![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 15 of 15. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by juniper on January 10, 2000, at 19:11:52
i have a horrible sense of direction. when i was 8, i got lost going around the block. i became lost in rural mexico and ended up sleeping in a barn as night fell and i was nowhere close to finding my destination. i am sure that my innate lack of direction is exacerbated by the fact that i don't pay enough attention to my surroundings to cue into where i am, or have been. this post is the result of going to see a new pdoc, and becoming horrendeously lost coming home. do others with ADD ever experience directional confusion?
juniper
Posted by Stacy on January 10, 2000, at 20:21:40
In reply to directional nonscense, posted by juniper on January 10, 2000, at 19:11:52
> i have a horrible sense of direction. when i was 8, i got lost going around the block. i became lost in rural mexico and ended up sleeping in a barn as night fell and i was nowhere close to finding my destination. i am sure that my innate lack of direction is exacerbated by the fact that i don't pay enough attention to my surroundings to cue into where i am, or have been. this post is the result of going to see a new pdoc, and becoming horrendeously lost coming home. do others with ADD ever experience directional confusion?
>
> juniperJuniper -
When I got online earlier, I never expected to respond to any messages; but I can intensely relate to several of them, & ESPECIALLY yours. I have ADHD, & am "directionally dysfunctional." As the saying goes, I couldn't find my way out of a paper bag! One time I had to stop & ask for directions in my own town - it was mortifying. Due to this, I actually hate to drive a car. I was always too embarrassed to tell anyone, so I'd make all kinds of excuses. One of my worst experiences was driving an elderly woman somewhere at night, & eventually having to pull over & let her drive. Naturally, she found the place! I felt about 2 inches tall. I just wanted to let you know that you're not alone. I have to pray for direction - & I mean that literally! Take care.
Posted by Cass on January 10, 2000, at 20:47:07
In reply to Re: directional nonscense, posted by Stacy on January 10, 2000, at 20:21:40
I get lost in malls. I have almost no sense of direction. I get extrememly anxious going new places because I'm almost sure I will get lost. It's funny, this month's threads have had a lot to do with ADD. I have not been diagnosed with ADD, but after reading all these symptoms, I am sure I must have it. I guess I'll start seriously looking into antidepressants that help ADD. I know very few people who have had this problem with directional disorientaion, so I feel a little less alone now. It can be soooo embarrasing, as the juniper and Stacy described. Maybe we can find something to help.
Cass
Posted by Noa on January 10, 2000, at 21:32:53
In reply to Re: directional nonscense, posted by Cass on January 10, 2000, at 20:47:07
This can also indicate a learning disability in spatial awareness.
Do any of you have left/right problems? Difficulty in math? Difficulty with construction (puzzles, assemby-required stuff)?
Posted by juniper on January 10, 2000, at 21:57:26
In reply to Re: directional nonscense, posted by Noa on January 10, 2000, at 21:32:53
> This can also indicate a learning disability in spatial awareness.
>
> Do any of you have left/right problems? Difficulty in math? Difficulty with construction (puzzles, assemby-required stuff)?i definately have difficulties in spatial awareness. directions, reversing directions, reversing things in my head, depth perception, left and right (when the driving instructor says turn left and you turn right out of the parking lot onto a one-way road, the test is over.) math is not a strong point, but not horrendeous. okay with some puzzles, but have a hard time really "getting" others. i've always just seen this as a sort-of block to work around.
Posted by Cass on January 10, 2000, at 23:43:38
In reply to Re: directional nonscense and spatial (un)awarenes, posted by juniper on January 10, 2000, at 21:57:26
> > This can also indicate a learning disability in spatial awareness.
> >
> > Do any of you have left/right problems? Difficulty in math? Difficulty with construction (puzzles, assemby-required stuff)?
>
If I discipline myself to concentrate in math, I can do well, although I hate it. I am enormously untalented when it come to assemly required-type stuff. It causes me a great deal of anxiety and frustration. I am an intelligent person when it comes to analyzing abstract ideas, but anyone watching me try to assemble something would think I was mentally disabled. (Believe me, people have come right out and said things to that effect.) When I'm stressed, I seem to have a problem with left and right. Is there anything that can be done about it?
Posted by saint james on January 11, 2000, at 0:04:10
In reply to directional nonscense, posted by juniper on January 10, 2000, at 19:11:52
. do others with ADD ever experience directional confusion?
>
> juniperJames here.....
Yes. Try a compuss in the car, one of those balls that you mount on the dash. Now maps make sence to me.
james
Posted by Noa on January 11, 2000, at 7:07:18
In reply to Re: directional nonscense, posted by saint james on January 11, 2000, at 0:04:10
Maybe someday the "Onstar" type technology/service that goes into luxury cars will be more affordable. That way you can have someone verbally direct you as you drive.
