Despite extant piles of work from each of my multiple jobs, all of which need completion before I head off to the Bahamas this weekend, I spent most of the morning accomplishing essentially nothing. A fifteen minute sample:

10:45-10:48 – Stare at screen blankly, fidget in chair.
10:48-10:51 – Trip to the bathroom.
10:51-10:54 – Stop to bother secretary on the way back.
10:54-10:56 – Check email, stare blankly at screen again, fidget.
10:56-10:57 – Read a few news stories at Wired and Slashdot.
10:57-11:00 – Wander around office, trying to look purposeful.

The entire morning (from 8:00 to 12:00) followed about the same pattern. I think I have ADHD.

No, really. According to the DSM-IV (The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders – Fourth Edition, for the uneducated), ADHD consists of three composite traits: inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. And I hit the key symptoms for each:

Inattention
often fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork, work, or other activities;
often dislikes or is reluctant to engage in tasks that require sustained concentration;
is often forgetful in daily activities.

Hyperactivity
often fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in seat;
often leaves seat in classroom or in other situations in which remaining seated is expected;
is often “on the go;”
often talks excessively.

Impulsivity
often blurts out answers before questions have been completed;
often interrupts or intrudes on others (e.g., butts into conversations or games).

Which, basically, describes me to a ‘T.’ Where do I get my Ritalin?