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Getting Organized with ADD

1/31/2016

14 Comments

 
Getting Organized with ADD
Being organized has never been more important. We must organize our time, our space, and our stuff, or we will become overwhelmed with too much stuff, too little time, and too little space!

Do you have trouble focusing on one task at a time? Do you feel as though your entire life is disorganized and you can't get anything done? Is your child all over the place with distractions and getting in trouble in school? If so, you or your child may have ADD or ADHD. At least that's what a doctor may suggest.
Please don't take this personally, but for a long time I've considered ADD to be a fake disorder that only benefits doctors and prescription drug companies - BIG PHARMA...
You've probably seen stories on social media with images of Dr. Leon Eisenberg, the alleged "inventor" of ADD and/or ADHD, confessing on his deathbed that "ADHD is a prime example of a fictitious disease." If you read about the story on Snopes, it's claimed to be "partly true", stating "Dr. Eisenberg wasn't asserting that ADHD isn't a real disorder, but rather that he thought the influence of genetic predispositions for ADHD (rather than social/environmental risk factors) were vastly overestimated." He sees the problem as more of a psycho-social one and that psychologists should ask questions such as, "are there fights with parents?", or "are there problems in the family?". Determining the route cause and correction of a behavioral issue can be time consuming, so doctors instead prescribe a pill for a quicker solution. 

So, is it a fake disorder or is it not? I think the jury is still out on that one. Either way, one thing is for sure, the symptoms of the condition are real:
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  • an inability to develop, maintain, and organize daily life
  • impaired functioning in everyday life
  • significant problems with planning, organization, and follow-through

As a Professional Organizer, I get calls from so many overwhelmed individuals that struggle with these symptoms and just feel total CHAOS around them.

CHAOS: Can't Have Anyone Over Syndrome (FlyLady.net)

Because of this, I am making an effort to learn more about the "disease", how it relates to organizing (or lack thereof), and how to overcome the symptoms and organize your life. 

As I read the book, ADD-Friendly Ways To Organize Your Life, by Judith Kolberg & Kathleen Nadeau, PH.D., I will be blogging on the subject. My hope at the end of this series is that both myself and my readers, who may have been diagnosed with ADD or ADHD, will understand the "disease", learn how to overcome the symptoms, and get organized!

Have you or someone you know and love been diagnosed with ADD? What are your thoughts? I'd love to hear them!

Read Post 2: The Age of ADD

Nicole
Professional Home & Office Organizer
14 Comments
Melinda Mitchell link
2/1/2016 08:18:51 pm

Yes, it's a real disease! My brother has it, and my sister is realizing she might have a touch.
I always look forward to learning more about how to organize, so I'm sure this series will be great!

Reply
Nicole Ramer link
2/2/2016 12:13:12 pm

Melinda, my hope is that this series will benefit not only those diagnosed with ADD, but anyone who is overwhelmed with disorganization in their life. Thanks for your comment.

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Janet Barclay link
2/7/2016 06:55:59 am

Just because doctors prefer to prescribe medication rather than treat the symptoms doesn't mean it's not a real disease. Unfortunately, that's what they do with most diseases. But whatever the cause of the behavior, understanding what your clients are coping with will help you to help them even better, so I applaud you!

Reply
Nicole Ramer link
2/7/2016 09:38:16 am

Very nicely put, Janet! Thank you so much for your input on this touchy subject. :)

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Sabrina Quairoli link
2/7/2016 07:46:14 am

Great book, Melinda. I read it and recommended it to some associates I know. Looking forward to your future posts.

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Nicole Ramer link
2/7/2016 09:41:05 am

Thank you, Sabrina!

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Sarah Soboleski link
2/7/2016 07:19:35 pm

What a great topic to explore in more depth! I look forward to this series.

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Nicole Ramer link
2/10/2016 10:12:51 pm

Thank you, Sarah!

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Liana George link
2/11/2016 07:42:40 pm

Interesting Nicole! I'm sure many people will benefit from your research and insight. I look forward to reading your posts!

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Nicole Ramer link
2/13/2016 08:17:24 pm

Thank you, Liana! I look forward to learning a lot in the process! :)

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Brenda G.
2/14/2016 11:42:05 am

As an adult who has ADHD i can tell you that its affects every aspect of my life. I was diagnosed at the age of 42. I dont know if it is physical or psycho-social but i can tell you that it creates very real problems in my everyday life. Some days are better than others, some are worse. My mind jumps from one thought to another. So i end up jumping from task to task and never finishing anything. I am looking forward to hearing about any ideals that may help me to become better organized. In case anybody was wondering...I was diagnosed by a neuropsychologist after several days of testing.

Reply
Nicole Ramer link
2/16/2016 09:38:09 pm

Hello, Brenda! Thank you so much for sharing your story! I've had many clients who experience those same struggles. I truly hope that this series will help you towards overcoming your struggles in getting organized. Feel free to continue sharing your thoughts and your journey! :)

Reply
Rebecca
2/23/2016 01:44:23 pm

My teenage son was diagnosed with ADD when he was nine. This year his new high school determined that he also has Executive Functioning issues - meaning his lack of organization or inability to prioritize.
Having EF issues doesn't necessarily mean you have ADD/ADHD - it can be part of many different disorders. But it does explain a LOT about why ADD/ADHD people usually are so disorganized.
I struggled with clutter for many years but have now tamed the beast - mostly. Things do still tend to pile up on the kitchen table but I make myself tackle it more often then I used to. I also eliminated a lot of stuff when I recently moved - pared it down to the basics. And we regularly donate clothing & other items to goodwill.

Reply
Nicole Ramer link
2/29/2016 08:57:28 pm

Hi Rebecca! It sounds like you have come a long way and have been able to limit the clutter. Moving definitely helps you eliminate stuff... you tend to find things you forgot you had and you realize you really don't need everything! I hope you and your son will learn at least one thing from this series that you can benefit from. Thank you very much for sharing your story! :)

Reply



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    Hi there! Welcome to my blog and thank you for stopping by!

    I am a Professional Organizer and Certified Senior Move Manager® in Central Florida. I have a HUGE passion for organizing and finding the best, most efficient way of doing things!

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    Please feel free to chime in and leave comments with your opinions or ideas. I'd love to hear from you!

    ​Enjoy and happy organizing!

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