O is for Object Permanence

(ABCs of ADHD: a thread series for #ADHDAwarenessMonth)

🧵👇
ADHDers often lose track of things they can't see.

It's similar to lacking object permanence: the ability to know objects continue to exist even when we can't see them.

With ADHD, you don't think it no longer exists when hidden from sight—you simply never think about it again.
This is why people with ADHD are often surrounded by piles and piles of things: books, papers, clothes, mail, etc.

We know that if we lose sight of them, we may never remember them.

So we keep everything out in plain sight.
This is why planners often don't help.

You write down your plan for the day, then close the planner so you can't see the plan any more.

The thought to check on your planner never comes.
It extends to people and relationships too.

When you don't see someone, you may forget they exist entirely.

Even for close friends and family.

Out of sight, out of mind.
For more on ADHD:

• Follow me @jessejanderson

• Visit adhd.page to download my free ADHD guide or sign up for my free weekly newsletter, Extra Focus.

• • •

Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to force a refresh
 

Keep Current with Jesse J. Anderson • ADHD Creative

Jesse J. Anderson • ADHD Creative Profile picture

Stay in touch and get notified when new unrolls are available from this author!

Read all threads

This Thread may be Removed Anytime!

PDF

Twitter may remove this content at anytime! Save it as PDF for later use!

Try unrolling a thread yourself!

how to unroll video
  1. Follow @ThreadReaderApp to mention us!

  2. From a Twitter thread mention us with a keyword "unroll"
@threadreaderapp unroll

Practice here first or read more on our help page!

More from @jessejanderson

5 Nov
P is for Prospective Memory

(ABCs of ADHD: a thread series for #ADHDAwarenessMonth)

🧵👇
Prospective memory is the ability to remember to do something in the future—remembering to remember.

People with ADHD often have great intentions, but your prospective memory fails you when you need to act on those intentions.
Often, you aren’t even aware of your prospective memory issues.

You make a promise to do something in the future, and believe in the moment you’ll remember to act when needed.

You unintentionally break those promises when your memory fails you.
Read 6 tweets
20 Oct
L is for (not) Lazy

(ABCs of ADHD: a daily thread series for #ADHDAwarenessMonth)

🧵👇
ADHD causes a dysfunction of motivation.

The invisible nature of ADHD leads some people to label ADHDers as lazy or weak-willed.

But that is a fundamental misunderstanding of what is happening.
Laziness isn't something you do by accident.

Being lazy is a choice.

Someone who is lazy decides "I don't want to do that thing, so I will relax instead."

But this isn't the ADHD experience at all!
Read 6 tweets
18 Oct
ADHD is disproportionately common among addicts.

Dopamine deficiency—especially when undiagnosed with ADHD—causes us to seek something to fill that void.

My 10 favorite ADHD tweets/threads of the week:
It's hard to argue with the story these statistics tell.

ADHDers are getting caught up in addiction, and not enough people in power are talking about it.

@petequily

More information on how dopamine deficiency relates to addiction, and how many fail to recognize how powerful that dynamic can be.

@kevdog824

Read 12 tweets
18 Oct
K is for Kryptonite

(ABCs of ADHD: a daily thread series for #ADHDAwarenessMonth)

🧵👇
People debate whether ADHD is a superpower.

It certainly gives you unique traits that can—in the right circumstances—give you strengths neurotypicals don't possess.

The problem is, we live in a society built on kryptonite.
With hyperfocus, you can get much more work done than most in a short amount of time.

But our world is built on schedules and deadlines.
Read 7 tweets
17 Oct
Late night concept sketches of the “infinity drawer” Image
Basic concept: object permanence. If I put something in a drawer and close it, I will never remember it again unless something else reminds me that it exists.

Metaphorically, I’m often accidentally dropping things in the drawer.
I might forget a responsibility at work, it falls into the drawer.

I will never ever remember that responsibility again because it’s fallen into the abyss of my infinity drawer.

It will live there indefinitely until someone or something reminds me to take it out again.
Read 5 tweets
15 Oct
J is for Judgment

(ABCs of ADHD: a daily thread series for #ADHDAwarenessMonth)

🧵👇
One of the most damaging aspects of ADHD is the years of judgement from others that don't understand your condition.

They accuse you of being stupid, lazy, selfish, weird, clumsy, messy, rude, or a host of other hurtful things.
By the age of ten, ADHD children receive 20,000 more negative messages than their peers.

This influences your self-talk, leading you to reinforce these negative messages and cause even more self-blame.
Read 6 tweets

Did Thread Reader help you today?

Support us! We are indie developers!


This site is made by just two indie developers on a laptop doing marketing, support and development! Read more about the story.

Become a Premium Member ($3/month or $30/year) and get exclusive features!

Become Premium

Too expensive? Make a small donation by buying us coffee ($5) or help with server cost ($10)

Donate via Paypal Become our Patreon

Thank you for your support!

Follow Us on Twitter!

:(