Can't make a list because I've too many things to do hence no time but overwhelmed by them anyway so just sitting here doing nothing

[Bonheurdupasse]

As per title.
I can't take it anymore, I'm ruining my own life.

Oh boy, me too. No help, just sympathy. Shutting down MN any minute now!

Oh OP, I know this feeling so well. Overwhelm is hard to deal with.

Could you make a list of just 3 things for the time being, and focus on those?

Perhaps try setting a timer to do just 10 mins on one task?

Maybe put some music on while you do it?

Are there any really quick tasks that you can tick off so that you at least feel like you're making progress?

Don't berate yourself for it though, it won't help. The self hate just contributes to the paralysis.

Do you have adhd?

Do one small task. That's it. Others can wait. I understand getting overwhelmed.

Thanks all.
Suspected ADHD yes - GP (long story of procrastination on my part) just referred me to specialist consultant to get prescription.
Not UK so referral in Dec 21 means consultant will see me early 2023.
In the meantime I'm drowning

Oh no, why is it going to take so long?

I keep thinking I should go for diagnosis but then I think I'm 46 but THEN I think I've got worse so maybe it will help? THEN I'm thinking covid has knocked me seriously are you sure its not that? When you went back to work it was great its only been recently its been hard work but then I'm thinking that's not really true who am I kidding

I'm in bed not dealing with things

Maybe I'm just depressed?

Oh, yes, i know this one well!

Can you do a brain dump in a notebook? Just write everything down that's on your mind, no order, no sense, just write it all down and then once it's down you can start picking things out that you can do.

There’s literally no provision for adult ADHD in this country. Probably 2-3 psychiatrists who treat it in the entire country.
So shit.

I'm sorry to hear this.

Look at nootropics for adhd. These can help.

There are a lot of resources available online that I have found helpful. I love the how to ADHD videos on YouTube especially as they are made by a woman with ADHD.

I have a whiteboard on the back of my kitchen door which helps me stay focussed on my tasks for that day. I also have a notebook with my mad ramblings from what's on my mind, to things I want to do, lists, crazy stuff, doodles, whatever. Plus a calendar and schedule for things I have to do in a time sensitive manner. It's just getting motivated to remember to write stuff down, eh? But having it on my kitchen door helps as I can write stuff when I'm waiting for the kettle to boil.

I'm the same, I struggle with autistic inertia and have dreadful executive function. I'm basically sat here in the clothes I have worn and slept in for a week and my house looks like a bomb has hit it.
I've so much to do but I can't get my head into the correct mindset to start. It's no life is it.

But basically having everything in your head doesn't work as it's just swimming around in there like alphabet soup. You need to write it all down as a first step and then try and organise it a bit. And reward yourself for doing this to motivate yourself.

I really sympathise, OP. I am currently awaiting diagnosis too...and drowning in the meantime.

It's very hard. I'm trying to do what I can to manage it myself at the moment. Getting plenty of sleep and exercise when I can. Eating well. Taking various supplements. It's difficult when I'm in overwhelm mode though to even manage those basic things. Like you, I end up just sitting and doing nothing. And hating myself for it.

One thing I have found is that, the less I do, the less I am able to do and the worse the paralysis gets. Trying to do small tasks helps me to maintain some kind of momentum.

@ofwarren

I'm the same, I struggle with autistic inertia and have dreadful executive function. I'm basically sat here in the clothes I have worn and slept in for a week and my house looks like a bomb has hit it. I've so much to do but I can't get my head into the correct mindset to start. It's no life is it.

Yup. Shit isn't it?

Can you look at it this way?

If there is so much to do it won't matter what you do first.

If there is so much to do you don't need a list. Just start where you are/anywhere you like.

Doing something is better than doing nothing. It all adds up.

(Maybe just spend 5 minutes collecting stuff up every time you get up to go to the loo and putting it away. Or clearing one small space.)