Yup. It's not material enough for me to even remember it exists, unless I'm in a situation where I don't have the ability to use it. I usually remember those tools exist while I'm driving or working on a task that I can't step away from to use the tool. So frustrating. Even when I do use the digital tools, I find my brain dumps the information I enter, and it's a struggle to remember it existed in the first place. Such a better experience with paper and other physical objects. I often think about this and why it happens. Possibly something about the perception of the impermanent/ethereal nature of digital resources? Or at least the non-concrete nature of it? Idk. I definitely haven't figured that one out yet. What I do know is using manipulatives to make lists and reminders always helps me with connecting that memory with that task, even when I no longer have that paper or whatever.

@@ShutchyerLips yes! exactly that! I simply will not notice unless I urgently need it to hand. It's why I can walk out the house with the wrong shoes.... if they are not stopping me walking. At some point (too late) I'll casually look down and realise I've got the wrong shoes on!

Yes! I always struggled with online classes for the same reasons you described, and working from home poses similar challenges for me also. I’m young enough to be called a digital native, but lately I’m starting to realize I’m much happier living in the physical world.

OMG your first two lines are my whole life. I've put up with appalling levels of abuse because I wanted to do worse to myself as a result of my extremely impaired working memory.

@kellyalsaleh3032 WORD! need help with guidance period, and help doing.

Such a good idea!

i recently found out that i can use whatsapp to message myself. (yay!) notes, media files, forwarding stuff to myself, timestamps, "pin to top", and free text search. that makes up quite a bit for the distraction that comes with the "regular" use. i could very well see myself using it longterm without a single contact in the list - just for that reason. tried some other note-taking/organizer apps - they all suck if you ask me.

Whenever I run out of an item and need to remember to get it at the store, I immediately write it on a whiteboard in the kitchen. When I am ready to go shopping I transfer onto a shopping list (which, if I remember to bring with me, I can check off items, ) but take a picture of the whiteboard so I have something to bring with me in case. I also put other stops (redemption, dump, hardware) on the board and lists too so I don't forget stops.

Exactly! Thanks 😊

Yes, I do something similar. I also say out loud,"I'm hanging my keys on the hook." Our joke is that I'm telling the cat so he will remember where they are!!

Husb is same.

Well good on you for getting yourself and your life to a point where journals don't get canibalized into origami paper or fly swatters or score cards for canasta. I will get there one day.

I use both paper and hightech because each has their own ups and downs. Paper restricts you physically, there's only so much space for infomation on a sheet and restricting your input is sometimes helpful. For example I try to learn to keep my shopping lists so I have an RPG inventory/log about what I bought and want to eat, so I can actually use my groceries before they spoil 😂 Smartphone gets into action for sending reminders, you can link them with smartwatches if your employer doesn't like seeing you handle your phone too often. When something is due the watch just vibrates and doesn't overly disturb your surroundings. Electronic devices are important in general at some point because depending on the amount of information you have to retain they can provide short cuts and filtering. Examples: Forgot a specific aspect of a task or information? Go on Wikipedia in a few seconds to keep things short - because keeping things short is 🤤for ADHD brains. With physical media you'd have to get up, search for that folder/book or whatever, pick it up, open it, then search manually for what you want to know and then have to get up and place that entire thing back to where it belongs. A lot of professions can't live without these, because imagine a pharmacist who has to get 3kg of books while speaking with a client or a pathologist, they all got databases now for research and look up. Pharmacists look up medications to answer specific questions and pathologists have histologic data bases with imagery to confirm and verify their suspicion. Relying only on what you know in your head seems to be a medival procedure, we have to retain so much knowledge today that checking what you think has become very important to prevent Screw ups. Oh and electronic devices have CTRL+F functions - don't have to skim over that entire pdf just to find one section XD - helps me prevent distraction by quickly cycling through the stuff I was looking for. Of course requires often some kind of framework, which is a reason why informatics at school can be important because you're more likely to find files and information if you learned how to properly name them in a way that makes it possible for you to retrieve them. like Tax_Report_JohnDoe_2023 giving you multiple words to search for making it more likely to be found. I also organize a lot on Windows because of short cuts that enable me to get stuff done before I get pissed like using windows image preview - press menu Button between CTRL and Alt Gr followed by n -> quick renaming of files while you can see on the screen what you want to rename. Once you figure out such stuff work that feels like it takes ages is actually over and done in a few minutes 🤣

Same! I love using Notion, Excel, and Calendars for various things but I still need to have a physical journal/notepad to jot things down. I don't think I can even explain why that is.

