|
 Since I have started this blog and published my first book One Boy’s Struggle: A Memoir, the most frequent and prevalent inquires I have received have been about hyper focusing. Most have been from people who want to control it in some way. Anyone, with or without ADHD can control their ability to focus at will. I truly believe that. For those of us with ADHD it is far more challenging; however, when it is achieved at will, it can be repeated and eventually harnessed – if you are willing to take the steps to get there! The ‘willing‘ (motivation) part can get in our way, especially if you have ADHD; therefore, this eBook is written specifically with that in mind.
The inquiries have come from all sorts of people from various backgrounds and, interestingly I started to realize that a great many of the inquiries were coming from people who do not have ADHD. I was a little alarmed when I realized that, but after some consideration and researching the books on the topic, concentrating, focusing are tremendous issues for a lot of people, not limited to those of us with ADHD. Ultimately, the bottom line is that the average person in today’s society is stretched way too thin. There are so many demands on any single individual at any given time, whether they are taking action at any specific moment or not, the demands are there – mentally, emotionally and physically. Such constant stress can have detrimental effects on the body.
Unfortunately, the trend of ‘borrowing’ medication from friends, neighbors and associates with ADHD shouldn’t be too much of a surprise. However, it is illegal and it is dangerous! No one should take medication that is not specifically prescribed for them, period. The risks far out way any other consideration, what’s more is that medication which works for someone with ADHD probably will not work for someone without ADHD. If you get a buzz or reaction from borrowing, odds are, it isn’t a good thing. Okay, this is a far bigger issue than this blog post.
If it is control of your concentration, focus you want, there are ways to get it, but as I state in my latest (free) eBook 8 Steps How To Super Focus At Will, there are no gimmicks and tricks that will help you achieve lasting focus! There just isn’t. Medication for the person with ADHD is usually only good for a few years, dosages usually must be raised and from time to time new medication will need to be introduced, switched etc… there is no magic pill for ADHD; however, there is medication that helps for a time, for some people longer than others. If you have ADHD, seek out a professional, medication may be an option for you. Even if medication works for you, I know the steps I have provided in my eBook are still vital for harnessing one’s potential.
Please keep in mind that my experiences with medication are limited and one should never take for granted any information about medication which is not given by a trained medical professional (usually a specialist). I do not take ADHD medication and my experience learning to control my focus is entirely without the assistance of medication.
What works for people with ADHD, concerning non-medicated self-help, also works for people without ADHD. Some believe that the way we are setting up educational structures for people with ADHD would benefit our educational system, as a whole. I tend to agree.
I would very much like to hear back from you concerning my latest eBook, both from people who do have ADHD and who do not have ADHD. You can feel free to email me, please use the word ‘focus’ in the subject line.
The steps inlcuded in 8 Steps How To Super Focus At Will are:
- Positive Thoughts
- Believe in Yourself
- Feel It
- Meditation
- Mother Nature
- Rituals
- Self-Esteem
- Take Action
These are not the usual type of steps you may have considered and that may be the issue for many of us. I know it was for me.
Enjoy!
Bryan
~~
> If you enjoyed this post, please share it via icons below. Enjoy a free ebook and scroll down to comment too! You may get an error when commenting, but your comment will post.
Have you read 'One Boy's Struggle: A Memoir', yet?
NOW AVAILABLE - get it: Click Here! Free!
|
I agree that all do not need medication. I believe it can help. I take medication and have found it beneficial. However, diet and exercise along with your suggestions can also aid in improving focus…as well as cognitive behavioral changes. Each of us must decide what works best for ourselves.
Reply to KirstenMedication is a tool, it’s one that I’ve been using since I was 6 so I have a lot of experience with it, and it makes a noticable difference with me. It doesn’t change what I can and can’t do (except I pretty much can’t sleep at all when I’m medicated), it just makes doing daily tasks a lot easier. It’s like how I could still dig a hole without a shovel, but why would I want to?
Reply to BenI am not medicated with mind altering drugs and have not been since I was a teen. I personally believe that a person who decides to refuse any mind altering medication will see greater satisfaction and self control in their lives. Which will build self esteem and self confidence. Receiving or not receiving medication is still a choice for each individual and they know themselves better than anyone else.
I am not saying that if you have been taking mind alter medications for years to just quit cold turkey. There is addictions and there will be reactions. If you have real physical brain problems or other mental illnesses. Then you should absolutely follow your Doctors orders.
This is hyper-focusing is a positive side to our very accelerated brains and can be a real asset for the individual when controlled in a timely manor. Such as hyper-focusing while sitting in a chair is much more safer than hyper-focusing while crossing a street.
This sounds Cool B-Man.
John
Reply to C.J. MacKechnieHi Ben,
Since you were 6? I know your much older now, so that is quite a while. I am glad it is helping you. Has it been the same medication all the while? Any changes in your doses or type, if I may ask?
Yes, medication can be a tool. For me Benadryl is an important medication because of my allergies, especially the food allergies; however, a recent study indicates that Benadryl can be detrimental to the brain over long periods of time or continued use, such as a precursor to Alzheimer’s. Interesting that Benadryl was discovered from Prozac (not an ADHD med). Here is one article about the study, which focused on seniors – it’s even scarier for me to discover that only 90 days of use is enough. It’s scientific in nature, but you know, science is way behind the curve on many medications and we don’t know the half of what we are taking on a regular basis. My point being that ADHD medication is highlighted because of the hot topic of ADHD, but we are taking over the counter meds all the time unaware of risks that may not have been discovered yet. I will not stop taking Benadryl when I seriously need it, but I will be more cautious.
John, your right it is an individual choice, which no matter an opinion for self, no one should try to enforce their beliefs on others. Honestly, if I could take ADHD medications, mind altering or behavior enhancing (as I think of them), I probably would, but as I progress over time without medication, because I have to (not by choice), that option, if available, is not as necessary anymore – strictly because I have learned to adapt and have had successful treatment with therapy and my personal behavior modifications thanks to awareness of the cause. Still, there are days…
B.
Reply to BryanI think it’s great that you are sharing focus methods that you find effective. And you’re right, it’s not just ADHDers who can use new ways to focus. Personally, I have found medication to be a great tool with my ADHD. It has given me, at the very least, the ability to see my life differently, and the focus to learn some new techniques for managing my life that will benefit me even if I choose later not to use medication. If there is one thing I have learned most distinctly from medication it is that medication can hep create the conditions for you to focus, but the individual must still choose, in fact what to focus on, and that can take practice too…at least that has been my experience. I am also exploring meditation and yoga right now. These too, are just tools that I can choose to use or not use to find new ways to manage my life.
So thank you for sharing your tools Bryan. We are all responsible for finding what works for us, and with more options, we are more likely to find something that might work!
Reply to Katy B. "Miss K"