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Double Bass Dealing with Attention Deficit Disorder

B

bass4art

Oct 2, 2010
126
5
#1
hey Guys

Attention Deficit Disorder

it has been a long while, I have degree in Music and a Masters Degree in Education. I am working with the medical person to get on a right medication to take care of the distraction of having ADD.

I have found out over the years that when I let the ADD get the best of me, that it is hard to stay on attention at a gig. And because of that my name is not the best in sometimes around my area of where I live.

I have been misdiagnosed over the years with a couple of things, but now I have a real medical person who see the symptons for what they are. And we are trying to find a medicine that not will work for me but also be covered by my issurance.

I do know a lot of musicians that struggle with similair issues themselve. So my question if the issue comes up where I am finding it popping up how would you approach the other musician you are dealing with?
+Kirk
 
#2
This isn't quite the same thing, but I poised the question in a recent jazz master class, "How do you keep focused throughout a gig and not have outside thoughts distracting you?"

I was kind of surprised when one of the instructors said he had a good answer for that. He said that a teacher had told him years ago, and that research has since supported the idea that you hear with the right side of your brain and your thoughts originate from the left side of your brain. So you can be listening to the music but still think about other things. The way to overcome this is to think about what you're playing, then your left brain is occupied and can't wander. To summarize his long explanation, he said you should strive to hear what everyone around you is playing, while thinking about what you're playing, and then having your hands play what you're thinking as opposed to reacting to what you hear yourself playing . . .
 
#4
my dad has adult adhd, but is one of those people who thinks things such as adhd, depression, etc.. are made up to sell people unneeded medications.. he also owns his own business and drives himself and his family nuts going in 100 directions at once..

I once played a gig at a place called laserdome and i kept getting distracted by the laser light show going on while we played.. it was awesome
 
#6
1. Exercise. There's lots of research that this helps build and maintain your ability to focus.
2. Eat healthy. This can never hurt.
3. Practice meditation! This is essentially the practice of quieting your mind- the exact opposite of ADD. It's really hard, but if you work at it some, I think you'd be surprised how much you can actually control.

If nothing else you find works, then go for medication. We, as a culture, tend to overmedicate. Why jump straight to the amphetamines/ their related compounds (i.e. Ritalin, Adderall, etc.)? Try coffee first. It's still a stimulant but isn't quite so drastic.
 
#7
paganjack said:
If nothing else you find works, then go for medication. We, as a culture, tend to overmedicate. Why jump straight to the amphetamines/ their related compounds (i.e. Ritalin, Adderall, etc.)? Try coffee first. It's still a stimulant but isn't quite so drastic.
Click to expand...

Coffee has NOTHING to do with Ritalin or Adderall. It's going to make his problem worse- Ritalin works by increasing dopamine levels in the brain (to make it simple), and caffeine does the exact opposite.
 
#9
If you have a mild problem the non-medication treatments or life changes may help enough. And many people with a significant problem gravitate to jobs that allow them to move from task to task frequently and do well enough without help. But if you have a significant problem and are in a job that requires prolonged concentration, you may have no other choice than using a med.

If you do there are several options:

1. Stimulants: Methylphenidate meds (a dozen or more brands and generics) and Adderall (amphetamine salts, no generic). Each work for nearly everyone with ADD, and quickly. As a trial use you can take a test, take the med, retake a similar test an hour or two later and look for improvement. There are generics, but lately there has been a national shortage of the long-acting generics, the ones you can usually use just once a day.

2. Wellbutrin: works in some adults for ADD, is also an antidepressant. Is generic. May take weeks to know if it works for you.

3. Straterra: similar in structure to the older antidepressants called the "tricyclics", but only useful for ADD, not depression. Newer, so no generic out yet. May take two weeks or more to know if it works. It is about 50:50 in my experience with adults using it. (Despite its name you do not have to play a certain Fender guitar to use this med.)
 
#12
so true, and you know I am actually real tired of the sympton ruining things that I have beed shooting for. For instance, I would of finish up at Crane School up here, but I did eventually get my music degree from another State College, which was more understanding and allowed me to switch from Tuba to Bass, that God, yes I had a lot of experience on Tuba, but Bass is were my love is and the money as well.
Kirk
 
#13
Whoa! That's a lot of advice from people with no known medical qualifications.

I can only tell you from my experience what works for me. Try it out, but it may not work for you at all.

