Pardon the Interruption

We interrupt this story for an important announcement about living with ADHD.

You see, dear reader, constant interruptions are a major component of the disorder. Interruptions to your train of thought, your job, your finances, your relationships.

That’s because ADHD affects the brain’s executive function, which oversees those cognitive abilities needed to perform daily tasks and stay on track. One becomes quickly bored and easily distracted, making it difficult to perform mundane chores.

Here’s how this might play out on any given day: After checking my email, I head to the kitchen with the intent to freshen my coffee before finishing up a project that's due that morning. Waiting for the water to boil, I start to straighten up. An empty cat food can on the counter reminds me that I didn’t empty the litter boxes the night before, so I begin to take care of that when I remember that it’s recycling day.

I grab the bins and take them outside, where I notice that the flower beds are in desperate need of weeding. I head toward the shed for some gloves, but stop to fill the bird feeders and then sweep the patio, totally forgetting about the weeds.

Back inside the house I pass by the litter boxes, which I still haven’t cleaned out. Reaching for the scoop I notice a spider web in the ceiling corner, reminding me that I saw one in my office the other day.

I grab the step stool intent on taking care of both silky labyrinths when my eye catches the fire alarm’s blinking red light: When was the last time I put a new battery in that? I head down the hall to get one, thinking I might as well change them in all of the alarms, just to be safe.

Alas, there’s only one battery in the cabinet. So I drive to the store to buy some more, only to return to a kitchen that’s still a mess, litter boxes that are still dirty, the entire morning wasted, and my deadline now missed.

Welcome to the world of ADHD.

Now, let’s return to our story, shall we?

•••••