I don't understand why it's so much harder to write simple things versus things taht take more thought, energy and creativity. For example, many times for work, I need to ghostwrite opinion pieces, persuasive pieces, etc.--stuff that takes a some thought on how to sell an idea. This type of writing comes naturally. On the other hand, if I have to write a memo on some facts I've researched--facts are laid out, and all I have to do is write up something coherent, with little emotion/argument--my brain literally freezes--what's up with that?

Shouldn't this be easier??? Everything I need to write is already there for me. Why is it so hard to put it on paper??!?!?! Who knows if this has anything to do with ADD--maybe it's just the way my brain works, I don't know---but do any of you guys have ideas on how to make it easier? Yes, I try to make the lists, etc.....but what I'm looking for is any ideas to "unfreeze" my brain when I need to write factual material.

This is something that I have definitely noticed with myself. I see myself able to get the big picture but never the little details. From what I have seen looking at all the posts I have and whatnot for College students and just students in general, this is a big problem for AD/HD people in general. We tend to think in more abstract ways then the concrete small details. To us, much of the time, it is very hard to remember the small things because it just doesnt code into our brain to remember things so minute.
I have been a debater for 3 years of high school and last year in college, im a so. now, and something that I have noticed just from that, is that if I interact and write down facts as I am reading them, it helps me remeber details better. Just interacting with the facts makes it much easier for me. I'm not going to say what to do that will make you remember them for sure, at least a specific interaction, because you should always have leanancy on how you learn best, and you know that best yourself. Try things like as you are reading them in the first place, and you might need them, highlight the fact or write it down if you think it might be important.

Hope this helps! :)

What you are describing is EXACTLY what I experience, only it's with reading. It's only with certain material. It's not a matter of what's simple vs. complex, creative vs. straight-forward. It's just a matter of the topic and the way in which it's written.

My theory, as I stated on another thread, is that the specific areas of the brain that are impaired (most likely dopamine connections in the frontal lobe) need to be accessed for these tasks. The tasks that are not difficult are utilizing parts of the brain that aren't impaired.

I can physically feel the "gears grinding to a halt" when I try to force myself to read research articles. It's almost as if my brain is saying "you don't have enough dopamine to complete this transaction". But, if I suddenly switch to reading forums or vacation guides or even statistics books, I'm wide awake.

It's very odd.

On the other hand, if I have to write a memo on some facts I've researched--facts are laid out, and all I have to do is write up something coherent, with little emotion/argument--my brain literally freezes--

I hope I am reading your post right. you have the fact, figures in front of you and you need to connect the dots so the facts/figures come out with a business like "flow"

Okay how is you verbal ability???

I have good verbal skill and what I often do is say out loud what I am trying to write.

Maybe saying out loud what I want to write switches brain gears or some thing I just find when I am stuck I can sit back and ask my self "What am I trying to say?" And then answer myself..yes sign of insanity according to some but productive for this dyslexic!!!!!

Music through head phone help me be able to read those facts..it helps me read period!!! Temp is everything. I change tempos depending on the tone I want to portray!!


I can physically feel the "gears grinding to a halt" when I try to force myself to read research articles. It's almost as if my brain is saying "you don't have enough dopamine to complete this transaction".

Love the way you said that!!!


But, if I suddenly switch to reading forums or vacation guides or even statistics books, I'm wide awake.

The vacation and forums I get but statistic books???

I would think these statistic book would read a lot like research articles. Research has a lot of stats!!!!!!

In my brain the areas that are able to read both statistic books and research articles are located in the same place.....in some one else's brain!!!!:p

In my brain the areas that are able to read both statistic books and research articles are located in the same place.....in some one else's brain!!!!:pMost definately with you on this one Tammy! When I have to read a research article, I do so by skipping the statistics and reading the intro and summary!:)

Well, I have a little theory about this, you see, adhd people do have a low dopamine level, which is linked to pleasure, you experience pleasure, your dopamine level rises, which in turn also works with, learning, you are giving your brain something to do, and it likes, so there for you can. When doing something that takes some skill, your brain is enjoying the workout, and raises the dopomine level.

Now your trying to do something easy, your brain is not wanting to stay focused on it, because it is to busy trying to find something to trigger that dopamine.

This is a big probablem with us, it's like once I have figured out how to do something, I am through with it, because it does nothing for me, I am ready to move on to something more interesting, constantly trying to raise that dopamine level. That is why stimulants work for some of us, by giving our brain stimuation to raise the dopamine level for us, it slows our racing thoughts so we can stay focused on the piddly crap we don't care to do.

