ADHD: Seeking Effective Treatments and Solutions - Psychiatry

Cure for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

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Hello, I was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in my first year of high school, and I am now a sophomore in college.
However, I don't feel that my condition has improved since entering university (I was admitted through a recommendation process).
My biggest obstacle is my inability to concentrate, making it very difficult for me to settle down and study.
Forcing myself to focus is a painful experience, leading me to pull my hair or bite my lips.
The pressure to study has become a source of anxiety for me.
I fear that tasks will trigger my anxiety, so I tend to avoid them until the last minute, which results in insomnia and missing morning classes.

My psychiatrist has suggested medication based on his diagnosis, but I have been inconsistently taking it for four years.
Each time, I feel that the medication does not help me; it causes palpitations and increases my anxiety during class, making it harder for me to concentrate and complete tasks.
Therefore, I have not been able to maintain a continuous regimen.
However, my doctor often reminds me that the best treatment for ADHD in Taiwan is methylphenidate, and not all individuals with ADHD experience palpitations or anxiety from it; many find that it helps them calm down.

My guidance counselor has suggested that I might be using my ADHD diagnosis as an excuse for not performing well, allowing me to avoid many tasks I don't want to do.
After much reflection, I cannot completely dismiss this possibility, but I know that there are many things I genuinely struggle with, such as maintaining a regular study schedule and organizing materials.
I understand that I cannot simply blame my shortcomings on my condition while expecting to face the same challenges as others.
However, I have learned not to berate myself for my limitations or for procrastinating, as I know I can accomplish these tasks, yet I often find myself losing track of time and unable to control my actions.
I am aware of what I should and shouldn't do.
Still, I remain hopeful for the future, especially after addressing my emotional and attention-related issues.
If ADHD is a physiological defect in the brain, we should have a significant opportunity to identify the fundamental differences between individuals with ADHD and those without, potentially using physical (surgical) or chemical (medication) interventions for a cure.
If we only observe the patient's external symptoms and deficiencies—such as hand-eye coordination issues and provide rehabilitation for those, or attention training for inattention—I believe this is insufficient and not a true remedy for ADHD.
These are things that individuals without brain defects can also do, and they are part of the training that everyone should receive (like physical education).
Even with such methods, individuals with ADHD still start from a disadvantage.
Of course, I also understand that the diagnosis of ADHD is not solely based on physiological issues but is derived from observing multiple behavioral deficiencies, which also includes psychological problems and issues stemming from developmental frustrations.
My psychiatrist recommended a book about a case in the United States, where a doctor used an EEG to scan a patient's brain and found abnormal activity in certain areas when the patient needed to concentrate (e.g., the temporal lobe).
After prescribing appropriate treatment, the patient's condition improved, with some patients showing significant improvement, going from using foul language to being open to others' opinions.
Perhaps I am being overly fixated, but I hope you can provide me with advice on the possibility of undergoing similar examinations in Taiwan.
It is not just a matter of digging deeper; if my emotional and attention issues are merely excuses for avoidance, the results will provide a "degree of explanation." If both are present, I would choose to address both (physiological and psychological) aspects.
I am unsure if you agree with my approach, but I hope you can inform me whether such equipment and treatment options exist in the country.
While EEG scans may not explain everything, I have decided to try.
I am determined to write this message, knowing that you may believe psychological treatment is more effective than medication and EEG scans.
I trust that human emotions and character are primarily governed by the mind rather than the chemical substances secreted by the brain.
As another psychiatrist told me, he disagrees with my seeking treatment from a hypnotist, yet he still encouraged me to try it.
I did, and it brought me a brief period of peace and confidence, but I realized that this was different from my attention issues.

My inability to concentrate is not solely a matter of self-doubt and emotional problems.
Of course, I have noticed that I seem to attribute all my frustrations and issues to my lack of concentration, blaming it on a brain defect, but I am unsure if my "realization" is accurate.
Perhaps I can write 1500 words in two hours without losing focus or struggling to find what to write; my attention may not be the issue, but rather a psychological one.
Or… never mind, I don't know.

I apologize for writing so much, which was not my intention.
What I really want to ask is whether you could arrange for me to undergo a more thorough EEG examination? This would help me understand where my problems lie and whether the more significant issues are psychological or physiological.

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A Ting, 20~29 year old female. Ask Date: 2005/03/31