Posted by IsoM on March 10, 2002, at 20:08:04
In reply to Re: ADD experience w/bipolar w/o, posted by JohnX2 on March 10, 2002, at 19:42:06
"...name the months backwards - passed
count backwards from 100 subtracting 7 - passed
listed fruits, changes subject, asked me to list fruits. I named the fruits - passed"Phew! Such piddley little tests - that's not anything to do with ADD. It's the old idea that people with ADD can't focus - yes, we CAN focus & can focus very well, thank you, but not consistently. A better test is one that checks the ability of a person to focus when there's something new & exciting and when it's dull & boring. The differences between the ability to focus in diff situations show more. People with ADD 'tend' to show a far greater difference of response & focus between the two conditions, whereas normal people will be more focused during something exciting but the diff is so great.
I know a doctor testing whether you can name months backwards, etc doesn't really seem exciting, but it's something new & your brain suddenly charges up in anticipation.
I hate to admit it but your problem with fiction is one I have too. If I really am enjoying the book, I'll even make my own notes on characters so I can flip back to see who's who. If I put a book down for a few days, I might as well forget it.
I really don't think there's anything one can do to increase their working RAM - it's probably hard-wired in. But I think we can put forth a lot of effort into constantly practicing & using it to keep it in top shape. Like a scrawny little guy who works out regularly, lots of weights & fewer reps. He'll develop more muscle mass but he'll never be an Arnold Schwartzenegger. We've got to use it or lose it with our working RAM, as much as I hate forcing it.
And yes, John, you sound far more ADD to me than bipolar but heck, I'm not trained at that sort of thing. Are you always on the lookout for new things (not all of these new things have to be macho or dangerous - for me, it's new mental stimulation) & new ideas to try? After exploring these ideas thoroughly, do you find you'll start losing interest in them? They don't seem as fun as before? That's a typical ADD trait, though maybe not all share it.
poster:IsoM
thread:97292
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020307/msgs/97392.html