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I've been through this and in my case it turned out to be clinical ADHD. Unfortunately my diagnosis came at the very late age (40+) because whole life I though

I've been through this and in my case it turned out to be clinical ADHD. Unfortunately my diagnosis came at the very late age (40+) because whole life I thought it is just me being lazy and unfocused and seeking medical help / medication is the wrong answer to such problems - only to discover now that some of our brains are actually wired differently and it's not that we are being weak or unfocused but it's actually the wiring in our brain making us behave this way and you can freaking see this on an MRI too. If you can't get an evaluation at least try to read this book called driven to distraction. One other book which I also read again and again is 'Finish' by Jon acuff. Has many useful tips which anyone can use.

james_s_tayler 5y ago
Same here. I would add if you experience what the OP does combined with looking around the house every day and seeing piles of unfolded washing and dirty dishes waiting for you that fill you with existential dread every time you look at them while you quietly ignore them and go back to whatever it is you're excited about at the moment then seek an evaluation.
ultrasounder 5y ago
reading Finish by Acuff RN(was recommended in an earlier post-https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=29170578 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=29170578). Absolutely recommended. Also starting to realize I have ADHD(surprise- son was diagnosed with ASD when he was 5 :-)). Will move to Driven to distraction when I finish finish this weekend.
trms 5y ago
I have now gotten both books and I will read them. I appreciate the recommendations. I definitely agree getting an evaluation can't hurt, and the sooner the better. It could save me years of blaming myself for just the way my brain is wired. Thank you for sharing your experiences with me.
nicohaenggi 5y ago
Second this. Also, earlier this year, a newer version of Driven to Distraction was published, ADHD 2.0, written by the very same authors and featuring a lot promising new strategies backed by recent research. Definitely a recommended read.

james_s_tayler 5y ago

Same here. I would add if you experience what the OP does combined with looking around the house every day and seeing piles of unfolded washing and dirty dishes waiting for you that fill you with existential dread every time you look at them while you quietly ignore them and go back to whatever it is you're excited about at the moment then seek an evaluation.

ultrasounder 5y ago

reading Finish by Acuff RN(was recommended in an earlier post-https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=29170578 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=29170578). Absolutely recommended. Also starting to realize I have ADHD(surprise- son was diagnosed with ASD when he was 5 :-)). Will move to Driven to distraction when I finish finish this weekend.

trms 5y ago

I have now gotten both books and I will read them. I appreciate the recommendations. I definitely agree getting an evaluation can't hurt, and the sooner the better. It could save me years of blaming myself for just the way my brain is wired. Thank you for sharing your experiences with me.

nicohaenggi 5y ago

Second this. Also, earlier this year, a newer version of Driven to Distraction was published, ADHD 2.0, written by the very same authors and featuring a lot promising new strategies backed by recent research. Definitely a recommended read.