Concentration

[roryk]

I have a vested interest in being able to measure some things about myself objectively. Right now I have a few lame ways of doing the things on this list, but I thought I would throw this out there to my livejournal to see if anyone knew of anything on the web or any sort of computer program that would do it in a quicker, more automated fashion for

Comments

[aelphaba]

I read something once that mentioned that if you try to name as many animals as you can in 10 seconds you should be able name at least 10; any less than that and you are mentally tired.

Years ago I took a test to determine if I had a dissociative disorder only too I discover that I had some serious dissociative habits, mainly the inability to judge things like huger and mental and physical exhaustion, which would often lead to me becoming upset. Since I would always find myself in the middle of a panic attack and not at the beginning of one. I trained myself to look for the color yellow as a focal point to calm down. What I discovered is that I will now look for the color yellow before I get upset and do a mental checklist "Have you eaten? Have you slept? Do you need a break?" it provides me with enough of a separation so I can rationalize and handle the problem.

A trick I learned from a friend of mine whose mental/physical output is staggering is when you need to be alert try falling asleep in a chair holding something unbreakable but will make good deal of noise when dropped, a empty soda can, a VCR tape. When you fall asleep and enter light sleep you hand will relax and drop the item thus startling you awake. Being quickly jolted from light sleep is better than falling into deep sleep because if you wake up from that you will end up feeling worse.

Another thing that I use is Adderral. I hate to say it but It is the single most effective thing I have ever come across in my desire to combat those three exact problems. With 14-16 hour days that normally consist of 4-5 hrs of directing for 2 radically different shows, it has been a Godsend. On it I am not emotional, tired or inattentive. Here is the downside, it is highly addictive. Since I know this I only allow myself to take on duel rehearsal days or when I need to jack up my output level. It has also given my a better chance to feel what I am like when I am functioning at that level and so it has helped me on the days I don't take it by giving me a mental plain to strive for.

[roryk]

are there other things other than adderral which are non-addictive?

[aelphaba]

I havent been able to find anything non addictive which is why my Dr. aggreed to give me a 30 supply every 3 months or so. That way I can't get addicted to it and can use it when I really need it. You can get it 4-6 hour versions and 10-12 hr ones (which is what I have), I hear Ritilin does the same thing. I also hear it only has this extreme effect if you don't have ADD or ADHD. I guess if you have either this will just make you calm.