PLEASE HELP me!?

Question

Hi my name is Sam and This is my first time using this yahoo answers web-site and I really hope it helps. I'm a sophomore at Cornell and i recently was diagnosed with ADD. This year i have had a lot of trouble focusing on my work I'm unable to get things accomplished and for some reason I can't even read more then two pages of a book without having to get up and go get a soda. It's crazy! I'm taking a math course in which i am not passing...I would like to care i really would but for some reason i just..DON'T which is really unlike me considering i had a 3.97 G.P.A. in high school and my last year's GPA was a 3.6

I'm curious to know WHY all of a sudden have i been diagnosed with ADD? aren't people with ADD supposed to be kind-of unintelligent?

It makes me feel awkward having to take a medicine every single day to help me concentrate I've never had to take any medication in my life. Why am i feeling like this? any advice?

Answer 1

i have add are you calling me dumb? *shakes fist*

Answer 2

ADD is not related to any lack of intelligence. Your GPA last year would rule that out, even if it were.

I don't know why you're feeling as you do, but you can improve your concentration with repetition. For example, if after reading two pages you need a break, take it. Then come back. Hit the material again and again in tiny bits.

In other words, work with the attention that you do have. If you
take a break and *don't* come back, or delay it too long, you will support your tendency to lose your concentration.

If I were you, I would resist taking the medication and fight the problem. I've never been diagnosed with ADD, but I've had concentration problems. I beat it by fighting it.

Answer 3

Yes, Sam. Most people I know with ADD (my child included) are super-intelligent, not the opposite. And most of them have trouble coping. I would recommend that you see a doctor regarding your meds; might be time for a change. I would also recommend that you see your counselor at Cornell to help with your concentration issues.

The other thing I would suggest, and it will sound "old hat" is leave the sodas and sugars alone! Not because they make you hyper, but because they are poison to humans in general. You will feel alot better if you get your diet controlled. Read "SugarBusters" to understand the principals of sugar and insulin and how it affects your body and your mind.

I think you're doing a great job in school, maybe just feeling a bit restless and need a break. Plan something for Spring Break and get crazy for a few days. Godloveya.

Answer 4

I"m not sure why you equate ADD and a lack of intelligence. I know several people who have been diagnosed with ADD and they are very intelligent - as well as highly functional.

Maybe you need to be asking a doctor why all of a sudden you were diagnosed with this. Have you been experiencing the symptoms your whole life but now they have increased to a point they impede your performance? Do you have another illness that these symptoms could also suggest? Are there any other major life changes or diet changes that could explain this?

As for the meds, if you've never really been one to take pills (prescriptions), it can be odd getting used to the idea of being one of those people that has to take a medication. Utimately, though, if it helps and you can't find another alternative, you have to do what helps.

Answer 5

Hi Sam and no ADD doesn't make you unintelligent I know alot of smart people with that. Just calm down and relax what you need to do is have some chocolate and soda and read alot the more you read the smarter you become. Trust me! And focus on getting a tutor that will help you alot and there's nothing wrong with that. They can help you manage your homework, reading, math, and even history try it for 6 months and see how it goes. I had a tutor when I went to ORAL ROBERTS UNIVERSITY I too had a 3.0 in highschool but once college got here I had such a learning disibility but over came it with a tutor they too thought I had Add. Take your medication that too will help you focus more. Good luck to you

Answer 6

First of all, I would get a second opinion on your diagnosis. ADD usually causes more problems at a younger age, and it is not something that can be caught like a virus. If you indeed have ADD, then you have always had it or you have experienced a chemical imbalance in your brain.
Secondly, people with ADD are often extraordinarily intelligent. Often their GPAs drop due to boredom or lack of interest / low attention span. Some of the most successful people in the world suffer from ADD, but they have learned to use it to their advantage in multi-tasking.
Not caring about your math grade might be a result of depression, as you are clearly distraught over being "labeled" as having ADD and believing that it's such a bad thing.
Best of luck to you.

Answer 7

Some very intelligent and successful people have some type of learning disability...their success comes because they've learned to face it and therefore properly manage it! It's highly unlikely that you just "got" it...if it is truly ADD, then mostly your lifestyle, your study habits, your diet, and family all contributed in your being a successful bright student...when you change living environments...being away from home...probably not eating as well as you did growin up (many foods trigger ADD), you do not have help from parents to keep you focused. Small study groups or one on one tutoring can help you with the focus issues...not saying that need help understanding the "content" but help in training your brain to FOCUS on one task at a time! Your frustration comes from not understanding what is going on probably more than the disorder itself! And although you may not know it, I'm willing to be there a multitude of students with ADD and other learning disorders. Go see a counselor on campus and set up study sessions for Math. You may also want to do some research on foods and other triggers for ADD and see if just altering your diet and study habits can eliminate the need for medication with some time!

Answer 8

you must insist that it is not ADD. you CAN control your (anxiety) levels, and concentrate. Most people when they are told they have a disease or "disorder" , they tend to focus around the problem(even subconsciously) . A lot of times, the meds people are given throw off your chemical makeup and you end up HAVING to keep taking meds. You must work hard at focusing, there maybe something else going on.

when you are studying, it is normal and healthy to take a break about every 15 to 30 minutes. just a quick one, so your brain can function.

The doctors i use to work for tested me and the office for ADD and Bi-Polar disorder, just to see how many normal people have the same symptoms, and guess what, me and all my office staff ended up positive for both.

those tests, and questions are BOGIS. doctors give you meds because that's all they can do. The doctors told me that they give patients meds like that because they insist on taking something.

Everyone has a hard time concentrating and they feel anxious alot of the day, but that's life to some people. especially in school. the pressure is on. we have to handle.

just tell yourself that it is a bogus diagnosis, keep off the meds, and focus. You can do it. don't let your brain excuse behavior like that.

PUT YOUR BODY UNDER SUBJECTION!!!!!!

Who is the boss anyway??

Answer 9

I had this issue when I was in college as well, but I wasn't diagnosed with ADD. I went to see various different people, because like you, I was generally a high GPA earner, but I just didn't care as much about it anymore. I couldn't focus or concentrate and I felt like I was losing myself and didn't know who I was anymore. A number of medical professionals suggested getting checked out for minor depression...maybe that would be an option for you? Whatever happens, I wish you well...I know it's a hard thing to go through...

Answer 10

Just remember the medication is there to help. I just wish I had some because I have AADD and no medication. Yes it is hard to keep focus but I just struggled through. And by the way just because you have ADD does not mean your unintelligent I have a collage degree in accounting. But I am also chatting with you instead of doing my work. What I do is take frequent small breaks before trying to work as hard as I can in short spurts.

Answer 11

My son was diagnosed with ADD when he was about 5. He is now 11. I consider my son very intelligent and very creative. If something really interests him he is more likely to be more attentive. If something is very boring to him he gets easily distracted. Do you like what you are studying? Is it interesting? The medicine helps some but it is not a "magic pill" My son does have to work harder at things to get them accomplished. You might want to see a psychatrist and have them check for depression or anxiety. The symptoms for ADD and depression are very similar.