Attention Deficit Disorder

[TacoGirl]

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[basupran]

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[dreghsSC]

EXACTLY like me. I am 20, but a sophmore in undergrad. I didnt get tested for ADD until after my jr. year of highschool b/c I didnt believe in it and my parents decided if I did have it I needed to learn to compensate. I tested very very ADHD. I never study. NEVER. I now take 20mg ritilin... but I can never get myself to take it because it makes me feel weird. Adderal made me feel like i was tripping. Concerta made me irritable. So basically I take a 20mg of ritilin when I study and before tests. I recently started takeing wellbutrin. For people with ADD and who arent depressed, it workes like ritilin would but on a much more subtle scale. I would ask your doctor about that. (I think some people use it as an antidepressent but if you arent depressed it doesnt make you feel any different.. just kind of allows you to participate in everything you miss when you have ADD - like your teacher calling out homework, dates for exams, or remembering to get your keys off the cash register when you go to the grocery store...) I still do have ritilin and take it when I need to study, but I really dont like taking it.
Hope that helps. 🙂

 

[TacoGirl]

thanks guys...great info

 

[jhk43]

hey there,

your story is similar to mine. troublemaker (i also got my desk moved to face the wall!), hyper kid, emotional, and brilliant (hehe). I chose my major because it required more intuition and understanding over straight up studying. I probably studied for a quarter of my tests, attended about 15 total lectures per semester, etc. That was the most I could churn out.

I feel your angst. I'm a few years out of undergrad and only recently sought medical help. Like you, i was super cautious with the medications. I wasnt sure if ADD was real or not, but deep inside I knew that the pills would help me out for MCAT studies. I took a pill once during finals, felt amazingly productive.

Placebo or not, the pills work. You know that feeling of unbearable restlessness while ur at the library? it goes away with the pop of an adderall pill. *woosh*, just like that. The pill turns on a switch and you can study for 5+ hours straight.

I was VERY selective on when to take the pills. I wouldnt recommend daily use. I tried it for a week straight and my mind felt "stiff" or boxed in. the creativity and free flow of ideas didnt seem as fluid. in addition, i was scared that overuse would taper the effects.

While i was studying for the MCAT, i would take 1/2 a pill every 4-5 days, to keep me from straying off the wrong track. During the days I didnt take any medication, it would be hard to study, but i told myself to fight thru this "disease". sometimes it worked (study 20 minutes, email 40 min, study 15min, newspaper 45), sometimes i was completely unproductive (open bookbag 1 min, reading books 2 min, phone texts and AIM 57 min).

I tested whether I did better on the practice tests and took 2 tests with and without adderall. My conclusion: i needed the pills for studying but not necessarily for the actual tests. Adrenaline also happens to be a pretty good drug, too. However, I took an adderall on the morning of the test day, because I wanted to make sure I would focus for the verbal section. After I took the test, i felt like the pill kept my mind boxed in, like i didnt think to make the next step in analysis. In retrospect, I know I got 5 hard verbal questions wrong, which may or may not be blamed on the drug. But the pill might have also helped me focus for the easier questions, and eliminate stupid mistakes which I would have made. That test is full of stupid 3rd grade-level traps.

I hope this helps you, good luck. I'm sure there will be people questioning whether you can handle med school. Trust me, you'll be fine.

 

[drlisa0318]

I have adult ADD (just diagnosed 2 years ago) and I take Paxil. My 15 year old son has ADD, also. He takes adderoll. Makes a world of difference for him. With it, he's right on top of things. Without, well, y'all obviously know how that goes! He doesn't take it during the summer (per his doctor), but definitely does during school. The way y'all described your lives prior to diagnosis was so like mine. Some were a bit more extreme than mine, but I can sure relate!

 

[pekq]

Is it possible for someone with ADHD or ADD to sit still and play video games for hours and yet have trouble focusing in class and on course work? I think a lot of what people believe to be ADD is just severe disinterest in the subject at hand.

 

[TacoGirl]

Is it possible for someone with ADHD or ADD to sit still and play video games for hours and yet have trouble focusing in class and on course work? I think a lot of what people believe to be ADD is just severe disinterest in the subject at hand.

