firstly, I must mention I've never been diagnosed with ADD (for multiple reasons), but the advice I'm in dire need of is related to focus and attention management which I think is best to ask for from ADHD community members. Secondly, I'm new to all this, so if there were other questions like this on the forum and I didn't see them, please don't blame me. Also, sorry if I make any mistakes for english not being my mother language.
I do have a history of severe depressive episodes and social anxiety yada yada, but all of these are not creating too much pressure on me now. But what does is a complete disability to deliberately focus on things, rapid change of interests, and something I could probably call "executive dysfunction". Plus low energy levels due to past psychological issues, I suppose.
I am currently in the second year of college, and all of the above severely affect my studying. I lost interest in my major in the middle of the first year and couldn't evoke it ever since, and I'm really struggling to do anything. I think the phrase "my brain refuses to do it" would best describe it. The problem is, though, that my brain refuses to do anything at all for a long time, even the realtively enjoyable things like videogames, drawing, language learning etc., and normally even before I lose interest in this activity. E.g. I love competitive video games, but for gods sake I just lose focus after two weeks of regular gaming, things like reaction speed, aiming, decision making, they all just vanish at some point, and I have to switch to some other game and come back after two months if I want to play well again. Apparently gaming isn't my main concern, but the same story repeats with everything I do. I just can't do stuff continiously. Even when money are at stake, brain cares not and seems to just turn off, I've already lost a side job because of it. I feel like I'm
There is something that helps me to finish tasks or put in sustainable effort -- the people. If I had a good friend in college, it probably wouldn't be that tough. Alas, didn't make one. And honestly, I'd better figure out something I'd really want to study than always look up to someone and do things because of other people.
But it doesn't even seem possible now. I'm absolutely frustrated, my grades and overall knowledge of my major are in quite miserable state, and it all is basically constant stress, which isn't really helpful for my mental state, obviously. I don't know what I want because anything I do I only do for a short while and then switch to something else. I'm afraid that if I try a different major, or to find some sort of job, I'll lose interest as quickly, and the history will repeat itself.
So I'm curious: how do people with ADD study and find jobs in case they don't have a "social butterfly" perk? How did you manage to graduate? I need to hear your stories or maybe about something you've used to trick yourself into doing stuff your brain doesn't want to do.
If you're still here, thank you for reading. It was nice to vent to someone anyways. Good luck with anything you're going through.
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starleeng
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Medications that treat depression and anxiety can cause the problems you are having. Also not being properly treated for depression and anxiety can cause the problems you are having. Have you discussed your issues with your doctor?
Your English is very good, so I think you made a lot of your struggles very understandable.
I actually didn't finish college, but I got a job at the college and worked there for ten years. During that time, I learned a lot of things that I wish I had known about while I was still a student there.
One strategy that I really wish I'd known before is this: join a study group, or at least partner with another student to study with. You don't even have to be studying the same subject at the time, though it helps if you do. Working alongside someone else can actually help you to be more focused and more committed to doing the studying and homework. One term for this technique is having a Study Buddy, but another term which has become more popular lately is Body Doubling.
I can relate to how you lost interest in your major. I changed my major five times. After I stopped going to college, I realized that all of my majors were loosely related...they were all in the math-science scope of subjects. So, I realized that I should have changed to a more general major, like mathematics, or general physics. (That could have set me up for a master's degree, if I later decided on what I want to specialize in.)
The university that I worked at had at least three programs which could assist a student who is having the kinds if issues you are experiencing. One was an academic assistance program. The second was counseling (like for anxiety or depression or other mental health issues...but they also had assistance with study skills, attention management, mindfulness and other methods for managing stress). The third was an assistance program for students with disabilities and disorders, including those with an ADHD diagnosis.
You may also be able to get help or advice from other students, professors, teaching assistants, the office of the Dean of your college, the office of the Dean of Students, and possibly even clubs or student organizations.
When you are struggling, there ought to be some kind of help available. You still have to do the work of finding it.
Thank you very much for such a long post! I will definitely try to imply some of the tips you've mentioned. I already don't feel so hopeless just because someone heard me and even spent their time to answer! Thanks again.
If you do get diagnosed with ADHD, it might help you get on medication. After many years of study, it is apparent that medication is the best treatment available for ADHD.
Other treatments and accomodations do help, so doing anything might be better than doing nothing.
while you are in college you have access to “free” (included in your tuition) services like psychological services, disability support, and academic support. Please make appointments with these offices ASAP they can help you find supports and strategies, once you leave school it is much harder to access these services. Seeking help is the first step and good for you for reaching out for help!
