HAS ANYONE WITH ADD DEVELOPED A SYSTEM TO INCREASE THEIR ATTENTION.... AUDITORY AND FROM JUMPING AROUND IN A CONVERSATION? IF YOU HAVE, COULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR SYSTEM TO ME. I STARTED MEDS IN RECENT MONTHS. YET, SOMETIMES WHEN I AM EXTRA EMOTIONAL.. I REVERT BACK.. I CAME UP WITH A VISUAL SYSTEM TO HELP ME PICTURE MIND CLUTTER AS BEING FILED. IT WORKS A LITTLE BUT, IT COULD USE SOME REFINING.
A place to come to ask and answer questions from others on mental health and relationship issues.
Copyright © 1992-2008 Psych Central. All rights reserved.
Answers
Hi there Sando :)
It does seem like you are incredibly stressed.
Possible things to use would be to find an object, preferably one you could use in other locations (one other people may have in their home) to focus on, to remind you to feel calm?
Stuff as keys, watch, a ball, even floor/ceiling tiles...
Whatever it is, though, try to remind yourself to focus, and try to stay calm with it.
You can do it!
Best,
Clyde
Hi sando. It sounds like the medicine is helping you in day to day living, but when you are really stressed, you overwhelm the capability of the dose of medicine?
Try stress reducing techniques. First, try to become aware of your breathing, and learn to manage it, deeper breathing, slow and even helps to calm down and focus.
Since you already have trained yourself to use visual cues, you might want to also use a particular one to remind you to breathe and calm? You could also use keys or coin in your pocket to palm or feel to help you focus back on the present conversation etc.
Anything can work, a marble, or even your watch, to give you a cue. To train your brain to calm automatically whenever you feel the marble or look at your watch.
Some find it easier to focus if they close their eyes briefly and take a good breath.
When it is someone you are trying to pay attention to, it's good to keep eye contact, and from time to time repeat back something they said (but not too often!) It's important to not let your own mind wander (that clutter!) while they are talking.
Good wishes!
drjean