Anyone noticed a greater range over time | ADHD Information

Yes. It looks like you are training yourself to focus and possibly to hyperfocus. I also wouldn't be surprised if your workload has increased considerably, with more paperwork and more stressors as your education level has increased.

Executive functioning is one of the things we ADHDers have a ton of trouble with. Have you considered an ADHD coach? They can help you learn better organizational skills, sometimes even over the phone.

This is great! I have one year of college and just may be able to help someone with a PHD!

I'll be 60 (God forbid) my next birthday and was only recently diagnosed. I can't take any drugs because I'm currently on chemo and there's too much risk of heart toxicity. (This is my 2nd bout with breast cancer and I had some heart damage from chemo the first time).

My undergraduate GPA ('68) was a 2.3. My master's was a 3.4 ('77) and my doctoral GPA (with only 3 more courses to go and they're all expected A's) is a 4.0. I certainly feel more intellectually tuned that I used to. On the other end, I'm more and more disorganized and undisciplined at doing the stuff I don't like, including housework and anything administrative. In other words, the range of my positives and negatives seems to have increased over time.

I'm wondering if anyone else has noticed this kind of shift--that the good is getting better and the bad is getting badder!

sachetm38584.5140856481Ahhh, now we're getting somewhere.

Can you do M birds?
Well, I tremble at new projects. Oooh, I just felt a figlet trying to get out...

How am I going to control my elf? I can barely do that now...

To quote a famous green troll "Do or do not. There is no try".

In workspeak: okay, I'll try.

In Dav'es World: give me a deadline, and I'll apply the procrastination method. I work well under pressure, as it releases brain neurochemicals that the figlets feed on.

Good morning, by the way! You awake? Knock knock...
ADHD definition: "figlet of my imagination" ...

...the shorter portion of a figment that an ADr is able to retain and act upon...

Didn't I just PM you a day or two or three ago Davidornado?

I have been meaning to tell you that I read your post talking about all your accomplishments. I made my son read it and told him "see, having ADD is not an excuse! You can do anything but you do have to work at it! Look at all the things this man has done and how successful he is. There is no reason you can't succeed also!"

I think it would be great for you to post on the parents of ADHDers forum. You could simplify your accomplishments and talk about how hard you worked to be successful and that when you had a setback, you picked yourself up off your fanny and tried again. You could possibly even mention some of the difficulties you had in school and how you overcame them or learned to work around them. What I am thinking of is something we can print out for our kids so they can see that having ADHD may be a challenge but the rewards can be great if you are really willing to put in the effort. What do you think?

Sorry, I didn't mean to get off topic here! LOL See David, we don't ignore you, we just forget to respond!

satchetm, Thank you! That info about neuroelasticity is fascinating. I see exactly where you are coming from with it. I too have noticed that things I knew and did well, then stopped doing for whatever reason are sometimes lost to me and I have to basically start reprogramming and relearning them all over.

I seem to have that happen much faster than most people I know who are not ADHD. Have you noticed that? If you don't use it, you lose it fairly quickly. I thought it was probably part of being ADD but wasn't sure. What do you think?

[QUOTE=sachetm]Oh, sweeitie, please don't give this education thing more value than it deserves. So many people do that with education and it means so little in the total scope of who a person is. I'd so much rather be around someone kind and plugged into life's "truisms" than someone highly-educated who's basically a selfish jerk. I just hate to see people undervaluing themseves because of education, when it's so unimportant in the total scheme of things that really matter. Like making money. That's my "native" name, BTW: "MakingMoney". My wife's is "CookingFood". My soccer son's is "KickingFoot". My daughter's is "LookingCute". Hey, on a serious note, I wouldn't be making more than a doctor or a lawyer w/o my education.

I do it because it's something I really enjoy (just a huge natural curiosity) and seem to be good at. I'm so sick of trying to do things I suck at and failing-'Cuz we try to do what others wanted us to do...be like them-which has been more true than not. I get a lot of positive feeback from school which after all the negative I've gotten in my life, really feels good! Plus, school provides a structure that's hard for me to create on my own. And it's not such a restrictive one that it drives me nuts. (My program is 100% online, but also fully accredited. So, I can do my assignments on a flexible schedule, which is great.)

Actually, I have a counselor who tries to serve as an ADD coach--in addition to helping me deal w/ my illness (breast cancer). And we do our sessions via phone (she moved her practice and it's too far away, especially now that I'm sick). But I need more support than 45 min. per week. That would be a great suggestion if I weren't already doing it. And I really can't afford more, being on disability. Coach yourself, there's soooo much online now, that you'll never get through it all. Just ID your weaknesses, and word search mitigations. That's what I do. Besides, who's going to coach the coaches? Someone's at the top of the foodchain, and yuo seem smart, so why not you? Just write a book and publish it, or at least publish on line somewhere, 'cuz you've a lifetime of coping experience that someone will benefit from. Especially your early years. I'm 49 and the things I had to do to keep up to succeed, were actually decent coping mechs that others could use today. Soooo, how DID you survive? In a world ethos where AD/HD did not exist, but existed?

One of the books I'm reading for school is entitled "The Executive Brain." Shoot, I couldn't pass this one up: "another definition of a CEO". While the author touches on AD(H)D, OMG! OMG! OMG! I know you from another PSOT! You're the one that bakes my noodle typing AD(H)D!!! Whooooaaaa... guess what? I just realized like every one has a unique fingerprint or eyeballthingie, everyone has a "wrist" in writing... Hey, what's mine? the book is more on the anatomy and physiology of the executive part of the brain. Ahhh, my problem is I'm 'C' heavy... CEO, CFO, COO, CTO, OCD, C3PO... too many calling the shots... I've only been able to skim it so far, but am finding it fascinating. One of my other research projects (I have a list-), is to "prove" that AD(H)D (twist) indeed has a physiological component (noduh) since I knew intuitively that it does. But that's something different from scientific, academic proof. I'd go to medical school if I (could stick to it) weren't too old, it weren't too expensive, and it didn't involve blood and guts which I can't stomach. Me either. Yuck. That's why I dropped out of medjool, also 'zuc I got distracted by other studies... I'm trying to learn enough to basically treat myself! I like chocolate ice cream. Not really w/out the MD but at least I can point one in the right direction.

My point is that according to this book and another, there's such a thing as "neuroelasticy" of the brain which means that it changes and evolves over time--in large part as a result of our habits as well as volition. (and thought, right?... seriously, that's why brain injuries recoup with time, they find new pathways) Therefore, we can train ourselves and train our brains to function in certain ways. My wife doens't think so. I'm just wondering if, without intervention, those of us with this particular AD(H)D (bake) configuration train ourselves to get better at the stuff we're good at L-yes! And I say let the others do the rest... and like the other poster said (arg, can't see his name from here), as we get older, we're less tolerant of the stuff we don't like and aren't so good at and don't bother with it. But according to this "neuroplasticity" stuff, that means we're actually changing our brain physiology. I do that on Friday and Saturday nights... At some point it gets into a chicken and egg thing.

And you're right about the hyperfocusing. I certainly do it with school--as well as other things I really get into. I wonder if there may not be some OCD that's associated with that. Not the typical way they talk about OCD but just think about what hyperfocus really means. Does that make any sense to you?

I was just wondering if any of the older posters, oh, man! you mean people! I was looking for a poster on the wall up there^ in particular, have noticed this pattern or whether it's just some uniuqe thing with me. You are unique, anyway, but maybe I think I know what you're talking about. I put it this way, I know I'm a loose stallion or a wild cannon, yet I'll let you harness me. Just fill in the blanks, make sure your seat belt is buckled, and your helmet is sealed... Thing is, they still can't keep up. So I do what I do best, keep stirring the pot, creating things, tearing down the walls, getting some to think outside their box, and for that which has value, trust that history will pick up the pieces.

Thanks for responding![/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=barb]

This is great! I have one year of college and just may be able to help someone with a PHD! [/QUOTE]

Oh, sweeitie, please don't give this education thing more value than it deserves. So many people do that with education and it means so little in the total scope of who a person is. I'd so much rather be around someone kind and plugged into life's "truisms" than someone highly-educated who's basically a selfish jerk. I just hate to see people undervaluing themseves because of education, when it's so unimportant in the total scheme of things that really matter.

