I had the weirdest experience this morning. I was on my way to college, on the tram. Suddenly, one stop before I have to get off, some weirdo gets on, walks up to my seat, grabs my hand and starts making kissy faces at me. At first I thought I might know him, but nope, totally unknown stranger. I was totally confused. Fortunately he let my hand go, then he started walking restlessly up and down the tram, occassionally trying to get my attention. I was scared shitless. At such moments you truly feel caught like a fish in a metal can. The tram was moving to the last stop in the meantime. As soon as it stopped, I got off and ran all the way to college without looking back. This has never happened before. I was crying in the cafetaria of my college. I mean, I wasn't even dressed in a provocative way (to the contrary!). Fucking public transport. I hate it even more now. I want to get out of this country full of useless people, move somewhere nicer. And I think I know where.
I'm getting worried about money. I've been looking for work, to no avail, and now the (blow) job centre is trying to put me on a work experience program. This in no way helps me, because I get no money from it, and I'm STILL having to look for paying work. Some of you in the UK may know that the ratio of jobseekers to jobs is at least 10-1... taking into account that I haven't been working since 2008, because I went to college and uni, before dropping out of uni with depression and anxiety in 2011. I've only recently got myself back together again, living independently was a big step for me, and now that all feels in danger of going away.
@Magnus_Grelich: work experience programs help for getting work experience, which might be a plus after 5 years without paid work, but getting no money for it indeed sucks.
How's your depression and anxiety now? Did you recover or do you still suffer from the after-effects? I know recovery is a hard road to travel. I myself never recovered, a friend of mine did but has still trouble finding work, the work experience program he was employed in didn't help at all: there wasn't enough to do to even gain experience.
Too bad you dropped out of university. You can't believe how valuable a degree can be. In my country it is at least greatly valued. It's better to struggle for a few years and have one than to fall back on a meager highschool diploma. Maybe you should just have changed your studies? Universities can be quite demanding indeed. I know from what I've experienced. College is far better. I actually didn't learn shit at university. Nothing valuable anyway.
@Kitteh_On_A_Cloud: I know. It's not like I had much choice. I had lost three grandparents in as many years, a friend had died and my girlfriend at the time was raped. I had a lot of stuff to deal with, and I'd just lost the will to do anything. I was also falling behind with my studies because I was completely unprepared for how different uni was to college, I couldn't get my head around it. The meds I was on probably didn't help, either. I was tired all the time, I was drinking heavily, my weight ballooned and I couldn't be around people most days. I wish I had been able to hack it, but there was no way I was going to be able to turn that around.:( I want to try again, but the system here would mean I could only do it part-time, would likely get no financial support because I live independently and would need to have a job as well. Britain under the Tories... "no hope 4 U, pleb". @Son_of_Imoen: Thanks, I am getting my shit together now, but it's still hard sometimes. Depression is never *cured*, but I have a better hold over myself than I had for a long time. I'd had bad periods before, but this was the worst yet. You actually stop thinking you are a real person, I was convinced that I was a copy of the real me and that I'd be found out eventually. Thankfully, that's no longer the case.
This is a longer entry than I intended, I hope it doesn't sound melodramatic, just trying to give a lowdown on the past five years.
@Magnus_Grelich: Oh dear, that sounds horrible indeed...Yeah, I can believe how those things, especially combined together, could make someone lose all motivation. I'm sorry to hear it, it must have been a sad period for you indeed. You say you felt unprepared. In what way? I can understand, though. At first those study books seem to be all jolly and fun when you buy them, but the fun sours rapidly when you actually have to study those 300 pages by heart. If there is one thing university taught me, then it is that I just can't take on huge doses of (abstract) theory. No matter how hard I might try (and I did), I just can't study like that. I need to make a structured summary of everything. Now try that for 300 pages. And then we're talking about just ONE course out of 15 a year. I just couldn't take all of that. It causes an enormous amount of stress too. My parents didn't make things better, as they're of the opinion students are mere studying machines and should do nothing else. I just couldn't take it anymore, having to re-take the same courses I was struggling with year upon year again. At that time, I also was in a straining (and foolish) relationship with a manipulative guy. He only caused more stress by being very demanding and causing quarrels. Only afterwards would I find out he was merely toying around and had probably cheated on me all the time. Biggest waste of time ever. Now I'm at college and happy to say things are going better. You should at least try reconsidering studying. Might help you set new goals for yourself.