I’m the same - I use Notion and Google calendar but the thinking process always feels best with pen on paper

Husb is same. Dx in his 60s. Life was rough until then. Tips: -Good website totally ADD, started and run by those with ADHD. -Books: ‘You Mean I’m not stupid lazy or crazy?’ And ‘is it you me or the ADD?’ Both very practical. -Look into low dopamine (very similar symptoms) -Diet. Avoid citrus near any amphetamines- pulls them out of system. Water or fluids w/them even if not thirsty. Sip every 15 min. Eat in morn esp protein. Don’t fast. Keep raw nuts and low sugar protein bars in you/in car. -Treat yourself like a toddler. Seriously. Set up routines for bed, meals, esp one place for keys, bags, stuff etc by door you’ll need when leaving home. Use bright color box. Trust me. We’ve done this wherever we lived and first thing we do for him. Also in bathroom to keep his stuff org. Good luck.

The website isn’t working for me, when was the last time you used it maam.

Thank you!

@@russellbarkleyphd2023 HOORAY!!!

Thanks!

Do you pass memory tests

I set constant alarms on my phone or in the stove and many staggered reminders in my phone calendar. If I am preparing for guests in the kitchen, if I expect them at noon I set the stove timers (2) for 10 and 11. When the 10 goes off I reset to 11:30. That way I don't fall into a time warp when I need to get things done in time.

Having more playtime is in fact better for kids with ADHD, but having little or more playtime does not cause the condition.

Adhds learn facts very well.

@@user-zt4zr7eg6zRight. You typically find people with ADHD know exactly what they should be doing. The problem is that they CANNOT physically make themselves DO those things. It feels like being in a coma, while being completely conscious. I am aware that I want to do things. I AM aware that I am trying to do those things. I am aware that I am incapable of doing things. It is actually traumatic. I am locked inside of my body. 😢

​​​@@Lucky9_9I see it more like learning how to do things in a way that responds well to how I interact with the world. It's not impossible. Dr k from healthygamergg is a decent resource, but it's hard to say it that will be useful to everyone. I wanted to add that this is a lot harder for some of us for various reasons than others.

The "trapped" feeling is the worst.

@@Lucky9_9 I think I also have some sort of dissociative disorder with my severe ADHD. I watch myself do the things (like solitaire games on my phone) that create havoc with my life but I can't actually make myself stop because that's not me - it's somebody I am watching but I can't control because it's not really me. Anyone else feel this way? Probably tons.

This is really clever. I completely get this. Likewise I only use see-through storage boxes when possible. Otherwise I forget about everything in them.

This gets around that ‘object impermanence’ thing! Out of sight, out of mind! ❤

@@sooziebea I totally relate to this as well, but am here just to note that this phenomenon is not actually object impermanence, which if we were still experiencing as adults would reflect PROFOUND disability, lol. (I’m a psychologist and have taught developmental psych, so my bona fides go beyond Google, lol. )

​@@Shooshie130 by curiosity what would be the term, when we really forget about objects/food or even people if we don't see them?

mine is make a schedule in Google Calendar and activated it's notification

I also have adhd, and also was gifted in school, until I also crashed and burned. Best of luck to you. Medication has been so helpful

My daughter has ADHD, who was an honour students, knows several languages, plus sign language, many instruments, well travelled and 3 kids. She was always brilliant, finished all her homework in class. She just super busy and faster then most. We had to look at ADHD as a positive and work with her strengths. She does have high anxiety and worries a lot. She was on medication since grade 3. This guy is a huge help. ADHD are creative and find shortcuts. Life will definitely get easier now that you know. Your still a great person and ADHD is separate from who are. Meaning it’s not all that you are.

how is life now with medication? i am getting by in life and i was a gifted student too. but lately i cant keep up with memory, multi tasking and stress/trauma that occured im addition. thinking i should get on medication but i am fearful- any feedback on your medication journey would be helpful.

​​@@hashh2019As I know Dr K(HealthyGamerGG) made a video about ADHD Meds where you can yourself decide is it helpful for you or not

Very much the same experience with pen and paper here. If I enter things in digital format, it leaves my brain completely and I have to remember that I even put it in there. When I use paper, the memory of doing it sticks with me, and I find I remember the tasks without having a sense of overwhelm, like I do when I try to keep them all in my head and not sharing them with the paper. Such a bizarre difference, but if it works then it works.

