I'm in major debt, 6 years of undergrad/grad school will do that to you, especially when you're only to work a couple weeks a year. I've realized the career I was going for is not attainable for me due to my lack of attention to details, disorganization, inability to memorize and remember information, and frustration from all of the above and related issues that go along with the condition.

I'm failing out of grad school, can get back in, and will have little chance of getting into another, since this is probably the easiest and somehow they overlooked undergrad mishalps... me retaking courses many many times. Plus, I'm not capable of the career anyhow.

I'm not taking meds, but have taken adderall, straterra, and provigil. Side effects and lack of efficacy caused me to d/c. I'm smart, yet have no ability to use my intelligence and don't fit in with the high functioning, fast pacing, multi tasking world.

Are you going to a counslor of some sort?? Sometimes the first step is gaining support... After that it's finding ways to cope. I think that it's easy to fall into a pattern of learned helplessness. Not everyone deals with situations the same way and learning new approaches is important. It's also good to find the things we are good at and embrace them.

I have, it doesn't help. They don't seem to understand or offer the right kind of advice. Right now, I'm just very upset about my academic situation. I've always been well above average my whole life, until now. The increased workload, lack of structure, increased difficulty have caused by inattentive symptoms to manifest in a much more severe and impairing manner than ever before.

I talked to my advisor, and she was very understanding, especially since this explained a little why I seemed to be the underachiever of the group. I'm always struggling with the details, despite the fact the I'm just as intelligent as the rest. I told her I'd tried medication before, and had side effects from Adderall (depression), or no efficacy from the non-stims. I never knew how much of a problem it was in my life til I got here, since I'd never experienced such challenge.

I've always been hesistant to try new meds due to failures in the past, but now want to make one more effort. She suggested I wait til the end of the semester, so I could adjust to meds and make changes, but I said I was sorta going downhill, and wouldn't make it that far. It's almost like sometimes your brain short circuits, or gets stuck. That's where I am right now.

I told my instructor I'd make an appt with my doc (it's tomorrow). But now I'm hesistating to go. I have a very good relationship with him, but am ashamed to admit that I'm having problems in school and want meds to help. He thinks I'm doing fine.

Do not be ashamed to admit your problems. We all need help at one time or another. Right now you are looking at either admiting to this downhill slide and getting the help to find your way back up or you'll be denying the need for help and continue the downhill spiral. It's okay.

I dropped out of community college because I felt I was too stupid to do the school thing. Two years later I went back to finish and found myself working three times as hard as everyone else. Last year I was diagnosed with ADHD. Looking back I understand why I failed classed, did poorly on assignment, and generally felt so overwhelmed I'd give up. Now I'm six months away from my BA and very aware when I start the downhill slide. I'm also less likely to pretend everything is okay. You can make it through this with some support.

Did you try meds?

Glad you posted your post. I"m in the same situation. Two degrees, i can't finish b/c of ADHD deficits, and i'm up to my eyebrows in debt.

Nice to find someone in the same boat, in a strange way.

Is there not the possibility to use the basic academics then switch to some thing you can do. . . the debit well I understand that first hand. . . . went through some similar stuff not tooo long ago. . . . hearing that you are failing because you can't do the career of choice because of lacking attention to details doesn't say much about your abilities that may be will offer some insight into possible career matches. . . .out there. When in a ditch we have three choices

Dig our selves deeper,

Stand there and do nothing hoping to be saved by some one.

Or under taking the task of clawing, climbing and working our way out.

No matter what I say I can not change this although I am sorry to hear that after six years of going to school you have decided that you are unable to do the profession in which you worked so hard for. . . . I wish I had more to offer. . . . I could tell you about my own school debt rather boring really . . . . .owe money pay it money in money out. . . . .

I'm smart, yet have no ability to use my intelligence.

I completely understand how you feel. How long did you take Strattera for? The reason I ask, is I felt it did nothing for me initially, either. I actually gave up on it due to the brutal side-effects I experienced. I have restarted taking it two weeks ago and am now coming through the side-effects and feel much more leveled out. Very much of the extraneous BS is gone. I don't usually notice it, though. I get little mini-epiphanies from accomplishments that happen without me exerting any additional effort. I just keep getting more efficient.

Sorry, I am not trying to come across as the Strattera poster child, I am just wondering if you were/are expecting something more profound to happen from meds. than what is likely to happen, as I was.

Sometimes, if all else fails, an agonizing reappraisal of the whole scene is necessary.

I definitely wish you the best of luck, though.

Glad you posted your post. I"m in the same situation. of ADHD deficits, Nice to find someone in the same boat, in a strange way.ditto, except my ADHD prevented me from even getting into college :o

I just started Concerta. No side effects. It's not bad, but I'm only at 18 mg and definitely will have to increase the dose for optimal effects. It feels like something I can stick with.

Good luck, jealibeanz.

Hopefully ramping up will only provide benefits as opposed to ill-side effects.

Good luck with school, also.

I had a really hard time completing college. By the time I was done I completed 3 degrees. With or without ADHD, it is not easy and the thing that helped me most was determination and time.

It took me a bit longer to complete, but I did, and am glad I did. I think I could have accpeted failure, but I don't think I would have been able to get along with myself if I gave up as long as there was the tiniest hope of a chance that I would complete.

If your ADHD is causing problems get to a doctor, but don't give up.

