ADHD Helpline — where distraction meets understanding… eventually.
(“Please hold… oh look, a squirrel!”)
Operator: “Hello, you’ve reached the ADHD Helpline — how can I help you today?”
Caller: “Hi, yes — I’m having trouble focusing.”
Operator: “Okay, we can definitely help with that. Can I take your name?”
Caller: “Erm… hang on. I wrote it down somewhere so I wouldn’t forget. Wait—oh no, that’s my grocery list. Why do I have seven types of cheese on here?”
Operator: “Cheese is valid. But let’s focus—oh! Speaking of focus, have you tried one of those apps that plays ambient rain sounds?”
Caller: “Yes, but then I spent three hours researching cloud formations.”
Operator: “Relatable. I once tried to meditate and ended up reorganising my spice rack alphabetically. Did you know there are five different kinds of paprika?”
Caller: “Ooh, smoky or sweet?”
Operator: “Smoky. Definitely smoky. Anyway—where were we?”
Caller: “I think I was explaining my focus problem.”
Operator: “Right, yes! Classic ADHD spiral. Tell me, do you ever—hold on, is that a cat meowing on your end?”
Caller: “Oh yes, sorry, that’s Chairman Meow. He’s sitting on my keyboard. Wait—oh no, he’s just sent an email to my boss with 14 emojis and the word ‘potato.’”
Operator: “Perfectly understandable. Happens all the time. So — strategies for focus. Step one: write a list.”
Caller: “Done.”
Operator: “Step two: make a second list reminding you to look at the first list.”
Caller: “Got it.”
Operator: “Step three: lose both lists, panic briefly, and then remember you stuck them to the fridge with a magnet shaped like a llama.”
Caller: “You’re scarily accurate.”
Operator: “It’s in the training manual. Along with a reminder to hydrate and not start new hobbies mid-call.”
Caller: “Oh! That reminds me, I started crocheting last night.”
Operator: “Amazing! I started crocheting once too—ended up making a hat that looked like a croissant. Wait—what were we talking about again?”
Caller: “No idea. But I feel better.”
Operator: “Brilliant! That’s step four: forget what the problem was, but leave feeling oddly accomplished.”
Caller: “Thank you so much. I’ll… probably call again in five minutes.”
Operator: “No problem! I’ll be here. Or possibly reorganising my sock drawer. Either way, we’ll circle back.”
Caller gets immersed in another distraction and remembers 3 weeks later that they were supposed to ring back…
Do you find a little bit of you in this?
Here are some gentle, practical ways to help calm and focus the mind when it’s darting in every direction at once:
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🌿 Try functional mushrooms such as lion’s mane or reishi to support clarity and nervous system balance.
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🌸 Ashwagandha can help stabilise mood and reduce mental overwhelm.
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💧 Drink warm water to stay hydrated — dehydration can mimic distractibility and fatigue.
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🚶♀️ Take a short walk — movement clears mental clutter and resets focus.
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🧠 Use mind-mapping tools (digital or on paper) to see your thoughts visually and make sense of scattered ideas.
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🌞 Take breaks outside — natural light and fresh air recharge the brain faster than you think.
Remember: focus doesn’t always mean stillness — sometimes it’s simply finding a rhythm that works with your brain, not against it.