Adult ADD. How many of you have it?

Hello, all. I'm just wanting to see if any other IT people have issues with ADD. I have had these issues forever, and I just never talked about them and thought it was normal. But, I recently went to the Doctor to see if there was anything I can do about it. So, she scheduled me an appointment with a psychiatrists. Ever since I can remember I've had issues with studying, not paying attention in class, and not completing projects. It's very hard for me to listen & follow conversations and often left lost. It's something that I've always fought through, but now I think I need some help. ADD does run in my family. My bro has ADHD. I honestly think if I didn't day-dream so much in class all these years I'd have been an A+ student, but was mostly a C/B student.

For some of you that suffer from ADD, has medicine helped you?

Or did you take a more natural approach of correcting it?

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Comments

sieff

have you tried an exercise routine and eliminating sugar out of your diet?

Lamplight

I'm pretty active, I play basketball a few times a week and go to the gym. I do not drink any kind of soft-drinks and I don't like candy. So, I definitely stay away from excessive sugar.

frobro989

I feel like I have this issue to. I easily zone out at my computer and tend to day dream quite a bit.

The best exam scores I've received were the ones I studied for while taking adderall. Unfortunately, I do not have a prescription for it, but if things continue this way I might try to get one.

Roguetadhg

I don't know if its ADD. I get bored doing a lot of stuff. My mind wanders like yours. Exercising helps whenever I start feeling off. Heck, I do jumping jacks and pushups. I've been telling myself for every 1 hour of mindlessness, I do 40 pushups or 80 jumping jacks.

Unfortantly, that doesn't always help! Ah well. It might be because im distracted with projects, emails, tickets, too.

Also, one thing i've been doing is to go at things one paragraph at a time. I focus on trying to understand what the paragraph is trying to tell me and write that in the margin. Condensing the material down seems to help, but sometimes I miss tidbits. Needless to say, i'm learning how to study. I also write in the paragraph. I separate the Sentences and the Commas with thick \ for sentences and shorter / for commas. Again, to help me maintain focus.

Paperlantern

I've always had this problem. Work sometimes consists of opening a program, clicking over to forums while the program loads, then thirty or forty seconds later I look back at the program I opened and go "Now why is that open?". This doesn't happen all the time, but maybe once a week or so I'll do it. Very frustrating. I also keep in contact with my wife throughout the day talking about various things, sometimes that gets in the way and Ive been trying to work on phasing that out of my daily routine and keeping it to just breaks or lunch like everyone else that isn't in IT has to do anyway.

I have been cutting the "fun" sites out of my daily routine as much as possible lately, mostly too because I dont want my co-workers thinking im slacking off, and I think it is helping, I feel like i'm getting a bit more done, but I still have a hell of a time staying on task. Ive been like that my whole life. Like the OP i was a B/C student all through High School AND College. I get distracted so easily, and have to really police myself.

Studying usually isn't a HUGE problem as long as I am not near a computer. As long as the only thing I really have to do is study, I'm alright. But with a computer available, I often will find an excuse to jump on some forums or some other sites instead of reading the book that is open in my lap.

Very frustrating, I'm glad to see im not the only one like this. Though Ive always just dealt with it and never thought it was worth a trip to the doc, but maybe I should have went a long time ago, who knows.

Oddly enough, i never have a problem concentrating on a video game, movie or tv show that I find interesting. /facepalm

Mr Anderson

sieff wrote: »

have you tried an exercise routine and eliminating sugar out of your diet?

Lots if dietary issues do cause reactions, agree; but onto my theory.

I think your ok unless your realy goofing something up. Their can be alot of conclusions drawn here. I am not a clinical phsycologist but I dated one for a couple years. First lets begin with my theroy. Back when a man needed, wood, water, and meat to survive was anyone ever considered to have ADD? NO. Now we have milions things to think about, cool things to! I won't go their cause you already did HAHA, if you are not on your toes you'll be run over. We all do this stuff, if your not making a mess don't buy into the drugs and medecine, and doctor appointments.