I've thought about this too but I think it comes down to the level of mental effort. It takes a lot of effort to listen to a lecture, and a lot less to watch TV. You are not really required to comprehend and understand everything on TV (and its so bright and noisy anyway that its hard to not notice it)...think of it this way...you know those kids that play the video games and you come into the room and say "hey what's up" and they act like they didn't hear you then you tap them on the shoulder and finally get thier attention?
I would defind attention deficit disorder is not being unattentive but OVERLY attentive. LIke when I take the tetst..my mind zooms in on the sound of the pencil marking on my neighbors paper and not my test. If I could turn off all the noise I would be a lot better off.
Video games are so colorful and bright (and loud) that its not too hard to focus on this. I have great classes...like physiology (fascinating) that when I read the book (while cramming before the exam) I walk to class in awe, daydreaming (its sick, I know) about how cool the body is with a big smile on my face. I love the material....I just can't focus in class or without intense pressure to cram
hope this helps

 

[TacoGirl]

but then again...i agree with you. Some ADD diagnosis are just an attempt to cover laziness and disinterest.

 

[MEG@COOL]

Hello. I've recently been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder. I'm 20 years old and just graduated from undergrad. I was the type of student that never went to class (because It was absolutly worthless and I only could focus on the lecturer for about ten minutes max), never studied ( i mean, NEVER...I have never studied a day in my life even though I have tried time and time again), and crams like a mad psycho at 4AM with ten cups of expresso 5 hours before the big exam (finals included).
As a kid I was real trouble maker and was a bother to my teachers. I spent half of the third grade with my desk facing the wall and my back to the teachers desk...totally cut off from the rest of the class due to my inattention. High school...no studying, never did hw, but I crammed during lunch for tests. Because my grades were very good and I was not what you would call "hyper" ( i'm a girl and they are typically underdiagnosed) nobody guessed that the reason I misbehaved, didn't pay attention, and never studied was because I tried, tried, tired and FAILED to focus. I was so frustrated with studying that i just didn' t do it. Somehow I was able to compensate and get through college, make a decent GPA, and get into medical school.
I was taking a test this past semester the way I usually do (with my fingers jammed into my ears while reading the questions...removing them to mark my answer...and then putting them back in so i could read the next question). A girl next to me asked me why i did that and I explained that the sound of my neighbor's pencil marking and even thier breathing was a major distraction and caused me to preform horribly on exams. She looked at me seriously and said, "you must have ADD"...
Honstly, I did not believe in ADD. I thought that it was just a made up disorder to explain away naughty children. I thought about it the next few weeks and began to realize that my entire life...the procrastination, the cramming, the useless lectures (i claimed prior to this that i just wasn't an auitory learner) and the problems with focusing even at the library...ALL MADE SENSE
So i got a diagnoses. I turned down the adderall prescription so I could think about it...and pray (as I am a religions person and wonder if taking drugs was really the answer). My question is...does anybody out there have ADD and what drugs do you take? Do they help? Are you addicted? Do you feel dizzy, nauseated...maybe high like you are on cocaine or something equally horrible?
I need help...i'm scared to take the script and start taking these stimulants. But at the same time, If I could actually learn in class, get my money's worth out of the lecture, be able to study sooner than 3 hours before the exam...wow.

thanks for your help

Your symptoms sound a like me. I have never bothered getting diagnosed though because I would refuse to take any medicine anyway.

 

[Og kingofBashan]

What is the difference between ADD and ADHD? And how do these play in with depression symptoms? It seems that they are common in many ways.

 

[adamj61]

ADHD is for kids who are hyper active...they run around and get uber excited (probably from too much mountain dew).

SNORT the adderall, you will clean your room like a fanatic and study like champ...I've seen it work on my lazy pot smokin roomate. Believe it or not the effects are best when snorted....who would have thought

 

[45408]

sometimes it worked (study 20 minutes, email 40 min, study 15min, newspaper 45), sometimes i was completely unproductive (open bookbag 1 min, reading books 2 min, phone texts and AIM 57 min).

How can you read the paper for 45 minutes if you can't study for more than 15-20 minutes?

