Trouble Focusing

[nerdyrcdriver]

I have had this problem for a long time, but now it has started to be a real problem. I can not focus on academic writing at all. I don't think that I have ADHD as a lot of the other symptoms are not present. I do tend to fiddle with stuff during lectures like messing with a pen in my hand or doodling. If I am even mildly interested in something I get it done right away. Homework for other classes always gets done on time, often I am the first of my friends to finish it.

 

When I worked as a cart attendant I had a super dedicated work ethic and often got complimented (and got good raises) because of it. I work for an engineering company when I am at home and I can draw circuits on a whiteboard, prototype stuff that is boring to most people, or even work assembly without any issues for hours. 

 

However, in my last English class I often procrastinated and wrote papers at the last minute. I never met the page requirement (that is a whole other topic that I feel strongly about). Now I have a 5 page paper due tomorrow and I can't focus on it at all. The topic is kind of interesting (how extracurricular activities affect students) but I just can't seem to make myself write this bullshit. 

 

This paper is a proposal for an argumentative essay about the topic. I have to discuss the issue for five f****** pages and in the last paragraph I get to state which side of the argument I am on. After this, I will have to write a 10 page argumentative essay about it. 

 

I don't get why I can't even bullshit a couple pages for this and just get it over with. I can write formal documents for work all day (mostly in technical terms). I just wrote a proposal for a professor here to change some stuff in his shop/lab. I was able to come up with several pages of info and bring it down to one page (btw he agreed with me). 

 

I don't really expect to get any response from anyone about this. I just wanted to vent a little bit. I am just really frustrated right now. If a mod sees this, feel free to delete it if you really want to. 

[Majestic]

Sounds like a stress related issue. Early signs of a burnout, or some form of addiction (or lack thereof and nothing to fill the void). You don't fiddle around with your smartphone all day do you?

 

Usually for these stress symptoms, doing something mundane puts the mind at ease (but doesn't remedy). So that explains why repetitive yet demanding tasks proceed without issue.

 

Takes one to know one, I haven't found the solution yet. I think I might need to just ditch my current hobbies and try something different, rather jaded.

[nerdyrcdriver]

Sounds like a stress related issue. Early signs of a burnout, or some form of addiction. You don't fiddle around with your smartphone all day do you?

 

I can go without my phone for weeks if I want to. I do check it often outside of class, but I am usually checking for an email that I am expecting or for a reply in a conversation. I enjoy getting away from everything and just relaxing at a cabin. But my version of relaxing is swimming, kayaking, and mountain biking. Activities like fishing don't appeal to me. 

 

I took a short quiz (linked below) that said that I could have moderate ADHD. I took it a second time and though harder and got a lower score saying possible ADHD. I highly doubt that it is a very scientific quiz, but some of the questions (particularly on the second page) were very relatable. 

http://psychcentral.com/quizzes/addquiz.htm

 

I wouldn't say that I am stressed. I have never lost sleep over something like this. At work I can build a prototype or make a document and I feel totally comfortable talking to my boss or presenting it to a customer. If it didn't impact my grade so much, I would just skip this paper or make it just a page. I really feel like page requirements are the dumbest thing in academic writing. If I can make my point in a page, then why do I need to make it 10 times longer? I don't want to write 9 pages of bullshit for the sake of meeting a requirement and nobody wants to read it either. 

[Trik'Stari]

Sounds like ADD rather than ADHD.

[nerdyrcdriver]

Sounds like ADD rather than ADHD.

 

What are the key differences? The questions that were relatable mainly related to the need to be doing something and inability to sit still in certain situations. For example, I can't relax during a car ride. That is why I usually volunteer to drive is because it gives me something to do. Other people in my dorm can sit around on their computers all day, while I feel the need to go do something even if the weather is bad. I have taken several walks in thunderstorms for the sake of doing something. 

 

That is actually the reason that I chose engineering technology, it is way more hands on and less theoretical compared to regular engineering. I had a nice office at work (pretty nice since I got it at only 17yrs old), but I gave it up and built a prototyping area in our shop because I am much more active in the shop than I am in the desk chair (random fact: that chair costs $1.5k). 

 

I understand all of that, but what is confusing me is why I can not focus on English class writing. I usually try to choose topics at least mildly interesting, but I can never really get into it. Even history class stuff in high school was a breeze compared to this and I don't really care about history at all. It happened, and here we are today. 

 

Edit: after looking it up, the term ADD has been dropped because it fits under a type of ADHD. From what I found the difference is that a person just cant pay attention but can sit still. 

 

I do not personally believe that I have ADHD or ADD, but this is probably the closest thing

"Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Presentation: Inversely, this type occurs when a person has enough symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsivity but not enough for inattention"

 

Edit 2: This sounds similar (from the same site) "Some experience mild inattentiveness or hyperactivity when they perform a task they do not enjoy, but have the ability to focus on tasks they like" 

 

http://www.healthline.com/health/adhd/difference-between-add-and-adhd#4

[nerdyrcdriver]

http://www.healthline.com/health/adhd/would-understand#10

 

That was interesting and funny. Not scientific, but 3,6,11,12,15,16,17, and 22 were all relatable in some way (altered form such as TV remote or wallet in the fridge instead of a purse). But I feel like those really aren't things only someone with ADHD would understand. Maybe some of them, but probably not the ones that I though were relatable. 

[Trik'Stari]

What are the key differences? The questions that were relatable mainly related to the need to be doing something and inability to sit still in certain situations. For example, I can't relax during a car ride. That is why I usually volunteer to drive is because it gives me something to do. Other people in my dorm can sit around on their computers all day, while I feel the need to go do something even if the weather is bad. I have taken several walks in thunderstorms for the sake of doing something. 

 

That is actually the reason that I chose engineering technology, it is way more hands on and less theoretical compared to regular engineering. I had a nice office at work (pretty nice since I got it at only 17yrs old), but I gave it up and built a prototyping area in our shop because I am much more active in the shop than I am in the desk chair (random fact: that chair costs $1.5k). 

 

I understand all of that, but what is confusing me is why I can not focus on English class writing. I usually try to choose topics at least mildly interesting, but I can never really get into it. Even history class stuff in high school was a breeze compared to this and I don't really care about history at all. It happened, and here we are today. 

 

Edit: after looking it up, the term ADD has been dropped because it fits under a type of ADHD. From what I found the difference is that a person just cant pay attention but can sit still. 

 

I do not personally believe that I have ADHD or ADD, but this is probably the closest thing

"Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Presentation: Inversely, this type occurs when a person has enough symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsivity but not enough for inattention"

 

Edit 2: This sounds similar (from the same site) "Some experience mild inattentiveness or hyperactivity when they perform a task they do not enjoy, but have the ability to focus on tasks they like" 

 

http://www.healthline.com/health/adhd/difference-between-add-and-adhd#4

I was originally diagnosed with ADHD as a child, after a few years they changed it to ADD.

 

The primary way to determine if you have ADD, is a list of symptoms, but when I started high school, I talked to a doctor who said they had discovered that when you have ADD or ADHD, and you try to concentrate, the blood vessels in the frontal lobe of your brain, which makes it even more difficult to think. (not sure if that is true or not, but I remember being told that *shrug*)

 

With ADD or ADHD, trying to pay attention is....nearly impossible. It's honestly like pulling teeth. You are trying to concentrate, but your thoughts just do whatever the hell they want.

 

Funny enough, it makes multitasking relatively trivial.

[nerdyrcdriver]

I was originally diagnosed with ADHD as a child, after a few years they changed it to ADD.

 

The primary way to determine if you have ADD, is a list of symptoms, but when I started high school, I talked to a doctor who said they had discovered that when you have ADD or ADHD, and you try to concentrate, the blood vessels in the frontal lobe of your brain, which makes it even more difficult to think. (not sure if that is true or not, but I remember being told that *shrug*)

 

With ADD or ADHD, trying to pay attention is....nearly impossible. It's honestly like pulling teeth. You are trying to concentrate, but your thoughts just do whatever the hell they want.

 

Funny enough, it makes multitasking relatively trivial.

 

Interesting. I can manage several projects/tasks at once at work switching between them efficiently, not so much with schoolwork because that it a more focused topic. 

 

By the way, I do NOT want to in any way insult anyone with or the idea of ADD/ADHD, while it isn't a super serious topic like a deadly condition, it isn't to be taken super lightly either. 

 

 

 Predominantly hyperactive-impulsive presentation seems to be close to what I have experienced for much of my life. I am not saying that I have it, but it seems similar. Along with the ability to focus on tasks I like but not ones that have no interest to me whatsoever. One time I had to make a block diagram at work using Solidworks (not exactly the right tool for the job). Not very interesting and I didn't see much of a point to it because we have schematics for the electrical box and pictures of how they are wired. I struggled for a while to work on it until he somehow made it more interesting (I don't remember what he said) and I found myself at work the next morning finishing the block diagram before anyone else even showed up. 

 

 

[Trik'Stari]

Interesting. I can manage several projects/tasks at once at work switching between them efficiently, not so much with schoolwork because that it a more focused topic. 

 

By the way, I do NOT want to in any way insult anyone with or the idea of ADD/ADHD, while it isn't a super serious topic like a deadly condition, it isn't to be taken super lightly either. 

 

 

 Predominantly hyperactive-impulsive presentation seems to be close to what I have experienced for much of my life. I am not saying that I have it, but it seems similar. Along with the ability to focus on tasks I like but not ones that have no interest to me whatsoever. One time I had to make a block diagram at work using Solidworks (not exactly the right tool for the job). Not very interesting and I didn't see much of a point to it because we have schematics for the electrical box and pictures of how they are wired. I struggled for a while to work on it until he somehow made it more interesting (I don't remember what he said) and I found myself at work the next morning finishing the block diagram before anyone else even showed up. 

 

 

I find that I mostly have trouble focusing on topics that I quickly comprehend, and feel are useless, or just not interesting.

 

Personally, I think ADHD/ADD are more of an adaptation to modern life, rather than disorders. We have so much more stimuli coming at us through all the technology, compared to what the previous generations had, it only makes sense that eventually adaptations would appear. Think of all the text message conversations you probably have going throughout the course of a day (if you do that, no one ever texts me so ) even if you aren't thinking about them consciously at all times, they're still held in your short term memory in some way.

[nerdyrcdriver]

I find that I mostly have trouble focusing on topics that I quickly comprehend, and feel are useless, or just not interesting.

 

Personally, I think ADHD/ADD are more of an adaptation to modern life, rather than disorders. We have so much more stimuli coming at us through all the technology, compared to what the previous generations had, it only makes sense that eventually adaptations would appear. Think of all the text message conversations you probably have going throughout the course of a day (if you do that, no one ever texts me so ) even if you aren't thinking about them consciously at all times, they're still held in your short term memory in some way.

 

That's and interesting point of view, especially from someone who was diagnosed at a young age. It does make sense though. I have recently had trouble sleeping partially due to the heat in my room, but also because I will go from watching tv to trying to sleep. All of a sudden my mind just kind of goes for a run and I start thinking of all sorts of random things, some are just previous experiences and others are new ideas for things to build. 

 

Have you seen the show The Middle? One of the characters, Brick Heck, tends to whisper to himself after a sentence. I kind of do the same thing once in a while, usually after a mildly awkward encounter where I end up mumbling something. I walk away and like a minute later mumble the same thing again out of nowhere. I don't know why I do it, and I don't think any of my friends/family have ever noticed it. 

[Trik'Stari]

That's and interesting point of view, especially from someone who was diagnosed at a young age. It does make sense though. I have recently had trouble sleeping partially due to the heat in my room, but also because I will go from watching tv to trying to sleep. All of a sudden my mind just kind of goes for a run and I start thinking of all sorts of random things, some are just previous experiences and others are new ideas for things to build. 

 

Have you seen the show The Middle? One of the characters, Brick Heck, tends to whisper to himself after a sentence. I kind of do the same thing once in a while, usually after a mildly awkward encounter where I end up mumbling something. I walk away and like a minute later mumble the same thing again out of nowhere. I don't know why I do it, and I don't think any of my friends/family have ever noticed it. 

-snip

If you find that you often have trouble controlling your train of thought, that's a big sign of ADD/ADHD. It's honestly like your brain is a television, and someone is sitting on the remote changing the channel. The only time it goes away for me is when:

 

A. I smoke weed (that really does help, it slows my brain down to a manageable speed and makes it not painful to try and concentrate)

B. I take one of the various medicines made for treating it (which make me feel like a zombie)

C. I find something that legitimately interests me, and I derive a certain intellectual pleasure from focusing on (like building a PC, or a lego set [not shitty bioncle damnit] or some weird philosophical thought)

 

Drinking does slow my brain down, but it's not as enjoyable as smoking the mary jane.

 

(I am not advocating mary jane, just stating that it makes me able to concentrate, which makes sense because it increases blood flow)

 

I don't know about whispering, but I do talk to myself and do have a running internal (sometimes external) monologue with myself. (I talk to myself as though I was talking to some one else, but in an indirect matter, yeah, weird... I know, considering the lunatics I live with, I am fairly sane)

[nerdyrcdriver]

If you find that you often have trouble controlling your train of thought, that's a big sign of ADD/ADHD. It's honestly like your brain is a television, and someone is sitting on the remote changing the channel. The only time it goes away for me is when:

 

A. I smoke weed (that really does help, it slows my brain down to a manageable speed and makes it not painful to try and concentrate)

B. I take one of the various medicines made for treating it (which make me feel like a zombie)

C. I find something that legitimately interests me, and I derive a certain intellectual pleasure from focusing on (like building a PC, or a lego set [not shitty bioncle damnit] or some weird philosophical thought)

 

Drinking does slow my brain down, but it's not as enjoyable as smoking the mary jane.

