I hope OP (and other "scanners") sees this - it might be worth knowing that you may have ADHD, especially if you also heavily procrastinate, are messy/disorganized and always run late. There is much more than I can type in a single comment but if someone wants more info I can try and help.
ADHD doesn't necessarily present as "hyperactive child" or the other stereotypes to which it often gets associated. Many people receive an ADHD diagnosis in adulthood after years of (more or less) successfully coping by employing organizational strategies, e.g. good list-making, appointment reminders, setting extra alarms, and so on.
In terms of OP's rotating interests, the colloquial term is "hyper-focus" and it occurs because people with ADHD are dopamine deficient and generally crave novelty. That can lead to both regressive behaviors like substance abuse or more progressive behaviors like adopting new hobbies and interests.
For the latter, it's easy to get quick dopamine hits when you first dive into a new subject/hobby. But as time goes on and you dive deeper into it, the novelty you first experienced begins to wear off. The quickest antidote is to find a new fixation and start the process over again.
I've experienced this phenomenon many times myself, and much of what OP described resonates with my experiences.
> ADHD doesn't necessarily present as "hyperactive child" or the other stereotypes to which it often gets associated. Many people receive an ADHD diagnosis in adulthood after years of (more or less) successfully coping by employing organizational strategies.
That's pretty much been my case so far :') (though yet undiagnosed, only suspected).
It's not necessary to know that you have ADD/ADHD to tackle these issues, but it gives you a good idea of what's going on.
As much as I'd like to be a "Scanner" I think ADHD describes me more accurately. Procrastination is my entire identity but also being interested in ten things at once. But on the flip side I went back to school and for a project of minimum required 3,000 words I wrote 20,000 word. I do know a person with valid diagnosed ADHD and they seem far more erratic than me so I hope I only have a low to mild version.
It could be genetic too my Mom's sister's children are all doctors but one of them or some of them don't use their degrees and work manual labour jobs. Maybe I have that but to a lesser degree due to procrastination and my environment.
I was wondering if I had ADHD as well, but I never "overdo" my homework, like what you've described and what I've heard some ADHD people talk about. I talk more about my thought patterns and behaviors in another Ask HN https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=30952648
Would love for you to take a look if you don't mind :)
It can (and often I'd guess) is both! The author of the book also apparently has ADHD (I suspect I have it too). I'd recommend going to a doc and starting out with CBT/DBT therapy and/or meds.