Also another reason I think I can clean better, when I'm high, It makes boring things a little easier to deal with.

Quote of Meadd823:
In my brain the areas that are able to read both statistic books and research articles are located in the same place.....in some one else's brain!!!!:p

Most definately with you on this one Tammy! When I have to read a research article, I do so by skipping the statistics and reading the intro and summary!:)
Sorry, girls. I'm just weird that way! Stats turns me on; it's so theoretical and it's so amazing what we can learn with these methods!!

But, you know by now that I'm the "show me the evidence" girl. I want the raw data!

Well, I have a little theory about this, you see, adhd people do have a low dopamine level, which is linked to pleasure, you experience pleasure, your dopamine level rises, which in turn also works with, learning, you are giving your brain something to do, and it likes, so there for you can. When doing something that takes some skill, your brain is enjoying the workout, and raises the dopomine level.
Very interesting idea. I think, though, that the link is causal only in one direction: more dopamine, more pleasure. Not more pleasure, more dopamine.

That might explain, though, my observation that I'm not interested in what I can't pay attention to....

I have that happen with me a lot. Although my thing was always persuasive/intellectual debate, opinionated peices are fine for me, but Homework peices drive me up the wall...

Sorry, girls. I'm just weird that way! Stats turns me on; it's so theoretical and it's so amazing what we can learn with these methods!!

Hey I am glad you have this abilty this is where differences are good !!!!!

Hi me again, my boyfriend,and I were have a conversation shortly ago, and he was talking about this computer he has been fixing for a friend, and how he loves the challenge of figureing out, the problem, and the thread that I had read earlier was brought into the conversation, and I gave him a quick run down of it.

When we got home I read him the thead, and the replys again. In doing so, I realized you didn't get to many suggestions towards what to do about it. And something my boyfriend said, gave me an idea.

How about makeing a little game out of the things, you have trouble getting done. Like say your writing facts down and when they happened, do them in cronalogical order, or alphabitize them. Or take a guess at how long the list may be and start at the bottom and go up. I was thinking if you made it harder to do or see how fast you can do something, without a pause, just straight focusing. like when you had to take a test in school, and you were being timed. Anything to make the boring task a challenge.

I do this at times when I am cleaning cuz it will be to easy to get side tracked, I would see how much I can do in one room with out walking out of it for anything. See if it dosen't help a little. Seems your mind just likes exersize, probably like when you work out your body, it needs more and more weight, getting pushed, just one more rep.

Good luck, let us know if you try this.

[QUOTE=meadd823]I hope I am reading your post right. you have the fact, figures in front of you and you need to connect the dots so the facts/figures come out with a business like "flow"

Okay how is you verbal ability???

I have good verbal skill and what I often do is say out loud what I am trying to write.

Ooo--I should try that--my verbal ability's very high, so it just might work...it's odd how even though everything's right in front of me, I have a hard time putting it in one organized, coherent document.

Thanks everyone for the input--looks like this might in fact be an add thing after all :-p

It's so funny, because as I'm reading these posts, I literally feel my brain humming with energy, but the moment I think about, say, doing the dishes, I just imagine plummeting to . . . boredom.

BOREDOM is the key, it's anathema to the ADDer. For non ADDers, boring activities may make their engines idle a little, but they can still function. For ADDers, the whole thing just shuts down.

Barbyma, do you know if dopamine release occurs in ANTICIPATION of pleasurable activities, or only in engaging in them? And if reduction of dopamine response occurs in relation to anticipating a boring activity, or in actually engaging in it?

Barbyma, do you know if dopamine release occurs in ANTICIPATION of pleasurable activities, or only in engaging in them? And if reduction of dopamine response occurs in relation to anticipating a boring activity, or in actually engaging in it?
This is an EXCELLENT question, and one I can actually answer!:)

Yes, it does.

There have been numerous studies on this. With drug addicts, for example, that show adjustments BEFORE the drug is ingested, simply by watching someone prepare it.

BTW, My son yawns when I talk about doing math!!!

So true of me; I have an MBA in Finance and can complete, communicate and deliver a fairly complicated analysis or financial projection...but simple accounting or bookkeeping or data entry is beyond my ability.

It's like every little routine action that goes into these things, which seems to 'stick' in the heads of people who can do them, simply leaves mine, and I have to think about every keystroke, every code or account number or dollar amount...rather than simply 'copy' them into the computer.

My theory is that these tasks involve too many meaningless details and/or decisions....which I have to 'force' myself to make. It's exhausting...and I can only take so much of it until I have to find something engaging to focus on, and 'relax' my mind.