Why can't we ever have a quiet, rational discussion in this family? Why does every issue always have to escalate into shouting and bad moods? Why can't we just, y'know, LIVE together anymore? The main problems are my dad and brother, actually. My dad's overstressed from his job, so he usually is the first whose fuse gets lit. My brother is just a provocative son-of-a-bitch. Sorry to say this, but it's true. He seems to LOVE sparking discussions and quarrels between the rest of us by a) taking the controversial side during a discussion, b) suddenly changing his plans for going out or c) by acting like a jerk. In most cases the sourpuss gets what he wants and turns this house upside-down.
I honestly don't know what to do anymore. I just want to see my boyfriend now and then. That's all I ask. But even about that there are lots of discussions. Dates are kept vague on purpose, nothing's ever clear. Nothing I can ever look forward to, because I know dates can change on a whim of the others surrounding me here at home. I'm really getting sick of it. My boyfriend's family is so quiet, so...y'know, normal. I really NEED that change of scenery once in a while to find some inner peace now and then.
Just three more years...Keep on looking forward to the moment after getting my degree...
Does your brother genuinely believe in what he says, or is it merely to antagonise everyone else? In any case, I understand exactly how you feel. I often disagree with my dad and youngest sister on many things. Both are stubborn and quick to anger, I get annoyed quickly as well, but I try to keep calm about things more these days.:)
@Magnus_Grelich: I don't know...I just know that he likes to create trouble here at home. Unneeded trouble. Maybe he's just frustrated and needs to vent. He's not a person you can keep at home. He likes to go out and has an active social life, which is good. But he also just needs to realise that having a degree himself will open up so many more opportunities. I think he sometimes feels 'caged' here at home. I don't go out that much, so I don't mind being at home all that much (except when there are quarrels/discussions going on), but he might. If only he just could finish his studies (we both have been kind of struggling the past few years) and set the next step in his life. I think he also feels lonely at times. His two previous girlfriends were nothing but trouble. The first cheated on him, the second had a psycho ex-boyfriend. He deserves to have a sweet girlfriend. But I think he also needs to realise love just doesn't come to you that easily. I also made mistakes before ending up with a great guy. Mind you, this is all just assumption on my part. In the end, every human being needs freedom, friends and love. It's only normal.
My parents are planning to renovate our house. In the meantime we'd have to live in an appartment in the city. Two major problems: 1) I'd have to sleep together with my teenage sis in full puberty, which is, basically, a nightmare. Also, no privacy AT ALL for SIX months. My hypocritical, bootlicking brother will probably get the only one-person room (y'know, shit about being the oldest and most 'priviledged, my arse) and 2) My brother will probably live on his own in the appartment later on. So this is how it goes: lie and betray your parents constantly, give a rat's ass about your studies and you get rewarded with an appartment. Do your job and get nice scores (me) and they'll still call you 'lazy' and 'undisciplined' when you get up too late on a day without college classes. This, my dear people, is the logic of my messed up family. Oh, and don't expect them to take you seriously either when you daaaare complain. They still perceive you as a baby anyway. They still take your laptop away from you every damn night, even if you're 23 years old! Time seems to pass slower each day, and my patience for freedom is slowly wearing thin...
