Why can't I concentrate?

[i61164]

I start out with the intention of studying all day and I probably only get 4-6 hours of actual studying done. I was definitly not an ADHD kid. My powers of concentration were in the normal range. The problem is that now I want (arguably need) to concentrate/study for 12 hours some days. I try, but my mind wanders. I find myself engaging in time wasting activities. I've stopped going to afternoon lectures because I end up falling asleep in them. I'm okay in the morning lectures (unless the lecturer is really bad). I feel like I can't afford to waste this much time not being productive, but I do it anyway. The only times I seem able to manage a prolonged focused study session is when I'm scared that I'll fail an exam the next day.

I know you guys can't give medical advice, so I won't ask for any. I am worried that my lack of concentration is causing me to spend twice the necessary amount of time "trying to study," which takes time that I could be spending with my family. I'm also concerned about how I will do next March when I will be trying to study for step 1. I have thought about seeing a doctor about this, but I'm not really convinced that I have a medical problem. Maybe med school is just too demanding and it's unreasonable to expect my brain to put up with this crap. I am passing all my classes (although I have a suspicion that I'm not retaining much of what I learn). Still, I feel like I need to do something about this because it is hard enough as it is to have a balanced life in this career. When I was a computer programmer I though my lack of concentration was due to being bored. Now I think that was only part of it because the subject matter has gotten more interesting but the problem did not fully disappear.

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[PublicHealth]

I start out with the intention of studying all day and I probably only get 4-6 hours of actual studying done. I was definitly not an ADHD kid. My powers of concentration were in the normal range. The problem is that now I want (arguably need) to concentrate/study for 12 hours some days. I try, but my mind wanders. I find myself engaging in time wasting activities. I've stopped going to afternoon lectures because I end up falling asleep in them. I'm okay in the morning lectures (unless the lecturer is really bad). I feel like I can't afford to waste this much time not being productive, but I do it anyway. The only times I seem able to manage a prolonged focused study session is when I'm scared that I'll fail an exam the next day.

I know you guys can't give medical advice, so I won't ask for any. I am worried that my lack of concentration is causing me to spend twice the necessary amount of time "trying to study," which takes time that I could be spending with my family. I'm also concerned about how I will do next March when I will be trying to study for step 1. I have thought about seeing a doctor about this, but I'm not really convinced that I have a medical problem. Maybe med school is just too demanding and it's unreasonable to expect my brain to put up with this crap. I am passing all my classes (although I have a suspicion that I'm not retaining much of what I learn). Still, I feel like I need to do something about this because it is hard enough as it is to have a balanced life in this career. When I was a computer programmer I though my lack of concentration was due to being bored. Now I think that was only part of it because the subject matter has gotten more interesting but the problem did not fully disappear.

See a psychiatrist.

 

[i61164]

Any idea how many hours per day of actual studying somebody ought to be able to do? What's normal or average?

 

[Psyclops]

Are you getting enough sleep? Even short naps, let alone longer sleeping, following learning sessions helps with retention of information. It's belived that our hippocampus, which stores the information short term, does a transfer to the cortex while we sleep, for more permanent retention. Thus sleep is required for long term retention of information. The funny thing is I can't remember the article that showed this to link to it.

On a more personal note, I feel you on your complaints. I'm not able to study for long blocks at a time without letting my mind wander. I think this is common. Especially when the amount of information is large.

 

[Psyclops]

Are you a coffee drinker?

 

[Triathlon]

Any idea how many hours per day of actual studying somebody ought to be able to do? What's normal or average?

I could have written that exact post, having that same problem. Although 4-6 hours of studying a day, forget about it. I was lucky to get in 3. For Step 1 I studied a total of about three days. I never even finished First Aid. I passed okay but didn't perform well. Definitely not up to my potential. In clinical rotations I am rocking, because everything is urgent and I am forced to focus. Plus I learn hands on really well. Of course, I wish I had done better at first, but I don't feel like I am at any disadvantage. I have been on level ground or even above many of my classmates who were in the top of the class. They seem to have forgotten alot of the crap they learned to score high on tests. I understood the meat of it all really well and the details are easily picked up in practice. I am not justifying poor performance, but trying to give you hope for the future. I also took many ADHD tests and score super high (never a real problem as a kid).

