I have found out that I cannot get the help I need through the school.... and I can't afford to get the help I need any other way...

So...

How can I get to the point where I can sit down and study for over 10 minutes without falling asleep, getting up or daydreaming? I have tried working out right before studying, eating healthy foods right before, eating candy right before... I have even tried pricking myself with a needle when I was beginning to get off task (other than a bunch of holes in my hand, that didn't work)... nothing has worked for me... I have tried scheduling, working at the library, working outside, working in the laundry room of my apartment, studying with and without noise... earplugs, headphones, etc... NOTHING works.... anyone have any new ideas? I am willing to try anything... I am really in need of help, I have an exam today that I haven't even read the notes for yet...

If this sounds desperate..... it's because I am...

If you can't stop yourself from being distracted, maybe you can work even though you are being distracted. Get an egg timer... set it for five minutes, or two minutes if necessary. Whenever it goes off, reset it... every time it goes off, it is a reminder to get back on task. DON'T beat yourself up for daydreaming... but DO get back on task every time the egg timer goes off.

One step at a time, you can make it through this journey, even if you stop to smell every flower along the way, as long as you don't STAY at that flower longer than a minute or two, you will eventually get where you want to go.

Well, first of all congrats on having tried all the things you mentioned to get yourself to study . It proves that you are proactive about your illness and not one to give up. I'm sort of in the same boat as you. I’m very motivated and am goal oriented, but have hard time with immediate tasks. I was diagnosed with ADD and OCD at the beginning of last semester. My academic career has been a roller coaster ride. Sometimes I excel and other times I'm at the verge of failing. Right Now I’m in the failing stage. Here's some strategies I want to suggest.

First of all it seems you are *thinking* too much about your ADD when you are studying. Maybe your thought process is along the lines. “Well now that I know it is my ADD that is behind all this and for that I've exercised/ eaten healthy food...why the heck can I still not concentrate? I must be a failure.”

By doing this are jumping to conclusions and seeing the worlds as only black, or white. Also perfectionism may be a problem – for me it definitely was. For example, I have a test tomorrow and I haven't studied for it. I’ll try real hard to focus. When I don't live up to my expectations (like reading 1 chapter in 2 hours) I just go into denial mode. It know is easier said then done, but when you are studying keep in mind that your immediate goal is to study...not to think how you can get rid of ADD. Try to think positively. As an ADD adult you've already gone through a lot to reach the stage where you are. Instead of putting great pressure on you to perform…tell yourself “I’m going to enjoy doing this assignment and when I’m done I know I’m going to feel REALLY GOOD and CONFIDENT. The reason I’m saying this is because your brain seems to be shutting down when you see the dreaded task. By trying to put in zest/passion in what you are studying…in a way you are stimulating your brain.

Personally, I don’t try TV/ music since, as it is, I’m already easily distracted. Do keep up the exercise thing, as it is helpful. Finally, one more suggestion- I now that when I know someone is out there to encourage me/ give a friendly kick in the butt I feel a lot more motivated to study…the teamwork thing is stimulating. If you want you send me a message with your immediate goals and I’ll ask you if you were able to finish the tasks you set for yourself.
-Sky

Hey, do you qualify for the free ADD meds that they keep post up on here every now and then? I say this because you mentioned you didn't have the means to get any help. try a search or look under the adderall/dextroamphetamine forums they have the free drug thing posted all time. I dont know if you can take those or not but it was just my only idea.

Keep up the work though, damn its tuff, you have to try twice as hard as anyone else to do it. Don't forget that, sometimes knowing that helps me.

How'd you do on the exam, Chantale?

waywardclam -Thanks for the advice. I am definately going to try the egg timer. Of course, I will have to set it at about 2-3 minutes in the beginning... hopefully, I will be able to work up to 10 minutes or longer... ohh, and the exam didn't go as horrible as I thought. I am pretty good at multiple choice, and the exam was luckily 50% multiple choice...

I agree that part of my problem has to do with setting my expectations too high... I guess I spend too much time comparing myself to non-ADDers... *sigh*

Sky - it's good to know that other people have the same problems with school that I have. Thanks for the support

mistaben - I live in Ontario, so I am pretty sure that I wouldn't be able to get free meds. Good news is that my school is willing to cover 50% of the cost of Wellbutrin, if it is stated that I am taking the med for depression and not for any other reason...

I tried this egg timer thing and I have to say it really worked, as I got so much more study done last night for my test this morning than I usually manage. (shame i still can't seem to get started before the last minute).

Thanks...

Yep, I was also going to suggest some sort of timer.... When all else fails with me, I bust out that timer...even though it freaks out my cats! ;)