Remember how I once spoke about threats? Well, now my mom's gotten me so far that I HAVE to study for my theoretical exam for my driving license or my boyfriend won't come over in June. I don't have a problem with the studying in itself, I rather hate how she's putting pressure on me. I HATE being put under pressure. Now I have about 10 days to study a full book and take the exam right before my own college exams start. Can I help it that this has been a quiet college year for me because I changed my studies and thus had a couple of examptions on courses in my first year? My parents only seem to believe in studying, work, high scores and being succesful. No wonder they both quarrel so much like little kids as off lately. I f****** am fed up with getting threats all the time. (pardon the swearing, but it's really frustrating)
Nothing wrong with a bit of swearing.:) Pushy/competitive parents? I have no respect for those kinds of people because they're only concerned with looking good, by proxy of their children's accomplishments. I may be ill-equipped to comment on your situation, Kitteh, but I believe you should stand your ground, and don't take that crap from them. If they try to manipulate you, do not stand for it, make your own path.
This is an interesting thread, and very timely in my case. I could use some venting out.
To cut some portion of the backstory short, it turned out I'm not as smart as I thought I am. Since my parents are achievers themselves (e.g. my dad finished law/management/chemical engineering and now a VP in some company) and I did well back in high school even though I was lazy...thinking genes could give some leverage too, I really thought I could do just as well in college. At first, they suggested that I pursue medicine, but I just wasted more than a year for it. I just wasn't fit for it; I haven't even read an entire book in my entire life (let alone, several medical books). Then I shifted to another degree i.e. engineering. But it appeared that I just couldn't get my head around electronics no matter how hard I try to keep up. It went on for years; only for me to shift again three years ago to Computer Science. Only recently did I graduate, but it took 8 damn long years for me to graduate (including all the other degrees I've taken). As if it wasn't humiliating and frustrating enough, now I'm struggling to find a job. It has almost been 3 months and no company has yet to offer me a position. I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong. I can say that I'm decent in my field and I really thought that I did well during my interviews and exams...but still, nothing. I'm already at the age of 25, and I have yet to make something out of my life. My girlfriend whom I helped out several times during the stay in the academe and preparations for job interviews and exams (the reason why she had the job in the first place - at least, that's what she says) already have a stable career. I don't consider that as a feat, but it maybe something to consider...in fact, it is the only thing left for me to hold on so I could believe that I may be able to do well in this field. They say I'm still young; I say that to myself sometimes...but the truth is, I don't think that applies to my case. Now, I'm having a headache telling my story!
I know that feeling... If it's any consolation, @Illustair, I'm 32 this year, and even after a lifetime of education, I still have no career, nor do I have a girlfriend. I know it feels horrible at times, but you're not alone in this.:) I think a lot of people in their mid-twenties to thirties are in this position right now. The world is changing, and most people are just struggling to survive it with their brains intact.
Wall of text right ahead. I hope my english is understandable enough.
Not being a douche or anything on being somewhat glad that there's someone who can relate to my problems...but yeah, it eases me a bit. It makes me a little less lonely. Thanks! I just wish things can change for the good for us.
Right now, I'm trying to improve technical skills by studying through ebooks. It's just so damn hard that it feels I have so much to prove; that I really have to excel to compensate my bad university record and being an old 25yo fresh grad.
There are still some things holding me back though...mostly because of my parents. They're mostly a supportive bunch but ironically, sometimes the effect on me becomes the opposite and only contributes to my frustration and confusion.
For instance, they say that maybe I should just take a lower level unrelated job just so I can have job. What I am trying to make them understand is that that is not a luxury that I have anymore. I can't afford to waste few more years 'just so I could have a job'...I have already wasted enough time as it is. What's the point of being employed now when it would be much difficult for me to return to my related field a few years from now (much more as still being on an entry-level position at that time)? If I was only a few years younger, maybe I could afford to do that and explore other opportunities. Doors close for each passing year.
On the other hand, maybe they're right. I don't know. All I know is that the pressure keeps on piling up. From my family whom I can't make proud of and thinks that I'm just being so irresponsible (believe me, I've been trying to be otherwise); my gf who has a good career already (of course there's also the factor for her family); my friends that have already gone ahead of me; and myself whom I'm so eager to prove that I'm not dumb. I don't want to rant around my personal problems, but I guess it would help to get them off of my chest. It really helps being anonymous that I can freely say all these things.
