I had significant behaviour problems at school, i would be disruptive and attention seeking in every lesson, I couldnt focus or concentrate on school work unless I found something rivetting (which was rare). I remember sitting through lessons not having a clue about maths, we would read a book as a whole class, everyone would be interested in it and I would be the only one in the class who was reading along but wouldnt have a clue what it is about. I have actually been assessed as 'above average' intelligence. Unfortunately these were the days when children with behavioural problems were demonised and rejected in the 60's. I left school .. well virtually expelled actually, before I was 15. I have since acquired qualifications as an adult much later but my focus and concentration is still apalling, although if I enjoy a book I will read it continually .. this is rare though. I'm quite prone to depression and I'm not a very good mixer these days and am quite isolated, although I have quite good social skills.
Its only on doing an online checklist for AD(H)D recently that I seemed to tick all the boxes, although not the hyperactive component. I mentioned this to my GP once but it wasnt taken seriously and I understand there is no cure for it anyway, but I am curious to find a reason for my apalling school experience which I think damaged my self esteem considerably, and why I have problems focusing nowadays, yet seem to have this capacity when I am really interested in something.