Considering taking medication for ADD

[Foggy]

I've had a bit of a rough ride in regards to school work. I've always found myself intelligent enough to understand what I was learning but never focused enough to do well on school work. In college, this problem has magnified itself. I was thinking of dropping out. I don't want to drop out though. College is a source of great independence for me and if I dropped out I believe I would miss many growth opportunities. It's not that I don't enjoy learning, but I'm continually frustrated with my scattered brain and I never feel like I'm making any progress or that anything actually sticks with me. I hate taking medication, but I see it as a short term solution that could possibly help me get through college which might be well worth it for me.

I'm posting this mostly for feedback. I completely botched this semester. I'm going to be struggling not to be put on academic suspension next semester, and this summer I'm getting tested for ADD. Not to self-diagnose but I'm pretty sure that I have some degree of it. I was actually tested positive for it as a child but my parents disagreed with the diagnosis so it was never treated in any way. I'm curious about what other peoples experience with medication has been, if it would really make that big of a difference in my school work, how bad the side effects have been, etc.

[Inthon]

Have you tried strenuous exercise, change in diet and meditation first?

I would do those healthy, safe changes before taking mind-altering substances!

Best of luck to you; but I would really think hard before popping pills.

[TaylorLord]

Hey foggy, As a kid i too was tested with a slight case of add, and i was in slower classes till high school because of it. My parents decided that they didn't want me on medication cause there is nothing wrong with me, thats just how i am. To improve on it i had to really really push myself to focus. I had to figure out and test the best ways for me to tune my focus.

These were the things that really helped me

1. I got an adequate amount of sleep each night
2. Eating breakfast
3. Drinking caffeine when needed (Sparingly)
4. While studying, i had to literally shut my door, turn off all distractions and listen to some music. The music helped me get motivated and also helped block out all outside noise!
5. I took breaks whenever i got frustrated
6. I also had some friends help me along the way

There is nothing worse than treating the symptoms rather than attacking the source first. Dont look at ADD as a disadvantage, look at it as a special talent, there are many advantages. I also noticed that the things i didn't focus good in were the subjects i simply hated, it may be like this for you too! Read this inspirational article i found through Google, it is really neat!

Top 10 Advantages of ADD in a High Tech Career | Adult ADD Strengths

[Foggy]

I don't like relying on medication.

But I do have a genuine, and at this point, serious problem bringing myself to focus. Even when I force myself to sit down and do work I find myself frustrated by how long it takes me because I am constantly loosing my focus. It takes me almost 2 or 3 times as long to complete tasks than most people. This, along with a handful of other problems (mainly depression) has made school very difficult for me. I have no problem using medication as a temporary crutch if it will make a huge difference in my future.

[Manomanman]

I disagree very strongly with the clinical classification of ADD. There's almost no etiology for it, so we're left to wonder if its one of those convenient classifications to push amphetamines on 4 year olds in a legal way.

Try modifying your diet before taking a drug that's almost chemically identical to crystal meth.

[thinktank1985]

people who tend to criticize people taking add drugs...and tend to say that add is no clinical classification...have probably never had the experience or been close to somebody afflicted with add...you would have to have add to realise the frustration it causes...

however @foggy...I have been told by a number of people who have add and have taken medications...that medications dont have any long term effect...they are good for increasing your focus over the short time...however if you continue taking them over and over again..they loose their effectiveness...

i have also been told that the best way to go is to go for coaching for adds...and I actually found a website which contains a number of add coaches...perhaps you might give that a try...i myself shall be going for a diagnosis this month.....

some of the things that I have found that work for me:

a)take up jobs that really challenge me to the extreme..
b)deligate boring jobs to others...and try to eliminate them as much as possible
c)maintain lists..and daily planners
d)do things that excite me

well the aboe is not easy to do..and I am not able to follow them most of the time...but I have found these simple principles make me most focussed and happy...

[emeadow]

I have never been diagnosed with ADD 'officially', but I am sure if I was to get tested or what have you it wouldn't be difficult to see I have issues. I have a huge problem with concentration, a very busy mind, and have struggled with it lifelong. Even items I am super motivated for I still have trouble completing. I am a notorious person for 'incomplete' projects and promises.

The last few years, especially the last 6 months, I have been trying to tackle this from a different angle. I am essentially trying to re-wire how my 'focus' works, training my brain to learn how to stay on task.

I am using meditation, practiced awareness, and just in general trying to make this change just like I would build a physical muscle. The more I practice, the better I will get.

I also use some simple techniques like writing my task in simple bold terms on a card, and placing it in front of me at my desk. If I find myself wandering off task, the card tends to snap me out of it, and remind me what I should be doing. Now that I am more 'aware' as to when my mind wanders, I am working on overcoming procrastination and excuses that sometimes are used as escape tactics from the task for me. For me, its practice practice practice.

Another easy method that works for me is music (with headphones). Seems that when my head has something else to sort of keep it occupied on the side, I am less likely to wander all over. I tend to use pretty up beat more intense tunes to keep me pumped up and moving forward on a task. Works great for household chores, but just as well at work in a busy enviroment with people all around.

Years ago I did try meds briefly, they did not offer me any assistance, but I wasn't super gung ho about it either. I think if meds are used in combination with practice and awareness, they can be a great tool to help you overcome something like this. I personally would not use them unless they are in combination with a plan to help you move forward without them later down the road.

One thing to consider, is that any issue you have now in college, will probably carry forward with you into whatever career field you choose. So dropping out may not be the answer in this one. It may just be the challenge you needed to finally tackle focus issues once and for all . I say this, because I dropped out of school 16 years ago......mostly because of extreme focus problems...and all those issues have repeated themselves in my career now. I have had to just deal with them in a work enviroment instead of school, lol.

[pyrogen]

I am on meds. They have been life-changing. I was skeptical for years.

[Liveformx64]

I have been through exactly what you are talking about.

Medication did serve me for a period of time. It actually served my by showing me I do not want to be drugged the rest of my life, and encouraged me to use the power of thought and intention to overcome my chronic lack of concentration.

Like it was stated above, the most beneficial natural cures for me were:

1. eating a diet consisting mostly of fruits and vegetables.

2. minimizing stimulant and depressant intake.

3. Drinking plenty of water. (allows your body to balance itself)

4. do timed concentration exercises to build your focus muscles

5. Eliminate any and all distractions in your work environment.

6. Exercise regularly

we are all looking for the magic pill, but the real results from come from hard work tough lessons.

----

Have you considered what you are doing in school might not be of your highest passion or desire? If you are bored or unchallenged with your work, it is possible your subconscious is tuning out on purpose to point you in a new direction.

[Manomanman]

The diagnostic criterion for ADD are so vague (i.e. has trouble sitting still) that every elementary school child could be potentially classified.

Medication, especially petrochemical pharmaceuticals, should be a last resort. Read the side effects and tell me if you like them.

You should take up smoking weed before you seriously consider taking methamphetamine's legal cousin.

[supertom]

ADD is rubbish, just look at john demartini's work, somebody who they diagnosed with ADD. He basically says that you have ADD when you do things that dont align with your values but when you work with your values you have a "attention surplus order".

Harmonious Living - Demartini - Attention Surplus Order (ASO) - ADHD / ADD

But I feel you are very keen to have ADD, hes kinda your excuse for your failure