tramsey Loc: Texas

AAADD – Know The Symptoms


AAADD, Age Activated Attention Deficit Disorder. Thank God there is a name for it at least I feel a little better, even though I have it. This is how it manifests

I was going to water the garden. As I picked up the hose in the driveway I looked at my car and decided it needed to be washed. As I start toward the shed I notice the mail on the porch railing that I brought up earlier. I decided to go through the mail before I washed the car. I lay the car keys on the table and put the junk mail in the garbage can under the table. I notice that the can is full. I decide to take the garbage out first and lay the bills on the table. But since I’m going to be near the mail box on my way to the dumpster I decide to pay the bills first. I take out my check book and see that there is only one check left, the extra checks are in the desk in the living room. On the desk I find a can of Diet Coke that I had been drinking. I’m going to write the checks so I move the can out of the way and feel that it is warm. I should put it in the fridge to cool. On the way to the fridge I see that the flowers need water. As I put the Coke can on the counter I discover my glasses that I’ve been searching for all morning. I had better put them on the desk so I can find them later. But first I’m going to water the flowers. I set my glasses on the counter and fill the container with water and see the remote on the kitchen table. I realize that tonight when we want to watch television I won’t remember that the remote is on the table so I had better bring it to the sun room where it belongs, but first finish watering the flowers. While I’m doing this quite a bit spills. So I set the remote on the table and get some towels to clean up the mess.
I head down the hall trying to remember what I was planning to do.

At the end of the day:
The car isn’t washed, the bills aren’t paid, there’s a warm can of Diet Coke still sitting on the counter, the flowers don’t have enough water, there is still only one check in the check book, I can’t find the remote, I can’t find my glasses, I can’t remember what I did with my car keys.

Then I try to figure why nothing got done today. I can’t understand it because I know I was busy all day and I’m really tired.
I know this is a serious problem and I need to get some help with it. But I’m going to check my e mail first.

Don’t laugh. If this isn’t you, you’re day is coming.

Ava'sPapa Loc: Cheshire, Ct.

I am laughing. You just described my entire day. And oh, I just found my car keys here next to the computer, but I don't need them anymore, unless I wash the car, but I can't find the hose.

REJ Loc: Ontario Canada

Oh My God!!! My day to a T. But its better than No day atall. REJ.

luvmypets Loc: Born & raised Texan living in Fayetteville NC

Yep, I have it, too!! LOL!!!

Dodie

NMGal Loc: NE NM

Me three!

rpm Loc: Houston, TX

It's not funny. I too think something is wrong... Suffered a TIA (transient ishemic attack) in 2016; better known as a mini stroke & can't recall what I was doing 10 minutes ago. My sister goes behind me all the time with great glee: pointing out that I left the garage door open & the glass opening to my A.R.E. cap on my truck just this morning! It's embarrassing. Don't know what to do except try & double check everything, but that gets old. Getting old in general really sucks. rpm

fourlocks Loc: Londonderry, NH

Understood. Like the other responders I have the same problem and as I get older; I worry it's something more than just simple distractions leading me astray from my original intent. Being a Type A (whose motto is "a place for everything and everything in its place") helps because I while I routinely forget where I put things or what I did, my need for order means I always put things in the same place and always follow the same routine for something as simple as where I put my keys or bedtime preparations. We're not belittling your problem, we're just trying to laugh at ours because there's nothing much else we can do about it.

OwlHarbor Loc: Pacific North West USA

Something that I have found helpful is writing lists of things that need doing and checking them off when done so at the end of the day I know what I got done. Sometimes I would be driving away from the house I was not sure if I had closed the garage door so I would drive back and check. I solve that and other issues by taking a mental picture of the door closing and stopping at the bottom. When I have misplaced something or trying to remember a name or object I clear my mind and relax and it pops right in (the issue as long as I am forced to remember it stays out on the edge.) Having worked in facility maintenance for many years I have learned the ability to do many tasks and jobs in whole or in pieces (start a job and go back to it) There is the argument that we are not meant to multi-task but I don't buy that belief as our brain is resilient when we keep it active and use it. I have found in the past I could keep about 16 things afloat in my mind but once a new item loaded the last item dropped off the chart so that is how my lists came into being. Hope some of this helps.

jederick Loc: Northern Utah

tramsey Loc: Texas

When I've misplaced something I relax and think of only that single thing and then mentally make a picture of it and back slowly away from it. I usually get a picture of it laying where I put it. Works most of the time for me. But I still have lots of things half way done

Dennis833 Loc: Australia

No you have. AAAD HD, Age Activated Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

rpm Loc: Houston, TX

Mr. Tramsey, I understand you. When I go through a doorway something happens & I get distracted. It will be okay. Just slow down & go back over what you've done. rpm

JBuckley

I'm so glad that you clarified the physical ailment that I have had for a long time.

I thought the [AAADD] was another government (tax) that California was trying to impose on older people.

It's so great to belong to such an "elitist" group .

..... May we all outlive the Generation Z, people.