 

[Doc Samson]

In terms of adult ADHD, one of my neuropsychiatry supervisors told me that for him, one of the most telling (though anecdotal, I admit) diagnostic signs is when a pt says (in additon to not being able to concentrate): "Y'know doc, I can drink a whole pot of coffee right before bed, and go right to sleep... it just seems to relax me."

Either way, maybe you should get an evaluation. Can't hurt, right?

 

[Poety]

In terms of adult ADHD, one of my neuropsychiatry supervisors told me that for him, one of the most telling (though anecdotal, I admit) diagnostic signs is when a pt says (in additon to not being able to concentrate): "Y'know doc, I can drink a whole pot of coffee right before bed, and go right to sleep... it just seems to relax me."Either way, maybe you should get an evaluation. Can't hurt, right?[/QUOTE]


s hit, I'm off to the adhd evaluator I never even linked the two DAMMIT! Tahts why I can't study for more than like 2 minutes without needing to CLEAN something pffftt

 

[i61164]

In terms of adult ADHD, one of my neuropsychiatry supervisors told me that for him, one of the most telling (though anecdotal, I admit) diagnostic signs is when a pt says (in additon to not being able to concentrate): "Y'know doc, I can drink a whole pot of coffee right before bed, and go right to sleep... it just seems to relax me."

Either way, maybe you should get an evaluation. Can't hurt, right?

Well that's definitely not me. Coffee gives me the jitters. I can build up a tolerance to it, but have never been able to drink several cups and then go to sleep. I actually had a bad experience once where I drank a bunch before bed and then lay awake the whole night. Very frustrating. Last summer I was having trouble with lying awake in bed, only to feel really sleepy the next day in lecture. A psychiatrist (who had just given us a lecture on sleep) recommended that I cut out caffeine and I haven't had a drop in the last 8 months. There have been times when I thought maybe I should start drinking coffee to help me stay awake in those afternoon lectures, but so far I have resisted. I am pretty sure that it has helped. There are still some nights when I have trouble getting to sleep, but not as many. I was actually just reading about sleep hygiene today, and I realized that I have some poor sleep habits that I can work on.

However, all in all, I don't think sleep is really my problem. I probably sleep more than most of my classmates. I have even been taking some afternoon naps lately although according to what I read earlier today I probably should limit them to 20 mins.

Triathlon - Thanks for the encouraging words. I have a feeling that I will do better 3rd year as well because I'll be on the move and engaged. However, I am a little worried that I'm not even really getting the "meat" let alone the details. It seems like all they teach us are the details and I have no "big picture" to pin them to.

 

[allendo]

In terms of adult ADHD, one of my neuropsychiatry supervisors told me that for him, one of the most telling (though anecdotal, I admit) diagnostic signs is when a pt says (in additon to not being able to concentrate): "Y'know doc, I can drink a whole pot of coffee right before bed, and go right to sleep... it just seems to relax me."Either way, maybe you should get an evaluation. Can't hurt, right?[/QUOTE]


s hit, I'm off to the adhd evaluator I never even linked the two DAMMIT! Tahts why I can't study for more than like 2 minutes without needing to CLEAN something pffftt

I can drink a grande americano and pass out cold no problem!! I'm also struggling with these probelms but I'm too afraid to seek help.

 

[Poety]

I can drink a grande americano and pass out cold no problem!! I'm also struggling with these probelms but I'm too afraid to seek help.

If this really is inhibiting your ability to focus and study I suggest you go and talk with someone in your wellness center. I struggled through med school the first two years because I really couldn't focus on studying.

There are behavioral modifications you can institute as well as meds to help you get througha hard time if you're having one.

Good luck, and leave that americano alone... give it to me

 

[i61164]

Well I just e-mailed one of the deans at my school. I met with her before (after failing my first exam in med school <anatomy>) and she wanted to send me to see a "learning specialist." I think the guy is a PhD in psychology. After failing that first test, I changed my study habits and started doing better so I never made the appointment. Now I'm going to give it a shot. Do you think this guy will be able to help me without having Rx priviledges? Just kidding, just kidding. I'll let you guys know how it goes.