 

[Keberson]

ADD is the first attention disorder that was named. It describes the OP in many ways but also in children it can be seen in many behavior problems and poor grades. Extensive tests are usually done by a psychologists associated with the school and comments given by the teacher, parent, or babysitter.
ADHD however was a new disoder that was described later. Its basically ADD with a extra "hyperactivity" symptom. These kids cannot sit still for extended periods of time, they fidgit, get angry quickly, overly emotional perhaps. They often have poor social skills and sometimes can be violent because they get so frustrated that they cannot preform well in school or conform to social norms. Untreated ADD and ADHD in children leads to the now commonly advertised (by straterra manufacturers) Adult ADD or A-ADD

most adults have ADD w/o the hyperactivity

 

[TacoGirl]

Cather...the zoning into unwanted sounds and having a "noisy" head can be related to ADD. If it is bugging you a lot and making studying really hard then maybe you could ask a phychologist or your GP about it and they can give you more clinical info on the subject.

how is your attention in class...or during tests.
another symptom is losing things (being forgetfull) you lose your keys everyday, you lose your term paper, you lose your textbook, jewelry.

its easier i guess to research it yourself before asking the GP...the internet can be helpful in this

 

[TacoGirl]

yep

 

[Kazema]

I've been told that it's typical of people with ADD/ADHD to be very inattentive and all over the place until something captures their attention - then they can't "uncapture" it and just focus on it to the exclusion of everything else.

Something like what TacoGirl described:

I would defind attention deficit disorder is not being unattentive but OVERLY attentive. LIke when I take the tetst..my mind zooms in on the sound of the pencil marking on my neighbors paper and not my test. If I could turn off all the noise I would be a lot better off.

This would also explain why they can play video games for hours on end. It captures their attention and doesn't let go.

But I don't have ADD so I could be completely wrong - if anyone knows better correct me.

 

[bdt]

Like you, my friend wasn't diagnosed with ADD until she finished her undergrad (the psychologist was amazed she'd finished high school let alone college). She has an aderoll prescription and takes it during very busy and stressful times at work, but has never complained of addiction. Also there is a new drug out on the market called strattera (www.strattera.com). It's a non-stimulant (unlike aderoll) and is for adult ADD. My friend hasn't tried it out yet, but is looking into it. Another friend of mine who is a doc says she's had some patients come in who were using strattera and really really liked it. Something to check out! Also, on the non-medication road, my friend has found that regular yoga practice has been really beneficial to her concentration.

Also for those who think ADD only brings bad things... Folks with ADD have so much going on in their head that some of them are incredible multi-taskers and thrive in places like the ER.

 

[TacoGirl]

"Also for those who think ADD only brings bad things... Folks with ADD have so much going on in their head that some of them are incredible multi-taskers and thrive in places like the ER."


maybe that is why the kids are great at video games...its all multi-task and coordination of many senses (sight, hearing...and all those confusing buttons)

its only when they are forced to stare at a single sheet of hw and focus on only that and not the world around them that something goes awry

great post, thanks a bunch!!!

 

[Keberson]

maybe

 

[dukejen04]

i just graduated from college, but have always felt like i'm ADD. i've done fairly well, but i would say it is more from being competative than from being able to concentrate. in order to study, i have to go somewhere completely silent and removed from other people. this is why i often begin studying at 2am, when i think nothing else is going on. i have often wondered if it would help me to try some kind of medication- where do you get tested? can a regular GP give you a scrip? hmmm. i'm interested in finding out more.

 

[vandypatty]

I'm not trying to be condescending or anything, but I don't really see how ADD gives you any advantage esp in a medical field. Being able to listen to a patient for not only what they are saying but more for reading b/w the lines is essential. How can you adequately diagnose anybody when some of you say if somebody's sentences are too long, you can't pay attention? I'm all for equal opportunity but medicine is an area where I feel there's not a whole lot of wiggle room. I'm not trying to evoke any sort of criticism and please don't consider this a punch below the belt. I was more interested in starting a healthy debate. I'd like to hear what other people think. Thanks.

 

[drlisa0318]

The only way I can describe ADD is this: It's like a movie where the sound and the picture are out of sync. You feel like you're behind everyone else by a minute or two. If I'm having a conversation with someone, even when I really want to hear what they say, I find my attention being dragged away by things like the TV or radio or other mundane things. One coping mechanism I found that has helped me in this is looking the person directly in the eyes. It's easier for me to stay focused that way.

And before you go asking your doctor for scrips, go to a doctor who can diagnose ADD. It does require testing, so not every doctor will be qualified to give the diagnosis. Take the med as prescribed. Ask your doctor if taking it sporadically will lessen its efficacy. Some meds have to build up in your system before you notice a difference. Don't take it upon yourself to just alter the way you take the meds.

Remember, people....you're studying to be doctors. Start thinking like one.

