Organization(executive disfunction)

Sandi,

I’m still working on all of the issues you mentioned, however, re: losing things…my keys are the number one thing I always misplace. SO, what I attempt to do is always put them in the same place when I get home. Since starting meds a few months ago, if I forget to put them in their place, I will actually walk around the house with them in my hand until I circle back to their designated spot.

They may go into my pocket before that, but at least they don’t get set down in the basement or somewhere else so obscure I can’t find them for 2 hours!

This may seem over-simplified, but hey, if you can leave the house without having to look for your keys……I say “whatever floats your boat”.

Good luck,
Liz

Personally, I’ve tried this “put your keys in the same spot” routine, and it has failed abyssmally. The main reason is that I forget to put the keys in the designated spot!!! I read a post on here from a much earlier thread on this topic where someone said that there is an alarm thing (like a car alarm) that you can buy for about 50.00. The person said that he put these sensors on his keys and his cell phone, and when he presses a transmitter button, the sensors beep. What an ingenius idea!!! The problem is, I don’t remember where he said he got it. I’m thinking maybe Radio Shack or Sharper Image. Anyone else remember??? Thanks.

Traci

One thing that helps me is having extra keys in a set place, so if I can’t figure out where I put my keys, I can at least leave my apartment when I have to.

Something else that sometimes helps is leaving messages for myself on my answering machine. I’ll also sometimes attach something that I need to remember to take with me to the knob inside the front door.

If I’m recharging my cell phone, I’ll put my pocketbook next to the cell phone recharger, so I’ll be more likely to remember to take the phone.

When I have to get up at a set time, I’ll set two clocks, both at a distance from my bed, so that I have to get up to turn them off. I’ll usually set them a few minutes apart, so if in a half sleep state I only turn off the one that’s ringing, the other will ring a few minutes later.

When I make a doctor’s appointment, I’ll sometimes ask to be called to be reminded of the appointment.

I have, in the past, been more disciplined about keeping a calendar with appointments and due dates. To keep a calendar and check it regularly is probably the best plan. Reminders can be noted on it. In fact, there are several things I don’t forget. Before going to bed at night, I take my vitamins and medications. I have a cat with a heart condition and have been giving her medication twice a day for the past few months. If I could get in the habit of checking a calendar and making entries whenever I take pills or give my cat medication, I think I would make my life a lot easier.

I have learned to compensate for forgetfulness by putting things the the car the night before. Say, I have to remember to take library books back, I put them in the car the night before so I don’t forget them.

Additionally, I put sticky notes on my steering wheel or purse (low tech AT).

The keys - the bane of my existence. It makes my husband SO MAD b/c I rarely now where the are.

i have over three sets of keys , because of not being able to find them , also one of the key chains is huge with lots of things on it so it is easy to spot .. i also keep a calandar and write on it , and i also post big notes on the refrigerator … sometimes i hang them from the ceiling fan , this is if i am very paraniod that i will forget , haven’t done this one in awhile ..
Being ADHD has been a wild life style to say the least , laura