHD and can cause chronic lateness.
If you think this is the problem, you could consider methods to shift your sleep cycle back a few hours. Some possibilities for this are a change in your night routine and a bright light (daylight simulator) first thing in the morning.
Best,
JB
I refuse to take medication. Us people with ADHD are known for addictive personality and traits, therefore taking meds that are used by people recreationally is never a good idea. In my opinion I feel it’s a way for the government to have a large drug operation running without being questioned .
Looking around my apartment while watching this and realizing I don't have an ADD-friendly organizational system in place but have been frustrated with myself for always having clutter to clean up at the end of the day. Light bulb moment. I'm gonna get an organizational book specifically for people w/ADD and also look more into Clutterbug's YT videos. I know she mentions different organizational styles and think it will be helpful to figure out what mine is, rather than taking a cookie-cutter approach.
you are welcome!
Hi...........lovely great idea
Thanks for the tips! I have ADD and medicine never really helped for me some how. I will try and put these to practice.
Tip for sleep: find a yellow lamp or light for the evening. As you do whatever you're doing, try to make as much light as yellow as possble to kick start the production of melatonin
Hi! Would you do a video for people like myself with adhd on how to finish things you start...tips mindset... stuff like that maybe dip into how to help unfog my brain or some memory exercises? Thanks for this vid btw!
The two minute rule. The main thing with ADHD for me is just not starting tasks. I almost didn't with this message!
I broke out laughing when you made the keys an example (: I'm so guilty!
Carlos Chairez me too and when she mentioned sleeping I almost felt like I was in trouble.
Thank you for these very helpful suggestions!
I can't sleep while on stimulants
Impossible to fix sleep schedule. Stuff takes me way longer to do than other people so to be able to keep up, I can't afford to lay in bed for hours trying to fall asleep.
Sometimes I wonder if jobs like these are just not for me. Like I'm doomed to go back to menial jobs just because zoning out mentally doesn't slow down that kind of work as much
I used to lay awake for hours too. For me, listening to an Audio book instead of my own thoughts, gets me to sleep much faster. The program has a timer. I set it to turn off at 30 min. Or an hour. I wear good headphones so hubby doesn't hear it too.
Hi,
Sorry to hear you are struggling. I would recommend that you schedule an appointment with a therapist or psychiatrist to evaluate your symptoms and help you with a treatment plan.
JB
All of the time and money I have spent with several therapists and you just hit all of my symptoms with solutions in less than 30 minutes! Are you still practicing and do you take virtual clients?
I sleep 3-4 hours a night probably 20 days a month. My sleep schedule is terrible. Thank you for the advice
I wish my Doctor was so helpfull. Thanks!
I can make a schedule, stay organized with my stuff, ive run a marathon and exercise every day. When I am in specific class environments focus is extremely easy for me. I cannot study or work alone. Everytime I open a book or get out notes or open up a video I cannot focus. It takes me 1.6 hours for me to get through an average of 30 minute amount of work (I timed 3 different occasions and used the average. Its not BS). Im not lazy. Discipline isnt the problem. If it was I wouldnt be so good at things I do and dont like. How do I deal with this?
I’ve been working out for 10 years now. I’ve never realized it but I lose interest in the workout. Haven’t been in a month because last time I got there ready to workout and 20 minutes in I lost interest and left 😂
I know this is a 10 year old vid, but in behalf of other ADHDers, thank you for this info
These are all good tips, but I guess my lifestyle just isn't suitable for me also managing my ADHD. I do shift work which means I HAVE to sleep at completely different times every day, I work LONG shifts so sometimes there is just no time for exercise or tidying up for most of the week... this is all ideal stuff if you work 9-5 jobs, though.
Listen to ted talks about adhd will enlighten you ♡
The place in my house where the keys go is my pocket. They always go in the pocket. If they are not in my pocket they are lost and it is time to panic and possibly call the car person to break into my locked car and get them out of the ignition.
I wanted to watch this but I couldn't focus enough.
Nofap is good. It really helped me with anxiety and facing my fears. It really numbs the senses. I can deal with anything.
I have been wondering if I should see a psychiatrist to see if this is a proper diagnosis for me. When having a conversation with someone I often check out suddenly and don't remember anything the other person said. This happens to me a lot at work and has caused me a great deal of struggle during training periods at a new job.
Diana Roldan same here. I have to consciously be active in my focus when someone is talking
Same here Diana, and this has created a challenge for me at work. It's terrible but I have found that you can actually TRAIN your focus in order to improve it. Once you improve it you still have to make a conscious effort to maintain the betterment and even maintain the training but it can be done.
Is their any natural foods or diets that can help cope?
I've spent the last years trying to deal with my depression and anxiety, but I've completely ignored my ADHD (which oddly enough was the first thing I was diagnosed and prescribed medication) ..
There seems to be no cure that is constant keeps me focused everyday....
Ohh shoot just the words routine and sleep already make me nauseous
This explains why its so hard for me to sleep at night. I was diagnosed with adhd as a child and i had a bunch of issues, but from what I've been told that to really know for sure if I have adhd i should ask a doctor now that I'm older. Is this accurate?
I understand were your coming from. I go thru some of the same thing
I have tried to organize somethings like keys are next to the door and anything like tweezers, nail clippers, etc., should be in the bathroom. However,my hubby goes and gets them, uses them and lays them somewhere else. It drives me nuts, and I asked him why he doesn't put it back and he said that they didn't need to be in the bathroom. So, how can you get family members to put things back in their place? I have picked them up and put them back and he just seem to become annoyed.