Love my fountain pen - something about it being physical (nice to look at and hold) and mechanical (interesting and beautiful moving parts) and constant (can keep it, not disposable ) - love putting ink in it and getting ink on my hands, it weirdly works for me (getting more work done)

Isn't it wild how much of a difference being aware makes?? Every time I make a connection between my behavior and my diagnosis, it's like an epiphany and I go through a tiny moment of either regret (things I could have done better if I knew) or anger (at the failure of my doctors/therapists/media to communicate that aspect to me) as I link it to my past. One time I cried because it was such a relief to know my failures weren't just because I wasn't trying hard enough. I had a history of task paralysis, which happened because I wasn't able to turn that information into actions. There's more to it for me, like how many tasks I was facing, but it's just like in this video. I can't tell you how many times I've berated myself in the past for dropping the ball on something because I simply couldn't bring myself to do it. I always knew what to do or how to do it, but my brain would get so anxiety filled, all I could feel was an intense need to avoid (or run from) the task. It was always completely irrational and didn't make any sense, and I would feel intense shame for being such a failure. I subconsciously held a firm grip on a social idea that I could have just tried harder, so I must either not want that thing or I'm just not good enough to do it. I find it so empowering to know these facets of adhd and to do the work through therapy and journaling to figure out where that mechanism is affecting me and what is triggering it. Once I know those things, I can actually figure out tools to help me keep my brain organized and on task, or at least on schedule. My most recent experience with this started several months ago, but it lasted until just a few weeks ago when I learned about the link between my adhd and anxiety. I started researching what was causing my paralysis and came across a host of resources listing types of adhd paralysis, which lead me to understand I was experiencing task paralysis. Just being able to name it and see it for what it was allowed me to start changing it and learning tools to keep it from happening again. It has been such a relief to take the weight of that failure off of my shoulders and take action against it. Good luck to you and anyone else on this journey. I have a feeling we're all going to need it!

I'm there with you in feeling guilt and shame for my ADHD symptoms. What's helped me recently is reframing myself as a neutral person. Shame can push you into feeling less than human. I used to try to tell myself "positive" thoughts to cancel out the negative, shameful ones, but it wasn't really sticking, and it took a lot of energy. Telling myself I'm a neutral person, just like everyone else, has been way more helpful. It doesn't take as much energy, and it clicks for me. It gives me an actual shift in perspective, and leaves space for me to be compassionate to myself. I've also been feeling less shame the more I practice this. Hope this is a helpful tool, and if not, sorry for the tangent! Best of luck on your journey!

@@bridget5068 very helpful and well worded advice. Thank you to you as well.

​@@FatElkI would suggest to treat it as a powerful unique characteristic, that can sometimes do things incredibly hard when other people can't, by hyperfocusing on them.

Absolutely!!!!!

First, the working memory system is a set of networks that are less well developed and functional. Secon, efforts to train WM by cognitive tasks or apps has not succeeded as yet despite what the sellers of CogMed or other apps or devices may tell you. Third, you can expect some decline as we all can but that doesn’t necessarily mean dementia. Be well

Yes there us a physical reason...its called Dopamine.. .adhd u got deficit whith dooamine creation. Who cares why...all this advice channels are sad sad as offer mindful tricks, training???:its retarded and are not at all beneficial without correcting the core issue I am only 6 months late aware and 4)30 in ONE day my wkng memory is normal. Added ltyrosine and upped omega 3 clinically recommended to help adhd wkng memory. I was stunned...i dont have to frigging dose shit.. just a m. And good 24/7. My concern is all this is known for years but amphetamines and mindful crap get the front seat while people suffer needlessly. Some other simple shit i take..ur all on the wrong path if not searching for diet/supplement solutions.😛🙃

I do some version of these things instinctively/habitually at work. The problem is that I often work with people who are like the opposite of ADHD, so any stuff lying around for the purpose of annoying people into action, or making stuff that need to be somewhere else 'at hand' when I go somewhere else... is clutter that is going to get cleaned up. These people also have a habit of feng shui'ing my tenuous organizational systems into oblivion every few days, which means that I have to do the annoyance-compulsion/at-hand stuff more in a messier way, since its not a part of how the room is organized anymore. And then when I try to approach people about it, they roll their eyes and wave me away. I think maybe I just need a different career honestly.

Very well said. Thanks!

I’d be interested in this too. I’m 29 and now with my diagnosis, medication and coping strategies I want to go back to school.

Seconded, on all topics. I'm interested in pursuing a career in academia, value the helpful information of your videos, and eagerly hope for content relevant to my life and goals.

Hi there, I have a PhD and I'm a Biology Instructor with ADHD, diagnosed last year at 45. Strategies.... lean into your strengths (for me it was experimental design, data analysis, and teaching) and find people around you to body double with and to help keep you accountable for tasks that you find more challenging to achieve (writing, data entry, lab work, course work and file management). When you feel overwhelm coming on, try to be proactive so it doesn't hit too hard. There are so many other things I'd like to share that I wish I'd known while I was going through grad school... biggest of all is, you can do this but you're gonna have to be willing to ask for help, even demand it if necessary.