Posted by noa on January 11, 2000, at 7:10:15
In reply to Spacial unawareness..., posted by Cass on January 10, 2000, at 23:43:38
Well, I think there are tutors who could teach strategies for understanding and remember spatial concepts better. It doesn't change the weakness, but it could give "tricks" to cope. I also think there are probably people who do body work, like occupational therapists, who could teach you how to become more aware of the spatial surroundings, and help you develop some adaptive strategies.
Posted by Stacy on January 11, 2000, at 8:00:59
In reply to Re: directional nonscense, posted by Noa on January 10, 2000, at 21:32:53
> This can also indicate a learning disability in spatial awareness.
>
> Do any of you have left/right problems? Difficulty in math? Difficulty with construction (puzzles, assemby-required stuff)?MATH!!! Since I home educate my children, I have to work very hard at this, but Math has never been my strong suit. My husband usually ends up tutoring them in the evening; so, fortunately, they're doing better than I ever did (my son, who also has ADHD, has always been on Ritalin, various other adjunct medications, & is now on Adderal. He does quite well in Math while on the medications. Unfortunately, little or nothing was known about ADD/ADHD when I was a child.)
No problems with left/right, but anything requiring concentration (when not on some type of medication, or the natural supplementation which I choose to use), such as games, puzzles, following directions, etc. can be a real pain! I attended a lecture once, given by one of the well known ADD/ADHD specialists. He stated that Math difficulties are common among many persons with ADD/ADHD: he also said we should try to avoid employment requiring this area of expertise (i.e. banking, cashier, etc.)
Posted by Stacy on January 11, 2000, at 8:31:19
In reply to Correction: Re: spacial awareness, posted by Stacy on January 11, 2000, at 8:13:48
You'll have to forgive me - "bad ADD day!" I was replying Noa's post, & thought I made a mistake on "Subject."
Posted by CarolAnn on January 11, 2000, at 12:34:47
In reply to Re: Spacial unawareness..., posted by noa on January 11, 2000, at 7:10:15
I am so bad at the left and right thing that it is something of a joke with my husband. This is another clue that I have always suffered undiagnosed ADD, because I have distinct memories of times in elementary school gym class where we were doing activities which demanded left or right actions. Growing up in Florida, I always wore sandals, and the only way I could remember left from right was to look down at my feet, because I knew that my right foot was the one with the freckle on it!CarolAnn
Posted by juniper on January 11, 2000, at 17:37:01
In reply to Re: Spacial unawareness...oh yeah, me too..., posted by CarolAnn on January 11, 2000, at 12:34:47
carolann,
i actually learned (sorta) my left and right due to the fact that i have a scar on my right arm. i still look at it sometimes when i have my doubts!these posts make me feel a little less like a directional freak--oddly enough i have taken an odd turn regarding my job...i lead kids in the wilderness. i have become rather adept at using a map and compass (and i always thank god that a river only runs in one direction), but it has taken a while and i am still only really on par with many of the students i teach. if i could carry a compass and topo map in the city, i may be okay.
:) juniper
> I am so bad at the left and right thing that it is something of a joke with my husband. This is another clue that I have always suffered undiagnosed ADD, because I have distinct memories of times in elementary school gym class where we were doing activities which demanded left or right actions. Growing up in Florida, I always wore sandals, and the only way I could remember left from right was to look down at my feet, because I knew that my right foot was the one with the freckle on it!CarolAnn
Posted by anna on January 11, 2000, at 20:35:08
In reply to directional nonscense, posted by juniper on January 10, 2000, at 19:11:52
> i have a horrible sense of direction. when i was 8, i got lost going around the block. i became lost in rural mexico and ended up sleeping in a barn as night fell and i was nowhere close to finding my destination. i am sure that my innate lack of direction is exacerbated by the fact that i don't pay enough attention to my surroundings to cue into where i am, or have been. this post is the result of going to see a new pdoc, and becoming horrendeously lost coming home. do others with ADD ever experience directional confusion?
>
> juniper
I have ADD, but terrific sense of direction. Still, I often space while driving, almost go into a trance--and when I suddenly realize my surroundings, I usually am not where I want to be and have absolutely no memory of how I drove there. anna
Posted by Noa on January 11, 2000, at 21:53:57
In reply to Re: directional nonscense, posted by anna on January 11, 2000, at 20:35:08
> I have ADD, but terrific sense of direction.
A number of you are assuming the spatial problems are due to ADD/ADHD. But it might be due to a learning disability.
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.