There was a reasonably big story over here in the UK a few weeks ago about there being people taking ADD drugs (illegally as they were not prescribed) when studying to enhance their concentration powers and thought clarity, as it is a stimulant (somewhat ironically as it "calms" people with ADHD).
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/7684963.stmOf course I am not saying that I condone taking things like these tablets without prescription - it is more a case of showing what is supposedly does. I struggled through the back end of my education at college and university as I was not able to concentrate and then understand the work. I was mentally able to understand the work, but to comprehend it and inter-relate this information in the correct processing procedure was impossible, and I got distracted very easily. Of course I did not have a clue why it was all going wrong, and was able to hide it from the family. No questions were asked.
I feel that I may actually have some sort of ADD, not in the traditional/stereotypical sense of being badly behaved, but on finding it hard to concentrate for long periods (or even short periods), and then getting restless (although no hyperactivity), and I can get very easily distracted.
Whilst discussing this -
from the Wikipedia page on Adult ADHD there is a section on indicators to show possibilities of ADHD (note it says not related to other medical/psychological conditions), and it is thought a minimum of 12 of the 21 would suggest it may be worth pursuing clinically
The Hallowell Center identifies the following indicators to consider when ADHD is suspected and recommends that individuals with at least twelve of the following behaviours since childhood—provided these symptoms are not associated with any other medical or psychiatric conditions—consider professional diagnosis[18]:
1. A sense of underachievement, of not meeting one’s goals (regardless of how much one has actually accomplished).
2. Difficulty getting organized.
3. Chronic procrastination or trouble getting started.
4. Many projects going simultaneously; trouble with follow through.
5. A tendency to say what comes to mind without necessarily considering the timing or appropriateness of the remark.
6. A frequent search for high stimulation.
7. An intolerance of boredom.
8. Easy distractibility; trouble focusing attention, tendency to tune out or drift away in the middle of a page or conversation, often coupled with an inability to focus at times.
9. Often creative, intuitive, highly intelligent
10. Trouble in going through established channels and following proper procedure.
11. Impatient; low tolerance of frustration.
12. Impulsive, either verbally or in action, as in impulsive spending of money.
13. Changing plans, enacting new schemes or career plans and the like; hot-tempered.
14. A tendency to worry needlessly, endlessly; a tendency to scan the horizon looking for something to worry about, alternating with attention to or disregard for actual dangers.
15. A sense of insecurity.
16. Mood swings, mood lability, especially when disengaged from a person or a project.
17. Physical or cognitive restlessness.
18. A tendency toward addictive behavior.
19. Chronic problems with self-esteem.
20. Inaccurate self-observation.
21. Family history of ADHD or manic depressive illness or depression or substance abuse or other disorders of impulse control or mood.
Personally I think all but 4 or 5 may apply to me, (I had to do it twice as well as I lost the thought process part way through it!)
I hope you find a suitable solution for the trouble, and are able to access any relevant help
It's a shame your parents, while trying to "help" you, only seem to be making the matter worse.
I just dislike that frequently people will turn to medication as the first or only source of behavior/cognition change, when there might be easier, healthier, or more effective alternatives.
