The Forgotten

Today's comic highlights two of my biggest challenges in life: Chronic Tardiness and Forgetfulness. I am late for approximately 95% of activities in my life. I do not like being late and I do not try to be late. Running behind causes my stress levels and anxiety to elevate and makes me feel like an idiot for not being able to manage my time or myself well enough to do something so simple as get somewhere on time. I have read many books, blogs and articles on time management and organization and I intellectually understand the concept of promptness, but executing the feat still eludes me. I'm working on it. In the meantime, I have to deal with being an object of disdain and derision to my punctiliously punctual friends and colleagues. I am infinitely grateful to my friends who know of my interminable tardiness and love me anyway.

Ah yes. Forgetfulness. *Pause to heave a great sigh.* I, like many people with ADHD brains, can take forgetfulness to great heights. Sadly, the above cartoon has happened more than once. Fortunately people just think I have a quirky fashion sense.

Brain Fog Disorder

A couple of months ago, I went through a psychological evaluation to find out if I had A.D.D. It was pretty grueling as tests go, I was there for almost 5 hours and was interviewed as well as taking a battery of tests. One thing I found out is that I'm a monster processor... my processing speed is manic, but sadly, my working memory falls far below that. So, I often feel like my brain is speeding, but I can't grasp and hang on to whatever thought is flashing through. It's really frustrating. Sometimes I find myself wandering in some other world, unable to focus in on any one thing. Time becomes irrelevant during these little forays into my imagination. I've spent valuable minutes/hours day dreaming!

Then there's this thing called "executive functioning". That's the ability to organize your life, keep track of your things, categorize, make decisions, be prompt, be able to follow through, manage your time wisely... an ability that's massively impaired when you have A.D.D.

I've spent my whole life trying to function, going to school, working, managing my home and family, but struggling in a kind of fog. Finally, I have an answer as to why it takes me so long and why it is so much of an effort to do things that seem to be easy for most people. I have a brain that doesn't fire very efficiently. I'm so relieved to find that there is something that can help me. It doesn't solve all my problems, but it clears out the fog and enables me to be productive. I'm not the type of person to say that all you need is a magic pill, but if there is something that helps, then by all means, take it. I can testify that my life has improved many times over now that I've found something that helps me think.

Let's Get Logical

It seems like I am always the one who is coming up with these great ideas and Phil who does the research to figure out if it's going to work. I guess that makes us a good couple, but it also drives me crazy sometimes (even though I see his wisdom) because I like to get started when I have good idea. Because, dang it, I have good ideas. Really good ideas.

Phil also has good ideas, but he has the patience to figure out how it's going to work before he jumps in. Then again, he doesn't have A.D.D.

Faux Pearls of Wisdom

Today's comic is about a subject very close to me, autism. I don't talk about it a lot out of respect for the members of my family who live with the challenges every day. I never thought I would have to deal with those challenges as a parent and there are many times I struggle with it, but there are also some really cool things that happen because of it! Thankfully, our family has a huge sense of humor and that's how we get through our days!

Anyway, I have actually met people who have told me these things (and other crazy things) about Autism and Attention Deficit Disorder and how I should parent. Lamp affords me the opportunity to respond without restraint.

But hey! Enough with the serious stuff... it's just that the comic makes better sense if you know!

Blubbering is Okay