[nammynamz]

I am a 19 year old girl. When i turned 17, i had a feeling that there is something wrong with. I researched a lot about my problems in the internet and i found out that the symptoms of ADHD was similar to what i faced. I always had a tough time at school. My communication skills were also very weak. Even at home i struggles because i was disorganized and i couldn't do anything according to my plans. I failed in 11th grade and had to repeat...When i turned 18, my parents took me to a psychologist. He turned out to be a very bad psychologist and blamed me for my problems. my parents always thought that i was wrong and i always had to fight with them to make them understand my condition. Last year my mom saw an article about ADHD b a psychologist in a newspaper, and that's when she felt concerned Last year. i am just gonna come to the point because my story is too long. I was supposed to join college last year but that also did not happen because of my ADHD. Now, i have to write an entrance exam to get into college. I am taking 20mg ritalin everyday, it's has helped me control my daydreaming and distractions. But, i am finding it hard to motivate myself and concentrate on my studies. I pick up my book everyday and within two hours i close it because i get angry or irritated. I try to push myself, but it's not helping. My psychologist is not spending enough time to talk to me. She just asks few questions and that's it. When i told her about the motivation problem she told me that it's because i don't follow a routine and gave me light scoldings. I'm finding it hard to follow a routine, i don't know what to do with myself. Everyday i get upset because of my late diagnosis and motivations problems. It is giving me constant mood swings... I don't like life.. i wish i was never born!

[Nike007]

Hello. I hope you don't mean you don't want to be born. Suffering from ADHD is a hard thing, I know. Though not diagnosed (and looking into a further assessment), I have a friend with severe ADHD and failed most, if not all, her courses last semester. I know she is very intelligent, but having ADHD stands in her way. Medication wears off too early and if taken again (Concerta), she has insomnia. She has a lot of trouble with organization and concentration. She hasn't told me any advice that works for her, but I'll give you my advice that I wish my friend would try and I am starting to try to help myself improve too.

First off, how is it hard to concentrate on your studies? Is the background distracting? Is the material "boring"? Are your thoughts "elsewhere"? Are you all of these? For background distraction, you need to turn off ANY electronics that aren't being used to help you. Put them far away from you and don't look at them. If you need a computer as an example, get an app that will let you block certain webpages at certain times. I would tell you the name of the one I know, but I honestly forget, sorry. If the material is boring, provide some type of award system. For every paragraph, page, whatever length you like, you complete, reward yourself with a chocolate piece, a gummy bear, whatever works for you and continue this. Place the reward at the next checkpoint so you can see where it is before you get it. If it also gets boring after 2 hours as an example, take a break. Set an alarm clock every 2 hours (or 1!) and take a ten minute break to do whatever. Do not use electronics though. Take a walk, read a book, get some fresh air, play with your pets, etc.. Someone you can do for a short time without being too engaged and not going back to your work. Then reset the timer once you are done. If you are distracted easily by your thoughts or background, work where you won't see anything but what you are doing so it's the most interesting thing to do. Study in front of a wall. I created a study carousel so I can only look at that and then look back at my work. There was a study done that states that people with ADHD work better with music on though. It may not be true for you, but for me it helps a lot. If you do listen to music, try for it to not be something catchy that you'll just end up singing along to. I listen to classical music, because more studies have been done that listening to classical music will help you retain information better, or something similar to that.

And yes, routines are very important, but not all you can do, as listed above. As an example, study from 6pm to 9pm every night as an example. Set reminders on your calendar, phone, whatever, and mark it as "busy" so you won't double book yourself as I tend to do so once in a while. I understand studying is hard. I get it. I just finished exams in grade 11. But I am trying to improve myself. Make sure you have enough sleep (though it doesn't sound important, but it will help concentration levels), try to not have caffeine, improve your diet, and exercise. These should help with concentration overall.

Also, if you are applying to an university, see if they will give you accommodations like extra time for your entry exam. They may say no, but it's worth a shot. If you do get in, go to the learning and disabilities centre or whatever it is called there and bring them a doctor's note saying you have ADHD and need accommodation to succeed in university. It may take some time, but it's worth it in the end. Trust me.

This is my advice, and if you need more, just PM me. I have done a lot of research to help me study because of lack of concentration and everything, so I know a lot. Hope this helps .

[Miswimmy1]

One word on exam accommodations - if you are in the U.S. and plan on taking the SAT or the ACT, you are required to have an official diagnosis and submit documentation of that diagnosis. Usually it's a multiple page report from a neuropsychologist or something of sort. Even you if you have the diagnosis and documentation in hand, make sure to leave weeks before the desired testing date to get your paperwork filed and approved. A word of advice - the SAT accommodations committee tends to be more generous with approvals than the ACT board. Just something to keep in thought.