Definitly it is lots of work to stay on track, and that takes work and practice; but we need to keep on thinking right?
Practice schedualing and keeping to it.

msteinhilber

Diagnosed for a good number of years and yea medication did help though I always went with the standard release stimulants because sometimes I was more efficient at certain things with my active mind. I don't take meds any longer though, always seemed like I would be on one stimulant for a while and it was lose it's effectiveness so I would switch to another. Grew tired of that, now I'm on a fish oil regimen and introduce exercise in the mornings if I can. Other things can help too, juggling believe it or not - it's like exercise for your brain.

tpatt100

I always had a problem, finally went to my doctor and went to a psychiatrist. Did sessions for a couple of months and then had me schedule a test with a specialist. Meds "helped" but the counseling helped more because meds help mask the symptoms but mine was really bad and no early intervention as a kid led to decades of bad habits forming.

When I started medication it would make me sleepy, really sleepy. Doctor had me reduce the dosage, said amphetamines for somebody with ADHD calms/slows them down. Too much and its nap time. The bad part is relationship wise. My wife has not read anything about my issue, she gets upset when she can tell my mind is wandering when she is talking but she talks kinda slow, like she has to use an extra paragraph to tell me the sky is blue.... Or I get irritable if she takes too long to get a point across.

Job wise, I realize I have to be employed in something that makes use of my hands, eyes, mind. Right now auditing is boring me to tears which leads me to wander big time. Last week I was reading up on VMware and setting it up on my laptop, nesting ESXI, doing iSCSI and bam before I realized it I stayed 30 minutes past my normal time I leave....So I realize I need to get a job that challenges me mentally to figure stuff out and or learn a lot of new stuff all the time.

mapletune

I have an ADD "certificate" (lol... the irony...) from a psychologist/psychiatrist (i dunno which..) i saw after i dropped out of university. (the tests were DSM-IV inattentive type)

I've tried both Ritalin and Concerta, but only in a short term. Haven't really found medication helpful. To me, it just feels like a lot of caffeine and I get jittery.

What has helped me a bit, lately, is this drive to complete my goals. Knowing for sure that I want to go into IT and setting my goal to be an expert professional, I've been able to stick to the plan longer than before. So, i guess really knowing what you want to do and having the drive to go through with it, the discipline to stick to it, helps a little.

anywayyy~~~ what i've realized is that, even though some medication, some types of routine, some recommendations from doctors, <-- even though some of these things may help, in the end, it's up to you to be aware that you have a different type of personality from the rest, and that you have to put in more effort if you want to accomplish your goal.

good luck getting on track~!

yuddhidhtir

After reading this thread i realised that i too may be suffering from this. May i know how to overcome this?

veritas_libertas

Yup, I'm certified ADD. I found that eliminating sugar and getting plenty of exercise is the key for me. I've recently started the Paleo Diet and I'm amazed how much better my attention span is.

demonfurbie

ohh yea ... its hard to work some days

Hypntick

I was diagnosed with ADD, they gave me medication and it put my blood pressure through the roof. Even when that calmed down the meds they gave me never helped. So I went back and we tried a new approach, anti-anxiety medication. Works like a charm.

Roguetadhg

I'm just wondering how much of it is "ADD" and what would just be "Boredom/Sugar".

Mr Anderson

How bout this guy yes or no?
Jeremy Cioaro?

Remember:
his training video's he is going along say talking about rigrp, and he is typing in global config mode; then in the video he starts talking about his wife, then he is on a whole new topic. Suddenly you are gone and far away, when toy get back to Jeremy he is lost you, and the next thing you know you are here.
who's has ADD?

icehead14

Hey guys. another fellow ADD'er here. Used to take 2 30mg Adderall XR a day. Can't afford it now >< but it definitely helped when I was taking it. The only thing I didn't act the same. I don't want to say I was more boring but kinda lol. A lot of people say they have ADD but probably don't I mean I'm no doctor but it's not a couple days a week or an hour a day. This is every minute of everyday we have to deal with it and try to push it aside and keep working.

Its funny I was working at a pizzeria at the time I started taking it and suddenly I stopped making mistakes and forgetting things. I wasn't burning pizzas because I lost track of time or forgetting bags for a delivery. You know something works when other people are noticing your not messing up as much.