On a side note, what's the difference between univ and college? People here in my country use them almost interchangeably. Actually, it's more like a college is a department, and part of a university - say, college of engineering is part of DLSU (university). But like I said, more often than not, univ and college are interchangeable here. And all other academic institutions are called universities here as far as I know.
@Illustair: Hey there! We're in the same boat, I'm afraid! After graduating from high school, I started my studies in graphic arts, because I loved drawing. The teachers approved of my drawings I sent in at the start of the year, so naturally, I was hyped! But during the year, I got criticised a LOT, to the point I lost all self-confidence. No matter how hard I tried, there always was something wrong, it never was good enough. So I stopped those studies. I was heartbroken all during summer vacation. Then I started studying linguistics, because I had always been good at languages during high school. Man, I didn't know what I got myself into. I switched languages twice, in total wasting three years of my life. This year I switched to translator/interpreter studies, and have finally found my place. I love the school and the people, and the courses are WAY more interesting. So you see, you're not the only one struggling with studies, comrade. I am 22 right now (will become 23 in June) and am nowhere with my life yet.
@Illustair Join the club. My parents told me I had to study, ANY study so I did communications. I hated it, I was fervently against most classes (Marketing or; How to use meaningless language to fancy up your product) so I quit after a year, earning 0 points. I got excited about psychology, so I started that. Then my brain exploded out of the back of my head reading just the introduction (I seriously had a book "Introduction to Psychology, it was 900 pages) and I quit. I farted around a few years, did some random tasks and odd jobs then worked a year as a System Admin at a printing company. I enjoyed doing the work so I told them I'd quit and study computer science so I could come back and actually know what I was doing. Did a year of computer science, hated it, quit. Worked for three years at that same company as a servicedesk employee (technical desk) but got incredibly bored and fed up with not being able to progress. Then I got fired. Now I'm doing datamanaging at a hospital (at which I really only got hired because my manager was into Warhammer and I'd put it on my resume), which is actually pretty awesome.
I'm 29, I've got no education to speak of, a dodgy and unfocused work history. I have a brain the size of a planet but no attention span and get bored easily. The hospital's offering me courses and trainings but the one I'm working on right now is costing me incredible effort simply because I can't focus on reading a damn page unless it's something I'm really excited about (and few things are). But if I don't finish it, they might find someone actually trained in this field, fire me and I'll be shit out of luck.
You're not the only one with this problem. Your twenties suck, all my friends are going through the same problem (either they stick with their study and it's making them hate life because of the pressure and performance or they quit and are now either unemployed or in dead-end jobs). It'll get better in time, at some point you'll find something you're good at and manage to weasel out a reasonable carreer.
@Drugar: I understand completely. Somehow my brain is bad at processing too much theory at once. Give me a theory book of 300 pages and I'll have studied 50 of them by the time my exam comes around. I also have problems with concentration and focusing, and an incredibly bad habit of postponing things, so yeah... Btw, I chuckled at the expression 'to fart around for a few years'. Did you make that one up? Certainly gotta remember that one.
@Drugar: I understand completely. Somehow my brain is bad at processing too much theory at once. Give me a theory book of 300 pages and I'll have studied 50 of them by the time my exam comes around. I also have problems with concentration and focusing, and an incredibly bad habit of postponing things, so yeah... Btw, I chuckled at the expression 'to fart around for a few years'. Did you make that one up? Certainly gotta remember that one.
No, I'm pretty sure it's a normal English expression. I hope it is anyway. Feel free to use it.
IF you are sure to mention my name every time you do and give me 30% of any profit you make from using the phrase, of course.
@Drugar, @Kitteh_On_A_Cloud: Woah, exactly the same here. I think I just had an epiphany of sorts. Now that you mentioned the keywords "attention span, concentration, focus". I already knew that those things have always been my problem; just never bothered to look them up. After some reading, I'm giving a self-diagnosis that I may have ADD. It is a form of ADHD minus the hyperactivity. I do suffer from all the symptoms it may have.
