Writing assignments-complete confusion

[Alexis Em]

Dear All,
I hope someone can suggest a way out of this. I'm a mature student-with a master's degree. I've always struggled with writing assignments and this has become so bad, I am paralysed with fear and shame and confusion-been diagnosed with depression-told I am an anxious perfectionist-just want to be better than classmates, and that I am scared of failing etc. Although I plan my work I never follow the plan- my mind starts in the middle of the assignment and my thoughts branch outwards in ever-increasing complexity. Now plagued with doubt and insecurity. I keep trying to attempt the writing only to be met with repeated failure. This has been going on for weeks. Trying to get some screening for ADD from college but fear will be told that I show insufficient symptoms. The rest of my college work is of a high standard but I have been unable to any written assignments because I have received no help with difficulty. My doctor says my anxiety is specific so cannot help. Any suggestions to how I can organise my thoughts and write would be much appreciated.

[Lunacie]

Welcome to the forum!

I graduated from high school 50 years ago and didn't go to college, so I really
can't offer much insight or help. Except to say, go ahead and get tested . . .
what have you got to lose? Treatment for adhd sometimes helps with anxiety.

[TygerSan]

Hello and welcome to the forum. I can relate very well to your difficulty. I’ve always been told that I write very well, but I’m often in constant battle with myself over getting started. I procrastinated so long on my thesis that my supervisor despaired, and my first draft of my first chapter was terrible.

Writing on-demand and writing stuff on proscribed topics leaves me cold.

I’ve never in my life completed a traditional outline. When required to turn one in, I write it after the fact.

Most of my “prewriting” happens in my brain. I do often start in the middle, work outward, and the cut and paste to re-order.

I’ve definitely researched and developed multiple source lists for the same project.

ADHD medication helped me somewhat with research, but I found that I still got stuck, and sometimes went down tangiential rabbit holes instead of focusing on the task at hand.

Personally I found I actually wrote better without the meds.

[sarahsweets]

chadd is an excellent resource for information about adhd.

https://chadd.org/for-adults/diagnos...dhd-in-adults/