Inattention or avoidance

[ETLawrence]

Wondering if anyone is dealing with what I call avoidant behavior? I have ADHD basically untreated although I have medication. I tend to avoid tasks that require prolonged or intense focus, so unfortunately I am doing poorly at work, which requires a lot of mental focus. But I am finding myself actually avoiding tasks that give me that unpleasant feeling of not being able to successfully complete the task. Research, writing, organized tasks are super difficult. Can anyone relate to this?

[BlessedLady]

Have you discussed a change in medication with your doctor ?

[ETLawrence in reply to BlessedLady]

I try to avoid medication if I can. I have tried methylphenidate and one or two others with little success. They do tend to make me more alert but the focus problem remains. Just wondering if the avoidance is common with ADHD or if its just me attempting to spare myself more difficulties? I have read where ADHD can actually be helpful in some occupations but not mine. 59 years with ADHD and diagnosed about 10 years ago...you can imagine the havoc its caused.

[BlessedLady in reply to ETLawrence]

The avoidance is part of ADHD

[FindingTheAnswers]

YES! It’s been worse the last 6 months or so because of the OT I had to work. (Plus I moved last summer). It seemed like everything was a hugh project and whatever I went to do was a lot more,,,, aggravating. Often the task wouldn’t go smoothly. I didn’t want to touch anything for fear I was going to make it worse. It’s gotten better the last couple of weeks-slowly. Also I’m in Chicago and it seems like we’ve had 2 days with sunshine (in how long?). So for me, SAD plays in to it. Hang in there!

[ETLawrence in reply to FindingTheAnswers]

Thanks! Yes we had sunshine in Central Illinois last couple days which seems to lift my mood also. Winters are difficult and as I get older they get more difficult. I tend to have more to do at work than I can accomplish also so it creates that familiar stress. Hope things get better for you also...I was in Chicago in December...one of my favorite places actually.

[Old_Owl]

I can relate, big time. My career has pretty much been side tracked, self esteem took a nose dived, depression, self loathing- and I continue to avoid what I needed to do.For me, being diagnosed has been a game changer. Not that I'm not still avoiding, but I understand I have a neurological condition which is a big part of the why. And I have a path forward to managing my condition.

But the biggest thing for me is I now know that its not because I'm lazy, or stupid, or a generally bad guy. Now I can stop beating myself up for it.

I've got here through a lot of therapy and recently medication. Brains are different, with different answers in what it needs. Some approaches, and meds might not work for someone else, but there are other approaches.

Best wishes to you on the journey.

[SusanZYX]

I can totally relate. I procrastinate things that are unpleasant or stress me out. Getting better at dealing with it with the help of ADDitude magazine and other resources.

[Oncos]

An odd coincidence is that I was telling my girlfriend the other day that Avoidance is one of my biggest issues. Things that do not give a dopamine spike right there and then we often avoid. Anxiety I believe also plays a part. Situations that make us feel uncomfortable and unconfident we tend to run away and find comfort in those things that give us dopamine.