You could talk to me, but I would only half listen or get distracted for a few seconds here or there. I would start personal or work projects and get super stuck for unknown reasons. I'd never be able to finish a book unless it was genuinely thrilling. And I'd never been able to complete any online classes I took.

Due to life circumstances, this problem got much worse in the past year or so. I couldn't pay attention to my spouse or my kids, I couldn't remember to do simple stuff, I routinely lost things such as my glasses, wallet, and keys, and all of this created a lot of unnecessary stress.

This sort of unfocused behavior always occurred, but it got much more frequent and worse to the point of generating a lot of frustration for me and those around me.

Then it got to the point I could not finish projects, start tasks I didn't like, and so on. This lack of focus almost impacted my work, yet no one seemed to notice, as I could work on things that didn't block anyone.

Following advice from my wife, friends, father, and here on HN, I looked for a psychiatrist to understand what was going on. After a lengthy consultation, the doctor told me I most likely had ADHD, and it got worse due to a more demanding lifestyle.

He prescribed me weekly therapy with a psychologist and some medicine. I was skeptical of it all at first but decided to give it a go.

I cannot express more emphatically how these two steps changed my life this past month. I'm more aware of everything around me, focus on things with ease, and start and finish projects efficiently. My wife and I rarely fight anymore, and I even have the willpower to play with my kids.

It was as if my mind got pulled away at every turn, but now I can finally fully control it.

If you feel the same way I did, do look for help. Even if it makes your budget tight, it will help you beyond what I can describe.