A very serious question here... ( ADD )?

Question

I have been tested positive as an adult with ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder), and other test proved positive as a child I was ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder).
I checked into it many years ago when my twin boys were diagnosed as ADD.
As a child I do not recall not being able to concentrate or complete any thing I started, but now I definately do have a problem staying focused , and completeing anything I start, also in order to grasp something new, ( Example: A job, or a school lesson ), I can't grasp it by just reading about it, I have to manually do whatever it is physically myself or at least watch it being done. Once I had to read my 1st chapter in an accounting course 5 times, before I could grasp any of it...
Even though I know basics of bookkeeping, etc.
Does anyone have a suggestion how to work with this disorder, so I can get back into college with out fearing it, and feeling stupid???
Any help would be greatly appreciated...

Thank You...

Answer 1

I just turned 53 . I didn't get properly diagnosed with having ADD until I was 42. In retrospect i find that to be truly amazing. My ADD is/was so obvious that it seemed to be impossible to ignore. Sadly it was. I have been labeled as being accident prone[ and I have the scars to prove it]and being really smart but not living up to my potential and I do the one that always gives the ADD away : A lot of unfinished projects laying around.
I am currently working as a chef - the lunacy of a commercial kitchen allows me to focus
After switching majors a zillion times I am back in school with 2 years more years needed to get my teaching degree.and i have a 3.6 GPA`
Let me share with you some of the strategies that i have developed for academic success.
You have ADD .Your brain is wired differently then a non-ADD persons consequently many traditional methods do not apply [although some do]
Here are some things that work
Always sit in the front row of a classroom and don't sit next to
open doors and windows-they provide a source of unneeded distraction
My ideal place to study and do other schoolwork is the front seat of my Buick stationwagon
I get an xl coffee from Circle K, park the Buick in some remote part of the parking lot ,pop in a CD, turn off the cell phone and go to work. The car is huge so i can surround myself with books and papers
The reason that the buick is perfect is that ADD people require a certain amount of distraction in order to focus. I find librarys, because of their enforced silence ,.to be almost impossible places to study
Home on the other hand has too many distractions. The Buick
is the perfect compromise
When you get assignments get them done early-this works for all students, but ADD people really have trouble with this.
it took me 4 semesters to finish 2 semesters of Accounting. I had trouble making tangible which account went into which box.
My solution was a dry erase board . This allowed me to go home after class was over and draw pictures and diagrams that made sense.
Learn how to take tests; Like all games test taking has a strategy.
learn the various strategys for each test type. Don't waste time on answers you don't know.
When doing in- class essays ,write your first sentence and your last sentence.This is the classic essay format , the last sentence recapitulates the first sentence. People that have ADD do this to prevent getting lost.
In classes that require a lot of heads down note taking, invest in a quiet tape recorder , tape the lecture and transcribe your notes later.This will allow you to understand and participate in the class in real time.
The ability to hyperfocus is an aspect of ADD that the general public knows nothing about. I had this happen several times in math classes I was so busy taking detailed notes that i honestly lost track of where I was. Use your tape recorder.
Select courses that are ADD friendly
Any course with a high potential for extreme boredom is NOT ADD friendly- you will wind up with yo-yo grades.
Avoid instructers that not ADD friendly- some guys are beyond boring.
Speaking of instructors, I'm still not sure wheter they should be told or not about a student having ADD. I have told some and their responses ran the gamut from "What can I do to help" to"I don't believe in ADD"
When you go back to school make sure that your academic advisor knows that you have ADD and that you can prove it. The Americans with Disabilities Act covers ADD
Don't worry about feeling stupid. You are not You have ADD and one of the facts of your life is that you will periodically have those ADD moments , since you can't stop them all. You may as well learn to laugh at them,
In time you will get your own bag of tricks. I hope that i was of some help

Answer 2

First, find a good psychiatrist who can prescribe some ADHD meds. The ones today are much better than the ones in the past. Second, realize that you are having problems with school that many people have. Some people without ADHD have these problems too. I suggest figuring out the best way you can learn. There are distinct learning styles and people all learn differently. Like me, if you give me directions out loud, I will not process it. If you draw me a map, I'll get it. I would go to a learning specialist center, like Sylvian learning centers, to learn ways you can learn better. Don't fear it. You aren't alone and aren't the only one to do through this. There are solutions though so that is the good news. And don't feel stupid. I graduated 3rd in my class and I still have learning issues, mild dyslexia, and a spelling learning disorder (seriously).The best thing is learn how to live with ADHD. A good psychologist who specializes in ADHD can also help you and help you find solutions for your daily life.

