I have ADHD and I am a fanatic at the keyboard. Sometime I write 8 to 10 hours a day, even more. I have Dragonspeak voice-activated which is good, but now that I've been doing digital photography for about two years with photoshop, I'm doing that as well for the same number of hours (different days). I need a software or something that will force me NOT to use my computer. Maybe one where I can get a friend to know the password in case of an emergency. But I don't want something that will mess up and lock my computer permanently I've seen truecrypt. Any other suggestions? Any alternatives? I hyperfocus to the point that I think three hours is 45 minutes. I'm on meds that help with all the other aspects of ADHD--but not this one.
2007-10-31 06:32:20 · 4 answers · asked by holacarinados 4 in Health ➔ Mental Health
OK, first I want to say to the other people answering: hyperfocusing is completely normal for people with ADHD and is not caused by medication (but can be helped with medication). ADHD doesn't mean you cannot pay attention, I would rather say it's you cannot control what you pay attention to. So if something catches your interest, you can easily focus on it for hours (or days as I have done) without even really noticing it.
About the question: The ADD forums webpage (www.addforums.com) had several threads about this topic. I can't find the original thread that I saw, but here are some others with similar topics:
http://addforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=40626&highlight=shut+computer
http://addforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=40561&highlight=alarm
http://addforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=26010
http://addforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=20046
I do remember that some people had their computer automatically shut down after a certain amount of time, which helped them stop what they were hyperfocusing on.
I hope any of that helps.
2007-11-01 07:24:14 · answer #1 · answered by hsanderson 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
That doesn't sound like an ADHD problem to me, as ADHD is characterized by hyperactivity and/or not paying being able to pay attention for very long, which sitting at your computer for 8-10 hours is kind of the opposite of. It's not that I don't believe you about the hyperfocus issue, or that you have ADHD that shows up in other ways, I just wouldn't call going 10 hours without a break a symptom of ADHD... Do you have this problem when you're not on meds? If not, then you might just need a lower dose...
Anyway, what about setting an alarm? I don't think there's any software that would *force* you to take a break, and if there were, it seems like an extremely bad idea to install software that has the ability to block you from using your own computer, as it could kind of destroy your computer if something went wrong. But setting an alarm would at least remind you how long it's been, so you don't lose track of time. There are lots of computer alarms that include a window popping up in the middle of the screen, so you wouldn't be able to just tune it out. You'll still have to choose to take a break at that point, but at least having it remind you that it's time for a break should help.
2007-10-31 07:34:21 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
You don't sound ADHD to me. The H stands for Hyperactive and that means one can't sit still for very long. Believe me I use to be. We were not even aloud in public schools up to 1968; when a law was passed making that illegal.
The ADD Means that one can't keep their attention on what they are doing. You sound as if you are the exact opposite. Anyone that has A.D.D. are also terrible spellers; are you a terrible speller? Also A.D.D.ers stack papers all over the place trying not to forget what is on them. Are your desk(s) and tables neat or stacked with papers?
Med.s can not help A.D.D.ers in the least. They like to mix the two names together so the drug companies can get more money by putting kids on drugs that only work for getting money in their pockets/stocks.
The best control for Hyperactivity is the will to not be hyper. I was like that once and decided I did not want to be like a dumb grown-up I was watching. And that caused vast improvement. No drugs were used. The drug companies try to get doctors and parents to think if one if Hyper then they can't keep their attention and that may be so in a way. But I had A.D.D. before I entered school. In the fourth grade I became very sick and was Hyperactive as soon as I was well. I know how both of these can take away the attenchen; but they are not the same. And as I said before, with Hyperactivity all you need is the will yourself to stop and it can be gone with keeping that will long enough.
It maybe those drugs that are causing your present problem?
If you are eighteen or older you certainly should not be on those drugs.
2007-10-31 07:02:51 · answer #3 · answered by geessewereabove 7 · 0⤊ 3⤋
hi...try the link...its widgets and i know there is an alarm one somewhere but i will leave the finding of it up to you...may also be other things there that be useful
2007-10-31 06:42:09 · answer #4 · answered by hanz2602 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