 

[Doc Samson]

I can drink a grande americano and pass out cold no problem!! I'm also struggling with these probelms but I'm too afraid to seek help.

Afraid of what?

 

[i61164]

Admitting that there's a problem is the first step, right?

A year ago I would never have dreamed of seeking the help of a psychologist or psychiatrist. Admitting that I need some professional help would have been unthinkable, let alone verbalizing my problem to a mental health provider. It must be some strange fear implanted during the socialization process.

 

[50960]

See your PCP...could be alot of reasons.

 

[watto]

See your PCP...could be alot of reasons.

I agree. I just came off a sleep disorder rotation and it was fascinating to see some people with excessive daytime sleepiness coming in with 2-minute mean sleep latency tests, putting them into the range for narcolepsy or idiopathic daytime hypersomnolence. Sleep disorders are not really high on a lot of people's radars, because it is a relatively new field, but should be in the differential for poor daytime concentration. Not that there is much you can do about things like delayed or premature sleep phase cycles...

(I recomend sleep rotations to anyone who can get them!)

 

[Anasazi23]

I'm speaking generally, since as you pointed, out we have to be careful not to dispense medical advice.

I had the same problem in med school. I absolutely couldn't stand studying for more than 3-4 hours a day. Anything more and I became unbelievably distracted, bored, or irritated. I envied people that could sit for 12 hour shifts studying. I could never imagine how they could do it.

I struggled in the beginning, then did well once I figured out how to maximize my time and retention, and pull out important parts of lectures, notes, diagrams, and texts. Having been an active sports enthusiast and out-doorsy type prior to med school, the notion of having to sit for hours on end staring down at a book seemed just wrong.

Funny thing is, I would up being friends with a bunch of guys and gals that had similar problems...funny how you wind up unconsciously seeking these people out.

I equate medical school to a thundrous downpour of information, while you run around with a bucket trying to catch as many drops as you can. Hopefully your bucket is full enough to pass the tests at the end of the storm.

 

[OldPsychDoc]

I'm speaking generally, since as you pointed, out we have to be careful not to dispense medical advice.

I had the same problem in med school. I absolutely couldn't stand studying for more than 3-4 hours a day. Anything more and I became unbelievably distracted, bored, or irritated. I envied people that could sit for 12 hour shifts studying. I could never imagine how they could do it.

I struggled in the beginning, then did well once I figured out how to maximize my time and retention, and pull out important parts of lectures, notes, diagrams, and texts. Having been an active sports enthusiast and out-doorsy type prior to med school, the notion of having to sit for hours on end staring down at a book seemed just wrong.

Funny thing is, I would up being friends with a bunch of guys and gals that had similar problems...funny how you wind up unconsciously seeking these people out.

I equate medical school to a thundrous downpour of information, while you run around with a bucket trying to catch as many drops as you can. Hopefully your bucket is full enough to pass the tests at the end of the storm.

You know guys, our brains are simply not designed/evolved (take your pick) for poring over minute details for hours at a stretch. This medical school study style is really not compatible with your neurobiology. It will all be over soon...

 

[Triathlon]

I think it is too bad that we are still trying to fit into the mold of the studious-types that can study for hours on end and retain the minutia. When all along, speaking for myself, this isn't the "best" way. I am equally successful overall. We are all given a package of talents, at our level of higher education we are all very intelligent and capable people. It is the balance of the talents that we need to focus on. Some have an imbalance in book smarts and test taking. I personally lack in this area, but have a very large amount of "get-it", I understand things almost instantly when I see them and I can fix just about anything (macgyver style). I have also been blessed with an ability to see and understand people. So will I be less of a doctor because of this? No way, on paper maybe. Most of us have a desire to be measured and hopefully we get a good mark. In school it is by grades, in practice it will be by our patients improvement and satisfaction, and our stream of referrals. To satisfy my need to be measured I took up triathlon training, something I can kick butt at. They say, I scored in the top five percent. I say, I can run faster than you. We're both happy. The End.