 

(I am not advocating mary jane, just stating that it makes me able to concentrate, which makes sense because it increases blood flow)

 

I don't know about whispering, but I do talk to myself and do have a running internal (sometimes external) monologue with myself. (I talk to myself as though I was talking to some one else, but in an indirect matter, yeah, weird... I know, considering the lunatics I live with, I am fairly sane)

 

I have friends that swear by prescription drugs (adderall) for studying. I would rather not go that route. 

 

Damn, I really need to get a start on this stupid paper. 

[Trik'Stari]

I have friends that swear by prescription drugs (adderall) for studying. I would rather not go that route. 

 

Damn, I really need to get a start on this stupid paper. -snip

I've got an assignment that was due yesterday.....still trying to get myself to get started on it.

 

The prescription stuff DOES work, but it......turns you into a zombie. You can focus on ONE thing at a time, and by focus, I mean with the mental and physical energy that a crackhead/meth addict can.

 

It also causes side effects that may interfere with your.....how shall I say this..... "social" agenda?

[nerdyrcdriver]

I've got an assignment that was due yesterday.....still trying to get myself to get started on it.

 

The prescription stuff DOES work, but it......turns you into a zombie. You can focus on ONE thing at a time, and by focus, I mean with the mental and physical energy that a crackhead/meth addict can.

 

It also causes side effects that may interfere with your.....how shall I say this..... "social" agenda?

 

I think that they usually don't use too much, maybe even cut the pills in half. It works fine for them focusing, but that still doesn't mean that they will retain the material they are reading. 

[Trik'Stari]

I think that they usually don't use too much, maybe even cut the pills in half. It works fine for them focusing, but that still doesn't mean that they will retain the material they are reading. 

Retention has never been a problem for me. I NEVER study for tests, and usually get high marks on them, as long as I have read the class material at least once.

 

Its just making myself do the busy work, and actually sit down and read the damned source material that is the problem.

[nerdyrcdriver]

Retention has never been a problem for me. I NEVER study for tests, and usually get high marks on them, as long as I have read the class material at least once.

 

Its just making myself do the busy work, and actually sit down and read the damned source material that is the problem.

 

I can't read text books. They are just too boring and they drag the topic on forever. I usually find out what I need to know (formulas or definitions) and write it down. After that I usually have the info retained. I never actually study for tests, maybe a little review on a part that I am not sure about, but nothing more than about 15 min. 

[Trik'Stari]

I can't read text books. They are just too boring and they drag the topic on forever. I usually find out what I need to know (formulas or definitions) and write it down. After that I usually have the info retained. I never actually study for tests, maybe a little review on a part that I am not sure about, but nothing more than about 15 min. 

I was always that kid that was 3 chapters ahead of the rest of the class, at least in science and history. English class, I was that kid who had already read the assigned book, and was reading a book 5 times thicker, in the classroom.

 

All during high school. Other kids always asked "how come he doesn't have to read the book in class" and the teacher would answer "because he finished Lord of the Flies already" (which is one of the worst books ever written by the way)

 

I've got ADHD/ADD, but get me reading and it vanishes. Reading is like crack to me, you can talk to me while I'm reading, I won't hear you unless you yell. And I'm a fast reader

[nerdyrcdriver]

I was always that kid that was 3 chapters ahead of the rest of the class, at least in science and history. English class, I was that kid who had already read the assigned book, and was reading a book 5 times thicker, in the classroom.

 

All during high school. Other kids always asked "how come he doesn't have to read the book in class" and the teacher would answer "because he finished Lord of the Flies already" (which is one of the worst books ever written by the way)

 

I've got ADHD/ADD, but get me reading and it vanishes. Reading is like crack to me, you can talk to me while I'm reading, I won't hear you unless you yell. And I'm a fast reader

 

I was always several chapters ahead in the books we read in English class. I junior year I got really into reading crime novels, specifically ones from Finland. I really liked the books published by Ice Cold Crime. They are not very hard, probably well below my actual reading level, but I really enjoyed reading them. One day I didn't have much going on for schoolwork so I read one of the books the entire day in school. I even finished it too. 

 

But I stopped when I accidentally dropped my nexus 7 on the pavement and destroyed the screen. I need to replace that eventually.

 

Got about 1.5 pages written on this paper. So far so good, should be smooth sailing the rest of the way.