"Onemindfulness"/Focusing | ADHD Information

Why thank ya, m'am! Too bad my friends don't think so -- they never laugh at what I say that I THINK is funny or is meant to be funny. I guess it's not the joke, but how you tell it. That's why I love this board soooo much. We read like each other types...so we understand one another. Or, of course, we could walk around with a little screen that we can pick out the smiley icons and hold up when we're talking.

Actually, I didn't take my Concerta today...and I feel a lot more like myself.

I found something on the other ADD forum (only go there once in a blue, blue moon) and found this. I hope the owner of it doesn't mind if I quote it.

"and leave us not forget perpetual disorganization (I suspect I'm actually a "born-organized" trapped in an ADD brain/body - I love organizing things but can't keep 'em that way)"

That's exactly how I feel. GypsyWomyn38430.7917592593I took a course for two years called DBT, dialectic behavorial therapy, designed for BPD, borderline personality disorder, which has many "symptoms" similar to AD(H)D. I was not dx'd at that time for adhd, although I suspected I had it since early childhood. Anyway, one of the skills I was taught was onemindfulness, to help slow the mind down and focus. I just didn't "get" it at the time. Now, I've been going back to my workbook and seeing it in an entirely different light!

Since I'm considering not doing any meds, I'm so glad I have these skills and tools to fall back on.

I'm just wondering how those of you who are not on meds have perhaps managed to slow your mind down, been able to focus, if at all.    GypsyWomyn38430.7033912037[QUOTE=Wyrd]
Good for you!  How long have you been on meds? Two months.     Not very long. But I am limited to the meds I can try, and not sure Concerta is the one. So I thought perhaps I'd just wing it w/o.

As for focusing strategies, (I just started meds and not convinced they're working, so I guess I qualify as 'not on meds' hehe) Likewise! Just the way I feel also.

hmmm..  I've tried out a lot of organizing schemes that would have worked if I'd stuck to them... Oh, sure, there are plenty of great organizing schemes...I know 'em all! It's like saying "Sure, it's easy to quit smoking, I've done it a 100 times."

I think the one thing that has worked for me so far is the belief that success generates more success.  Based on that, I decide it's ok to start out by doing one or two things on my list that I LIKE to do to build momentum.  (Gotta save at least one fun thing for the end of the list, too.)  I know it doesn't sound very profound, but.. /shrug  (warning:  in reality, I don't usually finish the whole list, but don't forget to count making a list as the first success.) Yes, we must congratulate ourselves for that!!

Here's an idea I've been wanting to try (don't hope for anything profound):  I seem to focus better when I'm alone.  Wyrd, that's an easy one for me....I live alone, and have for many years. Although I do prefer it that way. You'd think I had no excuse to do just about everything there is to learn to focus, motivate, etc., etc.   

You seem very capable and I'm guessing you have pretty good judgement.  I think you'll do fine.  Careful stepping down, though. Only been on Concerta 18mg 1st month (nada) and 36 mg since 3/3. So not even 2 months! Good advice, thank you, but don't think there'll be that much of a step. And thank you for the encouraging words, Wyrd! And the good advice, too!
[/QUOTE] [QUOTE=sonya_h] gypsywomyn: may I ask what made you decide to come off of your meds? just a wonderin.....[/QUOTE]
Of course, Sonya, ask me any thing, any time! I'm considering it because 1) this med doesn't seem to be doing much for me 2) when it has felt like it might be working, I felt it was in exchange for some things in my character like, and don't want to lose. 3) I don't really want to take meds for ever, and I already take enough other meds: HBP, High cholesterol, antidepressant.

So unless they put me on something that I feel the way I've heard others post, that they've never been happier, or been able to focus soooo well, and accomplish things unbelievably, or been able to communicate so effectively...I guess I'll learn to continue w/o meds, like I have for over 50 yrs. However, I will try anything and everything to learn skills and tools so I can be happier the rest of my life. I can alway revert to self-medicating with coffee! Java, java, yo, java.    

One thing I think Concerta HAS done for me, is help me sleep. But if I exercise and stay more physically active, I can sleep well, too.GypsyWomyn38430.7579398148 [QUOTE=GypsyWomyn] I'm considering not doing any meds, I'm so glad I have these skills and tools to fall back on.

I'm just wondering how those of you who are not on meds have perhaps managed to slow your mind down, been able to focus, if at all.    [/QUOTE]

Good for you!  How long have you been on meds?

As for focusing strategies, (I just started meds and not convinced they're working, so I guess I qualify as 'not on meds' hehe) hmmm..  I've tried out a lot of organizing schemes that would have worked if I'd stuck to them...

I think the one thing that has worked for me so far is the belief that success generates more success.  Based on that, I decide it's ok to start out by doing one or two things on my list that I LIKE to do to build momentum.  (Gotta save at least one fun thing for the end of the list, too.)  I know it doesn't sound very profound, but.. /shrug  (warning:  in reality, I don't usually finish the whole list, but don't forget to count making a list as the first success.)

Here's an idea I've been wanting to try (don't hope for anything profound):  I seem to focus better when I'm alone.  I want to write down how I feel during those (rare) times and during other times when I suddenly, inexplicably feel good and can focus (also [very] rare).  After a goodly amount of data gathering, try to find a way to replicate (or at least approximate) those conditions at work or wherever else I need focus.

You seem very capable and I'm guessing you have pretty good judgement.  I think you'll do fine.  Careful stepping down, though.
gypsywomyn: may I ask what made you decide to come off of your meds? just a wonderin.....

Hi Gypsywoman,

Tried guided meditations (while trying to cope before meds).  Found a very modest, limited improvement but had to do 20min 3x per day for it to last.  Short lived effect that further frustrated me (bit like taking aspirin to mask the pain of a headache instead of curing the headache).

Am a meds convert.  Now I realize that meditations did not really slow things down (sure, I felt calm and relaxed inside, BUT my mind was still travelling at Mach II).  For me meditation (in all forms) was a nice lifestyle addition, but failed to remedy the ADD.

Gypsy, you're funny 

I like funny people