I'm jealous that it only takes you 4 hours to activate! some days I never get going at all...I feel like those people in the movie "Awakenings" sometimes, immobile for hours and hours because I simply can't summon the ability to get moving on something. I take medication as well, and it helps, but I'm really sick of the constant internal fight against ADD. I want to do things, I'm willing to do them, but if there is a mechanism that controls activity in humans, mine didn't get installed, or it's broken. I am an intelligent, capable, responsible, creative person, yet I have no evidence to back that up! I can't prove it - even to myself, because the challenges of ADD - inability to organize, chronic lateness, inability to activate, "out of sight - out of mind" problems that make me forget or procrastinate about contacting people because as soon as they are out of sight, they fade to the back of my mind until something reminds me again! (usually an angry person).
Some coping strategies that work, if I can implement them: setting the alarm on my cell phone to remind me every few hours what time it is. Otherwise the entire day (and night) will go by with nothing to anchor me to the time. I fritter entire days away. Reminders from people that I trust, for example a call to remind me that I have an appointment, or that its time to leave for the appointment or I'll be late. For some weird reason, I can provide this support to others with ADD with no problem. I set my alarm for whatever time they need a call, and I follow through on it with no struggle. Hmmm...guess its easier to do it for someone else than myself...Good luck, Fashion. I encourage you to continue reaching out for support like you did here. You helped me! I've never contributed to a forum like this, but your posting got me to do it somehow. ( :

Thank you. That touches my heart. It is very discouraging, isn't it? Yes, I use my alarm clock and calendar on my cell phone. I have a daily reminder to take my medication, otherwise I will forget. As soon as I make an appointment I put it in my calendar and set a reminder for a day or two days before the appointment date. I've shown up to appointments to talk about my ADD a day in advance on numerous times. It is so embarrassing. Like, I can't use a calendar but hello - I have an appointment to talk about my ADD, I'm not exactly on target. I think the busier I am the better things go. When I leave myself an open schedule I really "fritter" time away.

I never had ADD-until I go sick in 1996. It seems to have taken control ever since I began taking so many medications for Scleroderma,Myositis,etc. Now, instead of dealing with just my husband's, I have to control my own. I also use the calendar on my cell phone. BUT, do any of you get conditioned to just shut it off and think "I'll get to it later"? I'm losing friends to-because I forget to return phone calls, stand them up for lunch dates, etc. Checking out the library this afternoon to see if they have any of the books that were mentioned here. Another VERY funny thing is that I forgot I joined this group. So this is the first time I've posted-I think:-) If I don't laugh at some of the things I do....well, sure you know.