Concentration | ADHD Information
[QUOTE=GypsyWomyn]I always thought I had/have a problem 'comprehending' or grasping what I read or am told. But now I realize it's a matter of not being able to retain the information. Of course, it does help if I'm extremely interested in what I'm reading or learning. But back in school, I suppose I could comprehend some of the material, from either reading or listening in class, it made sense at the moment, but could only retain the information for a very, very short time. So when it came to being tested on the information asked a question by the teacher, I had absolutely no memory of what I had just learned ... uh, I mean what I had been taught.
I don't know if meds are going to help me ....because I have over 50 years having difficulty retaining what I've read or heard. It would be like a mini miracle if I could retain information...and not keep asking over and over and over....what did you say the King of ______'s name was?"
It would have been great if I'd been taught by video...the visual content may have helped some, but I still have trouble remember character's names in movies, so who knows. *Shrug*[/QUOTE]
I HAVE the same problem now since I'm in college! I'm always like "What did she say, I don't understand?" To the person next to me and most people do understand and I'm always the one that gets explainations from other people. It is SOOO frustrating I hate it!
And Focus, I'm a 29 y/o adult who has just accepted that I have ADD, because when I was "officially" diagnosed which was in Dec of 2003, I totally didn't want to beleive it but I just finally got to my wits end! I've been in and out of college since I was 19 or 20 and kept dropping out because of frustration. I'm not on straterra(ritalin and notice a slight change) and I know that you want more feedback about it and I'm sorry I dunno, 
but I wish you the best of luck and wanted to share my "brief" story.
OH, and if you want to know more about your medication only, there is a thread at the home page called adhd medications. Hope you get your answers!
Hey. I know what you mean very much about the concentration! I always found it very hard in school if I was able to sit long enough to read a page without thinking of thousands of other things I needed to do, i never knew what I read! B/c of this I made about average grades, but it was soo stressful for me b/c I had to work harder than everyone else to get the same "c".
However, I was never actaully diagnosed with ADD- the doctors kept trying to treat me for depression. When I told one doc I thought I might have it he put me on Strattera. Well, I'm sorry to say it didn't work. My appetite went down a bit but otherwise, nothing. THen we tried concerta- it "worked" but gave me vertigo. Then we tried adderall which both of us were hesitant about. Let me tell you I started making straight a's in school (of course, sophomore year in college)and even went to real estate school on top of college and work. Now, it might sound like I over did it, but I've always been that way. But now I was able to do it!
I really hope that Strattera will work for you as it is not a stimualnt. However, my advice is that you must make sure that it is truely working for you. I know others who have taken it wiht no effect- maybe sometimes you just need that stimulant. I have been very lucky with the adderall. It has been almost a year and a hlf since I started on it. I am still doing very well in school and I am a realtor. I have no signs of addiction to it at all ( I've actually forgotten to take it-which isn't good either) and I have lost about 5 pounds in that time, but no more.
I'm not rooting the adderall, but make sure that the strattera does work for you. I've heard it works best in younger children, but that it can work in adults.
Good Luck!!!
If I wqanted to read something I always could whip through it. If I didnt want to read something I would get sleepy a minute or two into it, find myself reading a page and realizing I hadnt really paid attention to what I was reading because I was daydreaming , reread the same paragraph several times. If I was not interested in a subject or book I really couldnt read it and remeber what i had read or really follow it. If i was interested i have always been like a lazer beam focised at what i was reading and disconeected to the world. I have read books I really liked 8 or 10 hours straight. The book becomes the world.
In school I have a much easier time reading textbooks now that I take ritalin. It's not like I want to read them but I can pay attention and rememeber what I am reading.
I am amazed that I graduated from high school. I really bet I shouldn't have because reading was always impossible for me and my work ethic was terrible. Later in life I went back to a vocational college and learned graphic arts. I did well with that because we learned by doing and it had very little reading. That was the key for me. Here in Minnesota, they are now starting to experiment in certain schools with different teaching styles, for kids like I was. I sure wish I'd have had that then! I bet I would have done so much better.
