Problem Studying

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When my "special interests" overlap my studies, I instantly know every answer. I have slow calm deep breaths. Colors seem more vibrant, and smells seem more pleasant. I can appreciate the grainy texture in a wooden surface or enjoy the softness of a fuzzy stuffed animal. Food tastes better and I feel like running and jumping and enjoying life. Conversations and emotions of others seem to jump out at me.

When they don't overlap, I have difficulty reading the questions. The words on the pages seem to be trying to evade my eyes. I get strange blind spots. My breathing gets shallow and unsteady. My joints become extremely sore and stiff. The walls seem to be closing in around me. Colors turn to dim shades of browns and grays that blur into each other. Tastes and smells seem to be stale and unappealing. Sounds become irritating. Everything starts spinning and I feel like I'm going to pass out.

It got the worst in high school. Teachers would send me to the nurse because I become pale and unsteady on my feet. Soon I was in the nurses office every day, always during the same classes. Eventually I decided this can't be healthy and went to the people who were supposed to be able to help, the counseling office. I had no idea what was causing it, and nobody tried to figure out what it was. I finally concluded that I couldn't study any subject that I wasn't interested in, and reported to the counselors, who got a good long belly laugh out of it.

I don't retain information that I study about things that aren't interesting no matter how long I study. I don't know how I'll be able to get a GED or take college classes. How bad is my condition compared to the norm? How do you cope with this kind of problem? What kind of drugs do I need to take to get through this?

I do not know if this will work for you, but I use certain tricks with my kid. She used to dislike math and social studies. Now she LOVES math because we explained to her she would never become the scientist she wants to be without math. She just decided she would become good in math and she did. She is now one of the best in her class, and math is one of the few homeworks she does not complain to do. Another trick: I study social studies with her. I explain the lessons to her and try to give her an interesting angle. Maybe you can become part of a study group or form a study group with some other classmates. Listening to the group discussing the subject will help you. I also recommend my kid to study in advance. She cannot read and retain the marial she does not like easily, so she reads 2 or 3 pages at a time, study another subject (one she likies), then study a little more, until she finishes. I hope it helps.

Yes, that is probably what I should do. It's one of those strategies that sounds too simple to be true, but it works.

I hope it does. My best wishes. Please keep me posted.