A friend of mine has ADHD and aspergers. She has struggled with some things that others find to be basic, but her determination to pursue her dream of a college education has been remarkable.
She has failed a couple of classes, but is retaking them. I think she will eventually succeed, but it won't be easy for her. Her learning style does not always align with modern educational practice, so she has a lot to overcome, but I have hope that she will.

Me :D

I can totally relate to you. I have been an exemplary student all my life. gettng all A's. School was so easy for me. I received my master's degree with high distinction and it was so easy for me, that i used to say i felt like i just finished kindergarden.
So i decided to continue with full scholarship. all of the sudden, the simple things are becoming difficult. I am having major problem with learning and memory. it is very impaired. i have cried out for help. i tried adderal, i didn't get much help. Now i started Conceta, a week ago (18mg). too early to tell. but i am very frustrated because i can't remember what i studied. I can study something over and over again and i would have difficulty remembering it especially in testing setting.
I know exactly how you feel, i have been crying out for help. I prayed non stop, i fasted non-stop. It hurts especially because i was used to learning things easily, now i feel as if there is a block in my learning and retrieving. and thus causing me frustartion. THe only solution is to quit but i came so far that quitting is not an option. so i have been praying day and night. My life has turned litterally upside down. and sideways. I am extremely disappointed. ADD is ruining my life.
I thought may be i am depressed so i saw a psychiatrist. She said that she would add welbutrin to my concerta regimen. i just started it last week. i hope that helps. i am praying because i am so frustrated that i can't even study because i am tired of failing. i have been failing exams in things that i know is real simple for me (at least was simple). as a result, i lost motivation to even trying. scary. real scary.
if there is any Doctors here or specialist, please please e-mail me or post it in this forum to let me know if learning and memory is associated with ADD. I am too young to have alzheimers. I thought it might be depression added with ADD, that is why i am taking welbutrin.
Please please please reply to me and tell me what you think.
THank you very much.

someone write back and tell me what you think.
thanks

I can totally relate to you. I have been an exemplary student all my life. gettng all A's. School was so easy for me. I received my master's degree with high distinction and it was so easy for me, that i used to say i felt like i just finished kindergarden.
So i decided to continue with full scholarship. all of the sudden, the simple things are becoming difficult. I am having major problem with learning and memory. it is very impaired. i have cried out for help. i tried adderal, i didn't get much help. Now i started Conceta, a week ago (18mg). too early to tell. but i am very frustrated because i can't remember what i studied. I can study something over and over again and i would have difficulty remembering it especially in testing setting.
I know exactly how you feel, i have been crying out for help. I prayed non stop, i fasted non-stop. It hurts especially because i was used to learning things easily, now i feel as if there is a block in my learning and retrieving. and thus causing me frustartion. THe only solution is to quit but i came so far that quitting is not an option. so i have been praying day and night. My life has turned litterally upside down. and sideways. I am extremely disappointed. ADD is ruining my life.
I thought may be i am depressed so i saw a psychiatrist. She said that she would add welbutrin to my concerta regimen. i just started it last week. i hope that helps. i am praying because i am so frustrated that i can't even study because i am tired of failing. i have been failing exams in things that i know is real simple for me (at least was simple). as a result, i lost motivation to even trying. scary. real scary.
if there is any Doctors here or specialist, please please e-mail me or post it in this forum to let me know if learning and memory is associated with ADD. I am too young to have alzheimers. I thought it might be depression added with ADD, that is why i am taking welbutrin.
Please please please reply to me and tell me what you think.
THank you very much.
ritanthony,

I am neither a doctor or specialist. All I can do (and all anyone in these forums can do) is offer shared experience and support.

That said, a sudden shutdown in memory sounds scary and frustrating. Depression is certainly a possiblity -- when I had a major depressive episode, my ability to read disappeared altogether and ordinarily reading is as natural for me as breathing.

Give the Wellbutrin a chance and don't forget that there are other ADs. If you feel comfortable with this psychiatrist, she may be able to help.

Also, are you getting enough sleep? Sleeplessness is not good for your memory, either. Fasting may not be the best route to go right now.

Hopefully others will respond. Keep checking in

Thank you for your reply. I appreciate it.

I am taking 100mg of wellbutrin. is that too little. i guess that is a starting dose.

Thanks.

ritanthony,
Yes, that probably is a starting dose, but of course, dosage is a very individual thing. I had a friend who was taking 450mg before it seemed to do any good and another who was good on 150mg.

How are you doing? Have you gotten any feedback and are you getting any sleep?

all of the sudden, the simple things are becoming difficult. I am having major problem with learning and memory. it is very impaired. i have cried out for help. i tried adderal, i didn't get much help. Now i started Conceta, a week ago (18mg). too early to tell. but i am very frustrated because i can't remember what i studied. I can study something over and over again and i would have difficulty remembering it especially in testing setting.
Ritanthony--not a doctor or therapist, but of course ADD can affect memory and learning. But define 'sudden'---like overnight sudden? Could be something other than or in addition to ADD. High stress level, thyroid, hormones, anemia, low-grade infection,....? ADD usually has more of a life-long pattern, sudden changes need an explanation.

If you haven't noticed a difference on the 18 mg of Concerta it's worth calling your doctor and asking how soon you can try a different dosage. A week is plenty of time to tell.

Ritanthony,

It sounds like you are describing the "stuck" feeling so many of us are talking about, which can lead to depression, which can lead to poor memory, which can lead to depression, etc....
I am not a doctor but know learning and memory problems are related to ADD. I hope you are going to therapy as well as taking meds. You will pull through this! You just need to find out what works for you. Keep your chin up!!!