Has anyone else tried the counselling? Ive always wanted to try that. As someone said earlier it helps to break those bad habits you have been forming your whole life instead of just masking them. I feel like finding the right amount of meds(it is a chemical imbalance) and mixing that with some counselling and this ADD can be very helpful. I actually like having my mind constantly all over the place. It helps come up with new ideas.

I just wanted to add my two cents(meant to do it a few days ago but saw something shinny and lost my train of thought).

Paperlantern wrote: »

Oddly enough, i never have a problem concentrating on a video game, movie or tv show that I find interesting. /facepalm

Funny thing about that is its called hyper-focus. Ive looking into it as well. I dont know about you but I will get overly consumed in these types of things, which oddly as it may seem, is another symptom of ADD. Just wish I could channel that focus into studying and I would have my damn certifications already. lol

RemcoST

I too have been diagnosed with ADD for some years now. The first few years I did take medication, starting off on Ritalin and ending up at Dexamphetamines. The latter worked like a charm, but I didn't feel right using it. (In effect it's still speed/amphetamines)

Nowadays I function about on par as I did on medication. (about three years on from the point of not taking those anymore) I think it's mainly getting to grips with it, understanding the issue and train yourself to recognize the moments it kicks in and prevent or stop the usual motion / zoning out.

A few things that helped me where excercise, meditation and documentation, lots and lots of documentation, keeping lists and being on the edge of 'OCD' inclined towards those lists. (ToDo lists, do not forget lists, that sort of thing.)

Another thing that has greatly improved it for me, is getting into a decent sleeping pattern, I've had a really bad pattern for years and years (effect from ADD as well according to my therapist at the time) and I now have a semi stable pattern which helps me find my focus easier on the moments that it matters most. (earlier hours of the work day.)

DevilWAH

I was told by a doctor I had symptom of ADD, and on another occasion was told I have minor asperger's. I have however been officially diagnosed with sever Dyslexia, in fact in some test I score in the bottom 2% of people, and there is a strong tie between Dyslexia and ADD, in so far that almost all people diagnosed with dyslexia also show strong symptoms of ADD.

Now Deslexia is caused in a majority of people due to issues with there working memory. The working memory for those that don't know is the very short term memory used to hold data that we are currently thinking about. (computer cpu cache). and the simple way of testing it is to be asked to listen to and to recall a list of single digit numbers back to some one. incressing in the number of them untill mistakes are made. then doing the same but this time being asked to repeat the numbers in reverse order. The average person can remember a string of 9+ numbers forwards and 7+ in reverse. While some one with ADD or Dyslexia are more likely to get between 5 and 6 (less in reverse).

This explains the issues with concentration, in a dyslexia brain the mind simply can't process new information at the same speed as "normal" people, it is forced to dismiss information is sees as not necessary This makes things like meetings or school class rooms hard places to work in, if the subject matter being deliver is from a "normal" person, it can over load some one with ADD and as bits of information are dropped / switched around the brain can latch on to another train of thought.

Hyper attention is a different situation, now the person with ADD is setting the pace information is processed in, once you are in-control of the situation you can put the positives that come from ADD / Dyslexia to work, and now the tables are turned. due to the problems with working memory, a coping stratagory the brain often develop is to break ideas down to first principles. This is a slower process than simply memorising idea, but allows more flexibility and understanding of the bigger picture. And results in much higher visual and abstract reasoning skills developing.

So turning to the likes of Einstein and the other great thinkers, when you look at how they worked, they all showed these symptoms. Einstein was no good at maths (in his head), but he saw the underlying structure of things. A brain that is good at maths required good working memory, seeing ideas and forming new ones requires reasoning skills. Einstein was clear not only in forming ideas, but that he new he was weak in the finer points or proving his ideas, and would set it as tasks for his students to do. This is not a bad thing, he worked with his strengths, but acknowledged his weaknesses and asked for help.

