Note: I set this poll so supposedly it shows who voted for what, so there's no need to reply text unless you have other theories.

The following discussion got me thinking that it seems ADDers tend to come in two extremes as to their preference for multitasking. Some MUST be always multitasking, some HATE it and are incapable of working that way. I don't know why, maybe some pattern between hyper type vs inattentive? See the following thread for general discussion of multitasking for addults in the workplace:
http://www.addforums.com/forums/showthread.php?p=128060
or comment here if you have any clue why this split exists.

Voted for four options there...I love to multitask but it's exhausting, and I'm Combined Type.

I can start many projects, but have severe problems with putting them in order of priority, and seeing them all to completion. I HAVE to multitask at work, and everything is a priority, and everything usually happens at once. The only way I can accomplish going through this stress, is to shut everything out except one task at a time, which is impossible, but I still manage daily. I have learned that when I feel totally out of control, and my supe can hear it in my voice starting to crack, I can ask her to have other people help me with some of them.
It's as if I see everything at once, in it's detailed state, and feel my mind and heart clicking at 100mph. We really can't afford the luxery of making mistakes at my place of employment, so that thought is always in the back of my mind while attempting to multi task.
LOL ! That was one of the comments my supervisor made on my last evaluation... "She has difficulty multi-tasking projects". Didn't take it personally, 'tall.

Personally, if I attempt to multi task at home, I end up with several tasks incomplete, until I either give up on them completely, or finish one or two a few days later.

Be joyous,
Nova

Voted for four options there...I love to multitask but it's exhausting, and I'm Combined Type.


LOL good work!

I'm the queen of list making lmbo

I make lists of what needs done in a day from hardest to easiest tasks.
Then I can work my list from both ways...I find that I can tackle a hard task such as organizing our monthly budget and paying bills (yes all right that's a hard task for me your asking me to sit still heaven forbid it!!) while I'm attacking the list from the bottom such as laundry or feeding the baby.

I don't think I have ever and I mean ever been able to do just one thing at a time. I bore so easily and I need constant movement to function. It's something that completly irritates my husband but more out of jealousy then anything else. He once tried to multi-task. After he had knee surgery and was out of work for a few weeks I took on a second part time job. My husband tried to keep up with the kids and house and bills. He burnt supper, got Koda's homework mixed up with Lexi's and forgot to put detergent in the washer. He tried that's all I'm concerned with and it's an affirmation that my job and my place by his side is safe. *laughs*

I am able to muti-task but only for a short time, then I completely loose track of what I am doing. I am VERY good at multi-tasking while my mind lets me :D

I only recently realised that multitasking was an option.

For the record, I'm inattentive overfocused type and I can't help but multitask. For example at the computer I always have a dozen windows open. I'll work on something and either get bored/lose steam or just distracted thinking about checking email or looking something else up on the web. When I was working at an office I gave tech support to coworkers who would interrupt me & I didn't mind that, I'd go help them then get back to my task easily when done. But when I'd explain things to them sometimes I'd move too fast, jumping around too many dispersed topics assuming their mind could jump around like mine. When I'm brushing my teeth it's too tedious so I'll walk around putting things away & turning off lights at the same time. I'm not sure I'm that skillful at it but I can't help myself, for example I get terribly confused trying to prioritize I see too many possibilities & when I try to concentrate they just get more confusing. I have a real tough time listening to the radio while working with too many things going on at once but still I find myself unable to just listen to the radio & will try doing something else at the same time which can be exhausting. Even just discussing this, I've got myself all confused now. I wonder if it's my tendency to complicate things, I'm never content with a simple solution. Ugh, I'm exhausted now, I'm going to do something else for a while and think about this. So many things, how could I possibly just chose one thing to do? I do definitely tend to hyperfocus though, locking into one thing for hours... see so complicated!

I voted in two categories-best answers that fit for me. I'm combined. I like to multi-task, but my ability to do so varies. I get very tired running around trying to get things done. I always manage to, but I'm wiped by the end of the day. I too, often do other things while toothbrusing, LOL! Story of my life though, I'm often doing several things at a time and sometimes can do well, but other times they're all in progress but none are done. (I think this tends to be more the case!) One thing I definitely can't do is talk on the phone and have someone else in the room be talking to me at the same time. Even if it's for a quick second, forget it-it totally distracts me. Same when I'm typing something-I have to hyperfocus in both circumstances or neither transpires too smoothly.

hate to mutli-task i'm inatentive
can multi-task if I absolutely must but I am usually exhausted...and I sometimes just drop the "project" and run in the other direction. (usually, home for a very long nap)
I used to say to hubby that i am an employer's worst nitemare and he always agreed.