I do it because it's something I really enjoy (just a huge natural curiosity) and seem to be good at. I'm so sick of trying to do things I suck at and failing--which has been more true than not. I get a lot of positive feeback from school which after all the negative I've gotten in my life, really feels good! Plus, school provides a structure that's hard for me to create on my own. And it's not such a restrictive one that it drives me nuts. (My program is 100% online, but also fully accredited. So, I can do my assignments on a flexible schedule, which is great.)

One of the books I'm reading for school is entitled "The Executive Brain." While the author touches on AD(H)D, the book is more on the anatomy and physiology of the executive part of the brain. I've only been able to skim it so far, but am finding it fascinating. One of my other research projects (I have a list-), is to "prove" that AD(H)D indeed has a physiological component since I knew intuitively that it does. But that's something different from scientific, academic proof. I'd go to medical school if I weren't too old, it weren't too expensive, and it didn't involve blood and guts which I can't stomach. I'm trying to learn enough to basically treat myself! Not really w/out the MD but at least I can point one in the right direction.

My point is that according to this book and another, there's such a thing as "neuroelasticy" of the brain which means that it changes and evolves over time--in large part as a result of our habits as well as volition. Therefore, we can train ourselves and train our brains to function in certain ways. I'm just wondering if, without intervention, those of us with this particular AD(H)D configuration train ourselves to get better at the stuff we're good at and like the other poster said (arg, can't see his name from here), as we get older, we're less tolerant of the stuff we don't like and aren't so good at and don't bother with it. But according to this "neuroplasticity" stuff, that means we're actually changing our brain physiology. At some point it gets into a chicken and egg thing.

I was just wondering if any of the older posters, in particular, have noticed this pattern or whether it's just some uniuqe thing with me.

Thanks for responding!

sachetm38586.7459837963

Ok, I have been thinking about the hyperfocusing. I have two modes of hyperfocus.

The primary one is that when I am doing something I enjoy, my mind tends to flow into channels which are all directed towards the same thing, so even if I start out with poor focus, it becomes an "all roads lead to Rome" type of thing. The end result becomes a hyperfocus on Rome, so to speak.

The second way I have of going into hyperfocus is learned. When I was in college I would set down to take a test and everything would distract me, probably more than usual. I would have to force myself to concentrate on what I was doing. Sometimes I would take what seemed to be forever to even begin to absorb and understand the first question, then something would click and I would be into hyperfocus and get through the entire thing so fast that I would often be one of the first ones done. As odd as it would seem to a normal thinker, if I went back and checked my work and made changes, I would invariably be changing correct answers to wrong ones. The more trouble I had getting into hyperfocus, the better I would do. Probably because I couldn't "think" my way into wrong answers. I had to wait for the flow.

I don't know enough about how the brain works with OCD to speculate about a connection but maybe what I have told you would help you in your quest to figure it out.

I have always been fascinated about how the brain works and your thread is really interesting to me. I can't wait to see some of the responses from other posters here.

The reason I’m attention deficit now is that no one’s paid me any lately.

[QUOTE=Davidornado]Leave it be or not, this does have relevance and revelance to AD(H)D [/QUOTE][QUOTE=bepatient]I don' t think it has to do with age. I think it is the H in the AD(H)D. The hyper- focusing part.

I'm ADHD and ADD, combined type, you know, the pooh/tigger combo. I invision it really as a chicken running around with it's head cut off. How do you type that fast?

[/QUOTE][QUOTE=Davidornado]Yo, beP,

Fast? Taht's fast? I and change the color 2 blue, 2.

Naw, that's how I type. My fingers fall where they may, like my mouth likes to have it's own say...

So you're saying when the (H) in AD(H)D is (H), (surrounded) that's to mean hyper-focusing? Oh, darn. Another inclusion. From now on I'm goin' ADr, and that'll mean EVERYONE! I bake my noodle trying to type things that are not letters, like numbers and punctuation. Periods are easy, though. Except when it's my wifes... and now my daughter's, too...

