Any suggestions?

So I would love to say I have ADHD, but I can't, at least not for sure. For as long as I can remember I've had trouble concentrating. I daydream constantly, like multiple times an hour. The "zoning out" can last anywhere from 5 sec. to 10 min. its pretty crazy. Because of this I have real trouble with reading, I end up having to read the same thing over and over because I just don't comprehend what I'm reading. I could read an entire page out loud to you and afterwards have no idea what the page was about. when I go into these zone outs its like I'm on auto pilot, I can talk, drive, eat, drink, "read", etc. and basically have no recollection of it. What happens is, I could see or hear something that triggers a thought or memory and I'll completely go into that thought 100%. It's like only one thought can consume my mind and I have no control over it. I'm 31 years old and I've never read a novel from cover to cover. I'm a movie guy, I come up with ideas for movies, but can never really finish writing a script because I can never stay in one story at a time. Its so frustrating! Whats more frustrating is that I spent a shitload of money on an Adult ADHD case study, end up passing all their tests with flying colors so I didn't even get diagnosed with anything. Mind you not one of the tests I was given had anything to do with reading comprehension, and the other stuff, like I said before can all be done even when I'm zoning out. This all sucks! Okay, my rant is done. If anyone can shed some light on the subject I'd be grateful.

I've come to believe that I don't have ADHD, yet treatments for ADHD really help me. Go figure. So I'm sticking with treatments that help ADHD for now. I've come to think it doesn't really matter what you call your symptoms as long as you can get help with them. By the way, I have the same problem you do with reading. What a struggle! I guess I view myself as having "ADHD-like symptoms" and so it makes sense that my treatment might resemble that of people who have ADHD.

Instead of being focused on ADHD, maybe you can tell your practitioner your symptoms--the reading and concentration problems, etc.--and see what treatments he/she recommends. I think it might be good to see a psychologist for this, perhaps one with an EdD in psychology rather than a PhD or PsyD. Just a hunch. Good luck.

I feel the same way my doctor says i don't have it

Hi, I had a problem reading in school too.I did not want to believe that I have ADD at first but as of Jan 2011 I took a Brown TESt combined with another test a series of personal questions well if you get 50 right, I got 55 correct made the cut! My wife took the test as a witness she scored 70 was I pissed at first yes, because I thought I am 53 years old unemployed, now what do i do? how much time is this going to take from me? I eventually got over it. I suggest get the bk yeah that's right the bk Delivered From Distraction DR.s Hallowell and Ratey Md's who get this also have it. There is a pge with an entire list of symtoms/traits and described me to a no pun intended a T. I also suggest you fing a therapist specializing in ADD and later have a gd. psychiatrist monitor your meds. me, I am taking 15mg of Generic ADDerall twice a day try getting excercise 30 minutes a day an do yourself a favor really try to get at least 7 hrs of sleep a night. All that should help cause wouldn't it be nice to finally get a letter of acceptance from one of your scripts, Don't think your favorite authors were over night successes either. Good Luck! from Tninfo.

It does not sound like attention to me as much as training and interest. I sucked at reading comprehension too and yet read 5+ books a week. The difference? If I don't get to pick what to read (and how) then I ain't paying attention, can jump all over the place, just like you :-)

No one just decides to "concentrate" and does. It's a skill like anything else and has to be built up; little kids have short concentration spans so teachers have to start training them, bringing them back to task over and over as long as it takes, a little at a time. Sounds like you didn't get or "failed" :-) that portion of elementary school, weren't made to do your homework? or did it spottily?

Daydreaming is much more attractive as it takes no "muscle", you just drift along. I got through college and to about age 41 that way! I "work up" in the middle of a final exam where I caught myself wishing I had studied more (so the problem I was working would have been easier to remember how to solve). From then on I made myself do my homework, I made myself go to classes, I made myself do the work/attend the final exam, study, etc. and my grades went from C's to straight A's (this is in my 40's and 50's; I got a single A in typing in 9th grade and an A- in phys ed (badminton) in 11th. But got a second degree with straight A's and went on to grad school (also A's).

If you want to read a particular book; make yourself! If you want to write the script, make yourself; I also recommend you try Script Frenzy: http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/scriptfrenzy (you're in luck, it takes place each April) which will not give you time to daydream. I finally wrote a novel with NaNoWriMo and I'd been trying to do that for 15+ years.