I have always been a bit erratic when doing projects. One thing tangents to another and another and another before coming back to the first. Often this has been a strength - I’ve found quite good solutions by working around problems in my pursuit of other activities. But…sometimes I stare at my computer for 4 hours (often here ) not accomplishing much.
I’ve wondered if I had some ADHD or ??? and if there is a ‘cure’ or some way to treat it. Sometimes, though, I get hyper-focused on something and get into “The Zone” where I am 100% into what I’m doing. That happens occasionally, but it seems like it takes forever to get there. Like I’ll be-bop around an assignment for hours, then crank out the 10-page write-up in one go.
I’m looking to even the field a bit. I’m in a point in my life where I would like to just come to the office, do my work efficiently, then go home. Right now I’m having to work late hours because it takes me awhile to get around to finishing things up.
I’m going to go speak to an old shrink of mine (we have lunch occasionally), and see what he says (So no worries about you not being a doctor). But have any of you had similar experiences? Are drugs the only answer? I was on Lexepro/Cipralex for conditional depression during a rough time in my life and it helped a lot. But then I quit after 6 months and had no problems and went on with my life. I worry that getting on something like Ritalin could help…but only if I stay on it for the next 30 years of my working career.
Second – yes, your description definitely sounds like it could be ADHD. Again – see that doctor!
Third – if it is ADHD, then, yes, you may be taking Ritalin (or some other medication addressing ADHD – for the third time, see that doctor!) as required for the rest of your life. Think of it like wearing glasses – if you have a problem with your vision will you ignore it only because the treatment (glasses) is something you’ll need “for the rest of your life?”
As to the “is medication required?” question – ADHD is related to an real, organic difference in the brain of those who have it – so treating it requires addressing those real organic differences. This cannot be done behaviorally any more than you can “train” yourself to see well if your eyes are out of focus… In other words – I have yet to hear anything resembling proof of a non-medication treatment for ADHD. Of course, if you do havbe ADHD, then some training and coaching, in addition to taking any required meds, can go a long way to help you get things done.
Non-drug treatment for ADHD: We’ve had Moon Unit doing neurofeedback for ADHD and behavioral issues for about 2 years now. This after discussion with an older kid (teenager) who had been doing it and felt that it was helpful (and obviously after discussion with the assorted therapists, I just mention the teenager because of her firsthand knowledge of the effects).
Our experience: We genuinely believe this has helped her behavioral issues - she’s far less likely to have outbursts for example. I think the jury is still very much out on the pure ADHD issues - she still really looks like an ADHD kid to my untutored eyes (and to the folks at Children’s Hospital who evaluated her this summer). Then again, she has other issues as well so it’s less of a simple diagnosis in her case.
The hoped-for plus side of neurofeedback: It tries to actually permanently “retrain” the brain so the syndrome is actually controlled long-term. The downside is that it takes months/years to have this effect. As opposed to medication which has an immediate effect but must be taken on an ongoing basis permanently.
There is a group here that do neurofeedback. I looked into them when I was in search of the quick depression help. When I emailed them to ask about details of how neurofeedback worked they gave me some superficial answers and then made me break off contact with them immediately upon being asked “What is your birthdate and the location where you were born? We’d like to draw up your horoscope.”
Hell, I’d run far, far away from any neurofeedback group that started talking about horoscopes!!! (my daughter has her sessions in a practice run by a LCSW - licensed clinical social worker - who is about as un-new-agey as they come).
I could have written a post identical to yours, down to having to work late hours to keep up with my work after screwing around all day.
My son was recently put on Focalin after being diagnosed with ADHD. It has made a dramatic difference in his life. As I understand it, Focalin is derived from Ritalin. It contains only the active component of Ritalin, allowing for a dosage about half that of Ritalin. (If you are chemistry-inclined, Focalin contains only the active optical isomers of Ritalin.)
My wife has half-joking/have seriously suggested that I should be on the same medication. I think I may look into seeing a doctor.
) not accomplishing much.