So to preface (if you can't be bothered with the preface skip straight to the last paragraph), I've been diagnosed with Adult ADHD recently, and I have the opportunity to maybe restructure my day a little to create a routine that I can deal with and is productive.

I've been working full time for about 2 months and it has ground me down quite a bit. The ol limbic system is getting a little shaky and I'm feeling quite tired and unable to sleep and depressed. This is a dangerous thing and I know I have to tread carefully in order to avoid sinking further into depression (it's happened before). So I'm taking a few days off to chill out a bit and get a plan in order, and I'd like some feedback or ideas, so here goes:

What I'd like to do is start taking the Strattera I've been offered, and go back to work with reduced hours (9am till 2pm daily). But it is also important that I am not sitting around twiddling my thumbs or playing Yahoo Pool in all of my free time. Someone suggested going to the gym and this seems like an excellent idea. If anyone has any other ideas I'd like to hear them. But my real question is, what do you do all day that doesn't tire you out too much but keeps you occupied in a manner that suits you? And if your routine doesn't suit you, what WOULD you do? And as a bonus question, do you find that you are the kind of person that always needs a holiday, so probably just doesn't bother taking one? :eyebrow:

edit: also please, no comedy "I would do whatever I want all day long hahaha" type answers ;)

I find that no matter what meds I take, I am the type who just has a faulty battery that holds a small charge. Once that charge is used up, I must recharge.

I also take antidepressents, and would be sunk without them as well as my stim meds.

Crazy :cool:

for me being tired out is the best thing. LOTS of exercise. i make sure i walk or jog at least 3 miles every day even if it's 105-deg (like today) or raining.

other than that im not one to give advice on structure, although i do have a professional helping me with a schedule for my kids which is good. i have a lot of help and still cant accomplish much though! good luck, tell me if you're ssuccessful. apparently it is "better" to have a set schedule and STICK to it.

Once I was actually diagnosed (last year), it explained so many things that have cost me jobs, relationships, blah blah blah....hey, why does it take me 3 hours to get out of the house???? After losing several jobs for "being late" all of the time (hey, I've been late for job interviews)...I finally starting seeing a therapist who put a "name" to some of these idiosyncracies....I take a variety of meds...it's been a long haul finding the right combo...I'm on a cocktail of Provigel, Zoloft & Trazadone.....it works for me...at least once I get "focused" and not "hyper-focused" it works great.....if I could just stop plucking my eyebrows for 2 hours!

mashi,

I agree that meds play a significant role in helping us manage life. It appears as if management skills vary significantly. I can only say what works for me. I have to work long hard hours to get things done. I am better off working 60 hours in four days and then taking 3 day weekends. It has to do with once I get focused I get focused, I talking oblivious to anything and everything else. But the getting focused part is a nightmare. I strongly suspect that rightly directed hyperfocus enables a lot of us to out perform the normals. Family relationships take a beating though.

Bob

Do you have other interests that you'd like to pursue?
Check out the book "The Renaissance Soul" by Margaret Lobenstine for ideas on how to juggle having multiple interests in your life.