@@sarahrigleymacdonald1208 hey Sarah, thank you for this, it’s reassuring to know that I’ve already been doing these sort of things unconsciously, sorta makes me think that I’m on the right path. Thank you for the heads up genuinely appreciate it :)

I'm a Masters-level therapist with ADHD! I've found my work is easier with my recent diagnosis! I am a DO IMMEDIATELY kind of person, as well as putting frequent rewards and artificial time limits on tasks. I did my best work when I set a rule for myself to finish a paper before I could go see someone I was very motivated to see. Also, if you've got a diagnosis then your university can help you with accommodations, such as taking tests in a private area, getting a note-taker, and being able to record and relisten to your lectures! There are definitely options that will help.

I also have a count for locking up the house at night. Count 3 -- check stove, check keys on hook (and not accidentally left in front door), check dead bolt on front door.

Yes! This is a big one for me- visual prompts! My husband exercises everyday, I do M,W,F and he leaves the workout mat on the lounge floor for me. I leave the washing machine fitted unit door ajar with the fabric conditioner bottle in order to see that there is something in there and it helps in remembering to take it out. I used to do a lot of double washes after they lay in the machine smelling horrible after a day or so. My medication is always out on my sofa spot, with an alarm on my phone and an Alexa song alarm, and sometimes I will switch it off without thinking, but I’m trying not to turn it off, or to snooze it till I’ve actually done it! Hubby also reminds me which is a great backup too. 👍🏼

Exactly. My working memory is terrible and it’s stopping me from going to school because I’m afraid of exams

@@BigTroubleD what helps me is not trying to memorize things, but understanding them. Once you understand the logic behind something then you're able to follow the logical path each time

If for you try not to get too focused on dx vs living life.

@@jmc8076 there is a time and a place for both. But yeah, I guess its a common trap to get hung up academics as an avoidance strategy for practical application.

100% yes! I would love to have some insight on the differences, if any, as my middle daughter has suspected PDA (she already has the ASD diagnosis). Still, I can relate to some of the struggles she faces with my own childhood and undiagnosed ADHD. I was diagnosed in my mid-thirties after returning to college to finish my psych degree. Dr. Barkley's videos have been extremely helpful for me personally, and I would absolutely love his input on what little we do know about PDA! While having a label isn't always best for people, knowing and understanding the differences on a clinical level can have a MASSIVE impact on how to help others who struggle with these differences. How long did society go without an official ADHD label, and how many people were shamed for the negative behaviors associated with it (i.e. laziness, etc....) because we didn't have a name for it?

I use time reminders on my phone, but the key for me is not to turn them off until the task is DONE. Even if I think I'm going to do whatever-it-is in the next 2 seconds, even if that's my intent, I always SNOOZE the alarm until the task is complete. It's too easy for me to get distracted from my intent, so I never dismiss the alarm until the task is done.

I just don’t read info like that. Have you tried pictures? I find that easier to mentally translate!

I do this! But it gets annoying when i end up snoozing the alarm over the space of 2 hours or more 😮‍💨

Me too! I got a red case for my phone so it is easier to find. My wife is usually available to call it when I do lose it.

Literally me throughout highschool/college. Pure reactivty. All intuition, no plan

See my lectures on Managing ADHD at school for some suggestions.

I feel exactly the same way. Hopefully I can talk to a professional more about it soon

During my assessment for ADHD, I told the psychiatrist that I thought I was born with dementia!

Wow, that's a heavy diagnosis to think that you had. I'm happy for you that it was "just" Adhd.

One additional trick I keep preaching in groups: Keep a done-list, not only da todo-list! If you use post-its, don´t throw them away, make a pile of accomplished tasks. And every evening remind yourself of the things you actually DID. This is a good antidote against that depressing feeling of having done nothing or too little.

I have not watched his stuff for a while since I think he has become more and more weirdly political, HOWEVER, he has traditionally been very accepting of people who criticise him on his podcast, and because he has a very chaotic kind of way to approach knowledge, he usually accepts that he can be wrong.

@@Osvath97 Sure. I am thinking ADHD awareness boost opportunity.

I’d like to see that happen. Face to face conversation and disagreement is much more productive and meaningful than online back-and-forth. Him and JBP would likely come to agree on lots of things. Would give Dr Barkley a follower boost too.

"I trust JP will be happy to stand corrected in the pursuit of truth" You haven't been following him long then! If this was true, he wouldn't have even approached Bill C-16.

@@FullCircleStories Who knows? I am hoping for a focussed discussion on ADHD data/research and findings, not bills.

how do you get psylocybin

@@woodsworthYT I get it from the coffeeshop in the Netherlands. It’s the active component of magic truffles

Oh thank you for that unique visualization trick for groceries!!!