I am on Adderall (about 2.5 weeks now) and am really liking the little successes I'm seeing as a result. Everything is so much easier for me now.
Hello,
I've been having trouble focusing since I was a little kid. Reading and studying have always been a nightmare, because I can't keep my mind on what I'm reading. I get to the end of the page and I've thought about everything else BUT what I've just read. That's a small example of what I go through every day.
I'm in search of adults who have/had the same problem and who are currently taking Strattera. I'm very interested in it and I'd like to know if it has helped you with reading and the like. I get so excited when I think about being about to read anything I desire, and being able to comprehend it! I honestly think I'd have a room stacked full of books if I could only understand them.
This was just a shot in the dark to see if possibly this drug could help me.
I look forward to your responses. :)
hehe you should have seen my book reports. I picked books that included pictures because it was easier to visualize the story..and the teachers laughed.Yeah, I hear you on that one. I've been dealing with it my whole life but lately It's really starting to get to me. I feel I could be doing so much more and learning so much more if I could only comprehend. Obviously, the reading part is just one of the things that drives me nuts on a daily basis.
I always thought I had/have a problem 'comprehending' or grasping what I read or am told. But now I realize it's a matter of not being able to retain the information. Of course, it does help if I'm extremely interested in what I'm reading or learning. But back in school, I suppose I could comprehend some of the material, from either reading or listening in class, it made sense at the moment, but could only retain the information for a very, very short time. So when it came to being tested on the information asked a question by the teacher, I had absolutely no memory of what I had just learned ... uh, I mean what I had been taught.
I don't know if meds are going to help me ....because I have over 50 years having difficulty retaining what I've read or heard. It would be like a mini miracle if I could retain information...and not keep asking over and over and over....what did you say the King of ______'s name was?"
It would have been great if I'd been taught by video...the visual content may have helped some, but I still have trouble remember character's names in movies, so who knows. *Shrug*
Hi Focus.
I've always loved reading, but only interesting stuff of course.
I had to make a huge effort to get through reading material at school/uni, or through anything dull.
Have been on Strattera for 3 weeks now. I'm not sure how it will affect my ability to read boring books, will have to wait and see. I am finding it easier to stay on task and not get too distracted. hooray!
CRap, I couldn't even read all the replies.....
Lost it after RED one. Just couldn't get through that one......
reading has always been a problem for me. if i was interested in something, i could read a book all night through. if i was not too interested then i would either not be able to start, or would reread the same page 5 or 6 times while fighting the overwhelming urge to sleep.
these days i pretty much read short articles in magazines and on the web. when i'm on the web, i usually have four or five pages open at once. can't wait for them to load and go through links pretty quickly.
since i have been taking wellbutrin, i have been able to read more in the way of books, but it has to be something of interest.
this reading thing is an example of how hard school was. i am great at learning and understanding, but because my focus was so erratic, eveyone thought i was just being lazy. i almost always had the right answers, and before everyone else. when i was there with my body. daydreaming was something i had to fight many days. fortunately, my brain jumps around so much, i was able to absorb lots even on those days because i was channel surfing in my brain and the channel with the teacher on it would still get through. it also helped that i almost always knew more than my peers on most subjects to begin with.
as you can see, i don't really have a problem with writing. at least not when i am not compelled to write. what happens is i get going and a few thoughts turns into a treatise on life, the universe, and everything. i often actually prefer writing because i am better organised and less impassioned. i think too fast to really be a good speaker- i trip on my words and ideas.
also, with speaking, i tend to intimidate people because i get so hyped up, especially when it's a topic close to my heart. take a fairly big, bearded, mean biker looking kind of guy, wire him up with the fire of a John the baptist talking fast and passionately, and you start to see (as i am just beginning to see for myself) what it may feel like to be around me on a tear.