-Often making careless mistakes when having to work on uninteresting or difficult projects -Often having difficulty keeping attention during work, or holding down a job for a significant amount of time -Often having difficulty concentrating on conversations -Having trouble finishing projects that have already been started -Often having difficulty organizing for the completion of tasks -Avoiding or delaying in starting projects that require a lot of thought -Often misplacing or having difficulty finding things at home or at work -Disorganized personal items (sometimes old and useless to the individual) causing excessive "clutter" (in the home, car, etc.) -Often distracted by activity or noise -Often having problems remembering appointments or obligations, or inconveniently changing plans on a regular basis
Some studies also show ADHD can be associated to Restless Leg Syndrome, which I do have from time to time. Man, it sucks if I really do have ADD...it feels like I'm not right in the head or something. But the truth is, I'm more worried on what people will think about me (esp. my parents and my girlfriend). On the bright side, at least it can be treated.
Whether or not you have ADD (and with self diagnosis, you probably have half the book of mental disorders) doesn't change the way you are, it just applies a label. Don't worry about how people will think about you. Hell, chances are, they'll just go "Yeah, we know.".
@Magnus_Grelich Focus makes a whole lot of difference, doesn't it? How did you find out that syndrome, by the way? What have you done so far to remedy that problem / your problems if you don't mind me asking? I find it a good thing that I dared share my story here, and realize that I may be struggling with a disorder, be it ADD or not. I can say that I may be able to put things into perspective now that I know what I'm up against. It's far better as if I'm blind-folded...trying to make sense out of everything that has happened so far.
@Drugar I tried to talk about this with my girlfriend moments ago. Got nothing insightful from her, but that's understandable as she's not a doctor after all nor does she suffer the same disorder (if it really is). At least she seems okay about it...too okay actually that she hardly had anything to say about it. Said some words of comfort; and just about a minute after, we talked about something else - her "gained weight" problem. The heck? Women!:D anyway, the point is I have to overcome on my own, do I? So your words are true that it matters not what other people may think. But I'm wondering where I should properly start on objectively addressing the problem...that's the reason why I asked @Magnus_Grelich how he found out of his disorder to begin with.
@Illustair: Maybe you could go to a doctor, or, as it's more of a mental problem, a psychiater or something? I'm not an expert in the field either, sorry. I shouldn't worry too much about what others will think about you. Afterall, it's not like you're insane or something. A lot of people suffer from hyperactivity (ADD, ADHD) nowadays.
I found out when I was 18, which was probably a good thing, since if I'd been younger, less would have been expected of me, and I would never have developed like I have. It's still weird to think that I will never fully 'get' people, and some days are a real struggle to function.
@Magnus_Grelich: From what I've read from you, I totally wouldn't have thought you'd have Asperger's. So what do you mean with not 'getting' people? I'm afraid I don't fully understand. But then my knowledge on your disease (if I can call it that) is quite limited.
@Kitteh_On_A_Cloud: Lol, it's not a disease.:D It's just a condition that falls under the autistic spectrum (sometimes, anyway. They keep flip-flopping on whether it's related to the spectrum). To try and sum up, people who have it are often of above-average intelligence but struggle with certain basic aspects of concentration and communication. In other words, I find it very difficult to read people's emotions and expressions at times. As you can probably guess, this makes socialising tricky, especially with meeting new people face-to-face.
I also tend to take things too personally, it's difficult to know whether or not something is meant maliciously.
I am having a pig of a day. You all might have heard about the soldier who was killed by two madmen claiming to be Islamic extremists in the UK recently... well, I got a load of crap from my parents for posting my thoughts on the matter. I do not condone the murder of anyone, but to give special treatment to someone because they were a squaddie seems pretty damn hypocritical to me. The reaction of so many was to post crap about "SUPPORTING BRITISH TROOPS" and sounding off as if we were having a crusade. The EDL have already shown their hate again by getting drunk, causing vandalism and basically being the nasty pieces of work every sane person knows them to be. The two knifemen have endangered other British muslims with their senseless actions, and now our white supremacist groups are reacting in the predictable way we all know they would. I post a link from a satirical news site, and my dad tells me off, as if I had laughed at the dead soldier. Stupid old fool. My mum also gets all panicky at my thoughts on it, and tells me to take down what I posted because one of my old friends is a soldier. Never mind that what I said is relevant. She's more concerned with embarrassment! You can always count on your parents to support you.