First, you are not alone. I’m happy to read the replies you’ve received- all good advice for you. Definitely seek help from a professional and get on medication, if that is what you and the professional think is best. There are also other wonderful strategies, however difficult to manage for us with our ADD brains, even with the BEST intentions, right?
I’m 74, have had ADHD most of my life and wasn’t diagnosed until my 60’s! What a different life I could have had with intervention at a young age… However, I’m strong, have survived, am proud of what I accomplished in spite of many obstacles, and YOU will be able to, too.
You’re on the right path! Do research, reach out for help. Good luck!
starleeng , I've got some questions for you, and some more recommendations that I've come across over the years.
Feel free to answer or not. This is only meant to help you (and maybe help others who come across this discussion).
1) Why are you in college? What is your reason or motivation for higher education?
2) Do you have a particular career or career field in mind? If so, what is it?
3) What are your academic interests?
4) What are your academic &/or work talents?
5) What thought motivates you to want to take action, small or large, whether it's just to do the task before you, or a life mission?
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Tips for College, High School, Work, and Life in General:
[Disclaimer: I haven't tried all of these, and you are not obligated to do so, either. They are various tips that I have come across, and feel it's best to pass along.]
* If possible, have a genuine interest in the subject
* Have a skeptical "prove it to me" mindset, regardless of whether you like the subject or not. Don't just take the professor or textbook verbatim, but think of yourself as a detective, and the concepts you are being taught as evidence to hand l make the case. [I believe I heard this on a podcast or read it in an article recently, and it was how one college student mastered her curriculum, learning it way better than when she simply accepted the lecture content at face value.]
* Make use of teachers' Office Hours, to ask questions, get clarification, check your understanding, etc. This will let your teacher know that you are a serious student, and might make the difference in a full letter grade on any subjective grading.
** Do the same with the TA for the class, since TAs often assist with answering homework-related questions, grading, and sometimes tutoring.
* Skim the reading before class.
* Take notes, but don't try to copy down every word. Write down what seems important to you, make diagrams or outlines relating the important points.
** Some neurodivergent people process information better by doodling or fidgeting (not even writing any words down), doing something active with their body. For them, the act of writing might be distracting to their attention, while doodling, fidgeting, or whatever their movements are, actually help them to focus and to process the information being presented to them.
[I remember best when I take notes, especially with a "mind-map" style of lines to link pieces of information together, and boxes or bubbles to contain distinct pieces of info), or I will use indentation as if I'm writing an Outline.
* Form of or join a study group.
* Work together with a Body Double (aka "Study Buddy"), either in person, via video meeting, or possibly in a chat session.
* Use "habit stacking" to adopt new habits. Use the "WHEN, THEN" approach. WHEN "this" happens, THEN do "that".
[This is how I got into a habit of taking vitamins, and later my ADHD meds. e.g. WHEN I eat breakfast, THEN I will take my vitamins. WHEN I take my vitamins, THEN I will take my ADHD meds.]
** Not only does using one habit as a cue to help start another, this helps you create a ROUTINE.
* Upgrade your Routines to RITUALS.
** "A routine is habit stacking. A ritual is habit stacking with soul." ~Kat Hoyer, ADHD reWired podcast, Q&A for March 2023
[... In other words, a RITUAL has more meaning for you, it doesn't just help you get things done, it also helps you in some way that is meaningful to you. This may help you with motivation to adopt the routine.]
* Study in the location where you will need to use the knowledge. (If the same classroom isn't available to study in, then use a nearby or similar space. If you can't do that, then as you are studying, visualize the classroom you will take the test in.)
** Memory is often connected to environment. Awareness resets when entering a different environment. (This last statement has been proven scientifically. It's why you sometimes enter a room, and then forget what you went in there for. [I have proven to myself that the visualization trick works, for both test taking and overcoming the "doorway brain reset", as I've long thought of the phenomenon.])
* (If possible) Chew gum in class, especially while taking a test. The act of chewing can lower feelings of anxiety. (A study 15+ years ago proved that this works to reduce test anxiety. I believe that the chewing movement also helps people who find it easier to focus when they engage in movement, i.e., people who have hypermobility traits like many with ASD or ADHD.)
[If a teacher says "no gum in class", respect their wishes. You might have to "bring enough for everyone".]
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