Hello, I have a problem that is killing me with my ADD. I just turned 23 and I'm working on a Bachelor's Degree in Physics. I have about a 3.0gpa going right now after almost 100 credits. I was diagnosed with ADD about a year ago, and finally started taking Adderall in August...

I've always been the kid that sits in the back of the class, in my own little world during lectures. Somehow I slide right through my classes with good grades, even though I put very little effort into my classes and only do homework if i know I have to do it. I always tell myself I'm going to study and get straight A's, but I never do (and never have studied).

Now....
When I take my dose of Adderall, I notice a HUGE change in my focus and concentration. I sit in class and disect about every word the teacher says. For instance, I look up every other word that comes out of my spanish teacher's mouth in the translator. When I finally get down to the last second and do my homework, I get it done in record time because I am now oblivious to the outside world.

But I am having a major problem whlie on Meds... I can't control my focus! When I get home and want to work on a report, I can't FORCE myself to do it. Instead I'm ripping something apart and putting it together, rearranging the stuff in my room, or doing stupid stuff on a computer (for instance, I keep making stupid spreadsheets to analyze anything from my weekly hours worked to how much money I spend on various hobbies). I don't know why I do any of this stuff, because when I'm not on meds, these things are 100% trivial to me!
I have like 5 huge, ultra-professional looking spreadsheets sitting here (with any stat or calculation that you can think of included), every single thing within sight has been fixed or improved, and my room is organized 150% more than humanly possible! When the meds wear off, I have no use for anything that I worked on while the meds were working.

Why can't I control my focus when I'm on Adderall? I beat myself up constantly because I can't control my newly found focus while on meds. Its like my mind tunes out the fact that I have a 15 page report due, and instead hones in on stupid crap like fixing a remote for a TV that we don't have anymore.

I'm thinking my problem is just that I don't know how to control my focus and force myself to do something that I don't want to do. But, I don't see how it would be humanly possible for me to control my focus! The whole time I'm fixing that stupid remote or making another spreadsheet, my head doesn't even care that I could fail a class without doing my required work. Its almost like my head traveling down the useless superhighway, and I'm just riding along in the passenger seat!


How can I do something with this problem? Could it be that I'm on the wrong medication and Adderall is giving me the focus, but not helping the problem?

oops, Sorry, I didn't mean to double post. The original message is here:
http://www.addforums.com/forums/showthread.php?p=244524#post244524

My bad!

Jesse,

You might try tweeking your dosage a bit. There's been some talk about better focus on higher dosages.

Good luck!

is your issue focusing or motivating yourself to start something?

I find that when I need to get something done, I procrastinate. It's usually because whatever has to get done is B O R I N G!! so, i putz around looking for other things to do.

It all stinks, because then I do things even more at last minute.

I find that contingencies work well for me. For example, if I study for 20 minutes, I get to play on the computer for 10. I also use a timer to help me stay on task.

Or if I get 3 pages done, I get to call it quits for the night and do whatever I want to do.

If it's focusing that's the problem, you probably want to consider barbyma's suggestion and tweak your dosage.

Focus is not the issue. I have a ton of focus, I just can't channel the focus into the right task. I get ultra-focussed on the wrong thing, and I cannot make myself break my focus to do the right task.

Focus is not the issue. I have a ton of focus, I just can't channel the focus into the right task. I get ultra-focussed on the wrong thing, and I cannot make myself break my focus to do the right task.
You're talking about control; hyperfocus on one thing, no focus on another. This is the ADD root problem that's been hiding under other little things you now have taken care of. I do think you should talk to your doc about upping your dose.

I don't know about upping my dose. I am at 90mg of Adderall. Anything less doesn't work worth a damn, so he had to bump me all the way to 90mg.

And yeah, I can't control my new-found focus when I take my meds. Its like I don't have the mental strength to control my focus. Its kinda wierd and hard to explain...

I don't know about upping my dose. I am at 90mg of Adderall. Anything less doesn't work worth a damn, so he had to bump me all the way to 90mg.


WOW! Have you tried any other meds?

It's like if adderall trigger some kind of OCD problem. Did you try ritalin before?

I've only tried stratterra, and I couldn't stand it. I don't think I saw any improvement with it, but I didn't really give it an honest chance because of the nasty side-effects it was giving me (all kinds of sexual side effects that I couldn't live with).

re:#1

ADDers should always sit in the FRONT OF THE CLASS. This improves focus and reduces distractions.

Emma

don't try so hard.

Not having the mental strength to control your focus---I dunno 'bout that....

Could you please try to explain it for me, b/c I can't see how you have trouble controlling your focus. You focus on what you are interested in--you should have an internal dialogue--keeping a "control" on your focus.

The only thing you should really be worrying about focusing on-are negative thoughts.

ARe you really having a problem w/studying? Sounds like laziness, or an avoidance more than anything--Your entire problem is directing your focus. How do you manage to receive satisfactory grades in college w/o studying? Perplexing...You have to make yourself study or write a report-its not easy, but no matter how much it hurts you must give up, until you must.