Reading problems are are also a sign of visual problems. Tracking/eyeteaming will effect comprehension because unable to follow along and slow reading so by the time at end don't get.Since doing vision therapy our sons comprehension levels are moving up.Yes, focusing is a problem for me too, but my biggest problem is RETENTION!! I'll study and study, and even take breaks becasue you aren't supposed to study too long without taking a break...after 15 minutes or so, your brain starts to lose it's ability and it's useless. Although, I've been on ritalin now for almost a month and I took a test yesterday and I KNOW I did much better than the D I got on my last test right before I started my meds. I'm switching to concerta tomorrow for the "convenience" of one pill which is supposed to last 10-12 hrs of the same drug as ritalin or preferably (methylphenidate).
You said you can retain info real well and then you can't after a while...do you take breaks?
Hi all,
I'm a new member here, and was diagnosed in gradeschool with ADD but nothing was ever really done about it because I did well in school. Reading Bobel's post about reading problems(daydreaming and having to reread the paragraph) almost made me laugh out loud, this is my biggest obstacle when trying to study. Its so annoying to have to concentrate on concentrating on reading - it sounds stupid but thats the only way i can describe it. It takes 3 times as much effort to get through something. I have a friend that can concentrate on the spot - in the middle of a crowded, loud room. Because of this, she is ultra-efficient with her time. She only has to read things once, its amazing.
Even with this condition I've managed to do well in school and beyond. But sometimes I wonder how much I could achieve if I could be like my friend. I have these 2-3 minute bursts of concentration where I absorb a TON of information, but then its gone, and my mind is wondering again. Considering the amount i can absorb in that short period, I always imagine what it would be like if I could be like my friend and be in that "zone" 24/7. This just proves to me even more, that ADD is not an indcator of how smart a person is. Actually, I think of us as extremly bright - we have to learn the same amount of information in extremely short periods of time (concentration span).
I just turned 25 and am a banker in NYC. I am planning on taking the CFA exam in June and the GMAT in July. I'm having a really hard time concentrating and am getting tired of forcing my self through the materials. I went to see a psychiatrist about a month ago to get some meds (last time I had meds for add was in gradeschool), she gave me strattera (which made me nautious) and wellbutrin (which didn't do anything). I'm thinking of going back and asking for Ritalin. That did wonders for me when I was younger, but thats almost 20 years ago. Any adults out there still use the conventional ritalin to treat their add? Any suggestions would be helpful.
Thanks,
Wangta
Hey if it's something that's technical or text-bookie type stuff I have trouble concentrating on it. And retention for that kinda of info is equally annoying. It might as well as said blah, blah, blah next step blah. However, if the material is able to grab me emotionally (through interesting language, a beautiful painting or a well shot scene) I'm much more likely to be able to concentrate on it. The retention may be slightly better but I still struggle, nevertheless.
theoptimizer38440.0277777778I hated reading until college, there I discovered Fantasy writing I couldn't stop I read everlything (except my course books) My reading speed improved tremendously then I wanted more to read I got sucked into Sci Fi , Then mysterys then the classics. So Reading was not an issue with me since college. However Writing was a HUGE issue. I struggled with it all my professional life. I have been taking straterra fro 10 months. I have written more in that time than tthe previous 5 years! and I hvae also began to read for the sake of reading. The best way to describe it is before I would prepare for the process and never quite begin:A typical session would go like this: Get my water, sharpen pencils get paper go get a snack , research my topic, hey I didn;t know that this author liked topic X where oes he live, wonder if that is a good vacation place.
Now With the straterra on good days I can start writing and or reading get into it right away, on bad days I have triggers that can get me started. then boom I have written a page and I am into it. I also find that I don;t get distratect with typo's and mispellings during the writing process. The same is true of reading I think
Hope that helps.
Wangta01 - thank you for saying what you said about how much you grasp in such a little amount of time. Currently, I am going to school for my master's but in a different field. For the last year I struggled terribly. Now that I'm toward the end of my program, I wish I studied something that had come more naturally to me. I know that there is no such thing as a wasted education, and I am sure that I'll use the education that I worked so very hard to get. But, it may not be in the field that I studied. I found out that working this hard in grad school doesn't end here, those same expectations are carried into the workplace. And, I don't know whether it's physically possible for me to continue working this hard for the rest of my working life.