Comments
How's your depression and anxiety now? Did you recover or do you still suffer from the after-effects? I know recovery is a hard road to travel. I myself never recovered, a friend of mine did but has still trouble finding work, the work experience program he was employed in didn't help at all: there wasn't enough to do to even gain experience.
@Son_of_Imoen: Thanks, I am getting my shit together now, but it's still hard sometimes. Depression is never *cured*, but I have a better hold over myself than I had for a long time. I'd had bad periods before, but this was the worst yet. You actually stop thinking you are a real person, I was convinced that I was a copy of the real me and that I'd be found out eventually. Thankfully, that's no longer the case.
This is a longer entry than I intended, I hope it doesn't sound melodramatic, just trying to give a lowdown on the past five years.
I honestly don't know what to do anymore. I just want to see my boyfriend now and then. That's all I ask. But even about that there are lots of discussions. Dates are kept vague on purpose, nothing's ever clear. Nothing I can ever look forward to, because I know dates can change on a whim of the others surrounding me here at home. I'm really getting sick of it. My boyfriend's family is so quiet, so...y'know, normal. I really NEED that change of scenery once in a while to find some inner peace now and then.
Just three more years...Keep on looking forward to the moment after getting my degree...
Pushy/competitive parents? I have no respect for those kinds of people because they're only concerned with looking good, by proxy of their children's accomplishments. I may be ill-equipped to comment on your situation, Kitteh, but I believe you should stand your ground, and don't take that crap from them. If they try to manipulate you, do not stand for it, make your own path.
Right now, I'm trying to improve technical skills by studying through ebooks. It's just so damn hard that it feels I have so much to prove; that I really have to excel to compensate my bad university record and being an old 25yo fresh grad.
There are still some things holding me back though...mostly because of my parents. They're mostly a supportive bunch but ironically, sometimes the effect on me becomes the opposite and only contributes to my frustration and confusion.
For instance, they say that maybe I should just take a lower level unrelated job just so I can have job. What I am trying to make them understand is that that is not a luxury that I have anymore. I can't afford to waste few more years 'just so I could have a job'...I have already wasted enough time as it is. What's the point of being employed now when it would be much difficult for me to return to my related field a few years from now (much more as still being on an entry-level position at that time)? If I was only a few years younger, maybe I could afford to do that and explore other opportunities. Doors close for each passing year.
On the other hand, maybe they're right. I don't know. All I know is that the pressure keeps on piling up. From my family whom I can't make proud of and thinks that I'm just being so irresponsible (believe me, I've been trying to be otherwise); my gf who has a good career already (of course there's also the factor for her family); my friends that have already gone ahead of me; and myself whom I'm so eager to prove that I'm not dumb. I don't want to rant around my personal problems, but I guess it would help to get them off of my chest. It really helps being anonymous that I can freely say all these things.
On a side note, what's the difference between univ and college? People here in my country use them almost interchangeably. Actually, it's more like a college is a department, and part of a university - say, college of engineering is part of DLSU (university). But like I said, more often than not, univ and college are interchangeable here. And all other academic institutions are called universities here as far as I know.
Join the club. My parents told me I had to study, ANY study so I did communications. I hated it, I was fervently against most classes (Marketing or; How to use meaningless language to fancy up your product) so I quit after a year, earning 0 points.
I got excited about psychology, so I started that. Then my brain exploded out of the back of my head reading just the introduction (I seriously had a book "Introduction to Psychology, it was 900 pages) and I quit.
I farted around a few years, did some random tasks and odd jobs then worked a year as a System Admin at a printing company. I enjoyed doing the work so I told them I'd quit and study computer science so I could come back and actually know what I was doing. Did a year of computer science, hated it, quit.
