Concentration Proble...oo! shiny thing!

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Last edited by Adventus on 28 Dec 2011, 2:36 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Heh, I wish there was an easy way to let my boss know there is a better way to communicate with me. But that's a whole 'nother thread. This job isn't the only place I have concentration problems; it's just where they become the most obvious and detrimental. At my previous job as a grocery store supervisor, my ability to never focus on anything for very long was perfect. At a place like that, you need to keep your head on a swivel.

On another note, what do you guys think about trying medication? I've always been in the anti-medication camp, but recently I've been really considering trying something. Especially if my problems are due to ADD or depression, it seems medication could really help.

I don't take medication. I took Ritalin off and on for several months right after I figured out I had ADHD. It was a revelation. I will never forget what it felt like when it kicked in for the first time. I was finally able to listen in class normally. And I thought it was the most boring experience I ever had in my life! I realized I was not willing to medicate just to be able to listen to other people saying boring things. I like the way my mind works and I don't want to change it or suppress it in any way.

I have depression. Antidepressants are a necessity since my neurotransmitters are more or less permanently screwed up. Depression causes permanent changes in the brain. Treat the depression You wouldn't be waffling over insulin would you? You really, really don't want 25 year or more of untreated depression. It's screwed up my memory and a lot of my other mental abilities.

Meds for concentration have worked for a lot of folks. It's worth a try.

Hyperfocus is different in ADHD. It's like a burst of concentration and at the end all mental power is extinguished and you go have a little nap. It's something that is never planned or thought out before you do it. You don't focus on details but you work hard and maybe you'll stop half way through, think 'what's the point' and do something else.
There are different levels of it but mostly for me it's like I get an idea in my head, instantly go to do it and 5 hours later wonder just why the bluddy hell did I have to spend so long doing basically nothing when I had more important things to do.
You can induce hyperfocus if you really need to get something done.

Also, I know plenty of people with ADHD who had high IQ's so what the doctor said to the OP makes no sense.

One test to see if you have ADHD: Drink coffee and see if it has a calming focusing effect. I self medicated with that until I got on Ritalin. Although, it is known to make some people jittery.
I don't think anyone would keep me in a job if I still had undiagnosed ADHD. I was so disorganised, cranky, forgetful, hard to focus and follow through on orders.

^^^^ this.

I've been on anti depression meds for about 3 years. Not an SSRI, a more old fashioned type that doesn't make you artificially "bright"-tried those briefly, made me feel worse than the original depression - but one I take before bedtime which assists sleeping. I'm certainly better than I was though nowhere near fully recovered, if that is even going to happen.

It takes time I guess as I had probably been suffering from this for years on and off but only when it was joined by anxiety attacks did I feel motivated enough to go to the doctor.

Depression is always a question of degree of impairment and inability to concentrate for more than two minutes was a huge issue for me, you guessed it, at work. I simply couldn't do my work. I am fortunate to work in the public sector where you don't get fired for being ill (at least not straight away) so it was possible to reduce my workload and gradually build it up again.

I'm afraid I don't know the brain chemistry mechanism between depression and inability to concentrate. All I know is there is a powerful link. I do not have ASDs, ADHD or anything else along those lines.

As with most things people make their own choices and if someone feels medication destroys their personality or something than I'm not surprised there isn't any enthusiasm for it. For me it's depression that was threatening to destroy who I am and medication is helping me get back to who I am so I'm finding the meds helpful.

Have you tried changing your diet? I'm a completely different person based on what i eat. Sugar and bread make me captain space cadet, but fresh fruit and veggies really ground me, and make everything crisp and clear and steady. If you're feeling really adventurous try a fresh (that means RAW, FRESH) juice fast, I went on one for five days and have never felt so calm and clear as i did then!