[Nike007]

Hello. I don't have ADHD, but, as many people probably know on here, I believe I have it. I am trying to get an assessment done somewhere.

Anyways, I'm having a lot of difficulties in school. I was thinking of posting in the school section, but I was wondering specific things from people actually DXed with ADHD or DXed now and didn't know in school or thinks they have it like I do. What helped you in school keep marks up? Mine are dropping like a rock. I need to do better, I want to do better, but I feel like I'm completing a marathon each day if I do school work. What are your suggestions for me when I'm at the point right before going to university and choosing a career for the rest of my life.

Anything will help. Thanks .

Social anxiety disorder, GAD, OCD, and panic attacks

Lexapro, 10 mg

[Miswimmy1]

Honestly - I made it up until high school on just my brain smarts. I wasn't diagnosed until I was 15 years old. When I was diagnosed, everything sort of made sense in that I could identify my weak areas (like organization, time management, etc.) and work on acquiring some skills to be better in those areas. I worked with the learning specialist at my high school. Honestly though, it takes time to get into new habits. Folders, binders, highlighters, lists, pencil pouches with compartments, etc. are all your friends. I also know people who have grown to like timers, alarms, online planners, and such if you are more of the technical type.

[Confusedinomicon]

Check actuallyadhd on tumblr. I don't normally recommend tumblr blogs but they have a huge section on the blog dedicated to strategies to get through school.

[Nike007]

Originally Posted by Miswimmy1

Honestly - I made it up until high school on just my brain smarts. I wasn't diagnosed until I was 15 years old. When I was diagnosed, everything sort of made sense in that I could identify my weak areas (like organization, time management, etc.) and work on acquiring some skills to be better in those areas. I worked with the learning specialist at my high school. Honestly though, it takes time to get into new habits. Folders, binders, highlighters, lists, pencil pouches with compartments, etc. are all your friends. I also know people who have grown to like timers, alarms, online planners, and such if you are more of the technical type.

You weren't diagnosed until 15? Interesting. My pdoc says I am doing too well for someone with AD/HD, though I am doing bad now, and it's affecting me quite badly.

I am unsure if we have a learning specialist, but I see if we do if needed. I use binders. I have started to use a folder to organize my homework. List would be a good idea. Never really thought of that. And never heard of pencil pouch with compartment. I'll look into that.

Social anxiety disorder, GAD, OCD, and panic attacks

Lexapro, 10 mg

[Miswimmy1]

You can do well and still have ADHD. Often times, intelligence can make up for the lack of concentration. Or you subconsciously have developed coping mechanisms.

I wonder though (I've seen your recent posts) - what is it that is making you seek a diagnosis? Is it just because you are struggling in school right now? You said in one of your posts that you want to figure it out before you move ahead to a university. Are you a junior or a senior in high school? Because those can be some difficult years, academically. Have you asked your pdoc to elaborate on why he/she won't give you a diagnosis? I am sure that whoever it is knows that very intelligent people can be successful and still have ADHD.

[Nike007]

Originally Posted by Miswimmy1

You can do well and still have ADHD. Often times, intelligence can make up for the lack of concentration. Or you subconsciously have developed coping mechanisms.

I wonder though (I've seen your recent posts) - what is it that is making you seek a diagnosis? Is it just because you are struggling in school right now? You said in one of your posts that you want to figure it out before you move ahead to a university. Are you a junior or a senior in high school? Because those can be some difficult years, academically. Have you asked your pdoc to elaborate on why he/she won't give you a diagnosis? I am sure that whoever it is knows that very intelligent people can be successful and still have ADHD.

And exactly. Intelligence would make up for lack of attention. I could just show to class, not pay attention, and get As without trying. That's not how it is now. It is getting harder and harder to pay attention, and I'm noticing more impulsivity things I do like interrupting people and being very impatient. I need to see the criteria thing again. Oh, and super fidgety. Really fidgety.

I didn't know anything about mental illness until two years ago, and everything seem to fit social anxiety, which I do have. But always has been "more" than just social anxiety. My dad has ADHD. I see a lot of things in him in me.

I'm senior. Graduating next year.

And no. My pdoc says I'm not appearing to struggle with it. She mainly mentioned in school though; that I'm not struggling in school to show that I have ADHD.

I'm going to get a psychological or psychoeducational assessment though to see if I have ADHD and if I have ASD.

Social anxiety disorder, GAD, OCD, and panic attacks

Lexapro, 10 mg

i feel i can relate to the post (despite not having ADHD, so i'm going to go ahead and reply)

when i was in school, it was really hard for me to focus- really hard

1 thing that helped me greatly, was to base lessons off things i enjoy.

so for example, if i was having a math lesson, my teachers would create a fictional sinario involving things i enjoyed- making it less a lesson, and more fun for me because it was based on something that interested me

something else was being told i could have a long period of free time at the end. it sort of motivated me just to get it done (even though it was rushed)

[MightyJesse]

The semesters in high school wherein I did the best were the ones where I was the most physically active. The semesters when I had a ballet class or rehearsal 5 nights per week before study time seem to have increased my dopamine levels to the point that I could focus to study. The parts of my adult life wherein I was the most successful at the office have ALSO been the points during which I have been the most physically active. Jogging on my lunch break daily, etc.

It is still WAY easier to manage now that I have some prescriptions to assist me, but I made it 38 years with a reasonable amount of success just by making physical fitness a priority. It will help you generate the brain chemicals you need to focus, and also tire you enough to help you get good sleep.

I wasn't diagnosed with ADHD until a couple of years ago and I wasn't informed of this by a pdoc until two WEEKS ago.