Expert: Sarah-Jayne Caroline Bass from www.adders.org - 8/27/2007

Question
We are very concerned about our son.  he is extremely smart and does very high level computer software script and programming.  HIs problem is that he can ONLY focus on his work.  He forgets to pay bills, to do laundry, to keep in touch with people.  he doesnt answer phone calls or emails, and my guess is that is current apartment is a complete mess.

He takes Zoloft for depression, and Ritalin for ADD, or he used to.  Not sure about now.  He is 32, single, working in NYC which is very stressful.  He makes good money but wastes alot.  Hasnt sublet his old apartment, so is paying two rents.  Gets lots of parking tickets, gets towed. etc.

In other words, outside of work where he obsesses and does a great job, his life is a disaster.

How can we help?

Answer
sorry for the delay in replying only i have only just received notice of your question

to be honest this sounds so familiar - myself having add i feel you could almost be describing myself!

the only real thing i can suggest is that you try to sit down with him and find out if he is actually taking his medication and on a regular basis and also that he is continuing to have medication monitored by a specialist so that things are kept up to date so to speak

it may be worth also seeing if perhaps he would be able to change medication to something that is a slow release type of medication so that he wont have to keep remembering to take top ups throughout the day if you see what i mean :-)

also you may like to check out my website at http://www.adders.org and then check out the support group page for the USA and perhaps contact a local support network to see what services may be available to support him and you as well

thing is services differ so much throughout the world and especially between the USA and the UK where i am based so i am afraid i cannot answer more fully apart from to say that services in the USA appear to me here in the UK a lot wider and more available so therefore there can probably some support that he can access such as adhd coaching which i am sure would help him to organise things a lot

again sorry for the delay in replying to your question