Help in concentrating

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I've had severe problems with concentration since I was about 15, and still do, although I try to cope in some ways. But it's still very difficult, especially when coupled with procrastination, which I'm very good at. I was wondering, what if ADHD medication might help? Amphetamines are known to boost energy/concentration (I suffer from a lack of both, which actually is confusing, since ADHD patients are usually more than energetic, and I never understood how amphetamines actually calms them down) - and medication like Ritalin and Adderal are also nootropics, mental enhancers, which is what I think I need. Any suggestions?

And by the way, yesterday I smoked 60x extracts of Salvia Divinorum and I felt incredible mental clarity like I haven't known for a long time. Has anyone tried it? It's like I could analyze every single object/thought that I could perceive, and my senses seemed very much enhanced too.

Hi Mootoo, have you ever tried meditation? Give it a whirl.

Mootoo posted: I've had severe problems with concentration since I was about 15, and still do, although I try to cope in some ways. But it's still very difficult, especially when coupled with procrastination, which I'm very good at. I was wondering, what if ADHD medication might help? Amphetamines are known to boost energy/concentration (I suffer from a lack of both, which actually is confusing, since ADHD patients are usually more than energetic, and I never understood how amphetamines actually calms them down) - and medication like Ritalin and Adderal are also nootropics, mental enhancers, which is what I think I need. Any suggestions?
And by the way, yesterday I smoked 60x extracts of Salvia Divinorum and I felt incredible mental clarity like I haven't known for a long time. Has anyone tried it? It's like I could analyze every single object/thought that I could perceive, and my senses seemed very much enhanced too.
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Do you have any idea about why you have severe problems with concentration since you were about 15 (and not before as in from birth)?

Neurological challenges such as the ADHDs and the many epilepsies are often present from birth - they don't appear out of nowhere at age 15.

Hi Mootoo,

I have poor concentration and energy too, which like you i've had since about 15. Before that i was bright and clear. I found it really hard through university and now as an adult - i'm 39.

I've been looking into aspergers in hope of finding answers to my energy problems and it does seem reasonable that just being in a confusing social world may make us more tired than most people. Also, i suffer from 'maladaptive daydreaming' - constant daydreaming which i can't stop easily, which spoils my concentration a lot. If you find that's a problem for you there's a few website forums which discuss it - but no big answers.

I haven't smoked Salvia divinorum, but ordinary culinary sage Salvia officinalis is also supposed to be good if you just eat lots of it - that's why it's called Sage as in wise. I keep meaning to go on a Sage eating regime, but of course i keep forgetting......

Don't know if any of that helps?

Cardamine posted: Hi Mootoo, I have poor concentration and energy too, which like you i've had since about 15. Before that i was bright and clear. I found it really hard through university and now as an adult - i'm 39. I've been looking into aspergers in hope of finding answers to my energy problems and it does seem reasonable that just being in a confusing social world may make us more tired than most people. Also, i suffer from 'maladaptive daydreaming' - constant daydreaming which i can't stop easily, which spoils my concentration a lot. If you find that's a problem for you there's a few website forums which discuss it - but no big answers. I haven't smoked Salvia divinorum, but ordinary culinary sage Salvia officinalis is also supposed to be good if you just eat lots of it - that's why it's called Sage as in wise. I keep meaning to go on a Sage eating regime, but of course i keep forgetting......Don't know if any of that helps?
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Why do you have poor concentration and energy since about age 15 (and not before, as in from birth)? Any ideas? By the way, coffee - caffeine compounds - do help a few with concentration/energy (not a cure). - http://www.rsna.org/rsna/media/pr2005/Coffee.cfm (Short-term memory) - http://www.coffeescience.org/alert (Mental alertness)

@Moog
I'd probably give meditation a try if I knew that I could possibly accomplish it. Along with concentration problems I get irritated very easily by small noises, like if I hear the TV from down below, or that atrocious noise motorbikes make when they're being driven. It happened while I was on Salvia, and it was incredibly irritating, possibly the reason I can't 'breakthrough'.

@pgd
I had awful problems in my life that might have cracked me - ever since many things have changed including my character, way of thinking, how I act. It might have been some undiagnosed condition, but I don't think it's anything. It's probably just cause and effect.

Meditation really helps. Also try adding a high quality fish oil to your diet.

If you get irritated at small noises try earplugs or a fan for white noise. There's also the site http://simplynoise.com/ where you can use your computer as a white noise machine.

Why since 15? I don't know - i wish i did. Have been trying to find out for 20 years. It could be as a result of anxiety/depression starting around that time, but i'm not convinced. It could be the maladaptive daydreaming....? Really don't know, i've had all the usuall tests at the doctors. Physical fitness seems to be fine.

Caffeine - yes, i'm a tea addict, but trouble for me is it increases anxiety and stops me sleeping, which makes me tired...etc.

i try and live stress, and anxiety free as much as possible now. wich doesnt always work out but you will be suprised at how much better practicly evrything in your life works worry free

i would take meds, to improve mental function but i have a addictive personality. i cant risk another addiction ruining my life

I second (third) meditation. It can work wonders.

Poor concentration and energy sounds like SCT (Sluggish Cognitive Tempo).
Even non-ADHDers can get more focused with stimulant medication.

You should go in for an evaluation. When they test ADHD they look for every condition under the Sun. MRI, qEEQ, IQ tests - the lot! Just to be really thorough.

ADHD can also become worse when in high school because of all the hormones and stress. I was in college at that point and had real concentration problems.

There are two extremes of ADHD: Hyperactive and Inattentive. Inattentives have less energy, day dream more, live in a kind of brain fog. I think amphetamines are for them. So basically if you are hyper and take meds you calm down or focus better but if you're hypo you can focus and have more energy and motivation. I'm combined.
Actually when I drink coffee on meds I fall asleep. I guess the meds try to level you out.

I have trouble concentrating as well. Meditaion dosen't work becuase I can't concentrate on that either. It seems the only thing I can concentrate on lately is video games. I think I have become addicted to neopets ever since I was finnaly able to get a disco fever paintbrush. Now I want a royal or pink paintbrush for my techno and a checkerd or camo paintbrush for my other kougra and I'm trying to convince my mum to take him inso I can get a lutari in April. The best thing for my lack of inability to concentrate is to let whatever is distracting me take it's course. I finnaly painted Notaleigha disco fever which I wanted to do since I first started playing Neopets so I think my obsession is almost over. Neopets is NOT a special intrest. I think I blew a fuse trying finish some school work and burned myself out. When I blow a mental fuse like that the best thing I've noticed is to let it run its course.

It takes practice. Meditating doesn't magically give you concentration, it helps you to develop it.

am i the only one that doesnt get meditating? it seems like wishful thinking, or some "religious" experiance. does it really work?

I am not religious, and I was skeptical before trying it myself. Yes, it really works. No, it probably won't work if you only try it once or twice. If you do it fairly regularly (and this doesn't mean you have to do it every day or that it will take many weeks or months to see any benefit), you will find your concentration--among other things--improving gradually.