Just feel like sharing...

[Pamplemousse]

So I just feel like sharing some things and I would like to know if other people feel the same way I do. (My parents don't like talking about my ADD so I try to find others to talk to.)

Anyways so are any of you guys kind of upset with being impulsive? I know that I am. I just don't think about things before I say them. Some of the things I do embarrass me ever so much. I get lots of weird and sometimes dirty looks from people. And what do I tell them? ''Oh sorry, It's my ADD...'' I don't want to use it as an excuse (even though that's what causes it) but sometimes I just don't know what to do. I try to make friends with the people on my softball team and they all just think I am some weirdo because I say funny things that don't even make a lot of sense.

Also does it seem that when you try to concentrate harder you almost zone out more than before? I tell myself I need to focus, so I look at the teacher and take notes, but my mind wanders and then I miss things. I do that in softball practice as well and miss the directions that he gave us. It makes me feel retarded when I ask the team members what he just said like 15 seconds ago.

And homework. I am awful at this. I try to get it all done, but I forget a lot of assignments from the classes. And I don't ever seem to have the drive to write all my assignments down somewhere. (on the occasion that I do write them down I never seem to look at where I wrote them) I lose papers al the time. Just the other day I got yelled at in math class for leaving my assignment at home. I didn't exactly like getting yelled at in front of my friends. I lose almost any lose paper I have, it really stinks most of the time because those papers I lose are important things. (once again, what do I tell the teacher why I lose so many things??)

And my last topic of this kind of rant here that I was going on about...

just some random things... (just a quick side topic here...I got tested for ADD this year because my math tutor said she has ADD and that she thought I had it. (some other teachers said some similar things as well) But the main thing that made her notice it was my distractibility and my impulsiveness) She tried to do things like have me write everything down on the whiteboard in her classroom to keep it interesting but whenever somebody walked by the classroom that is where my attention shifted. Also I would dive into a problem before I even thought about how to solve it and most of the time i make retarded mistakes. like I write that 3 X 4 = 7. and I just skip over important details and I would again, say dumb things..

But that's all. sorry for taking so long.

[dugup1254]

Hello! Welcome to the forums here. When it comes to school work, after school activities, and similar it may be better to make a quick post in the teen forums. Whether you are under 18 in high school or 26 in college, you would probably get a better response there just because most of the people in that forum are also in school, in sports, and doing home work regularly.

Yeah the impulsive thing can get annoying at times, but it tends to really only happen with me when something 'pops' in my mind. If someone says something, and I think of a joke right away, you can bet that it's coming out before I truly think it through. Which is good at times, because who doesn't appreciate a quick response for a joke? Other times I can find myself embarresed because I said something that might be offensive.

Also yeah it does seem that when you REALLY put your mind on concentrating your mind can wander around. It's the worst when you hyper-focus on something and become distracted, next thing you know you are hyper-focusing on something entirely irrelevant. I never did do homework while in high school or college, for that reason alone.

If you think you are being distracted to a point where you cannot focus in school, let your doctor know. You said you were tested, but you did not state how the result came back? Also, what does 'tested' mean? Did you talk to a primary care doctor or did you have an entire evaluation done? Hope this helps!

[ADHDTigger]

I'm going to say something that is going to sound like it couldn't possibly be true... and is. The harder you try, the harder it gets. Think about it.

The problem we are battling is that we have an under stimulated brain. Stimulants work for us because they stimulate that brain. Effort and attention DE-STIMULATE us. Literally, the harder we try, the harder it gets.

When I need to pay attention, I try to relax and NOT pay attention and wait for hyperfocus to kick in. Some days are better than others. Actively taking notes helps me because I am actively doing something different.

I have that impulsivity too. One thing that tends to help is something that is self stimulating. Bouncing on my toes works when I am about to do something physical. Shredding paper when I am in my office and reasonably private works. Doodling sometimes helps. Think on it and you will come up with others.

I don't know that I have words of wisdom for you. I do know that it is possible to get past some of the impulsivity if you have something else that you know you can do.

[Pamplemousse]

Thanks for the advice! And dugup1254, I was evaluated by a psychologist with Conners and was found to be ADHD- I. There is also some social anxiety that I have as well. Thanks for reminding me to stick that in there!