My attention span is horrific (I wont tell you how many time I have visited this post because I have jumped on to some thing else, I spent about 20min looking though emails after one pinged up before I remembered I was typing this just now). but if that's the price I pay for the positives then its worth it. I don't want drugs, ADD and ADHD are not an excuse for anything and with a bit of discipline and being strict with your thoughts when required there is no reason it should have a negative effect on you or other people. People seem to get diagnosed and the first thing the say is "well I can't help it I have ADD...."

I can look on it as I have the issue as I struggle with attention and spelling, or I can flip it and say the normal people have the issues as they cant reason like me. Or I can say we have different ways of doing things. I have my strengths and weaknesses and they have their's. I will encourage them in there strengths and help where they struggle. And I like to think I will get the same in reply. I would not never give up my "symptoms" the positives far out weight the bad.

Roguetadhg

Mr Anderson wrote: »

How bout this guy yes or no?
Jeremy Cioaro?

Remember:
his training video's he is going along say talking about rigrp, and he is typing in global config mode; then in the video he starts talking about his wife, then he is on a whole new topic. Suddenly you are gone and far away, when toy get back to Jeremy he is lost you, and the next thing you know you are here.
who's has ADD?

Probably. But that's what makes it interesting, it's entertaining. I'd rather be kept on my toes this way than trying to drudge through dry material straight. Some of the best lessons learned aren't from School, after all.

biggene

Yes,

I do. I have been diagnosed as ADD, ADHD and Dyslexic at different stages of my life by different doctors. But, the thing that made me stand up and take notice the most about the issues I have with concentrating on the task at hand, studying, etc is when my 4 year old son started to exhibit the same types of patterns I struggle with about a year ago. I have taken Adderall, Ritalin, and numerous other amphetamine blends and all they ever did for me was either amplify my symptoms or make me want to sleep constantly. I have always had issues with studying, paying attention in class, meetings, conversations, etc. I have also had issues with unexplained rage, which comes on like someone flipped a switch most of the time, 95% of the time it's over something completely stupid (by my own admission), and then 15 minutes later everything is just fine. I have had friends comment on how I can change the subject of a conversation 10 times in 5 minutes, then go right back to what I was talking about to begin with and never lose the train of thought that the original conversation was about. I try to explain that I cannot help it, that's just the way my brain works. About 99.9999999999% percent of the time I have about 20 random thought patterns going at one time and I feel like I cannot control any of the at all. I also was a C/D student, except when it came to testing time, where I would usually bring my GPA up by a full grade point. I actually quit school at 17 and joined the Army, because I didn't feel like I was learning anything. I just got utterly and completely bored the first 6 weeks of school because all the teachers did was rehash the same stuff we had gone over the last year. Of course, that was back in the early 80's and no one really know what ADHD was at the time, and I was just cast aside as a lazy/bad student.
I have noticed that diet and exercise help both of us tremendously, we have not tried the Paleo diet, but about a month ago I stumbled on to the Feingold diet, and since we have started following the food lists on there, both of our symptoms have changed drastically, to the point that even my boss and my pastor have noticed the difference in my habits. Basically the diet cuts out all artificial colors and flavors, which are manufactured from petroleum byproducts in case you didn't know, and also cuts out most of the artificial sugars also. I personally have noticed that my horrid mood swings, unexplained rage at simply inane things, and constant tiredness are gone. I feel like my study habits have improved also, to the point that I have consistently studied for my Security + 1 at least one hour every morning for the past 2 weeks. I know for most people that doesn't seem like very much, or very long, but for me that is nothing short of a miracle.
If anyone checks out the Feingold site, make sure and read the success stories, I was moved to tears by quite a few of them. I don't know if it will work for everyone, but I know at the age of 45, I have finally found something that makes me feel somewhat normal internally, and that speaks volumes to me.
Good luck to everyone, and I hope that me bearing my soul helps at least one person with their struggle.

kanecain

I too was recently diagnosed with ADHD. I just started taking a generic Adderall, twice a day (10mg). So far, no major health issues. I do get occasional very minor headaches, but thats it. As far as the medication actually working, it's doing pretty well for me. Before, I couldn't read a book, surf for something specific on the web, or keep my priorities straight without veering off into something else. Talking and listening to people used to be a chore too. I would get impatient, and rush conversations, or not be able to say larger words because my brain was moving faster than I could speak. Projects at work are now being completed in record time. One thing I do hate about Adderall, is losing track of time. You become so focused on something, time just seems to move faster than normal. Yesterday, I created and entered a large amount of data into a Access database in two hours, even though it seemed like 30 minutes. I do hope I can retain some of these "improvements" after I'm off the drug.