I have the same problems you have--on meds and off of them...I become an organizing fiend when I don't know what to do==I hate making decisions--I try to avoid them whenever possible...Less guilt. I'm not proud of it-I'm trying to become better at being a bit more active and decisive.

ARe you really having a problem w/studying? Sounds like laziness, or an avoidance more than anything--Your entire problem is directing your focus. How do you manage to receive satisfactory grades in college w/o studying? Perplexing...You have to make yourself study or write a report-its not easy, but no matter how much it hurts you must give up, until you must.

It's not laziness and it's not avoidance.

By forcing themselves, an ADDer makes the problem much worse. Picture quicksand. If you try to get out, you'll sink.

The ADD prefrontal cortex slows down when focus is forced. The harder you try, the slower it goes.

How does one manage to get good grades w/o studying? I made it through 8 years of college (undergrad, MA, 2 years of a PhD) with an A average. It's not difficult to do if you have the right skill set (skimming and understanding main points) and a high enough IQ.

I'm not suggesting the OP give up. But, telling an ADDer that the solution to their problems is that they need to "work harder" is not constructive.

I just read what she wrote---and that's what I got out of it....I don't know YOUR situation--

So does the prefrontal cortex control focus?

I just read what she wrote---and that's what I got out of it....I don't know YOUR situation--
I'm not sure what you are referring to here. I simply answered your question. A LOT of people get through school quite well with ADD because they can compensate by various means. Some just stumble onto coping mechanisms. Others struggle. It depends on a number of factors including, but not limited to: the training of their teachers, the support system at school and at home, the child's intelligence, the child's experience, peer influence, etc.

So does the prefrontal cortex control focus?
The prefrontal cortex is involved in attention, yes. There are at least three attentional systems that have been identified and each specializes in different aspects of attention. The prefrontal cortex is also the primary location for the majority of higher cognitive functions including planning, organizing, and impulse control.

If anyone is interested in reading a summary of findings on localization of attention functions, Posner is a good place to start:

Posner, M. I. & Petersen, S. E. (1990). The attention system of the human brain. Annual Review of Neuroscience, 13, 25-42.

I can really relate to this post...
I also was diagnosed with ADD in the summer time I take 10 mg a day, " channeling the focus" is also my biggest problem. For instance, I can write this post and focus fine, however, when it comes to doing my math, I really struggle. I am getting a 3.8 average in school, meds have helped me a lot, but I still go throught these fuzzy periods, where nothing makes sence. Because I think I struggle with hyper focus, completing tasks involving details can be very difficult, I tend to loose sight of the main picture. I am great at anaylizing sittuations and figuring out the deeper meaning to things, less obvious, but ironically when it comes to commom sense I struggle a lot. I can write a deep complex poem or an outstanding story, but when it comes to completing a basic essay or memorizing/ understanding a basic concept I tend to struggle. Like you guys have said, I think the reason I do so well in school is because of my compensation skills, because I am able to see the big picture etc. I can get by on those tasks and because I am a fairly good write,r English also comes easier to me. However, when it comes down to getting things done in a timely mannor, I struggle. Ever since I have had meds and have experienced the feeling of focus for the first time, when I can't focus I always feel upset. Does anybody have any techniques for channeling focus better?

Really the prefrontal Cortex? You know what's weird, everytime I try to force myself to focus or I forget I thought suddenly due to distraction and try my best to remember it, that area of my brain feels stadicky...does that make sense? I know it sounds funny to say my brain feels fuzzy in the certain spot, but it does! Haha.

I could only make it through due to lectures. Unmedicated I couldn't read a book (that I wasn't interested in) if my life depended on it!

Jess, you may want to work on your drugs. Also I think it helped reveal that you may have OCD. You should probably get more evaluations to make complete sense of everything you're going through.

Dont' take meds before class?

Meds don't work in all situations.

For example, i cannot study HARD/FRUSTRATING/FOREIGN subjects while on meds. It makes my frustration tolerance lower, so i get mad and give up.

DO WHAT WORKS FOR YOU in Spanish class? (And talk to your doctor about wanting any meds changes.)

NB. maybe it is making you so focused that instead of seeing the forest, you stare at one tree. (E.g. 'can't see the forest for the trees'.)

Meds, to me, aren't just about schoolwork. They are also for organizing, alertness and staying focused on BORING things. (Like going Grocery Shopping; doing laundry.)

The BETE NOIR is different for everyone.

ya, U R actually not tolerant of some things you normally put up with on meds.

sometimes, ok. really kinda simple stuff (get on my nerves) while medicating. I just feel more confident and not really capable of getting frustrated and hurting anyone while on meds. I learn to give up the fight on meds, cuz' it is so hard to while on them. So use to it, cuz' always felt I had to, you konw.. ?

Ask for an older medicine like immediate release dexedrine. Long acting medicines to me feel like long hours of stereotyped behavior for me. Taking less at some times rather than being jacked up on the highest dose to cover it all because it works for "Adult ADD" but not me. Taking less meds help some situations improve.