I’m sure all of you have heard of ADHD, but what exactly does this diagnosis entail? In short, it deals with one’s ability to pay attention - more specifically, to sustain attention. What does this mean? Sustaining attention requires one to focus on a task for a reasonably long length of time - perhaps on a scale of hours instead of minutes; people with ADHD struggle doing this, and hence the name of the disease.
Now, what does this have to do with schizophrenia? The answer is that schizophrenics can have the exact same problem sustaining attention, and this can mimic the traits of ADHD. And that is exactly my problem - I cannot sustain attention for very long…
However, the bigger problem is that all my family and friends rave about is my intelligence and IQ, and they therefore find me being ‘lazy’ because I do not work. The problem for me is that this is simply not a choice - I cannot pay attention, and I am as functional in the workplace as someone with moderate to severe ADHD.
This has created a real double-edged sword, because I cannot work, and yet I cannot afford to live on disability either. The only solution I have is to find some kind of enjoyable labour, as that should help with the attention problem. However, I am at a loss of ideas for attaining this type of work. Therefore, maybe some of you hear have similar problems and can give me some advice. I am open to any advice you might have…,
Sorry, I couldn’t pay attention long enough to read the long post.
J/K
I think ADD is probably the similar disorder you are looking for. I don’t think it mimics the traits of ADHD because there is no hyperactivity present.
Perhaps find something you enjoy while being in a stress free environment. Game testing or remote work related activities. Accessibility testing websites and such.
Maybe try something that doesn’t require spending long hours in front of a screen?
You could work in constructions, or as a chef, baker etc. Or driver if you enjoy this kind of activity. Many here work cleaning jobs, someone works as a gardener=landscaper, but a few have office jobs too.
Already having issues with my new course I am enrolling in… I tried to skip much of the learning material because I cannot focus… it remains to be seen if I can successfully complete the schooling. Having hard time with numbers and calculations, as before it would have been easy, now it is a challenge to focus on them. But I am going to give it another go, and take it literally small step by small step.
I must have the opposite of ADHD. I can remain laser focused on something for a long time if I like it.
The other day I setup a VPS and it took me about 4 hours. I sat at my computer configuring linux without a break (except to get a cup of tea and pee). Complicated computer stuff.
I have attention issues as well. I’m assuming my voices are the main distraction and the actual dysfunctional brain chemistry is actually the problem that creates a inefficiency/lower functioning brain that is normal for that person.
I did and I found it frustrating. I started setting goals to read a bit and then read a bit more and then more and then more… It took some years, but it worked. Paying attention is not an issue for me now. I work as an insurance broker and can spend all day reading complicated documents without having trouble focusing.
Hi Jason M. From what others have written in this thread that I agree with are to: set small goals, goals that are attainable and interesting to you and that will keep you focused. Again, start out small.
In what form of learning or form of working do you prefer?
In what form of learning or form of working are you most best at?
For me, exercising helps expend energy and calm me down a bit. When you say you can’t focus, is it that you can’t focus on one thing? Or is there a lot thoughts in your mind at one time which disallows you to focus?
If this is the case, try finding a job where you can have varied tasks that are not too difficult. try finding taking frequent breaks with what you ate. Another piece of advice is to use something to write all your thoughts and then reread it and edit as time goes by.
My theory is that because I have to pay attention to these people in my head all the time that I am just burned out. If one gets a break that may change. It is difficult to make that happen (getting a break from these people in my head).