DevilWAH

Interestingly when I was in my early teens (12-16) I had serious anger issues like Biggene, I know lots of kids do, but I got though 3 windows and 2 wooden doors in one six month period. I don't know why I was just frustrated and would lose it all the time.

Then my mum had a serious car accident in which she broke her neck and was in bed for over a year and took another year to earn to walk again. I could not shout and scream at her any more, like I had, and I made a mental effort to hold back and just walk away to some where quiet. It took a lot of self control and I had to really struggle with it. But now its become part of how I think, I went from being quite aggressive to much more questioning of my self. To the point where when I start to get upset, my reflex is now to question my self and take a time out. Its like rather than explode outwards like I use to, my reaction is to retract inwards. So I still get the "switch Flipping" feeling Biggene mentions, but have managed to change the reaction to it.

kurosaki00

a lot of what Ive read here is just lack of self discipline
its not ADD
Are you one of those ppl that learns better in a classroom than studying alone?
that what you tell yourself?
yes, you lack of discipline

sadly there is not easy way to cure it but to establish a progressive regimen of studying
like
20 pages everyday this week
30 next week
40 next week
and so on
you dont need to penalize yourself or have a minimum time to complete the pages
although its better if you can complete them in one sit
Eventually you just get better and more applied
there is no shortcut
this is also known as "developing studying habits"
We have lost this (at least 80's and before ppl like me) due the multitasking of screens, images, pictures, gui, etc etc
its hard to focus something "simple" for long periods of time

tpatt100

I have heard radio talk show hosts say kids with autism lack self discipline as well....

kurosaki00

tpatt100 wrote: »

I have heard radio talk show hosts say kids with autism lack self discipline as well....

If you think you have ADD
you dont
either you have being diagnosed with it or you dont have it
thats it

DevilWAH

kurosaki00 wrote: »

If you think you have ADD
you dont
either you have being diagnosed with it or you dont have it
thats it

I don't think its quite that simple,

especially considering that ADD is so heavily over diagnosed.

Its more like if you think you have it, you don't
If you have been diagnosed, you have a 20% chance of really having it.

Its like autism, its a scale and every single person is some where on the scale. You might not be diagnosed with Autism but you are still on the scale some where. It is working out where on the scale people need help and where they can help them selves.

It has been suggested by doctors after various tests, that I could get help for asperger's[FONT=arial, helvetica, sans-serif] because I fall on the line between "normal" and "abnormal". but in all honesty I think treating some one like me will cause more issue than solve any. [/FONT]

J_86

tpatt100 wrote: »

I have heard radio talk show hosts say kids with autism lack self discipline as well....

That talk show host is an idiot and obviously does not know anything about autism, or know anyone with autism .

mrrothadder

Adult with ADDHD and Dyslxic + Passing 70-680 Exam or any Exam..

What tips do people recommend for a Adult with ADHD To pass any Cert Exam???

DevilWAH

mrrothadder wrote: »

Adult with ADDHD and Dyslxic + Passing 70-680 Exam or any Exam..

What tips do people recommend for a Adult with ADHD To pass any Cert Exam???

Go for practical / hands on based exams rather than remember parrot fashion exams.

Some people can read a book and recall it at will, however people with ADD/ADHD often find it hard to do this, but are good at remembering theories. So look for exams/topics that are geared towards understanding ideas, not remembering facts.

I think this is why I find CISCO certs easy and Microsoft certs harder. CISCO you can work out as you go, where as Microsoft are more of a you either know it or not.

mrrothadder

I work help desk , so i work mostly Microsoft, will cisco help me move up!