Meds in the Morning

Originally posted on Themestream
Before:
The alarm goes off, and I hit the snooze. Nine minutes pass, the radio announcer tells me what the weather will be, and starts to give me the traffic conditions when I reach for the snooze button again.

Fifty-four minutes later, I roll out of bed and start to get ready. I have to be at work in 45 minutes, but first I have to get showered, dressed, do my hair and put on makeup. Plenty of time, I take a pretty fast shower.

Off to the bathroom. That toilet could sure use a scrub, should probably do that now while I’m thinking of it. Turn on the shower, get the water warm. Since I’ve got the sponge and cleaner out, I might as well tackle the sink, too. Can’t have the bathroom looking only partially cleaned. In the shower, wash up, dry off. Clean the shower just a bit, it needs it. Off to get dressed.

Choosing my clothes. It’s summer, now, I can put those turtlenecks away for a while, make more room in my closet. Since it’s summer, these lightweight shirts I have in the storage closet can be brought out, too. Move my clothes, choose an outfit. Do I have clean socks? No, better choose something else. What can I wear without socks? When can I do laundry next? Maybe tonight when I get home from work.

The radio announcer tells me the time. I can’t believe it, I have only 10 minutes before I leave, and I haven’t even touched my hair. Good thing my makeup only takes 5 minutes. Where is my comb? Oh, right, I took it in the living room to touch up my curls last night. Hmm, I think I’ll unplug this curling iron. No point in tempting fate. My black scrunchy! I’ve been looking for that! Back to my room, no time for anything fancy, hair in a ponytail. Sheesh! I have to leave, NOW!

Grab my makeup, I’ll do it at the stoplights before the highway. I’m starving, I need to go grab something to eat, or I’ll never make it to lunch. Shoot, no cash. Oh, stoplight, base. I have to be at work in ten minutes, I should be able to make that. It’s only about 10 miles from here, and it’s all highway. Another stoplight, smear on some lipstick. Hit the highway. Man, where does the time go? How does it take me seven minutes to get to the highway? It’s only 4 miles away! The radio announcer mentions a traffic backup. And I just passed my last chance to get off and miss this! Stuck in traffic. Why am I always so late?

After:
The alarm goes off. I reach over to the nightstand and grab a little brown bottle. Shake out one little blue pill and take it, roll over and hit the snooze. Nine minutes pass, I crawl out of bed. I sit on the edge for a moment, trying to get my bearings. Gotta go get showered and dressed, only 45 minutes before I have to be at work.

In the shower, the toilet could use a scrub, but I’m running low on time, so I’ll get it when I get home. Have to remember to tackle the sink then, too. Climb out, dry off, wash my face, and brush my teeth. Gotta get dressed.

It’s fall, now, I can move these summer clothes later, when I get home. I listen for the radio announcer to tell me the weather. Ah, cool, but not cold. This should work fine. I still have 20 minutes to go.

What to do with my hair? Oh, I know, I’ll braid it up today. Where’s my comb? In the living room. Grab my comb, start my hair. That braid didn’t work, let me try again. What time? Running short, only 10 minutes left. Better just take that one and deal with it.

Makeup’s done, I’m ready to go. And I still have time to grab some breakfast. I’ll be at work a few minutes early, today.

I take medications to help me manage my ADD. The difference is amazing. I still arrive late to work from time to time, I still get a little distracted in the morning, and I have been known to hit the snooze for an hour even now, although usually it’s because I stayed up too late the previous night.

Not everyone needs medications for ADD. Not everyone wants medications. Many have found other methods of managing what could easily be a major obstacle in their lives. Many others, unfortunately, have found nothing, and are continuing in the downward spiral of depression, related to untreated or unmanaged ADD.

Before I decided on medicating, I spent a year trying to find a way to work with my life and mind as it was. I quit my job because it was making me ill. Truly ill. I still had problems dealing, but I finally had a name, and I finally had a direction to go to change the things I’d wanted to change for years. I tried diet, I tried exercise, I even tried schedules and planners, vitamins, medication, and even had friends who would remind me of things. None of those worked, at least, not for long. Medication helped me organize my life. I started it for myself, though, not to make others happy.

To medicate or not to medicate: THAT is the question.
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Learn More About It
ADD on About: Medications Page– One of the premier ADD sites on the ‘net
The Optimal Functioning Institute – A source for personal ADD coaches
ADD in the Work Place – From ADDvance magazine. Specific to women.