I tend to do one thing, drop it and go to another thing quickly, but I find it very hard to multitask. In fact I don't think I can. o.0

I find that I like to multi-multi task.... not only will I be working on 3-4 projects on the computer (multiple windows open), but I'll also have my socks next to me on the desk that I brought over with me while folding laundry, have the washing machine half full and filling because I pulled away to fold the laundry, my coffee sitting in the microwave for the last 15 minutes since I reheated it and a magazine open on the coffee table with the article half read. At least when I'm done here, I know I'll head back to the magazine.

I think lots of quick changes counts as multi-tasking.

I tend to do one thing, drop it and go to another thing quickly, but I find it very hard to multitask. In fact I don't think I can. o.0

my friends and family know better than to talk to me when i'm on the phone ... i can't talk on the phone and drive or i literally very nearly run off the road. i can't concentrate on two things at once. i used to be hyperactive as a child, but now i'm a total daydreamer.

I can really hyperfocus and blank everything else out, but sometimes I really like to multitask. The trick is at least one of the tasks has to be something I'm really interested it. If I'm really focused on one thing I can do other things well too, if not I don't do anything well and spin my wheels and get nothing done. Example from today would be cleaning house (Yuck, yuck) for hours and having nothing to show for it, but I did it without stopping. But put me up front teaching a personal growth seminar with a bunch of groups doing different things and I can float effectively from one area to the next smooth as anything. I also like to have the TV and sometimes the radio going too when I'm on the computer. Wouldn't want anything boring for a nano second. I love playing in an orchestra but hate listening to them. Does this make sense to anyone?

Scattered

For the record, I'm inattentive overfocused type and I can't help but multitask. For example at the computer I always have a dozen windows open. I'll work on something and either get bored/lose steam or just distracted thinking about checking email or looking something else up on the web. When I was working at an office I gave tech support to coworkers who would interrupt me & I didn't mind that, I'd go help them then get back to my task easily when done. But when I'd explain things to them sometimes I'd move too fast, jumping around too many dispersed topics assuming their mind could jump around like mine. When I'm brushing my teeth it's too tedious so I'll walk around putting things away & turning off lights at the same time. I'm not sure I'm that skillful at it but I can't help myself, for example I get terribly confused trying to prioritize I see too many possibilities & when I try to concentrate they just get more confusing. I have a real tough time listening to the radio while working with too many things going on at once but still I find myself unable to just listen to the radio & will try doing something else at the same time which can be exhausting. Even just discussing this, I've got myself all confused now. I wonder if it's my tendency to complicate things, I'm never content with a simple solution. Ugh, I'm exhausted now, I'm going to do something else for a while and think about this. So many things, how could I possibly just chose one thing to do? I do definitely tend to hyperfocus though, locking into one thing for hours... see so complicated!
What you said, Paul. May as well been written by me;). Great subject, which is why I feel in my humble opinion, that the Hyperactive Type, and the Inattentive Types are two seperate disorders.

and could it be that "being" inattentive is merely a (my) way of coping with the over load of experience which the (my) brain cannot process; blocking out in an attempt to protect the weary mind from more over-exposure. I usually go deeper in and move away from the chaos. funny thing is the confusion is always there--trapped in this little mind of mine. (not really funny, though)

just another style, presentation or manifestation of the add/adhd

And what of us that bloom so fully in both camps?

I can really hyperfocus and blank everything else out, but sometimes I really like to multitask. The trick is at least one of the tasks has to be something I'm really interested it. If I'm really focused on one thing I can do other things well too, if not I don't do anything well and spin my wheels and get nothing done.
Scattered
truer words have never been spoken!!! this is me to a T!:)

And what of us that bloom so fully in both camps?

Vote for as many options as apply to you. Kieth voted for like 4 things I think.

There does seem to be more of the inattentive types who multi-task. I think inattentive types are hyper more in our heads than body & multi-tasking is an example of that.

I think inattentive types are hyper more in our heads than body & multi-tasking is an example of that.

thank you, Paul, I wish that I could have stated it as simply as you. This seems to be the story of my life. the plans and dreams never put in motion. i am so frustrated and disappointed and weary! :(

I'm inattentive and I can multi-task, but only if i have learned each task separately. Then, I can put them together and effectively multi-task. Takes me a while, though, and it's definitely exhausting!

Hi Viktoria!
You sound even more depressed than me right now.

I picked the first three in the list. I am very hyper and motivated, and can, if the tasks at hand capture my interest, do incredible amounts of high quality work in a short period of time. However projects that are less interesting, or take me away from more desirable tasks cause increasing difficulty until I am either exhausted, or the entire house of cards collapses. LOL!

Some of my supervisors were very observant and basically provided back up when I needed it, but watched me fly much of the rest of the time. Others were less obervant, or just downright mean, and would dump all the tasks I hated on me as a form of punishment. I had more of the first, so in the end I got promoted remarkably fast until the supervision level and existing structure was near non-existant. OOPS! Can you say life stunk? LOL. I'm much better at coping now, but for those first few years it was a miracle I stayed in the Navy.