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I've been dealing with this for quite awhile now. Like most of us here, I have alot on my plate. I am very happy with my life. Kind of roll with the punches attitude. When at home with my kids I'm the happiest of course. I work full time an hour away from home. Go to school one night (will be 2 nights in Oct) a week.
The problem is this: I cannot focus at my job. I started doing a new job a few weeks ago. I was briefly trained / don't understand it much. I like to work but can't get my productivity going. Some might think well if you could stay off the internet. But the problem is that I just can't focus on this work! My productivity is way down (I'm usually miss over achiever.) And I feel like I can't focus even for an hour. I guess I have a bit of a problem focusing at home too. I play with the kids, do everything that needs to be done with them. But laundry and dishes are another thing I can't seem to get in the mindset to do everyday.
This has been going on for at least a month but probably a few months. I know that if my productivity isn't up my job will eventually be at risk. I haven't hit the anxiety part of that yet - it's almost like Wow if I did get cut, I could stay home - relief. I've always worked - I know I have to work - but the drive is just not there.
I'm going to the doctor in 2 hours to see if there is some medicine that will help me focus. Have any of you had any experience with ADD? I don't know if it's that or if I just have so much in my personal life that my mind is on shut down as far as adding anything else. Does that make sense? Ah - I can't explain it well enough.
Advice much appreciated!!
The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and, if they can't find them, make them.George Bernard Shaw
Posts: 1566 | Location: Indiana | Registered: 01 July 2005
Um Hello? Going to the dr in 35 minutes.. I'm nervous.
Has anyone had a serious problem concentrating ever?
The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and, if they can't find them, make them.George Bernard Shaw
Posts: 1566 | Location: Indiana | Registered: 01 July 2005
Hey Melissa Jo.... I'm guessing this is more due to stress and anxiety than Adult ADD. The symptoms of that are much more and effect your actual personality more.... chronic lying is one for instance.
I hope you can have a good talk with your doctor and get some answers or help through medicine.
I have periods where I'm like that, and then periods when if I got more productive I'd be residing my home by myself..... I don't know what causes what. When I'm organized and things are clean I seem to be extra productive, I get down and things don't get done and it snowballs on me..... (this is not helping you I know, I'll shush now)
Posts: 2553 | Location: Maine | Registered: 10 July 2005
Sue - thank you for responding... I went to the doctor and explained the situation. He gave me a 'relaxer' type medicine to take as needed. We don't feel comfortable with saying it's ADD due to all the commotion I have. I've been at the same company for 5 yrs but just started doing a new job with lots of responsibility and 5 days kind of training. I'm completely behind and have no idea where to start. So - I'm going to take this medicine when I get home to see how I feel with it then maybe take it in the morning to see if it helps at work.
I know what you mean though about if everything is taken care of you are extra productive. If I am on top of things and know exactly what to expect day to day I'm okay. But when I'm behind, I'm failing my expectations and standards. When I'm 'really' behind, I'm overwhelmed.
Have any of you wondered to yourself: Would most normal people be able to handle these daily responsibilities?
I often wonder that - I love being with my kids. I love taking care of them. I don't like being away from home 10 hrs a day. Being away for an evening and a saturday for class. And when someone else comes into my equation, like a guy playing games, or my brother being in an accident (this week) but being okay and turning on me when I tried to help him. That puts me off balance. Does that make sense? I need a deserted island with food and neccessities for my kids and I!!
The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and, if they can't find them, make them.George Bernard Shaw
Posts: 1566 | Location: Indiana | Registered: 01 July 2005
I often wonder that - I love being with my kids. I love taking care of them. I don't like being away from home 10 hrs a day. Being away for an evening and a saturday for class. And when someone else comes into my equation, like a guy playing games, or my brother being in an accident (this week) but being okay and turning on me when I tried to help him. That puts me off balance. Does that make sense? I need a deserted island with food and neccessities for my kids and I!!
Totally makes sense, being off balance! And yes I know my ex wouldn't be able to manage a full 24 hours doing this. Sure he can take them on a weekend but doing all of THIS, homework books for twins, reading and returning library books in time, reading notices, keeping important ones, filling out all the papers, deciding which activities, dealing with boo boo's, making dinner, answering calls, answering their questions, working with a loan agent, keeping the house spotless for "showings", managing a job, mowing the lawn, finding the elastics, organizing finances..... it goes on and on and on and on, I could type my "duties" all night long and never remember all of them. It is a wonder we aren't all heavily sedated on a daily basis just to survive the day!
Posts: 2553 | Location: Maine | Registered: 10 July 2005
Well I have to say that my son has ADHD and I have had it all my life but only had it diagnosed about four years ago. Symptons for Adult ADD can be traced down to childhood. You don't just "get it" but that is not to say that you haven't had it and functioned fine until things got to be too much.
I'm not so sure where the chronic lying thing came from because I can tell you that that has never been an issue with either myself or my son.
If you really think you may have issues with it there are many tests online you can take to help identify it. Also the book Driven to Distraction is the best book on the subject and was written by two doctors with it. You can find it at any library.
I seriously suggest you look into it for nothing else but peace of mind. Doctors in my experience don't always know. I was put on all kinds of meds for years for depression and anxiety and all along it was ADD. A neurologist who specializes in ADD is your best source. If I can help anymore just let me know. Good luck
Patriotism is not short, frenzied outbursts of emotion, but the tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime. <br />Adlai E. Stevenson
Posts: 549 | Location: Just right of the Middle of Nowhere. | Registered: 04 August 2005
In personal experience it might also be depression; it can manifest itself in many ways, some that seem contradictary. And also, later for the doctors; I've had much better luck with clinical social workers and the like. They're closer to being real people.