BTW, I'm a classic, like Christopher Robert. Actually, I don't really think he was ADHD ADDerall, rather schyztophrenic... I think Triggr (the phrenic part), the white rabbit, the pink pig, and the blue donkey were all figlets of his imagination, and poo was left from behind...

...tut, tut...
[/QUOTE][QUOTE=bepatient]I'm ADHD and ADD, combined type, you know, the pooh/tigger combo. I envision it really as a chicken running around with it's head cut off.[/QUOTE][QUOTE=Davidornado]Hey, you know what? I think I saw you crossing the road! Now why did you go and do that? [/QUOTE] [QUOTE=barb]Didn't I just PM you a day or two or three ago Davidornado?[/QUOTE]
I think it was this morning...
Anywho, I just responded tonight.
Thanks for the reminder.
Pardon my ADHD...
[QUOTE=barb]I have been meaning to tell you that I read your post talking about all your accomplishments. I made my son read it and told him "see, having ADD is not an excuse!

You can do anything but you do have to work at it! Look at all the things this man has done and how successful he is. There is no reason you can't succeed also!" [/QUOTE]
I would change that to everything
[QUOTE=barb]I have been meaning to tell you that I read your post talking about all your accomplishments. I made my son read it and told him "see, having ADD is not an excuse! You can do anything but you do have to work at it! Look at all the things this man has done and how successful he is. There is no reason you can't succeed also!"

You do it, and say that I did!

Just kidding. Pardon my ADHD. It was a figlet of my imagination. Sorry.

Hey, I can't change that! You know why I did it the way I did? Did it fit on one page when you printed it out? Or did you say that you printed it out? Or did you? It had form, eh? Art within art. Like a lady named Art who's pregnant with a boy she's going to name Art.

Oh, better yet,

Arts in Crafts...

Not only was the Crafting of the list a Creative Expression of an Individual (isn't that what art is?), but it was Artfully done to boot (in that if looked at from a distance, the arrangements of the letters and words had a form to it--did you see them?). That thing took me hours to Create.

Like some kitchenists create tasteful wonders, that took me awhile to cook up...

[QUOTE=barb]You could simplify your accomplishments OMG! You think those were simple? You know how hard I worked to be so ADHD? :) How could I simplify such a work? Such a piece of work?

and talk about how hard you worked to be successful some may debate that this is success... like my wife... she said the other day: Here you go again, setting yourself up making the same mistake... I responded "Hey, they've never been the same mistake, I just keep coming up with new ones"...

and that when you had a setback, you picked yourself up off your fanny and tried again. Someone should define success as failing forward... You could possibly even mention some of the difficulties you had in school well, there were only 5 kids when I started, and 13 when I left, I guess I could share high school experiences...and how you overcame them or learned to work around them. Coping mechanisms What I am thinking of is something we can print out for our kids so they can see Are you artful? I mean can you illustrate? I'll write and you draw that having ADHD may be a challenge but the rewards can be great if you are not my wife and are really willing to put in the effort. What do you think? Some people would say I don't (think, that is). I think (could be challenged) it's a great idea! I am a copyrighted author, you know. Or did I mention that already? [/QUOTE] I'm also a little absent minded person. Ok, OK, Okay, I'll tell the truth--I'm also a big absent minded person.

Oh great author, can you manage to write your autobio in terms simple enough for a child to understand? I don't think most of the 8,10,12 yr olds here are able to read and understand a writing which uses word play so creatively. Some words you use are just "figlets" of your imagination and would really confuse them like they do me! LOL

BTW, I bet your wife likes the money part of the rewards. Yes I can draw, I do great stick figures and lollipop trees!

I have to really buy into something in order to do it, but as I get older, I
have a better sense of what activities I value and I can choose them more
accurately. At the same time, my tolerance for bullsh*t (like paperwork,
being "on time," etc.) has decreased, because I no longer even suspect
that they are valuable. So yes, I've found this to be true. Congratulations
on your academic successes -- and let someone else clean the house! :-)

Just getting this post back on track as its very interesting and deserves to be responded to! Sorry Sachetm!

[QUOTE=sachetm]

I'm wondering if anyone else has noticed this kind of shift--that the good is getting better and the bad is getting badder!

[/QUOTE]