[Legend of Shadow]

I’m a 22 year old guy who is currently getting tested for ADHD. I started undergoing testing because I had extreme difficulty concentrating sometimes, and I now realize my situation is slightly more complicated. It’s not that I simply can’t concentrate, but rather that I can only remember things visually. If I see something and don’t form an image of it in my head, someone could ask me what I saw seconds later and I wouldn’t remember. If someone is talking about something I don’t understand, and I can’t picture the scenario in my head, it’ll be hard for me to concentrate on what they’re saying because I’ll simultaneously be trying to keep up with them talking while trying to find images in my brain to understand them.

This means new, unknown situations can be a nightmare for me. The anxiety this issue has caused me made it 10 times worse, and I’m only now starting to look for a job because I’ve finally got my anxiety under control to a point where I feel I can manage one. The problem with this issue, though, is how random it is. Meaning I could get a job, do very well at it, and then have a random scenario trigger my issue, causing me to perform a task or tasks extremely incompetently.

It’s a very scary thought for me, but I truly believe it’s possible for me to find a job I like, and that I can succeed at. So I am curious if anyone here has the same, or a similar issue. (Since it’s possible I still don’t fully understand it) I’m interested as well in how you deal with it, as I really want to learn how to manage this the best I can. Thanks everyone!

[Confusedinomicon]

Yeah I also have this problem. Smells/sights are what trigger my memory. Sometimes I remember really random things because I'll see or smell something that I associate that thing with.

Anyway, I think you should try for a job. It's possible to have anxiety and work even with a shoddy memory.

https://actuallyadhd.tumblr.com/

^ This tumblr page has a lot of ways to help you get organized and stuff to succeed. Hope this helps.

[Legend of Shadow]

Thank you!

Thankfully the anxiety caused from my memory problem is pretty much a non-factor right now. The main issue right now is I'm working at overcoming my fear of hopelessness, which was caused by two years of being bedridden due to doctors not having a clue what was wrong with me.

My memory is worse at times than my father, who is currently on disability because his memory wasn't good enough to keep a job. (He was an electrician) So my fear is I'll keep getting fired due to my memory, and eventually I won't be able to find a job, and then things will become hopeless.

But even though the fear is still strong, I know sitting back and waiting doesn't accomplish anything. So I'm working on overcoming my fear of hopelessness, (Some members here have offered great advice in regards to that, which has helped a lot) and I'm currently working with my counselor in regards to dealing with my issue, and finding a job I can do. I'll take a look at the link you posted as well. Thanks again!

[Finniky]

Oh yes, I know this very well. I visualize everything! And to remember things, I create images in my head. However, I have not noticed if not visualizing something I saw or need to pay attention too/learn impairs my memory of it at all. I just know it is how I remember things in many instances. I am also HORRIBLY literal about everything and that messes me up too, when it comes to learning and understanding.

Also, my mother is an electrician and she is experiencing the same thing, she gets fired from a lot of places due to memory problems. She however was not able to get disability... so her life is hell right now. Can I ask how your father was able to be accepted for disability?

It's good that you are getting help for everything. I also fear that when I get older my memory will make me appear incompetent. It already does sometimes.

I have severe ADHD along with Bipolar 1, GAD, and OCD. I was able to get a job despite being on no medication.

I'm not saying it's easy to get a job, but I'm saying that it's possible. So, don't worry about not being able to get a job. You'll be able to do it.

As far as memory goes... I have better visual memory than verbal memory. My verbal memory is 82... and well... a score of 70 is considered "mental retardation" and a score of 100 is "average". I'm closer to mental retardation than I am to "average". So, you can imagine how horrible my verbal memory is! My visual memory is 102 though. I just remember things visually because my visual memory is much better.

I've learned to compensate for the ADHD over the years, although I'm now looking into medications to make my life easier. I just haven't been able to take any because of my bipolar disorder (cos I'm not fully stable yet).

Best of luck

[Legend of Shadow]

Originally Posted by Finniky

Oh yes, I know this very well. I visualize everything! And to remember things, I create images in my head. However, I have not noticed if not visualizing something I saw or need to pay attention too/learn impairs my memory of it at all. I just know it is how I remember things in many instances. I am also HORRIBLY literal about everything and that messes me up too, when it comes to learning and understanding.

Also, my mother is an electrician and she is experiencing the same thing, she gets fired from a lot of places due to memory problems. She however was not able to get disability... so her life is hell right now. Can I ask how your father was able to be accepted for disability?

It's good that you are getting help for everything. I also fear that when I get older my memory will make me appear incompetent. It already does sometimes.

My dad's path to disability wasn't easy. He got rejected a lot of times. Finally the issue got brought before a judge, and he was accepted...so my only advice would be to keep trying. I'm sorry she's in the position she's in.

i've not been following this thread (i've only just seen it!)

just want you to know that i'm following now and you gained an extra supporter

hugs!

[Legend of Shadow]

Originally Posted by shattered sanity

i've not been following this thread (i've only just seen it!)

just want you to know that i'm following now and you gained an extra supporter

hugs!

Thank you!

[jman197]

I am the exact opposite. I cant concentrate but I have superb memory. I was tested at seven so I have been on tons of meds. right now I am med free but if I go to school I would need meds to sit still. I move around a lot when things don't interest me

[Ceara1010]

Hi, I'm ADD and was diagnosed years ago. Also, I have a degree in Cognitive Neuropsychology, so I am very interested in how people think and process information.

