One certain way to ease your stress is working with your ADHD
partner to ease his or her stress. For many of us, that means organization strategies that work for the entire household.
I’ve just spent my Sunday morning shopping on Amazon for helpful products to get you thinking in terms of external structural support for your partner with ADHD. (See the “Get Organized” box to the left.)
You might do very well organizing your personal items in drawers and cabinets, but most adults with ADHD need visual storage systems (otherwise, items out of sight are also out of mind). If you want to avoid clutter but your ADHD partner needs visual cues, the compromise might be neatly contained but highly visible solutions.
For example, I found handy devices for
- neatly storing electronic devices (complete with built-in chargers)
- finding the keys, wallet, eyeglasses, etc. (more about that exciting discovery below!)
- compactly storing garden tools (rakes, brooms, etc.)
- sorting mail
- remembering to take medication, and more
Look for my personal picks (many of which are mainstays in our house) in the ”Get Organized” box to the left. Just click on a product to get more information; it won’t be added to your Amazon shopping cart unless you select it.
Finding the Lost Keys, Eyeglasses, Wallet, and More!
Given all the stories I’ve heard about missing-key trauma, it was particularly wonderful to discover a series of nifty devices for tracking down keys, eyeglasses, etc. Here’s the review one self-proclaimed adult with ADHD gave the Find One Find All Key Finder, Wallet Finder, Cell Phone Finder (but one variation of this gizmo):
As an adult ADHD’er, I’m constantly losing things; my doctor recommended I try out an item locator system. I purchased the FOFA, the EZ 2-Find and E-Z Find packs.I’ve been using the FOFA XD’s for a few months now, and have found it to be the best of all, with a few caveats. It ends up winning my vote, here’s my quick thoughts:
The Good:
- Can find any device as long as you have one of the others (no need to look for the remote control to your device finder in order to use it to find your TV remote control).
- Pretty easy to use & program once you get the hang of it.
- Multiple devices are easy to add and configure in groups, etc.
The not so good (really my only gripe):
The keypads on the devices feel rather flimsy, and I’m not sure how long they might last.
In conclusion: Even though the remote controls feel flimsy, I’m thinking about buying a few more. I gave up on the others as I lost the remote all the time. I’d definitely give a five-star rating if it weren’t for the flimsy keypads.
But maybe your partner has no trouble finding the keys. Your partner’s problem is remembering to charge the cell phone. Or keeping the tools organized (instead of sitting out in the yard growing rust). Or finding the all-important proof of insurance and registration when pulled over for a traffic stop. Or. Or. You’ll find solutions in the Get Organized! ADHD Partner Store.
I welcome your suggestions for items that you and your partner have found helpful! Please just scroll down to leave a comment. (It’s easy. No registration necessary.)
Gina
), I have been receiving letters from readers worldwide. I have permission to share the following three. These mens’ words might strike a chord for you.
“Whoa, looks like I got a little carried away with the pitchfork,” I mutter, looking out the window to see a small fountain shooting from the soaker hose.
Let’s continue with more answers to this question in the ADHD Partner survey: “What do you wish you’d known earlier about Adult ADHD?” As you can see, the question touched a nerve with survey respondents, the partners of adults with ADHD.