Hi, I first would like to preface that I'm unaware if this is an appropriate topic to post here, so if it is not, please let me know, and I will take the post down. I really didn't wish for it to come to this, whether it be for ego purposes or something else, but I'm wondering if I need to seek professional help or guidance on the possibility of me having attention deficiencies. My mind gets very muddy, and I cannot focus properly when I take PTs. The words occasionally just aren't absorbed by my brain. I don't know if it's just the nerves, but I don't know how where I'd even be able to seek professional help for this. Any help or comment is appreciated. Thank you.
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16 comments
Idk, but judging by your username perhaps you are putting too much pressure on yourself.
@jmflynn3535 Perhaps you have a point. Thank you.
Hello, friend! I think the advice from the fellow commentor that you might be stressing yourself out is very apt. In my case, I was noticing much of the same and it took a couple virtual meetings with a psychiatrist and a preliminary OCD diagnosis to realize that, in my case, I was distracted by arbitrarily time managing which made it hard to focus on the material. The other commentor who pointed out that things like ADHD would bleed into your life outside of the test is also very apt; my OCD is omnipresent in my hobbies, routine, interactions, etc., but I didn't even think to look for it until after having spoken with my psychiatrist. This is all to say, if your medical insurance fully covers therapy/psychiatry, try out a meeting or two. Even if you aren't seeking accommodations, the assistance a professional can give you is invaluable (but never let someone tell you anything negative about accommodations!).
No basketball player has ever hit a game-winning shot whilst worrying about what would happen if they miss the shot. That worry doesn't serve you at all, so to the best of your ability, fight against it (obviously, that's easier said than done, but you get the principle!). If I can give you any guidance about OCD, how it might seep into your test-taking, etc., just let me know.
I hope this doesn't come off too psychoanalysis-y; I simply mean to say, don't let anything other than the good feeling of a 180 get into your head. While testing, the only thing that deserves your brainpower is your test itself. You've been through worse, you will go through worse, and you will get through this!!
@madeinkeaven Thank you very much for your kind words. The sort of negative thoughts around accommodations are what make me push back from actively looking for help from medical professionals or the LSAC, but I really do appreciate your guidance. Best of luck to us both.
@180UChicagoOrBust I get that. It was a point of contention for me, too. So long as you do what you feel is right for yourself, you've made the right choice.
I sincerely hope you get a score you're proud of. Best of luck to us both! 🤞
Whether or not you have any physiological deficiencies, you could absolutely benefit from speaking with a therapist. Maybe therapists specializing in CBT? You could also just find any therapist and express your issue specifically and work towards a more tangible goal with them. You might find either that you do have something neurological going on, or that behaviors and thoughts you didn't even recognize are manifesting in the form of this "muddiness" you feel.
@OderaOkuzu Definitely will be speaking with a professional. I'd like to do what I can do to the best potential and not have these issues hold me back. Thank you!
Typically, if you suspect that you have ADHD or attention deficiencies, you will have noticed a similar pattern in your day-to-day (like in school or at work). That being said, it doesn't exclude the possibility that you may have something underlying typical burnout and anxiety.
The muddiness happened to me every once in a while, mostly because of burnout. I second the meditation, but if you're not in the right headspace for that, then try varying your hobbies and interests intentionally. Cut out social media and replace them with other things that are a positive influence.
As for where you can get help, it will depend on your insurance. If you are looking for an ADHD diagnosis without stimulant medication, you can probably talk to a general practitioner. If you are specifically seeking to take stimulant medication, you may need to get neuro-psych testing and speak with a psychiatrist who would be willing to prescribe you stimulant meds. There are some work arounds to this, but I only mention it because it can be a long and expensive process. If you are just looking for general anxiety help, you can also probably talk to a general practitioner. There are things like anti-anxiety medications, beta-blockers, and supplements that may help your nerves. I would not recommend using online therapy platforms like BetterHelp, but therapy can also be very expensive.
If you're looking for accommodations, you'll need a diagnosis first. I'm not sure what LSAC looks for specifically when they grant accommodations, but I assume that it helps to have medical history and documented accommodations from other instances. And it takes time to get approved, so depending on when you want to take the exam, you should plan accordingly.
For context I was diagnosed with ADHD pretty late, at around 20-21 years old. I never ended up taking accommodations (for my own reasons, and also the stigma surrounding students who receive extended time), and I kind of wish I just got the accommodations because I probably would have benefitted from them. So have the honest conversation with yourself, it might be the right decision for you.
@haena Thank you very much for your help. I do appreciate it. If you don’t mind, I’d like to gain more insight on what helped you on the muddiness aspect. Glad you got the help you needed though.
It's hard to really say just based on this. The lsat is created and then taken in a way that is meant to make it hard for us to easily comprehend and tackle. It's easy to reduce how far we've come. Likewise, it's also easy to not fully appreciate how much of our conscious and unconscious thought is being used when applied, especially when we would of course prefer it to come naturally.
Are there any similarities with when you feel like you're no longer able to readily absorb what you're reading? For example, one thing I've been working on over the past few months is the 4th passage wall, both in terms of getting to the 4th passage with adequate time and mental capacity. Going a step further, that endurance or lack thereof will have knock on effects for any questions I'm doing afterwards.
@Adam The biggest difference I feel is just a complete shutdown that I need to reel myself back into the teat from. When that occurs a few times it adds up. Thank you for your guidance. Best of luck to us both.
well, we can't answer that for you. but stress and performance anxiety are very common. a therapist or your primary care physician would be a good place to start. I also highly recommend reading and meditation to get past that "muddy" feeling.
@blueorbit2400 I do not have a therapist nor a primary physician I don't believe at least. Thank you for your guidance.
@180UChicagoOrBust well a therapist or a PCP would be more helpful than internet strangers. you asked if you should seek professional help.
Not sure if this is helpful or not, but I have an underlying anxiety of not being good enough and ability to overthink. When doing the LSAT this comes out as a "lack of focus" or "not absorbing details" at times. Especially for me too, who is wired very high strung, if I have a day at work, those same things come up as well. That said, when I have a good day, I can really see my potential for a really high score (170+). Problem is, that isn't most days. Based on your previous comments, it looks like you understand the material, but maybe it is anxiety you may not be aware of, or something else. Either way, you just have to find your process, and work toward it coming second nature. I am trying to work through it myself, so best of luck, and let me know if you find the magic formula. As for the professional help part... everyone could use it. Not in your shoes, but a good therapist is never exactly a bad thing for anyone.
@MicahGlim It just feels like my brain shuts off sometimes. Thank you, and best of luck to both of us.