I am an adult with ADD. I was diagnosed in 2004. Last year I lost a 20 year career because I was unable to get to work on time. Once at work, I performed like the other employees, sometimes better. I explained about ADD and about the medication I was taking. It didn't matter. I felt like it was a big joke. Even now when I try to explain to people that I'm not trying to be late to places, it's treated as a joke. I've stopped trying to explain. My house has walls that are half way painted because I've stopped. I have wallpapered walls that haven't been finished in years. Project after project after project until I no longer know where to start. No one around me seems to be able to understand. No one seems to understand that I loved doing my job and if being on time everyday was as simple and easy to do as it is for some people I would have done it. But it's not simple and it's not easy.

First off, I'm sorry that you've lost your job. No doubt you were the best employee there.

You're absolutely right about things not being easy. Finishing projects is darn next to impossible for folks with ADHD. Starting them.. simple! :) You are in good company here. We are very familar with the kinds of experiences you've had. Everything from the firing right down to those unfinished walls.

It's great that you're trying to educate and inform people around you. I wish people were more receptive to it, but they're not always going to be. That's not to say they're always going to be like this. You may find people who are understanding and more supportive once they understand your ADHD. But you just have to be picky about who you reveal this information to.

Are you managing your ADHD? Finishing up those projects, getting to work on time.. these are things that need more than just motivation to get it done. They have to do be done with an ADHD approach. So don't blame yourself if you try 'traditional' methods of trying to get things done and they fail. It's more about using the wrong tool, rather than anything about you.

There is hope, and while it may not be perfect, you will get things done once you know what works for you.

It's not fair but the rest of the world operates on that whole "time thing". It's tough but in most cases we do need to live in the real world too. In all honestly I think it makes more sense trying to find a system to get places on time than trying to use that energy explaining to people why we are late.

ursela, try looking for a place of employment that is more flexible about time.

Keep in mind also that issues such as punctuality are overlooked when times are good -- only to be used as pretexts for dismissal when the business outlook sours.

It's not personal, it's only business...

Even now when I try to explain to people that I'm not trying to be late to places, it's treated as a joke. I've stopped trying to explain.

Thats a fundamental problem with humankind its hard for us to understand/ empathize with people in very different situations than ourselves. In that since we are all very alone in this world indeed.

I can't count the number of unfinished projects I have. I have a half painted kitchen from 3 years ago. I have uncurtained windows because the fabric is in my sewing basket from 2003. I have been reprimanded my whole life for being late, fired twice (not for lateness but for inattentiveness). It's really is hard. I hear you. I've been there. I agree with the comment about using the right tools for the job. Now that I've discovered ADD I have to discover how to work it the best way I can. Maybe that will be meds, and maybe learning more about it. The book "Finding Your Focus" (can't recall author right now) is helpful. (When I can find the book and not skip thru random chapters only to find it under the couch 3 months later-I'm serious!)
Anyway I just wanted to say you are not alone with ADD. At least not here. And not in the real worl either. More people than we realize struggle with simple daily things like us, I'm sure of it.
Learning is the key. And support. Hang in there.