The Characteristics of Chronic Disorganisation.
As I work with more and more people and gain more training, I am learning about the links between Chronic Disorganisation and ADHD. Jo Cooke is currently writing a book on overcoming chronic disorganisation which you can pre-order.
‘We can all be impacted by chronic disorganization - whether it be because of long term stress, menopause, diagnoses of ADHD and/or autism (to name just a few of the very many reasons). It has nothing to do with being stupid or lazy. Some brains are wired differently, and understanding this is the way forward to allow us to delegate, find strategies and systems in place to manage our day to day lives - whether in our personal or professional lives.’
Here are the Hoarding Disorders UK definitions:
Chronically Disorganised
When you are living in a reactionary way, bills are not being paid, there is no order in your home, papers and mail get left to pile up. This can sometimes happen due to a trauma or event in your life which has taken over. Being organised is a skill, if you haven’t been taught this either through childhood or as an adult, it can get too overwhelming.
Chronically Overwhelmed
When all parts of your life, work, family, friends, relationships are up in the air and it is too difficult to make a start on how to move forward. Not wading in the jam, you feel completely stuck in the jam.
This is an interesting article on the difference between Chronic Disorganisation and Situational Disorganisation by the American ‘Metropolitain Organizing’ consultant, Geralin Thomas.
The Institute for Chronic Disorganization (ICD) defines CD as a lifelong struggle against disorganization in which self-help efforts haven’t worked, leaving you with negative feelings or consequences every day. Some common experiences with CD include:
Spaces filled with piles of paper, boxes, bags, trash, or other stuff.
Not punctual; can’t adhere to a schedule; habitually late; misses meetings and appointments.
Feelings of shame/embarrassment caused by clutter in one’s home, office, car.
Feeling as if you’re swimming or drowning in clutter mentally and/or physically.
Tripping hazards in the home: toys, laundry, books, magazines, etc.
Knowing you have one of those somewhere but have to buy another because you can’t find what you need when you need it.
Spending too much time putting out fires rather than creating solutions and strategies.
Here is an article on the possible differences between CD and Hoarding.
I will be attending the Virtual Chronic Disorganisation training with Hoarding Disorders UK in March 2024 and will keep my website updated with the latest learnings.