ADHD and stuck

[Mstislav]

I have become stuck in a thought-loop and cannot progress with my assignment. I have been working on it for several weeks now. I cannot pull myself away from it. I try to go exercise in the fresh air, but I take the problem with me. When I return, I feel guilty and panicky because I have not been working on the problem, only worrying about it. I would like to be able to talk through my assignment with someone. College does not permit this for a credit assignment and I have no support network. Any suggestions?

[Mamamichl]

have you talked to disability services at your college? This accommodation can be arranged if you need it.

[Mstislav in reply to Mamamichl]

In theory I have support in place but I am not allowed to access it this semester. I am on leave of absence as my father died a couple of months ago. Even if I were not on leave of absence it is against regulations to ask Student Services about any coursework undertaken for credit. Hence, I am stuck.

[Mamamichl in reply to Mstislav]

I hate when we fall through the cracks like this.

[MaudQ]

Does your professor or the class’s teaching assistant have office hours? Is there a tutoring department that could help with the executive functioning side? I would also seek out counseling if your school has it. Also, I don’t know if this is reassuring or not, but getting stuck like this is really common in college. I used to teach at the college level and my students would often get into pickles with anxiety, perfectionism, procrastination. The trick is to just keep looking for whatever resources there are - don’t give up. And just know that this gets easier as an adult because once you are actually in the workplace you are much less isolated. Hang in there and keep us posted.

[Mstislav in reply to MaudQ]

Thanks for your suggestions. Alas, as I have just explained to Mammamichl, university regulations do not permit me to ask such questions for a credit assignment when I am on leave of absence.

[TheTrifecta]

Do you have questions about your assignment that need answering or are you just in need of thinking out loud/sounding board? If the latter, do you have any friends or family members who you could ask to just sit there for 30 minutes and listen to you rant about the assignment? They, especially because they lack your background, could ask questions or see relationships that may clarify some aspects of the assignment for you. Also, people with ADHD tend to be more visual learners - can you try making a diagram or drawing a picture? If it’s an essay, even writing bullet points on sticky notes or a whiteboard and using arrows to connect pieces can be visual enough that you see some new connection.

[Mstislav]

Unfortunately, I live alone and have no support network. Basically, I have lost so much confidence that writing fills me with fear. I doubt every single word I write. The fear is specific to written essays. I have no problem with other work. What's even worse, I'm qualified to teach English!