Some people are more visual-thinkers than others, and being so isn't a disability. Some people need movement as they are reading or listening. Some people need to use multiple senses to process information. It's just important to know how you process things.

However, if you are a visual thinker who is having trouble visualizing, this is a problem.

Unfortunately, a whole lot of information is conveyed in an auditory way--meaning, you get the info only through your ears--without pictures. So it's up to visual thinkers to come up with ways to make pictures in their heads of what they are hearing. Same thing goes for something they read. Words on a page must be translated in the brain as pictures or "movies" so they can be comprehended and remembered.

However, some visual thinkers can have difficulty "making movies" in their heads about what they are trying to process, and this does cause problems. But truly, everyone comprehends and remembers things better if they can visualize in their heads.

There is actually a program called the Lindamood Bell Method that focuses on improving people's ability to visualize what it is they are trying to comprehend and remember and they have centers around the U.S. (I was in their program back in the 80s and they helped me a lot.) There may be other programs out there now doing similar work. I recommend you do some Googling on this topic.

As I said, if you are a visual thinker/processor who is having trouble visualizing in your head, then this is a problem. But there are programs out there that can help you. So hang in there.

--Ceara1010

[Legend of Shadow]

Originally Posted by Ceara1010

Hi, I'm ADD and was diagnosed years ago. Also, I have a degree in Cognitive Neuropsychology, so I am very interested in how people think and process information.

Some people are more visual-thinkers than others, and being so isn't a disability. Some people need movement as they are reading or listening. Some people need to use multiple senses to process information. It's just important to know how you process things.

However, if you are a visual thinker who is having trouble visualizing, this is a problem.

Unfortunately, a whole lot of information is conveyed in an auditory way--meaning, you get the info only through your ears--without pictures. So it's up to visual thinkers to come up with ways to make pictures in their heads of what they are hearing. Same thing goes for something they read. Words on a page must be translated in the brain as pictures or "movies" so they can be comprehended and remembered.

However, some visual thinkers can have difficulty "making movies" in their heads about what they are trying to process, and this does cause problems. But truly, everyone comprehends and remembers things better if they can visualize in their heads.

There is actually a program called the Lindamood Bell Method that focuses on improving people's ability to visualize what it is they are trying to comprehend and remember and they have centers around the U.S. (I was in their program back in the 80s and they helped me a lot.) There may be other programs out there now doing similar work. I recommend you do some Googling on this topic.

As I said, if you are a visual thinker/processor who is having trouble visualizing in your head, then this is a problem. But there are programs out there that can help you. So hang in there.

--Ceara1010

Thank you! I’ll check out the Lindamood Bell Method. I’ve been very motivated to get a job lately, so I’ve put a lot of thought into my situation, and I think I understand it better now than I did when I wrote my original post.

I originally thought my poor concentration was caused by my poor memory, but I think the more likely cause is that I simply have a bad memory that is made worse by ADHD. I first started noticing signs of losing concentration when I was 13, and I never knew how to deal with this. My mind was constantly thinking about things, and unless I focused on one thing I didn’t perform well.

What this meant is when my mind wandered and I was distracted, that it was harder for me to visualize things. However, as I’ve noticed, if I’m focused on something my memory isn’t that bad--perhaps even slightly above average.

I’ve finally gotten to a place where I can focus well. My mind doesn’t wander like it used to, and I’m noticing my memory is being affected, in that I’m visualizing things easier, and forgetting less.

My biggest issue comes from things I don’t understand, and thus can’t visualize, as my mind immediately starts going in every direction to try and find an answer. So I’m still not perfect in terms of focusing, but I’m way better than when I was younger.

I’ll keep at it. I’m confident enough in my ability now that I’ve started looking for jobs, and I’ve decided I’m going to give general transcription a try. I’m a very fast typist who has a good grasp of the English language, and I feel I have the skills necessary to succeed at the job.

[Ht32]

Originally Posted by Legend of Shadow

I’m a 22 year old guy who is currently getting tested for ADHD. I started undergoing testing because I had extreme difficulty concentrating sometimes, and I now realize my situation is slightly more complicated. It’s not that I simply can’t concentrate, but rather that I can only remember things visually. If I see something and don’t form an image of it in my head, someone could ask me what I saw seconds later and I wouldn’t remember. If someone is talking about something I don’t understand, and I can’t picture the scenario in my head, it’ll be hard for me to concentrate on what they’re saying because I’ll simultaneously be trying to keep up with them talking while trying to find images in my brain to understand them.

This means new, unknown situations can be a nightmare for me. The anxiety this issue has caused me made it 10 times worse, and I’m only now starting to look for a job because I’ve finally got my anxiety under control to a point where I feel I can manage one. The problem with this issue, though, is how random it is. Meaning I could get a job, do very well at it, and then have a random scenario trigger my issue, causing me to perform a task or tasks extremely incompetently.

It’s a very scary thought for me, but I truly believe it’s possible for me to find a job I like, and that I can succeed at. So I am curious if anyone here has the same, or a similar issue. (Since it’s possible I still don’t fully understand it) I’m interested as well in how you deal with it, as I really want to learn how to manage this the best I can. Thanks everyone!

yes I have the same problem, and have add that's so weird I didn't know that was a symptom of add that's crazy you just totally explained what I was trying to problem solve but I couldn't cause I couldn't imagine how a piece fits with another piece... I hope you find a way to cope I am still learning.

[BrazenApogee]

I think in pictures. Sounds like you may too. People think differently, I don't think that's wrong.