“They will squeeze the toothpaste from the middle of the tube, like a heathen…”
Everyone has ADHD symptoms but it is the increased frequency of those symptoms that qualifies as ADHD. Many of those symptoms make us unique in little ways throughout our everyday life. And it drives some people crazy.
I asked one of my ADHD facebook groups what was something they did that drove their SO (Significant Other) crazy. It was such a great thread I decided to compile it into a list.
If you can relate to these examples below, then you know someone with ADHD. And we thank you for your patience with us. Enjoy.
1. Leaving things on or open.
They get distracted and hyper-focus on something else. Resulting in them leaving the lights on, the oven or any kind of electrical appliance on (the frequency decreases once they start a fire).
They also leave everything open: drawers, cabinets, the garage, locks, bottles, cans, etc.
2. Losing every thing. Constantly.
Phone, keys, wallet, sunglasses, hats, shoes…the list goes on and on.
Their phone is the biggest one, though. They will 100% use you as their “phone bloodhound”.
Them: “Have you seen my phone?”
You: “It was just in your hand, where did it go? How do you even do that?!”
3. Walking tornado of mess.
It’s likely someone with ADHD will have up to a 2-foot tall paper pile waiting to be organized and are using laundry basket like it’s a dresser.
Many of them are famous for leaving a trail of ingredients, garbage, and dishes behind them as they cook.
Yes, a lot of people do these things, but these are much more frequent than that. Since someone with ADHD has trouble prioritizing, it can make cleaning an overwhelming task. Cleaning is confusing.
4. A terrible memory.
Their short term memory doesn’t work well so they forget everything. They will almost always forget to switch the laundry, fill their gas tank, and charge their phone.
When it comes to important things they put it off and then forget about it. Then they will need you to save their ass or hustle to make something happen. It’s their process.
They will spend time making a grocery list, go to the store, buy nothing on the list but plenty of things they already have.
They will even forget they have a drink and open another. Leaving half filled drinks everywhere. At least the glass is always half full.
5. Frequent tardiness.
People with ADHD have a hard time estimating how much time it takes to do something, so they’re frequently late due to poor estimation.
There is also always that “one more thing I need to do” before they come to dinner, get in the shower, leave the house, place an order, come upstairs to say goodnight to the kids or to go to bed. They like to finish what they’re focusing on in order to move on to hyperfocusing on something else.
6. Weird conversations.
They will start talking midway through their thought process and stop talking midway through a sentence. They will forget the point of a story half-way through and stop telling it.
If they’re hyperfocused on something they won’t answer you at first if you ask them something. Or if you’re having a converstation with them while they’re hyper-focused, you’ll notice they have one foot out the door. They’re so hyperfocused on something that their brain can’t process more.
7. Injury prone.
They don’t pay attention to their surroundings and end up knocking stuff over, walking into things, falling over and even setting their hair on fire.
I could keep going but we’d be here all day & probably get distracted and start talking about Fall Crafts & other totally unrelated things.
“Moms living with ADD/ADHD” is a very active, welcoming and entertaining Facebook group. I love the girls on there and I would be in a different place right now had I not found it. However it’s super exclusive: you have to be a mom with ADHD to join.