ADHD is a complicated condition which often changes over time and is characterized by the primary symptoms of inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity/restlessness. This very common mental health concern affects somewhere around 10 million adults and only exists as a singular condition in 3 out of 10 cases making successful treatment, diagnosis, and self help symptoms management a real challenge.

But despite all the intricacies and diagnostic challenges one of the best self help steps any ADHD adult can take is to learn to become better organized. If your are truly ADHD, with a healthy dose of inattention, your likely will not be able to completely vanquish disorganization and forgetfulness from your life but you can certainly manage it well enough to effectively conduct your daily tasks while reducing the burden on others around you.

That said, I would like to pass on a couple of interesting paragraphs from "The Everything Health Guide to Adult ADD/ADHD" about the dangers of disorganization for the ADHD adult.

*Chronic disorganization and forgetfulness may render an ADHD spouse unreliable and unpredictable when it comes to handling household chores, taking care of and disciplining children, or managing family finances. The non-ADHD spouse is often forced to pick up the slack. She may become very angry and resentful toward her ADHD spouse or come to view him as another child.

*ADHD spouses tend t leave clutter and messiness in their wake. This can annoy and frustrate spouses and family members and make it difficult for everyone to keep track of things, get and stay organized, and keep the house tidy and clean.

For those who have ADHD, or are living with someone with ADHD, the two paragraphs above often ring true. So the question is how can those with ADHD avoid falling into these traps? If you have a minute or two I would like to pass on a few ideas which have helped me become better organized and I do believe they will help you too!

*Find a place for your keys: Always asking your spouse or significant other to help you find your keys is downright embarrassing. I have found that by establishing a place close to the door adjoining the garage is an excellent way to cut down on this common ADHD disorganization trait.

*Make a list: Sound pretty old school but it works. If you are going to the grocery store, make a list. If you are going to job interview, make a list. If you are trying to figure out your daily time schedule, make a list. And so on, and so forth.

*Buy a calendar: Yips, who needs calendars these days! You might be surprised at how well a strategically placed calendar full of important dates and times can simplify the life of the chronically disorganized and forgetful ADHD adult. Give it try!

*Plan in advance: What I have found is if I try to get everything together at the last minute inevitably something will be left behind. If I am lucky it won't matter but why take the chance. By preparing the night before you will likely remember whatever it is that was forgotten when you review what was done the night before.

*Allow extra time: There will be those days when your dopamine (brain chemical thought to trigger ADHD) just isn't giving you the brainpower to move quickly or efficiently. On these day you will need a few extra minutes while your scrambled mind tries to get on track.

*Keep a homeopathic ADHD remedy on hand: When all else fails having a non-chemical side effect free way to help you overcome problematic ADHD symptoms such as disorganization, inattention, forgetfulness, impulsiveness, and restlessness is a smart idea.