I suffer from Anxiety attacks and have had to deal with a few at gigs etc. For me the most important thing is a healthy sleep pattern (yes, even on the road, and if you've got a few gigs in a row, no partying in between, party at the end!), exercise, and eat healthy and sensibly. Abstaining from caffeine, sugar and alcohol have a certain value but after around 4 years dealing with this problem i've also learnt to "use" mild stimulants/relaxants to manipulate my own behaviour (not advisable, but a necessary evil for me). Another important thing is self-discipline. The "I just don't care anymore" attitude that will often crop up with mental and emotional conditions just won't cut it. Also, follow your doctor's advice - believe it or not, after however many years of medschool and practice, your doctor is the one that knows best. I take medication for my condition which really helps, and my only advice with that is to take what you're supposed to take. A lot of people start to feel better after a few weeks on medication and then stop and get dramatically worse - hardly surprising but an easy trap to fall into

As for dealing with others, it's always a great idea to be upfront. If you humbly let your bandmates know what you have to deal with it gives them a heads up - also it's important to let them know what to do if there are certain behaviours or issues that are likely to crop up.
 
#14
One thing that may help overcome ADHD in daily situations is to make a concerted attempt to become more observant of social cues, body language of those around you. By becoming a student of those around you, it may help guide one to focus and act accordingly. I suppose this correlates with the earlier post which suggested using the left side of the brain to really focus on thinking about what you are doing/playing.

I would caution against the use of any and all prescription drug use. Watch any commercial for prescriptions drugs on TV these days and you know what I mean... side effects that can kill an elephant. You may see improvement in symptoms, but at what cost to your health? The FDA is nothing but legalized drug peddling.
 
#15
baileyboy said:
I would caution against the use of any and all prescription drug use. Watch any commercial for prescriptions drugs on TV these days and you know what I mean... side effects that can kill an elephant. You may see improvement in symptoms, but at what cost to your health? The FDA is nothing but legalized drug peddling.
Click to expand...

Do you know anything about how the FDA or drug trial/approval works? By the sounds of it, definitely not.

If you are not finding any relief of symptoms and our doctor suggests a medication that will help, try it- what's the point of life if your symptoms are holding you back from being able to do what you need to do? Side effects are generally minimal, or an acceptable trade-off, and bad side effects are always rare. The doctor will discuss any necessary risks, and you can decide if being able to live a functional and healthy life is worth the minimal risk.

To say that you should avoid all prescription drugs because they have "side effects that can kill an elephant" is silly and certainly uninformed.
 
#16
Angus said:
Do you know anything about how the FDA or drug trial/approval works? By the sounds of it, definitely not.

If you are not finding any relief of symptoms and our doctor suggests a medication that will help, try it- what's the point of life if your symptoms are holding you back from being able to do what you need to do? Side effects are generally minimal, or an acceptable trade-off, and bad side effects are always rare. The doctor will discuss any necessary risks, and you can decide if being able to live a functional and healthy life is worth the minimal risk.

To say that you should avoid all prescription drugs because they have "side effects that can kill an elephant" is silly and certainly uninformed.
Click to expand...



Sorry, Angus, but I actually do know what I'm talking about... I've been a sp. ed. teacher for over 20 years and have seen the devastating effects that these drugs have on people and their families. And it doesn't take a rocket scientist, or a bass player for that matter, to know how harmful these drugs can be. Since it's obvious you are one of the multitude that has been brainwashed into thinking "doctor knows best", continue as you will. I'll take my healthy, no-drugs lifestyle any day of the week.
 
#17
All drugs are not the same- there are some that have much more profound effects- like anti-psychotics- but those are reserved for a specific class of people that REALLY need them. If they are given to people who don't, it tends to be a bad situation, but for those who DO need them, nothing else will work.

I'm sorry, but being a special ed teacher does not give you any insight into medical science, biochemistry or how the FDA works.

You are free to do what you want with your body, but don't mistake your anectodal experience for scientific understanding.

baileyboy said:
Since it's obvious you are one of the multitude that has been brainwashed into thinking "doctor knows best", continue as you will.
Click to expand...

No, I'm not- but I have the background to be able to interpret the science underlying the medications and what the side effects mean, and what the statistics really mean. I have enough background to know that saying "All drugs have side effects that can kill an elephant" is woefully misinformed.
 
#18
"I'm sorry, but being a special ed teacher does not give you any insight into medical science, biochemistry or how the FDA works".


Thanks for the chuckle, Angus. If you think the FDA gives two $hit$ about your health or the drugs they approve for the masses, I have a Squier I'd like to sell you for $3,000. I don't need a degree in biochemistry to see what taking drugs does to people.
 
#19
Best way to deal with it is to get rid of the extra stress in your life (ADD and ADHD is often a problem for people who have abnormaly high level of anxiety), maybe get low doses of medication (if needed), and just work with what you have. It is normal for people to either learn to deal with it, or they eventually grow out of it.
 

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