Expert: Norm Bishop - 6/25/2008

Question
ok, I've discovered that I do have ADHD. and worse, my parent know nothing about it. So, I think they have made it worst. Because of the wrong way of disciplinary action. They're very strict. They've also think that I've been controlling by an bad spirit! and then my grades are very low. because of these disorder. and I've taken Computer Science(Thank GOD I've chosen the right course!) and the day I've mastered programming, I became more than I expected! High grades in programming subjects(even tho Im always absent and sleeping in class), more advanced and in my 2nd year, I've achieved the Professional level!(It means that my knowledge in programming is Professional level). the ADHD thing was great! I think that this ADHD thing is not a Disorder after all! not until my 3rd year... My learning speed become slow poke! because the problem is:

I am too lazy!
you know, when I want to learn something, no one can't stop me (even my parents), but! when Im done learning that thing, I'd stop and play games or sleep or chat. this is my major problem right now.. I can't accomplish anything!! I really don't know where to start! I've been trying! but I can merely stays for 3hrs! I also went to a Psychologist to solve this problem, and Guess what! he told me that ADHD is just for kids! And he suspected me that Im a drug addict! how pathetic!(Is that a real psychology treatment?)

Please please please help me! I really need someone expert in here. I can be more better than this... I know it in myself.


Thank you for your kindness! =)

Answer
Attention Deficit Disorder, with Hyperactivity or not is a real condition.  In labs we have used MRI and CAT scans to watch the brain functioning of those without ADD and those with ADD, they function differently on most learning type tasks.  As you have discovered, all differences, such as ADD, can have its beneficial side.  I know people who have the diagnosis and can perform wonders at their work, they have learned to control the impulses and focus their thinking, but it didn't happen easily.

The other thing about ADD that you should understand is that not every person with the disorder is the same.  They share some common traits, but each is unique, which makes it difficult to tell you what you should do.

The Psychologist you saw was wrong.  ADD is not just a children's diagnosis.  My son, who is now 25, was diagnosed with ADD when he was 9.  We chose not to medicate, and taught him as many self control tools as he could obtain.  During his Sophomore year of college he was ready to drop out.  He went to a Psychologist who prescribed adderal, which made a huge difference for him.  He took the medication for several years, but does not need it now that he is in the professional world.  My son now works in an area of intense interest to him and he is being very successful.  He still struggles with appropriately planning his time, being impulsive, thrill seeking, etc...but he is learning to control that, bit by bit.

The Psychologist was probably guarded because a fairly large number of young adults are going to doctors, describing symptoms of ADD and getting prescriptions for the medications, then taking them in excess for high, usually combined with other chemicals.  He probably assumed you were there for that reason.  For example, many friends of my son offered to buy his prescription drugs when they would discover that he was taking them.  

For you, you need to find out why you can focus at times and not at others.  I recommend that you carefully observe what may be triggering those periods of laziness (as you call it).  Have you eaten a lot of refined sugar prior, have you eaten processed wheat, have you gotten a full 8 to 10 hours of sleep the night before, was the sleep deep, or did you toss and turn.  These things are potential triggers of the brain totally getting off track.  It is a chemical reaction...but it is isn't consistent from person to person.  Sleep is the biggest culprit.  Young people, below age 25 or so, need 8 to 10 hours of sleep, with 1/3 of that time being deep level sleeping.  Most don't get that much sleep, and if they do, spend most of their sleep time during daylight hours, staying up until 2/3 in the morning, sleeping until noon.  The natural cycle of sleep is to go to bed when the sun goes down, and get up as it comes up, any other pattern can mess up brain functioning.  Once you discover what may be the cause, then you can start controlling it.

I don't recommend that you instantly obtain a prescription.  I would try the medication as a last resort.  If you can't find any other way to control the impulses and lack of focus, then see a physician trained in ADD and see if medication is right for you.  

You also need to start practicing things to assist you.  I call them "jigs" but no one else does.  Things like making lists of things to do, crossing off those completed, structuring study time (I always do homework from 6 to 8 at night), force myself to read for an hour before bed, keep track of how long you can pay attention in a class before you begin to daydream, then recognize that you need to step up the concentration at about that threshold.  You will need others to assist you, don't be afraid of asking for help.

Regarding parents...most parents only know one way to raise kids, when in fact, each of you is different.  Our toughest task is discovering all there is about each individual, unique child, then treating them in a fair manner based upon them.  Parents have to establish "house rules" so some degree of consistency is necessary, that other part is very difficult to get perfect.  Give your parents some slack, as they are doing the best they can with what they have and they do it out of love.  You might want to start by having a conversation about your suspicion that you had ADHD.  

This is the tip of the iceberg.  I wish you luck.

Norm