Answer 3

I agree with Breezy B. I found out when our son was in kindergarten that he had ADHD and that it is hereditary. The psychologist we took him to talked to me indepth and told me that based on the answers I provided him, there is around a 95% chance that I also have Adult ADD and have had it since childhood. When I told my mom, she agreed with me that I most likely have had it, since I was a class clown all through school. I had trouble sitting still, low grades and other such symptoms. The problem was back then, it was not ADD, it was either a slow learner or a special education student or Hyperactive.
One of the high school principals told my mom that I would never amount to anything after high school. I went into the Navy for 24 years and after retiring worked at a Navy Club in Charleston until we moved back home to my wifes hometown in South Dakota. I worked almost two years for the same company being laid off twice. The second time, I said enough and although knowing my concentration level, I enrolled in a Private Catholic College. I earned my Associates and Bachelors Degree in the minimum time of 2 years each and attended another 2 years taking various courses. My GPA is approximately 3.25 to 3.30. I am not enrolled in an online program at a State University to work on my Masters Degree in Adult and Higher Education to that I can hopefully teach Business classes at college. I am now 52 years old.
Sorry for the length, but I wanted to show you that although you are suffering from ADD or ADHD, you do not have to let it control your life. I still have trouble concentrating at times and have to force myself to slow down and study at times, but I have proven so many people wrong in my last few years. I have a friend in Iowa where I was born and raised that has on so many occasions told me how proud she is of me for doing what I have done. We had biology class together and when we met when I was home for our 30 year reunion, we had a good laugh over my antics with the fetal pigs in biology class. See we can all have fun in life and still succeed. The only obstacle we need to overcome is OURSELVES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The best advice I can offer is to plan a time of day that you feel you can concentrate the best. Myself I would take every minute I had between classes and work on my assignments to make sure I had them done on time. Particularly writing assignments.
I usually tried to study in the morning before a test to go over the material again before I took the test. I would also study at times while waiting for my son to get off work. The most important aspect is to tell yourself that you are going to make it through college and that you will keep your gpa at least _____?


I wish you the BEST OF LUCK.

Answer 4

Try using multi-sensory learning, kind of like you did in school, and when reading, break the work down into much smaller chunks. Use visual memory after each paragraph, for example, especially if that's your strongest memory tool, or use auditory memory if that's your strongest. Of course there are medications (like Ritalin) that can help somewhat, but I think you can do it without meds (which always have some kind of side effect). Most of all, have confidence in yourself--there are and were many great people who had learning disabilities, such as Nelson Rockefeller and Beverly Sills. (She actually got her MD late in life).
Good luck.

Answer 5

I cant sit through a complete movie! I got adhd also, I took the adderalls and ritalins but they didnt work. I just smoke weed now, a lot of ppl say it makes you lazy, not me, I clean my house, i can watch entire movies (though remebering it is another thing). Maybe not what you are looking for, I couldnt imagine trying to try and learn something while your mind is racing toward something else, good luck!

Answer 6

my friends son has the same problem, first there is nothing to feel stupid about you have a medical problem. John goes too collage he explained to all his professors whats going on with him, they all give him extra help everyday also send him homework by e-mail so he can try and stay a little ahead. Give yourself more credit at least you know what you want out of life that the hardest part goo luck.

Answer 7

I would suggest word associations Lie with a rainbow, I always remember, Roy. G. Biv for the colors... Red, Orange, yellow, green,blue, Indigo and violet,that tells me the first letter of each color, so try that If it helps, consider it a gift! of corse I don't have the ADD you're talking about but I di have many other health problems!

Answer 8

I will probably get flagged for this, as I tend to when I get into this subject, but Cannibus is an excellent treatment for ADD and ADHD.
It's the only thing that enabled me to focus enough to graduate college. The downside is the fact that it is not legal. However, that is a problem with society, not a problem with Cannibus.

Answer 9

adderall,..
Tallk to you Dr. about giving it a try.
It should help you to stay focused.
Doesn't work for all but worth the try. Don't get an entire months worth of a prescription. Ask Dr. for 2 weeks this way its not costing you much if it doesn't work for you. In 2 weeks you should be able to tell.
Good Luck

Answer 10

Hello,
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A new video about a new concept in helping ADHD naturally and testing for ADHD using GSR Biofeedback was just published as a CD movie. The resource is with Amazon.com " Guide For GSR Biofeedback for the Natural ADHD Practitioner".
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"Being In Control : Natural Solutions For ADHD Dyslexia and Test Anxiety'.
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