Worked for three years at that same company as a servicedesk employee (technical desk) but got incredibly bored and fed up with not being able to progress. Then I got fired.
Now I'm doing datamanaging at a hospital (at which I really only got hired because my manager was into Warhammer and I'd put it on my resume), which is actually pretty awesome.
I'm 29, I've got no education to speak of, a dodgy and unfocused work history. I have a brain the size of a planet but no attention span and get bored easily. The hospital's offering me courses and trainings but the one I'm working on right now is costing me incredible effort simply because I can't focus on reading a damn page unless it's something I'm really excited about (and few things are). But if I don't finish it, they might find someone actually trained in this field, fire me and I'll be shit out of luck.
You're not the only one with this problem. Your twenties suck, all my friends are going through the same problem (either they stick with their study and it's making them hate life because of the pressure and performance or they quit and are now either unemployed or in dead-end jobs).
It'll get better in time, at some point you'll find something you're good at and manage to weasel out a reasonable carreer.
IF you are sure to mention my name every time you do and give me 30% of any profit you make from using the phrase, of course.
Woah, exactly the same here. I think I just had an epiphany of sorts. Now that you mentioned the keywords "attention span, concentration, focus". I already knew that those things have always been my problem; just never bothered to look them up. After some reading, I'm giving a self-diagnosis that I may have ADD. It is a form of ADHD minus the hyperactivity. I do suffer from all the symptoms it may have.
-Often making careless mistakes when having to work on uninteresting or difficult projects
-Often having difficulty keeping attention during work, or holding down a job for a significant amount of time
-Often having difficulty concentrating on conversations
-Having trouble finishing projects that have already been started
-Often having difficulty organizing for the completion of tasks
-Avoiding or delaying in starting projects that require a lot of thought
-Often misplacing or having difficulty finding things at home or at work
-Disorganized personal items (sometimes old and useless to the individual) causing excessive "clutter" (in the home, car, etc.)
-Often distracted by activity or noise
-Often having problems remembering appointments or obligations, or inconveniently changing plans on a regular basis
Some studies also show ADHD can be associated to Restless Leg Syndrome, which I do have from time to time. Man, it sucks if I really do have ADD...it feels like I'm not right in the head or something. But the truth is, I'm more worried on what people will think about me (esp. my parents and my girlfriend). On the bright side, at least it can be treated.
Hell, chances are, they'll just go "Yeah, we know.".
@Drugar
I tried to talk about this with my girlfriend moments ago. Got nothing insightful from her, but that's understandable as she's not a doctor after all nor does she suffer the same disorder (if it really is). At least she seems okay about it...too okay actually that she hardly had anything to say about it. Said some words of comfort; and just about a minute after, we talked about something else - her "gained weight" problem. The heck? Women!:D anyway, the point is I have to overcome on my own, do I? So your words are true that it matters not what other people may think. But I'm wondering where I should properly start on objectively addressing the problem...that's the reason why I asked @Magnus_Grelich how he found out of his disorder to begin with.
I am having a pig of a day. You all might have heard about the soldier who was killed by two madmen claiming to be Islamic extremists in the UK recently... well, I got a load of crap from my parents for posting my thoughts on the matter. I do not condone the murder of anyone, but to give special treatment to someone because they were a squaddie seems pretty damn hypocritical to me. The reaction of so many was to post crap about "SUPPORTING BRITISH TROOPS" and sounding off as if we were having a crusade. The EDL have already shown their hate again by getting drunk, causing vandalism and basically being the nasty pieces of work every sane person knows them to be. The two knifemen have endangered other British muslims with their senseless actions, and now our white supremacist groups are reacting in the predictable way we all know they would. I post a link from a satirical news site, and my dad tells me off, as if I had laughed at the dead soldier. Stupid old fool. My mum also gets all panicky at my thoughts on it, and tells me to take down what I posted because one of my old friends is a soldier. Never mind that what I said is relevant. She's more concerned with embarrassment! You can always count on your parents to support you.