I’m sure that I have adult attention-deficit disorder? Wait, what were we talking about?

Seriously though, I have been plagued with forgetfulness, constantly losing things and organization problems for quite some time.

Though I don’t have the hyperactivity associated with ADD, which is common for adults not to have, I am convinced I have this frustrating condition. I took an online test, so it must be true.

While reading, I find myself skipping back and forth on sections of a page to try and figure out what happens next.

I’ll sit in class and tell myself how important it is to pay attention but end up missing parts of a lecture because I put more emphasis in trying to pay attention than actually paying attention.

Has anyone seen my keys? Oh, here they are.

There are low percentages of people who are actually diagnosed with adult ADD, but, like myself, I am guessing there are several people who go without a diagnosis.

Even if I did have adult ADD the medication might not do me any good. Like most advertised medications, the ones for adult ADD come with a long list of possible side effects.

Such adult medications as Strattera, have side effects that include upset stomach, dizziness, urination problems and constipation.

Great, now that I have my focus back I can concentrate harder on how dizzy I am or how I can’t urinate properly.

I was pretty interested in the commercial I saw until I was told I might suffer from tiredness and insomnia at the same time.

There are ways people can avoid the forgetfulness and lack of focus and not have to see a doctor to get a prescription.

At times I have trouble sticking to these, but with practice and consistency, systems can be set up to keep a potential ADD sufferer on track.

As a reporter, deadline pressure and the interest I have in my job make my alleged ADD less of a problem, but on every day tasks, I find some of these tricks help me out.

A big helper, as dorky as it sounds, is to make to-do lists so I have documentation that helps me keep on track of daily duties. I make fun of my girlfriend all the time for doing this, but it really does help.

All it takes is a quick five or 10 minutes a day. As you go through the list, cross out things you have done. Not only does it keep you on track and focused, it makes you feel like you have accomplished something. An alternative is a palm pilot, which costs more than a pen and piece of paper.

I have a tendency to do things a backwards way, so setting up a system that works for me is important. There isn’t a problem with doing things differently as long is there is consistency with it.

My systems may not work for anyone else, but I get the job done and that is what matters.

When dealing with procrastination on long-term projects, I have found doing them in portions or setting early deadlines for myself has been helpful.

If you have a 10-page research paper, make an outline, and do a part of the paper every couple days.

If all else fails, go to the doctor and check it out. Adult ADD is a real problem whether it truly affects me or not.

Editors note: Williams was distracted 37.5 times while trying to finish this column.