I am learning lots about myself by learning more about ADHD. It is very interesting. One thing I recently learned was that I have used a common coping mechanism that works, but is not very healthy. Because of my wierd brain and its lack of whatever, I get bored easily, I have trouble with motivation and need stimulus to get going. Well, some people will use caffiene or even abuse drugs or do risky things, what I tend to do is procrastinate. Yup. I guess it is fairly common in the ADD world.
I wait till the last minute (usually ends up being past the last minute 🙂 ) and then rush through a project or assignment or a duty, etc., frantically trying to accomplish the impossible. What I am doing is actually scaring myself into action. The reward is a huge adrenaline rush and the satisfaction of knowing I accomplished (sort of) the impossible.
The draw backs are: my body crashing afterwards and hours or days spent recuperating, my family, children especially, end up feeling rushed and yelled at all the time and my sleep is effected if I end up staying up late in that frantic state.
Apperently its not a good idea to keep yourself in a constant state of flight or fight response to get things done. Your immune system and other systems shut down to increase energy for that fight/flight response, and your body is very tense and stressed. No wonder I don’t feel good a lot of the time!!!
So, I am trying to learn how to cope differently. Being aware of this side of myself is a good start, but making the changes necessary will take some time. Matt and I are looking into relaxation techniques and ways of slowing down when we get into those stressed out frantic modes. As for the stimulus question I am learning to use things like rewards to get things done, such as 15 minutes of reading a good book after 15 minutes of laundry duty. One suggestion I ran across talked about finding ways to play more, being creative at making the tasks fun. I’m still ruminating on that one. If anyone has any good ideas let me know! 🙂
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September 21, 2007 at 4:26 pm
Ariel
That is SO me! Right this very minute, the clock is ticking on how far behind I am on this project. This always happens to me. Then I get hyperfocused and like you, burn it out.
Ariel
September 21, 2007 at 5:46 pm
amoseli
Hi, Ariel!
Welcome to my Little House. 🙂
Do I know you or did you just bump into my blog? Just curious!
September 24, 2007 at 2:40 am
Cindy
Hey Amy! Have you looked into meditation? I’ve started reading some on it as a means to help keep priorities in line, and not get so stressed about things currently out of my control. It mostly amounts to 10 minutes of quieting yourself down, breathing, and relaxing. I haven’t done it on a regular basis yet as I’m still researching it, but it’s supposed to be good for people with ADD. I’ve come across some weirdness as expected, but there is still something to taking a little time out to keep things in perspective. Issues can seem like monsters some times.
Glad to talk to you the other day. I’ve been thinking a lot about you and your family. Trish said she got an e-mail from you (they like coming to our house). I’ve got internet and e-mail finally so feel free to drop me a line. Give the kids hugs from us (especially Lizzy) She talks about Nick sometimes.
take care. Sounds like your on the right track with trying to understand what’s going on in your brain.
cindy
September 24, 2007 at 1:55 pm
amoseli
Hi, Cindy!
Yeah, Matt and I have been looking into the meditation and yoga stuff lately. I think it will really help. We ordered a couple of Wai Lana’s yoga videos. I like her, she is so calming to listen to. I think some of this stuff could really help the kids too, if we can figure out a way to introduce it to them.
It’s funny, but when I was in fourth grade my teacher did some meditation and relaxation stuff with our class. We would listen to a tape that talked us through the steps such as thinking of a beach and then tensing and relaxing different muscles while we lay on the floor with the lights dimmed. I don’t remember if it helped or not, but I do remeber being self righteous about it even at that young of an age. Somehow I knew it was “new age”. And “new age” was “bad”.
I’m sure there is some weirdness out there, but I really think there is some good too. I have enjoyed looking into it and learning about different peoples beliefs and cultures.
September 24, 2007 at 5:20 pm
Ariel
Hey Cindy,
I just bumped into you. We haven’t met, but have adult ADD in common.
Ariel
September 25, 2007 at 9:53 am
Trish
Hi Amy!
I am so happy for you that freedom is coming to you as result of taking a deeper look at this stuff. Funny thing is I have all the same symptoms.. Hmmm..
Have a wonderful day and keep on truckin!
October 23, 2007 at 5:06 pm
Cindy
Hey, this is is Matt.
I’m the one with ADD at our house. some of my coping skills are depending on others for things I know I’ll forget, asking for help when I need it, and focusing on whats really important and letting everything else slide. I know I drive Cindy nuts at times, but she takes great care of me.
For the adrenaline, I drive too fast, play on my pogo stick, and ride my bike close to the edge of the cliff on my trail. I also find relaxation in manual labor at times. Lately it has been clearing trees off the property with a chainsaw and working on my trail out in the woods. No meditation for me, unless playing games on my computer or on the gamecube counts.
November 3, 2007 at 1:53 am
amoseli
Matt,
Ha! Has Cindy been trying to talk you into doing meditation!!! Sounds like my spouse. 🙂
I think I might like it if I could only remember to do it. Remember? Ha!!
I like manual labor too. I have a wonderful memory of fixing our barbwire fence one afternoon as a kid. I don’t think I have ever sweated that much in my life! You know, the kind of labor that makes the sweat run down into your eyes and sting and down into your mouth all salty, but boy did it feel great! I loved that feeling of accomplishing something and working for it.