 

[gizmoduck]

Dear TacoGirl,

You're a girl and you like tacos. That makes you officially rock in my book. 😍

 

[TacoGirl]

I'm not trying to be condescending or anything, but I don't really see how ADD gives you any advantage esp in a medical field. Being able to listen to a patient for not only what they are saying but more for reading b/w the lines is essential. How can you adequately diagnose anybody when some of you say if somebody's sentences are too long, you can't pay attention? I'm all for equal opportunity but medicine is an area where I feel there's not a whole lot of wiggle room. I'm not trying to evoke any sort of criticism and please don't consider this a punch below the belt. I was more interested in starting a healthy debate. I'd like to hear what other people think. Thanks.

I agree that severe cases are a big issue in the medical field. There are medications out there for severe cases, however. Would you disriminate against a guy who has diabetes and risks passing out at his rotations? He would have to take medications daily too in order to stay with the pack. So is it any different that sombody with ADD has to take medications? Obviously if somebody just cannot focus, even with medication maybe he shouldn't be in the medical field.

 

[TacoGirl]

and hey...if you really think that this is a problem that is effecting your life and could have serious consequences in the futrue (med school, ect) where cramming does not work and you can't get by anymore by just being smart then you can always say "I want a second opinion" and get one.

I know it will piss people off when I say that but I say that only to those people who are really messed up by what they think is ADD.

 

[TacoGirl]

Dear TacoGirl,

You're a girl and you like tacos. That makes you officially rock in my book. 😍

😱 blush blush blush

 

[bdt]

For people interested in checking out a bit more details on ADD... Mayo clinic has a nice informational website you can check out (it focuses mainly on kids). There's also a site called www.borntoexplore.org that lists some book reviews for folks wanting to dive in a bit more on the social side of ADD. It also presents a rather supportive view for folks with ADD.

Also on the cautionary side, here's an article from cnn.com that talks about the dangers of a quick self diagnosis (the article slams eli lilly for having an "easy ADD diagnosis questionare" on their strattera website). It brings up the fact that "modern life" can create ADD like symptons because we're all being pulled in a million directions. If you're truly worried about this stuff, go see a doctor.

 

[vandypatty]

So have any of you with this problem seriously considered bailing on plans to enter the medical profession? I don't know very much about the medications and their effectiveness but I'm sure it varies person to person. If you can overcome it, more power to you.

Back to the discrimination thing...someone with diabetes, if they can't keep it under tabs then I think medicine may not be the place to pursue a career (patient care anyway, research aside). I believe discrimination is an issue in most careers but medicine's one that drastically affects the health of other individuals. I remember an ER episode a few years back with a surgical resident that had diabetes...touched on these issues a bit. I'd be curious to see what the AAMC had to say officially on the matter.

 

[Gleevec]

Here is the Stratterra Online Questionaire btw:

1. How often do you have trouble wrapping up the final details of a project, once the challenging parts have been done?

2. How often do you have difficulty getting things in order when you have to do a task that requires organization?

3. How often do you have problems remembering appointments or obligations?

4. When you have a task that requires a lot of thought, how often do you avoid or delay getting started?

5. How often do you fidget or squirm with your hands or your feet when you have to sit down for a long time?

6. How often do you feel overly active and compelled to do things, like you were driven by a motor?

 

[Gleevec]

Here is the Stratterra Online Questionaire btw:

1. How often do you have trouble wrapping up the final details of a project, once the challenging parts have been done?

2. How often do you have difficulty getting things in order when you have to do a task that requires organization?

3. How often do you have problems remembering appointments or obligations?

4. When you have a task that requires a lot of thought, how often do you avoid or delay getting started?

5. How often do you fidget or squirm with your hands or your feet when you have to sit down for a long time?

6. How often do you feel overly active and compelled to do things, like you were driven by a motor?

OK, I just took the test and it told me "The responses you have provided indicate that your symptoms may be consistent with Adult ADD. It may be beneficial for you to talk with your healthcare professional about an evaluation."

Gimme a break, I might be a bity lazy and distractable, but I know I dont have ADD. What a crappy questionaire.

 

[Mones]

The reason people think ADD and ADHD are overdiagnosed is b/c of drugs like strattera that are for "adult ADD". Seriously....adult ADD? In their adds they show a mother who isn't able to concentrate b/c she is frustrated with her work and family commitments.

I tried Strattera for 2 months and it didn't help me at all. I went back to taking 20mg of Ritalin recently and it is helping me signifcantly. But it is important to avoid caffeine if you take Ritalin...trust me, the combination will make your symptoms worse.

Can anyone on this forum comment on how to get extended time accomodations on the MCAT? How exactly does that work...what time do you start and when do you end?