Finding focus and motivation

[skymax2000]

Ok. I feel like I am no longer hyperthyroid but two symptoms that remain are insomnia and inability to focus and take action. For example, I got a jury summons and had 5 days to call their hotline to confirm. I also could have gotten out of it because I do take care of a baby full time. Well, I haven't called the hotline and I don't know why. I can't read a book and I can't drive anywhere new not within my neighborhood because I know I'll get lost and this gives me anxiety. This has been going on for years. When I was in school, I almost never read a book. I just took really good notes and relied on my ability to memorize. In fact, when we had to write book reports on books of our own choosing, I made up stories rather than actually reading. Does anyone else have this? Should I see a psychiatrist? I read Graves has ADD-like symptoms but if I'm no longer hyperthyroid, why can't I focus?

[skymax2000]

That's me too. I actually have a bachelor degree in computer science and I never read anything either. I could follow anything in the classroom and also relied heavily on memorization but were tricked by book questions or anything I had to learn on my own. I could do math as long as an example was done in the classroom but I couldn't do variations taught in the books. I can write computer programs but actually know very little about computers. I've been told that I'm smart but very flaky or lazy. I have a very hard time getting started on things.

[ChitChatNine]

I, too, never read the book and got good grades.  I had mj. league issues with math and as an adult did not qualify for College Freshman Math and have to take a 3 credit course with no credit before I take a credited math class; it is State mandated bcz I failed.  I *think* I had something go on with strategies to learn with the math .. I tried so hard and just "couldn't get it" .. that was in the 60's and 70's .. today I think I would have had the help and finally learned geometry and algebra ????  and the book thing, well ..... I still do college at night and rarely read the book and, thus, miss all the trick ?'s derived from the book and rely heavily on notes and short-term memorization.

C~

[redhed87]

That's so sad.  I have had many children like you, but now  they can receive accommodations for this to take the stress off of them.  I hope you find out what you need.  Take care.

[skymax2000]

Yes. I've always had it. I remember crying in elementary school at being so frustrated with homework.

[redhed87]

My sister did the same thing and had a high score too. Looking back, have you always had this problem, even as a child?  My brother was always labeled as bright, but a daydreamer, etc.  I believe he was and is ADD- but back in the seventies, this wasn't known.  Take care.

[skymax2000]

Thanks. I will go have it checked out. I just went thru a checklist for adult ADD and got a score of 47. It said a score of 20 is a strong indication of ADD.

[redhed87]

I don't know anything about the relationship between Graves and ADD, but what you just described sounds like ADD.  I have been a teacher for almost 15 years and some of the brightest children in my classes have been AD- very unmotivated, lacked self control, not turn on homework, but ace tests, etc.  You could see your regular doctor about this and your concerns.  There is medication for adult ADD.