When I started the program, however, I had no idea that I had ADHD and really didn't know myself as well as I thought. Once on medication a whole new world opened up. I had to learn to deal with my newly acquired quiet mind. I had to learn how to deal with feeling safe to think coherent thoughts. Now I'm learning that learning does not have to be this the torturous thing that it's always been.
When I first started grad school I thought that I just didn't get it. I would read everything at least twice sometimes three times. Although, I have good grades I know, however, that if most of my exams were given in the classroom I would have failed. All of my exams have been take home exams which of course meant that I got to work that much longer and harder. That feeling was nothing new, as I have felt that way my entire life. In the beginning, I thought I can do this I'll just forfeit sleep this night and that night and I'll grin and bear it. Now, I'm finally understanding that I don't have to feel that way and that I don't have to do that to myself. There is more to life than toughing it out.
Now having said that, I still have need to over-compensate for my inadequacies. And, yet at the same time because of the hyper focus thing, inattentiveness, and inability to manage my time that even with over-compensating I still come up short. I'm always late with my work.
Now it's just about keeping up with the work to get through. I'm tired of trying to prove something to someone. It appears that I will graduate, but, I have to tell you that it came at too high a cost. I wish I had known that there were real options that would have allowed me to tap into my natural abilities instead of studying material where I had to employ a brute force mentality to digest it. Someone very rich and successful once told me to do what I love and the money would follow. I wish now that I had believed them.
by the way, none of what I said was meant to undermine your efforts in school. You may very well love what you do and I hope that you do. I just needed to say what I said for me. Good luck in your endeavors.
I could always read, although I always bought (or stole !) way more books than I could ever read. Strattera (once I got up to sufficient dosage) has helped me focus on choosing the right book to read and sticking to my original purpose in reading it until I decided that another purpose was better served. It has helped me decide to stop reading books that were not on point, instead of abandoning them and feeling vaguely guilty about it. I think I am getting MUCH more out of my reading now.I can relate. In college, I pulled Cs and Ds in my major (business), As and Bs in my minor Political Science. Guess which subjects interested me more.
I can lose myself in a book that interests me, but have to drag through any reading that is required and dull.
It's a real battle to stay engaged with something that either doesn't stimulate me the right way or is difficult. Plus, I am on no medication - stimulants had side effects my wife and I couldn't deal with and my doctor doesn't like prescribing the non-stimulants. So I try to exercise, watch my diet, and do my best to force myself to stay focused. And so here I am, posting a reply when there's work to be done....
Theoptimizer - i'm much the same way. I can concentrate for longer periods of time if I'm interested in what I'm reading. I think this is what caused alot of confusion when I was younger. I did extremely well in subjects that I liked, like math, but had alot of diffuclty in classes such as history.
ProfDD, glad to hear that Strattera is working for you. I tried that for a couple weeks - I really hated it. Everytime I took it I would become extremely nautious, so much so that I even get sick now just thinking about taking one of those pills. Also, I found that it didn't really help with concentration. I was given Wellbutrin a couple weeks a back and have also experienced no dramatic difference. I'm guessing that the non-stimulant medications only work for certain people. Unfortunately, I do not seem to be such a person.
ditzychick, how is concerta working out for you? did you end up starting today? I've been taking the 36mgs and am moving up to 54mgs after i finish the 36mgs tablets. I am also taking the 12 hour once a day tablet. I hope it works out for you!! i hate retention problems too. I struggle and struggle and struggle with that. I just feel like giving up. I try and can never remember. Hopefully it will continue to get better for school etc. we'll see. Isn't funny how medication can work? I have the same exact problem of reading, reading, reading, getting so bored and then was like what the heck did I just read? Then I started taking Adderal and I could remember what I read. I almost fell over. Amazing. Without meds our brain can imput the information but not understand it which can't output the information. Medication. Simply amazing.