Question For Screenwriters With ADD

[WriteByNight]

How do you manage?

[Jake Schuster]

I know writers with dyslexia, and they manage very well. (The great Roberto Bolaño was one.) I have neither dyslexia or ADD, but having in the past taught kids with both, they quickly devised strategies and compensations to get their work done.

[JonnyAtlas]

I've just learned to manage my ADD over the years. I never took any medication, but my wife uses it to help her with her studies (she's currently getting her Masters).

I take occasional breaks, listen to music while I write, and I also try to have multiple productive things on my plate (screenplay, book, blog, D&D) to jump between when I start to get fidgety. It helps me remain productive despite my ADD.

To be honest, this message board is great. When my brain gets fried or I get antsy, I jump over here for a few minutes then get back to work.

[zenplato]

Well,

In all seriousness, are you medicated? Self-medicated? You don't have to answer on the forum, but it makes a big difference on the answer to your question.


If you aren't self medicated, then try some beads or Baoding balls to calm you're scattered head. It's about learning techniques on how to concentrate. It's a misconception that people with ADD/ADHD can't concentrate, which is not true. It's just more difficult and you have to learn to train yourself. I recommend a consistent routine and some meditative techniques to remain focused.

If you are medicated, then you need to try a different trial and see if that helps. If you're self medicated, pass the kouchie bro.

[WriteByNight]

I think mine is connected to my diet. I've always had a sweet tooth. I can't stop. It's a drug for me and I have the fillings to prove it. But yeah it can be hard to keep mentally "still" especially when this racket requires me to be a voracious reader.

[zenplato]

Read this article and make your own decision:

http://pn.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/content/full/36/6/35

Best of luck...

[Rathmon]

ADD is a farce, a fabrication of the institution... designed to hold the hyper-intelligent down. It's all about what interests you, and what you get a "kick" out of right-f'n-now.

The sooner you learn to channel it the right way....

Do as much as you can, as often as you can, and you'll be just fine.

[JonnyAtlas]

ADD isn't a farce. The only farce is that you have to be medicated to deal with it.

[Ralphy W]

I don't have ADD but I am obsessive-compulsive and prone to experiencing nearly continuous anxiety as long as I'm awake (and even when I'm asleep sometimes; you should see some of my dreams).

I manage it with alcohol.

[Rathmon]

ADD isn't a farce. The only farce is that you have to be medicated to deal with it.

It certainly is a farce....

Years ago I tutored a 4th grade kid who was diagnosed to be severely ADD. Yet, if I sat down with him to play Zelda, he could tell me everything about that game while he played it for hours. I taught him math in a way he understood, so much so that he went from a D to an A in 4 weeks. It's all about engaging more than one side of the brain at once.

I'm ADD according to 'experts'.... but I laugh at the notion.... I'm just smart in a way that I look at things differently than other people. If I'm enjoying the project that I'm working on, it gets done. If not.... well, then I move on to something that may be more scintillating.

ADD wasn't invented until 1851... so I don't buy it. And no, I'm not a scientologist nut, I just look at the facts that I've witnessed in my own life.

However, I will say alcohol is the best medicine for the intelligent, wandering mind. :rolleyes:

[zenplato]

It certainly is a farce....

Years ago I tutored a 4th grade kid who was diagnosed to be severely ADD. Yet, if I sat down with him to play Zelda, he could tell me everything about that game while he played it for hours. I taught him math in a way he understood, so much so that he went from a D to an A in 4 weeks. It's all about engaging more than one side of the brain at once.

I'm ADD according to 'experts'.... but I laugh at the notion.... I'm just smart in a way that I look at things differently than other people. If I'm enjoying the project that I'm working on, it gets done. If not.... well, then I move on to something that may be more scintillating.

ADD wasn't invented until 1851... so I don't buy it. And no, I'm not a scientologist nut, I just look at the facts that I've witnessed in my own life.

However, I will say alcohol is the best medicine for the intelligent, wandering mind. :rolleyes:


So, what exactly is your scientific method? You did use logic and reason when you came to your conclusion? Surely you could share your methodologies and processes for curing this "farce."

I look forward to you teaching me something new.

[Ralphy W]

However, I will say alcohol is the best medicine for the intelligent, wandering mind. :rolleyes:


Alcohol is the best medicine for ANY ailment of the mind.

Except for those afflicted with that teetotaler thing.

[zenplato]

Alcohol is the best medicine for ANY ailment of the mind.
Not to argue with you RW, but I do think there is a more natural substance that fits your statement a little better. Plus, it works well with ADHD from what I hear. :)

[Rathmon]

So, what exactly is your scientific method? You did use logic and reason when you came to your conclusion? Surely you could share your methodologies and processes for curing this "farce."

I look forward to you teaching me something new.

First, damn you for making me put down my fine cigar and stop Tool from blaring on my Ipod to come type this. ;)

My scientific method is the law of '42' as told to us by the late, great D Adams. (It'll take a hell of a lot for me to explain that one properly)

The solution is to know yourself to the point that you can define your weaknesses. Most people never get there, so they look for 'reasons' why they do certain things. Instead of finding the answer, they look for excuses.

Case in point... my wife of 7 years still asks me why I put beer bottles next to the sink when the recycling bag is 4 steps away.

Think it's ADD and I should take medicine?

Look, I don't want to piss people of for my informed opinion.... because that's exactly what it is.... but I know that for the ADD writer, it's all about mood, excitement, and freshness. No amount of drugs will fix that, legal or not, so that's why I rail against it.

[zenplato]

First, damn you for making me put down my fine cigar and stop Tool from blaring on my Ipod to come type this. ;)

My scientific method is the law of '42' as told to us by the late, great D Adams. (It'll take a hell of a lot for me to explain that one properly)

The solution is to know yourself to the point that you can define your weaknesses. Most people never get there, so they look for 'reasons' why they do certain things. Instead of finding the answer, they look for excuses.

Case in point... my wife of 7 years still asks me why I put beer bottles next to the sink when the recycling bag is 4 steps away.

Think it's ADD and I should take medicine?

Look, I don't want to piss people of for my informed opinion.... because that's exactly what it is.... but I know that for the ADD writer, it's all about mood, excitement, and freshness. No amount of drugs will fix that, legal or not, so that's why I rail against it.

I respect your opinion and your overall belief. But just because you believe something does not make it true.

The problem is Rathmon, you committed at least two logical fallacies in your statement:

Cum hoc ergo propter hoc & Dicto simpliciter.

You can't assume there's a causal link just because you experienced it and you can't make a sweeping generalization with what's true for you is true for everyone else.

As a man of science, I use reason and logic to guide me, not rhetoric.

I respect your position, but I can't learn from it unless you can give me a repeatable process. Sorry for disturbing your evening.

[Rathmon]

At least I can write this from my Ipod....

There's lies, damn lies, and statistics.

What is life but one's experiences? And does not one's experience color perception?

Anyhow, the original question has this answer... You do what you have to do to keep at it, and there's no magic pill for that. (but if there is, I want it)

[ScriptShadow]

I didn't have ADD before I read this thread. But I think I do now.

[zenplato]

I think this is 'Cosmos' moment (you know the movie with Jodie Foster)where we just have to rely on our faith in what we believe. You believe you are right, I believe you're wrong, lol. j/k

Seriously, I respect your opinion and I'll just leave this thread be.

Wilson, eat an owl, ;)

[Rathmon]

Damn that owl....:rolleyes:

[KBuck]

I have MINUS not ADD... in actual fact I'm a severe case... its truly debilitating and totally to blame for my lack of success in everything...