Posts: 3215 | Location: The middle of New England | Registered: 08 September 2005
I can relate to the distration at work. I have a hard time concentrating when I'm in the office as well. I know that it's because my job is BOOOORING and redundant and just not challenging enough. I just don't want to be doing it. But I find that if I set a goal every morning when I get to the office....like I'll get through 25 files today or something like that, then I tend to be more productive. I take into account what I completed the day before and try to "beat my record" in a sense every day. It makes the day go by much more quickly too.
Posts: 453 | Location: Midwest | Registered: 18 September 2005
Okay - I took medicine about half hour ago. I plan to see a counselor too but I needed something quick and it takes 3 wks to get in. Ah - my boss just came to me and said "ah melissa ITS (our tracking system) shows you only completed x amount.... I told her I have many I plan to send out today and that I am having a slow time getting through / learning this work." Maybe I should sit down and talk to her. She said that in front of my co-workers. She is a very sweet lady and is going to fumble the #'s for the upper management. I am not posting anymore today. And I think this med is working. I feel calm and able to relax.
Thank you all for your advice and help!!! You are awesome. Thanks for listening. I'll report this afternoon.
The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and, if they can't find them, make them.George Bernard Shaw
Posts: 1566 | Location: Indiana | Registered: 01 July 2005
Just have to tell you all. I'm going to talk and explain to my boss. I need prayers that this strength keeps going. Thanks again!
The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and, if they can't find them, make them.George Bernard Shaw
Posts: 1566 | Location: Indiana | Registered: 01 July 2005
Originally posted by Melissa Jo: [qb] I've been dealing with this for quite awhile now. Like most of us here, I have alot on my plate. I am very happy with my life. Kind of roll with the punches attitude. When at home with my kids I'm the happiest of course. I work full time an hour away from home. Go to school one night (will be 2 nights in Oct) a week.
The problem is this: I cannot focus at my job. I started doing a new job a few weeks ago. I was briefly trained / don't understand it much. I like to work but can't get my productivity going. Some might think well if you could stay off the internet. But the problem is that I just can't focus on this work! My productivity is way down (I'm usually miss over achiever.) And I feel like I can't focus even for an hour. I guess I have a bit of a problem focusing at home too. I play with the kids, do everything that needs to be done with them. But laundry and dishes are another thing I can't seem to get in the mindset to do everyday.
This has been going on for at least a month but probably a few months. I know that if my productivity isn't up my job will eventually be at risk. I haven't hit the anxiety part of that yet - it's almost like Wow if I did get cut, I could stay home - relief. I've always worked - I know I have to work - but the drive is just not there.
I'm going to the doctor in 2 hours to see if there is some medicine that will help me focus. Have any of you had any experience with ADD? I don't know if it's that or if I just have so much in my personal life that my mind is on shut down as far as adding anything else. Does that make sense? Ah - I can't explain it well enough.
Advice much appreciated!! [/qb]
Posts: 8 | Location: canada | Registered: 18 March 2006
Originally posted by Melissa Jo: [qb] I've been dealing with this for quite awhile now. Like most of us here, I have alot on my plate. I am very happy with my life. Kind of roll with the punches attitude. When at home with my kids I'm the happiest of course. I work full time an hour away from home. Go to school one night (will be 2 nights in Oct) a week.
The problem is this: I cannot focus at my job. I started doing a new job a few weeks ago. I was briefly trained / don't understand it much. I like to work but can't get my productivity going. Some might think well if you could stay off the internet. But the problem is that I just can't focus on this work! My productivity is way down (I'm usually miss over achiever.) And I feel like I can't focus even for an hour. I guess I have a bit of a problem focusing at home too. I play with the kids, do everything that needs to be done with them. But laundry and dishes are another thing I can't seem to get in the mindset to do everyday.
This has been going on for at least a month but probably a few months. I know that if my productivity isn't up my job will eventually be at risk. I haven't hit the anxiety part of that yet - it's almost like Wow if I did get cut, I could stay home - relief. I've always worked - I know I have to work - but the drive is just not there.
I'm going to the doctor in 2 hours to see if there is some medicine that will help me focus. Have any of you had any experience with ADD? I don't know if it's that or if I just have so much in my personal life that my mind is on shut down as far as adding anything else. Does that make sense? Ah - I can't explain it well enough.
Advice much appreciated!! [/qb]
[/qb]
i have ADHD and i am 32, i deal with it every day and focus is my weak point. I can only tell you what i know. They have me on dexadrine spansule 40 mgs and it collects my focus and with out it i am a mess. Music helps,Find your focus music ,get some headphones Walking is good for it it clears the mind.List, write down what you need to get done what you want to do and go throught the list till they are done(mental training) and talk about the fustration it helps.. you can email me and talk to me about it all you want .I'm a good listner and beleive me hearing and helping someone else helps get your mind off your own problems and i could really use that.
Posts: 8 | Location: canada | Registered: 18 March 2006
Single Family Voices - For Single Parents Online 
Going to the dr in 35 minutes.. I'm nervous.
I am not posting anymore today. And I think this med is working. I feel calm and able to relax.
