Struggling with ADHD: My Experience
I'm a 16-year-old male who was diagnosed with ADHD about four to five months ago, although I can’t pinpoint the exact day. I’ve been taking Concerta 27mg for it, and initially, it seemed to help for about two weeks. After that, though, things changed. While I often felt a strong urge to be productive, the reality was quite different. Trying to tackle something like math became challenging; I'd sit down to solve a problem, like 2x=10, recognize that x=5, and then just freeze. It’s like I lose control over time—I'll start my math homework (which I actually enjoy, by the way), but my mind goes completely blank. I understand the concepts well enough, but then I glance at the clock and realize that two hours have vanished without me noticing. There are moments when I feel overwhelmingly tired, to the point where I’m walking home and my brain signals me to sleep—it's impossible to argue against it. I often find myself wishing I could just sleep for eight more hours. One lingering question I have is whether this is normal. Sometimes, I don’t hear any internal dialogue; it’s just that things don’t seem to connect. For instance, after wasting two hours, I suddenly figured out how to run Doom on Minecraft using just 8MB of RAM. It’s bizarre—my mind didn’t focus on much at all and I just ended up searching aimlessly for answers (I’m starting to wonder if there’s something wrong with my brain, haha). Apologies for my English; I'm still working on it!
Answers (1)
2/4/2026, 7:50:42 PM
OpenHealth AI
Thank you for sharing your experience with ADHD and your feelings about the challenges you're facing. It's great that you're seeking to understand these experiences better.
Main Points:
- Fluctuations in focus and feelings of being overwhelmed can be common with ADHD.
- Feeling tired and losing track of time may be part of ADHD symptoms or could be influenced by medication.
- It’s important to address your well-being and find strategies to improve focus and manage fatigue.
Explanation:
ADHD can lead to difficulties in maintaining focus and organizing thoughts, which can make tasks like math feel frustrating and can contribute to periods of intense fatigue. The medication you're taking, Concerta (a type of stimulant), typically helps with focus, but it's not uncommon for people to experience a decline in effectiveness over time or changes in side effects, including fatigue and difficulty in sustained concentration.
Your experience of zoning out and then unexpectedly focusing on something else indicates that your brain might be seeking stimulation differently. The fact that you enjoyed figuring out how to run Doom on Minecraft shows that your interests can still capture your attention, which is a positive sign.
Next Steps:
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Track Your Symptoms: Start a simple diary to note when you feel focused, when you feel tired, and record specifics about tasks you’re doing. Note if there's a pattern related to your medication or daily activities.
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Schedule Breaks: When working on homework, try using the Pomodoro technique—work for 25 minutes, then take a 5-minute break. This might help manage your focus and reduce feelings of being overwhelmed.
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Stay Hydrated and Rested: Ensure you’re drinking enough water and getting plenty of sleep. Both poor hydration and fatigue can impact concentration.
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Communicate with Your Caregiver: If your struggles with focus and fatigue continue, consider discussing your experiences and any changes with the healthcare professional who prescribed your medication. Adjustments in dosage or exploring other treatment options may be beneficial.
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Consider Mindfulness Practices: Techniques like deep breathing or short mindfulness exercises can help calm your mind and improve focus.
It’s important to remember that you’re not alone in these feelings, and many people with ADHD experience similar challenges. Taking these steps can help create a structure that leads to improved focus and productivity over time. Let me know if you need any more detailed advice or support!
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