I was originally registered for 5 classes (17 credits). I dropped one, because I figured I should take it easy since it had been 2 years since I graduated high school.

What I had left:
Bio I
Math
Gen. Psychology
Eng Comp II

I was having a lot of difficulty getting out of bed in the morning. I was literally blacking out and slurring. I was like that for the first 2 months of college. I fell so far behind in EC II that I dropped it. I later found out I was overmedicated at night, that's why I couldn't get up in the morning. So I got that taken care of.

By my third session in Math, I was so lost. I was going to go to the Math Center in school, for tutoring. I either forgot about it or delibrately missed it, thinking I'd go the next day.

It probably would have helped if I could stay zoned in during lectures and demonstrations on the board...needless to say, that class was dropped also.

I stayed in Psychology, but I had missed or been late to so many classes, they they dropped me one letter grade. I had the best grade in class, but only got a B.

I know the overmedication was a huge problem at first...but what's my excuse after I got off those meds? Maybe it's because I hadn't been on anything for ADHD ever...then again, maybe it's just me.

So many times I've felt hopeless, depressed, and incompetent. I just want to be able to stick with things, rather than lose sight of my goals.

Has anyone else overcome this? If so, how??

Cyndi (neuroangel) :dizzy:

hey Cyndi,

You know, you were taking a LOT of classes, especially for your first semester back... I can't really handle more than 12 -15 very well (12 is the minimum to be a full time student) and if they're difficult classes I can't take more than 10 credits. The normal load here is supposed to be 16 credits, but I've never taken that many since all my classes are kind of tough. (engineering) as I've gotten to upper level classes I can barely handle 10!!

So that may or may not be part of the problem....

the other thing is that you are still adjusting to the school and everything - even transfer students generally take about a semester to adjust. You are still forming your study habits. I didn't really gear up my study habits until about 5 semesters into school (this semester, lol! but that was partly becasue I was un-diagnosed) I would say that those habits are continually improving...

There could be lots of explainations for having a tough time getting out of bed - I do the same thing (have you looked at my post "always late for class"? I was going through a pretty rough time and finally got it under control)

the last few years I was late to class a lot and would often miss lectures becuase "I didn't really need it anyway..." the worst class I've ever had was one I took right after lunch - I always fell asleep no matter HOW hard I tried!! I realized later that it was becuase I ate a TON at lunch and obviously that makes you really tired. I came out of that class with no understanding of the material at all...

This year I've really kicked it into high gear, I was DETERMINED to get an A in an engineering class (havne't done it yet, not even an A-!!) so I worked my butt off, stressing myself to tears. I did it for a semester and a half before I finally hit an all time low two weeks ago. I was so completely overwhelmed by everything that I wasn't eating or sleeping... of course that only hurt me more and more until I couldn't function anymore. Then some lightbulb went on in my head somewhere, and I finally started following everyone elses advice - taking care of my BODY.... lol!! I was so determined to proove that I wasn't lazy, but I wasn't able to do it. anyway

for the last two weeks I have been REALLY TRYING to live healthier - 8 hours of sleep and eating balanced meals (and eating ENOUGH...) I admit that the sleep is still pretty wacked out, (sometimes I get too much, sometimes too little) but overall it's WORKING!! i was astounded... suddenly my homework has been taking me a lot less time, and I feel a lot HAPPIER... more confident... etc! it's great!! I'm starting to be a believer in a healthy diet now! I've read that ADDers are a lot more sensitive to diet fluctuations than most people, I definatley think that's true. I'm not eating GREAT, but it's definatley better than before. i'm not on any medication either - i couldn't tell if it was working or not becuase I was so unhealthy - it just gave me headaches and dizzyness. So anyway yeah. That might be a problem too.... of course you didn't say anything about it so i don't know. How are you eating/sleeping??

I don't know really how to talk yourself into getting to class and to the office hours... because I have a really hard time with it myself. the only way that works for me is to have somthing I HAVE to go to (like a class where the teacher has talked to me and will notice if I'm gone), and then go from thing to thing to thing afterwards. If i go home then all is lost.... lol! but it works well - If I have a break in the middle then I go to the library.

It can be so tempting to change plans in the middle of the day, so i actually make a schedule and figure out which spots are going to be difficult transitions for me. (either not wanting to leave, or deciding to do somthing other than what I'm sposed to do... ) and I MARK THOSE SPOTS with a bright orange pen. then if I look at the schedule I think - "wow, I REALLY have to work on making this transition... if I don't do it then I will regret it later"
The thing is, I KNOW that i need to make that transition. I understand completely what the consequenses are... and yet - I'll decide not to do it anyway based on the mood I'm in. for some reason the visual stimulation really seems to help me overcome that mood. It doen'st always work, but definately better than before.

well anyway that's my suggestion!! good luck!! let us know...

maybe someone else has somthing better!

Hi Christiana,

A lot of input! It's good though, you make a lot of sense.

One thing that helps me relax is going for a drive. It puts me in a good mood. Another thing is, anticipating something good. When I am looking forward to something, I try harder to get everything else out of the way; so I can get ready.

Sleeping/Eating: I've had insomnia since I was 11 years old. On average I get about 3-4 hours of sleep per night. I eat light stuff, because I have so many GI problems right now. Hiatal hernia, GERD, esophagitis, and a digestive disorder. Basically, whenever I eat, I regret it about 20 minutes later. I eat 1-2 a day typically, and the past week, I've been trying to get red meat in just in case I'm anemic or something. (It was a suggestion, since I wake up tired and sometimes unable to rise for hours...)

Hope to hear from you!

Cyndi (neuroangel)

Yeah - driving puts me in a good mood too! It's that sort of - I have to get out of here - feeling... plus going fast is good stimulation too ;)

wow - you do have some pretty complex sleeping/eating issues... it is completely possible that they are adding a lot to your motivation and the ability to find the "oompf" to get started. I agree about the iron thing - although it is tough to gauge that kind of stuff without a blood test (too much can be toxic) if you decide to try suppliments DEFINATLEY talk to a doctor first. But I would try the red meats thing too.

Other than that I don't know what to say becuase I don't know a whole lot more on the subject! Nice to meet you by the way!

Good luck!!