Comments on: You Can Learn to Harness Your Ability to Focus and Concentrate Better – eBook

By: Katy B. "Miss K"

Katy B. "Miss K" — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 17:01:25 +0000

I 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!

By: Bryan

Bryan — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 19:15:29 +0000

Hi 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…

By: C.J. MacKechnie

C.J. MacKechnie — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 12:40:42 +0000

I 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

By: Ben

Ben — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 17:05:07 +0000

Medication 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?

By: Kirsten

Kirsten — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 13:15:36 +0000

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.