How Distractable Are You?

Post Reply New Topic

I am quite appalled at how every one in this thread keeps repeating the same jo... Look! A distraction!

Almost anything can be a distraction, but the worst for me are electronic sounds, people walking past me, background music, people talking around me.
Daydreaming is also a constant distraction, but it's not usually aggravating like the things listed above.
I hate it when people tell me to just ignore the music playing or chatter across the room. I literally can't ignore it unless I'm on the ADD meds.
Going to the movies can be irritating because I can hear people whispering, someone rattling a popcorn bag three rows away, the slurping noises of couples making out, etc. Sure, other people can probably hear all of that too, but I can't shut any of it out, so it's a series of "movie dialogue-rattle-whisper-rattle-slurp-movie dialogue-something's beeping-slurp-rattle-moving heads".
Yet, at home, I can watch a movie, carry on an unrelated conversation and read a book at the same time with no problems. I guess I can deal with some distractions when they're in my control and in my range of interest. Sometimes.
My brain distracts me, too. My attention just wanders away, seemingly on its own. Doing homework was a pain for that reason. I'd start and then- "Those leaves are forming an interesting pattern against the sky...I should draw that."
Start again, then daydream storylines commence. It went on and on.

I'm SO distractable... self-dx'd adhd. *Everything* grabs my attention - those sensory filters don't filter the unimportant background stuff out (auditory and visual). My short term memory seems like it's only good for a few seconds too so when I get distracted, then I can't remember what I was supposed to be doing. One time someone described it like the way a pool cue ball works - one stimulus knocks out the previous one.

If anyone has seen the Mr Bean episode where he goes to church, that's what I'm like at church. Looking around at everything (including the ceiling) fidgeting... probably being a distraction to all the people around me.

How distractable am I?
Unless I'm working on something that I'm obsessed with
Look at the butterfly!

I'm sort of distracted easily by myself. Little thought and such will randomly take me out of whatever I'm doing long enough for me to have no idea how I got there or why I was holding that JackHammer. Outside influences seem to have cooled their grip on me a bit, but periodically I'll need to be doing something and i'll look over and BAM, I off to something else. It saddens me that I can't sit still and read anymore, I kind of lost the ability to do that. Whenever I try to read everything else gets much more interesting.

Yeah I'm easily... Ooooh, Shiny....

Shiny? Where?! I want!

I can get so incredibly distracted, I can also be very paranoid at times, and this doesn't help. But yes, I'm very distractable.

If anyone hear has ADHD/ADD, I'd expect you've mastered self-distraciotn by now. Amazingly useful tool for tuning out lecures, etc.

I was wondering if I had ADHD because of my distractability.

Anyway, these days... CARS!! !

DSM-IV Criteria for ADHD

I. Either A or B:

A) Six or more of the following symptoms of inattention have been present for at least 6 months to a point that is disruptive and inappropriate for developmental level:

Inattention

Often does not give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork, work, or other activities.

Often has trouble keeping attention on tasks or play activities.

Often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly.

Often does not follow instructions and fails to finish schoolwork, chores, or duties in the workplace (not due to oppositional behavior or failure to understand instructions).

Often has trouble organizing activities.

Often avoids, dislikes, or doesn't want to do things that take a lot of mental effort for a long period of time (such as schoolwork or homework).

Often loses things needed for tasks and activities (e.g. toys, school assignments, pencils, books, or tools).

Is often easily distracted.

Is often forgetful in daily activities.

B) Six or more of the following symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity have been present for at least 6 months to an extent that is disruptive and inappropriate for developmental level:

Hyperactivity

Often fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in seat.

Often gets up from seat when remaining in seat is expected.

Often runs about or climbs when and where it is not appropriate (adolescents or adults may feel very restless).

Often has trouble playing or enjoying leisure activities quietly.

Is often "on the go" or often acts as if "driven by a motor".

Often talks excessively.

Impulsivity

Often blurts out answers before questions have been finished.

Often has trouble waiting one's turn.

Often interrupts or intrudes on others (e.g., butts into conversations or games).

Some symptoms that cause impairment were present before age 7 years.

Some impairment from the symptoms is present in two or more settings (e.g. at school/work and at home).

There must be clear evidence of significant impairment in social, school, or work functioning.

The symptoms do not happen only during the course of a Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Schizophrenia, or other Psychotic Disorder. The symptoms are not better accounted for by another mental disorder (e.g. Mood Disorder, Anxiety Disorder, Dissociative Disorder, or a Personality Disorder).

Based on these criteria, three types of ADHD are identified:

ADHD, Combined Type: if both criteria 1A and 1B are met for the past 6 months

ADHD, Predominantly Inattentive Type: if criterion 1A is met but criterion 1B is not met for the past six months

ADHD, Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Type: if Criterion 1B is met but Criterion 1A is not met for the past six months.

American Psychiatric Association: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision. Washington, DC, American Psychiatric Association, 2000.

I got distracted just trying to read about distractibility.