I've currently discoverd I have ADD. I cannot concentrate on anything for less than 15 seconds,?

Question

I am a huge procrastinator, and I am very forgetful. You can tell me something right now and in less than 2 seconds I will forget. I am only 21 years old. This makes life so difficult when I have a number of goals I want to accomplish. I've taken all sorts of concentration and focus pills,I've also taken ginko biloboa and other vitamin supplements,but they have improved my symptoms very little I also excercise for like about 2hrs everyday. How can I improve my symptoms without taking any medication.

Answer 1

I certainly understand. I am 43 and was diagnosed w/ADD about 10 years ago. But what a real pain in the butt to not know all those years. Now, after these years I don't need the meds, I've developed an effective system for myself, and this fall, I'm going on to study pre-med. I know I can do it now.

OK. What to do...
Get creative - it's your best ally. Notice the kinds of things that do catch your attention, and begin to learn to use these things or qualities as novel attention grabbers that make sense to only you. Most ADDers are incredibly creative and intelligent.

Pay attention to HOW YOU LEARN & REMEMBER. Do you get it when you are listening, touching, seeing? How do you personally bring that information back up? If this idea is new to you, talk with others to understand how it works for them.
Clarify what works for you.

Get calm. When you are anxious, there's no way in hell that you (or anyone) can concentrate effectively...and slow down, take the pressure off yourself. If you can concentrate for 15 seconds...then, YIPEE! give that 15 seconds everything ya got!
Be fully present for those 15 seconds.
Gradually, with practice, you can definately stretch that.

Nap in the afternoon.
15 - 45 minutes every afternoon can go a long way to "power-down" your brain, giving you a fresh chance to restart yourself. Even if you are working, a few minutes in your breaktime can go a long way. Get good steady sleep every night, same hours.

Cut back on sugar, artificial colours and preservatives, increase protein, eat a vareity of coloured fruits & veggies every day, and take a well-rounded multivitamin, as well. Nutrition matters. Eat more simply. Do you have allergies? This can also affect you. Observe and take notes like a detective.

Embrace structure and order - it's your friend.
(I know! I know -- I was quite suspicious of this too!)
Allow others to teach you those kinds of things that you don't naturally see, whether it's social, or paperwork, or time management...whatever your blindspots may be. Never be too proud. They know you don't get it and you do, too, So why try to fool anyone -- That'll just make 'em all crazy!! But do ask for support and feedback -- don't be defensive -- and earnestly carry your own weight wherever you can. Honestly notice your improvements -- This kind of self-gratification is also rewarding and inspiring to you.

Teach yourself to meet small easy goals, and build from there.

Write things down, I know, I know...what a pain in the asp answer that is...and then,
"Where did I put that darned paper? Too many Seconds!!"
Crap! that's annoying! But don't be discouraged, just be more creative, like I said. For myself, I used to write all over my hands to help me remember, and then about a year ago, I got Zire72 PalmPilot. I used to think they were really stupid until I got one, and now I use it ALL the time, even to remind me of the most mundane tasks, like eating, feeding the dog, or taking out the garbage. (A cell phone could also help like this.) I'm not too proud, and it really has helped to get and keep me on track. And no, I don't forget it, because the novelty of it is just too attractive and helpful.

More than anything, my young Friend -
FORGIVE YOURSELF & get beyond the feeling of screwing up and procrastinating BY BEING PRESENT IN THE NOW, and do things for the sheer joy and inspiration of it all.

You are perfectly whole NOW!
Love & Light!

Answer 2

You JUST noticed these symptoms? You may be depressed or anxious. You have to have symptoms of ADHD (ADD is a term not used anymore) prior to age 8 to be diagnosed with it at any time in your life. It doesn't just come out of nowhere in adulthood. In fact many people grow out of it by adulthood.

If it is happening all of a sudden it probably is because it is related to something else going on in your mind. I'd see a GOOD psychiatrist about all of this and get properly evaluated.

Answer 3

My 19 year old son also has a severe case of adhd. Its taken 5 years to graduate high school when with his intelligence it could have easily taken 3 if he could have focused. He did not like the side effects of any of the available medications. The only one he found that he could tolerate was basically straight speed. Generic form d-amphetamine. He eventually stopped taking that too. Many parents have put their children on the strict Feingold diet. Parents claimed remarkable results, studies werent able to reproduce them. Good luck! http://www.feingold.org/

Answer 4

i will tell u as a person that has add u need to go see a doc and get on some kinda meds im sorry to tell u that but all the things u have taken dont help with a.d.d but if u go to a doc he can help u wth this problem im am taking stratera and it helps me alot and i have noticed the affects of it also in my work and my play time so i would recommend u go to a doc cause there is no way to control ur a.d.d. without some kinda med but please take my word for it just go see a doc and see what he tells ya and he may give u a sample of the pill and i would recommend u take them as he tlls u and u will notice a diffrence ....

Answer 5

try meditation not medication. Pills may actually make matters worse in the long run. Try making notes for yourself and hopefully you can remember where you leave them. maybe work out a routine for your day with the help of a friend or relative and post it permanently where you will see it. You also may have been miss diagnosed from what you wrote. I'd get a few second opinions and pair up with someone you can trust.

Answer 6

I suffer with ADD myself. I find it hard to do simple things, such as cleaning house, etc.
In order to help myself I started writing down the things I needed to do. Each time I finish a task I check it off my list. Then I go for the next task. If I did not write this list, I would be from room to room. This works for me. I know what you mean with forgetfulness. I can hardly spell words sometimes.

Answer 7

It is perfectly OK to take medication...no one WANTS to be diagnosed with ADD. You can try things like making lists of tasks to do or writing things down. I would recommend trying the meds...if they work for you then you won't stress about finding a way to handle this.

Answer 8

ASK A DR ABOUT STRATTERA... A RELATIVELY NEW NON-STIMULATE DRUG TO TREAT ADULT ADD. I HAVE BEEN TAKING IT FOR 4 YEARS AND HAVE GOTTEN WONDERFUL RESULTS WITH ONLY VERY MINOR SIDE EFFECTS,,DRY MOUTH AND A LITTLE APPETITE LOSS. THERE IS NO SHAME WITH HAVING TO TAKE MEDS FOR THIS BUT NO ONE NEEDS TO KNOW UNLESS YOU WANT THEM TO.

Answer 9

What did you say?

I lost tract after the first sentence or so.

Hmm. Wonder what's wrong with me..??

Answer 10

try going to natural herbs....