How to REALLY Help An ADHD Brain Get Work Done and What to Avoid #adhd #shorts #mentalhealth

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[erinstrand]

Yes!!! It was "homework before play" my whole childhood, and almost every day, it did take me all evening...I never really got to play during the school year.

[joniramirez]

Breaks ruin me. I use a timer or the thought of "I'm only gonna work for 5 minutes" to get me moving then once i start i just keep going until it's done. It's the task initiation that's hardest for me. I've learned i cannot sit down ever or take a break or i won't finish. Everyone is different.

[gabriellahsdancingheart]

I found in high school that I needed to get the drinks the snacks the everything besides the toilet near me in my study space which at one point was in my closet because that was the least distracting spot and there was a shelf that I could use like a desk, and then sit down and press in because once I got focused, which could take me a long time to do, then I could really make a lot of progress and understand my studies and having the drinks and snacks with me meant I didn't have to break my focus completely to get up and go meet those needs. The bathroom was the get up and walk break, but I really could push through a lot when I prepared the environment properly. Having said that, I did a lot of after-school activities, so I did have some break between class all day and homework all evening.

[myzhari]

As a late ADHD diagnosis, this mentality taught me to "adult" meant not doing anything I enjoy until tasks/chores are done. And it's led to immense guilt any time I start to enjoy something to the point I don't really have hobbies anymore. Even trying to force myself to spend time with old hobbies has become a chore because the guilt is so overwhelming I can't focus.

But not doing "fun" stuff doesn't help with motivation either. It leads to me sitting doing nothing trying to get motivated. Looking back, "just get it done and you can have fun" was so damaging.

[zessonateacloud]

My parents quickly learned that I do best with doing my homework in the evening after or during dinner while watching whatever movie the tv showed that night.
So glad they didn't fight this for long. The "normal" never worked.

[moolder]

For my ADHD kid, ending that break is the hardest part.

[RowanRiverstone]

Wish my parents had understood this and not accused me of just being difficult and stubborn. Sure, I want to sit at my desk all night crying because I can't make myself do it. That makes all kinds of sense. /s

[eth]

Tysm for this reminder, I wish I was raised to know how to work with my brain and not against it

[deliahanne]

Gonna try to keep this in mind for my child 😊 even if they don't have ADHD it'll probably be best for them to learn managing tasks ❤ thanks!

[TheOliviaA]

Something else I do is start a stopwatch and for however long I work is how long I get a break

[persephoneunderground]

Helping us figure out how to do it on our own is so important. I had a huge struggle my first year of college when I no longer had a parent telling me when to study. I needed their help in high school, but we never figured out what worked for me so I could continue on my own in college.

(The disability office did have some help, so don't be afraid to use that kind of resource even though you "only" have ADHD as a college student.)

[jenniferpearce]

Enforced breaks can destroy a focus session. An enforced break doesn't provide any ability to refocus if I didn't need one yet. Flexibility helps.

[songindarkness]

Thanks for this reminder! I feel like breaks help when I’m really struggling with focus, so I can think I only have to do just a bit longer eg 10 more minutes. BUT if I can get into the zone / hyperfocus it’s easier to just ride that wave and do as much as possible without breaks.

[themasterninja]

School is mandatory. I did that for 8 hours a day. I sure as hell am not doing it more when im done with school. Keep the homework to yiurselves. Hence why i never did home work

[brussell]

Homework is the bane of our household!!! Since covid we have tried timers and breaks this with both kids... my 13 year old with innatentive ADHD has to brain break first them tackle homework for 20 min. Then its a physical break for 5 min bc any longer, he forgets/takea longer to refocus on his homework. Daughter does better tp finish each task/assignment then play/break. Every kids is different! Do what works and kid input is essential!

[Ender-Corbin]

Yes, I had to do this when I was in college and it helped immensely. Small breaks here and there. I still use it to this day.

[emilyrothman]

As someone with ADHD what works for me is deadlines and working when I feel motivated. Taking breaks can really be distracting at times and then I give up so it's best to get it done right there, break it up in 2 or 3 days if it's a bigger assignment.

[browneyesa]

A perfect reminder for today when I have a marathon list of things that need to be done and feel pressure to power through

[catfrog]

So nuanced for what can fit into a short! The first half really hit home for me

[BM__]

This is how I clean my house. Takes me a whole day, sometimes 2, but knowing I can do a bit then sit down for a break helps me not feel so overwhelmed.