I definitely have ADD. I am a teacher. I have 30 kids in each of my six classes. Different grades, different textbooks, but they are all too hard for me to handle. I can't even remember all of their names and I am supposed to track their development and stuff. ADD people should never become teachers. It is mental and physical torture.
Not sure if I agree. I think I have ADD - as many other teachers. There are a number of reasons why I think people with ADD make great teachers:
1. The job is perfect because there is never a dull moment
2. The ability to handle many different tasks almost simultaneously is a skill that comes in handy as a teacher.
3. The kids love teachers with ADD - even though they might not be as organized and structured as other teachers.
I wish you good luck with this amazing - and also incredibly challenging profession. May you find the position in the teaching field, where you can live out your strengths! Now that I work with younger kids and teach only two different classes, I feel it works better.
YO! I love this video, I feel so alone with this sometimes
thank you for the clear simple advice. i am going to try to reorganize again and go to an adhd meet up. coaching would be great but i cant afford it. do you know of a forum or some place i could find an accountability partner. oddly enough, i am better at helping other people stay on track so it could be a two ways street.
i have ADHD and have had it since I was a child . I took medication such as (concerta) for a few years and I have stopped due to the effects of the medication . I wouldn't sleep eat and would be very anti social on the medication. I started smoking weed at The age of 15 I am now about to be 24 years old and i feel like I have learned how to control 80% of my ADHD . I want to receive treatment again but don't want the same affects what can you recommend ?
Smokers Though Of The Day no advice here just relating to what you said. I started burning when I was 14 and consistently have for 9 years pretty much. Now as an adult I am totally lost some of the time, it doesn't take much to feel overwhelmed and I find myself going to it to escape my head and "go on with things".
This was very helpful
Thank you Jennie. Very succinct and helpful!
Thank you so much.
4:35 a place for everything and everything in place
Thanks for this! It helps alongside with many other ideas!
How to become at least a little bit more mature and responsible.... I mean I am 27 I should get some things going in my live now...
I literally CANNOT be consistent
It's so hard to even just watch this, so slow
Thank you 💕
To focus on this i need to have the speed settings on 1.25. Pro adhd tip.
Hi Jenni, do you know about infp? I'm 62 and just been prescribed meds for adhd, tho feel sure my 'symptoms' are normal infp. Many thanks for you vids, hazel.
Hi Hazel, I would recommend you call us at 919-636-5240 for a consultation. Then we can discuss your case further and make recommendations.
Best, Dr Byrne.
I have 4 young children aged 7 to 12.
I cannot sit still with them and engage at their level, I am restless. Do you have any tips please
I have a really hard time with having good healthy routines.
Extremely helpful thankyou so much 😁
Im 24 n my adhd is killing me.. I been saying im gonna get treatment which i want to start takin medication but i always put it off too the side n been doin that for like 2 years now. Help?
Ps. This isnt my account i just dont kno how to log off it lol im a 24 year old male
I strongly recommend that you get a psychiatric consultation for assessment and treatment of ADHD. Then you can the risks and benefits of medication with your doctor. Good luck! JB
Would it be possible to stop by your office and rearrange those files in the background and rearrange them again ?
Ummmm, what was I talking about? I forgot
Hey. Ive been diagnose as a kid and i use to took medication. Now im 22 and recently i feel like i suck at everything. Espacially at work.
I didnt thought it might be my ADD kinda coming back (or i just realise it more)
I think im gonna see a proffessionnal. Thanks
Thank you so much. I have been struggling with this all my life, and I genuinely nearly gave up and wanted to kill myself. I almost could not cope with my life. My first step was getting professional help and I stumbled upon my condition. But knowing this is only the beginning, and I’m out trying to figure out how to cope with this. Thank you, madam.
I’m at my “I’ve had enough” point. I’m currently spending the day “putting everything in its place” in my home. Please everyone wish me luck on finishing today. I could sure use it 🥹❤
I pity the poor group leader in a group of ADHD adults! LOL, Everyone talking at once and no topic discussed longer than 47 seconds. Only someone with ADHD could keep up with and manage to herd all us cats.
Helpful
Just set a routine; you have no idea how patronising that is
Recently my son was diagnosed with ADHD as I've watched him and then describe what he's doing it doesn't seem foreign at all it's exactly what I go through everyday. I have felt like something was wrong with me my entire life. Who do we go to to get diagnosed with ADD or ADHD I'm struggling with that I got a therapist but I actually struggle to bring it up I forget to bring it up. I'm 90% sure I have ADD or ADHD I'm not sure if those are even different. My issue is finding treatment live in a small town and I don't know who to go to. I'm considering now just talking with my general practitioner maybe they can refer me from there?
Hello! Thank you so much for all of this! I am wondering if weed helps or makes things worse? It helps with my anxiety that I get from not being able to get something done but I don’t want it to have a negative affect on my attention span.
Really wondering how this would help with the RSD side of things
I hate meds!! thanks for the vid.
Great video
I think I'm inattentive, not sure I don't work or go to school so it's hard to know if I'm inattentive or not. I don't work do to I believe overstimulation too many people telling me how to do just ONE thing telling me to do this and that my brain can't process all of that. What get's me is that I was referred by the mental health and the school I was attending to try part time work at this supported employment that was too much for me. Now I need some help with organizing everything from books to craft things to my bedroom. I'm asking you for answers.
Kim T
I have a weird hybrid form of ADHD, I've tried Strattera and Concerta and it has no effect.
Hi Dr. Jennie. I have a friend with this disorder and her sister moved far away and this is bringing her upset. What strategies would you suggest she use to help her cope with this new reality? Her family life is no longer "consistent" with the way it used to be because her sister in a sense picked up her life and 'abandoned' the family.