When people talk about ADD, they always mention three primary characteristics - distractibility, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. While those are important, there's a fourth that goes unacknowledged: fussiness.
Everyone is fussy about certain things, and some of us are even neurotic. But ADDers are fussy about pretty much everything, from the tags in their shirts to the ice in their drinks. A nice way of putting it would be to call them sensitive, not fussy. But I'm married to one, so I can say fussy.
I have been calling Jen The Princess and the Pea because of an ongoing skirmish with our mattress. It's been dipping slightly in the middle, causing us to lie at an imperceptible angle. Well, imperceptible to everyone but Jen. We've tried everything to get it flat. We even got a new bed frame. It's better, but not perfect. And Jen can't sleep unless it's perfect.
I could sleep on a pile of broken glass. Jen can't sleep on an expensive Tempurpedic mattress that's barely lost its shape. Does anyone else have a fussy partner they'd like to tell me about? Please share in the comments.
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I have ADD and I am fussy about my mattress also. I can fell every speck of a crumb or bump no matter how small on it. My wife on the other hand doesn't notice anything short of a small boulder. I believe it comes from having super sensitive skin. I think Mother Nature in addition to blessing us with ADD also gave us a sensitive tactile nature.
Posted by: John Fink | June 14, 2007 at 08:35 AM
This is so us! We have tried many times to get the bed balanced. I have taken out my level to make sure that it is not the floor, I have put wood under the mattress, I have put pillows, comforters to help. I love Silvia very much - and we to refer to her also as the "Princess" and the Pea.
Posted by: Mary | June 14, 2007 at 11:46 AM
I don't think the fussiness is unique to mattresses and sleeping per se. I think it's just another sign of being unable to ignore something annoying. Sound bugs me like crazy and can definitely keep me from sleeping. I have a white noise machine, but it can't cover everything, alas!
Posted by: Kristin | June 19, 2007 at 07:42 AM
I don't think the fussiness is unique to mattresses and sleeping per se. I think it's just another sign of being unable to ignore something annoying. Sound bugs me like crazy and can definitely keep me from sleeping. I have a white noise machine, but it can't cover everything, alas!
Posted by: Kristin | June 19, 2007 at 07:42 AM
I am cracking up! Take that, Erin - I'm not the only princess and the pea!
Posted by: Jen | June 21, 2007 at 12:08 AM
I have had the best time reading your blog! I am an ADDer and my partner is not. Your life mirrors ours sometimes and I have spent most of the day reading your blogs (I am sure I should have been doing something else!) and laughing and bugging her with all your stories that are just like ours! Anyway, let me know if you still have trouble with the sag...I work for TP. :)
Posted by: Kate | August 19, 2009 at 08:45 PM
Thanks so much, Kate! Always nice to hear from someone in a Bert & Ernie relationship! :)
Posted by: Erin | August 20, 2009 at 02:34 PM
HA!! Let me know if I can help with the mattress...they are warrantied you know. :)
Posted by: Kate | August 20, 2009 at 03:39 PM