I was wondering what other people's experience of the TOVA was. I just took it today and though I don't have the result back until next week, I felt like I didn't do very well. I clicked on a lot of wrong answers. I ended up feeling a little sad and a little vulnerable, which really surprised me. It's been several hours and I still haven't shaken loose of that feeling. I was actually afraid, I'd do too well on it and everyone would think I was just dreaming up my symptoms of ADD, but I really tried hard and still kept screwing it up. Just wondering how it was for other folks.

Scattered

Whats the TOVA

is there a link to it

er..I think it's this:

http://eegsupport.com/tova/

?

TOVA is the Test of Variable Attention. It is a computer test where you have to respond to different reoccuring images on the screen by clicking when you see the designated image. It's suppose to measure attention span, impulsivity and so forth. They claim it's 86 percent accurate in identifying ADD and when used repeatedly can help adjust medication dose to optimal levels.

I'm sorry to hear you've not been feeling inspired by your TOVA experiences. I was elated when I finished mine. I was very happy to know that I fit closely with some element of a diagnosis and in that way had hope that some of the recommended strategies would likely be of some use to me.

I completed several hours of testing that included the TOVA. Of all those tests I was certain that I'd paid close enough attention to have nailed down a competent result. As it turns out the TOVA was an outstanding result all right but I'd managed to show only incompetence! ehhe

All in all I was so relieved to have a solid diagnosis that I was gleeful at having the testing available and done with.

I can understand how you would have been brought down by the feeling of failure. Self image and self esteem issues run strongly in me. I constantly seek out things I can succeed at and have begun to try and change some of the messages that go on in me reminding me erroneously that I'm a failure, worthless, loser, odd duck.. whatever! I have a ton of ways to belittle myself.

I'm finding that aerobic exercise on a very regular basis leaves me much more resilient to this type of self criticism, or whatever it is.
Go easy on yourself.
Ian

Thanks Ian,

I actually wanted to fail it, until I realized I actually was! Also it was on the impulsive part that I could tell I was screwing up (have no idea how I did on the rest), and I didn't think I was impulsive. When I asked my family about it, they said, "Weeeelllllll, you're pretty impulsive! Who knew!

Aerobic exercise works well for me too. I've gotten away from it and need to start again. I think exercise was my savior through high school and college. I was up to an hour a day until recently, just starting to get started again. Getting started is always the hard part for me. Thanks for the encouragement!

Scattered

This is not a free test I see

It was when I took it Garry but my health care coverage is slowly being eroded. We no longer have that testing available in my area.

Scattered, I'm convinced that aerobic exercise is a huge part of what works for me. It's a bit of a joke for me now though. I'm completely blown away by the misconception I had about how much intensity is involved in working aerobically.

If it's done properly it's laughably easy and would be no matter what fitness level you are at. I find this wildly hilarious. The workouts leave me feeling euphoric most times. It's easy peasy and I would love to tell the whole world that the hoop you have to jump through is a way bigger than one might think.

Hope you find your way back into it. I've been laid off since the 2/3/05 with drugs that soften tendons and ligaments. I'll be out next Thursday with bells on though!

What kinds of exercise do you enjoy most?
Cheers! Ian

Ian, Thanks for the encouragement to exercise. I've got to do it to turn this mess around -- I know it works for me. The exercise I enjoy most is walking, biking, or hiking (I love running, but hurt my back in my 20's -- narrowed disc, so that's unfortuantely out). I don't mind using my cardio glide or another machine that's kind of like a skiing machine if I can watch TV while doing them. Kids are a complication, but I need to figure a way around that -- I did before by exercising late at night.

I got my TOVA results back. I did fine on the first 3/4 of the test and then crashed and burned. So the test said I had attentional problem and that I didn't! Just what I love--ambiguity! Apparently my IQ is a bit higher than the test was normed on and so I can compensate for a wee bit longer, before I lose my focus. Psychologist said that taking everything, history, husband's and my check lists, and the TOVA that he was diagnosing me with AD/HD and recommended medication, lots of ADD books, and therapy.

Hope your back on your feet and active soon! Don't you hate when something takes you out of it for a while.

Scattered

I wonder: What happens if you're really focused while doing the test, because it's a test?

While taking the Tova test I thought that if this was a test for ADD no way do I have it, I was so confident that I got most of them right. As it turned out, I was impulsive (I thought I was being fast) and got bunches and bunches wrong. Guess what? I have ADD!!!!