The Student Room Group

Conquering ADHD :(

Please bear with me on this!

I've always been interested in problem solving, logic teasers and the like, and before I was diagnosed with ADHD (age 10) I used to score really highly on IQ tests and stuff. My mental arithmatic was especially good. However - for reasons I would not like to disclose - I was put on medication; ritalin for 4 years and a longer-lasting drug for a year after that. During that period everything was great; all my problems had seemed to have vanished, and my increased concentration was doing wonders for things like problem solving. However, I was taken off medication at 15 and although my other problems did not return, my concentration has certainly deteriorated. I am really "dreamy" and can sometimes be really slow to think through a problem in my head. I have to continuously re-read questions and it's really getting to me. I've just taken an IQ test and attained 120, which is by no means bad. However my score was lowered considerably because I took 5 minutes longer than I was supposed to. This is because of my poor concentration and frequent need to re-read questions etc. I'm like a zombie. School is going fine, but some aspects where problem solving is involved I struggle. *Phew*

So after all that, I'm wondering if:
a) this is common for people coming off medication to be "slower" and have worse concentration then they initially did (before treatment).
b) are there any "mind exercises" or similar which can improve my concentration?

Thanks for reading the story of my life. :smile:
Reply 1
sorry, but i have nei answers...

here's what Wiki have to say, and they say a lot...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attention-deficit_hyperactivity_disorder

they have quite a few links, and you could try Googling...
Reply 2
I'm not a sufferer of ADHD, so I expect my own problems are very different, but I worked through my own lack of concentration by deciding that when my concentration wondered, it would be "OK" to think about something else, do a different piece of work.

Then after a few minutes, I'd discipline myself to return to what I was supposed to be doing. I find I get a lot more done in several v.short focused periods than in one long, unfocused session.
Might it be worth talking to your doctor about going back onto your medication?
Reply 4
Thanks everyone. Friendlyneutron, one of the side effects of me being on the medication was that I lost my appetite. I'm in a bit of a predicament it seems! :rolleyes: