[Bullitt]

I was diagnosed with adhd in my elementary years and took ritalin for awhile. I've been off for years now, but the attention portion is pretty bad these days. Its hard to describe to people what my mind does during the average day, its like some trippy movie. A commercial awhile ago kind of hit it on the nose with the whole "flipping channels" thing. Try to imagine listening to a professor in class, then a song or image or joke or movie or conversation pops into your head and you fight to suppress it for 5-10 minutes. Repeat every 10-15 minutes and thats a normal day for me. These days I'm more innattentive than hyperactive.
Sometimes when I'm tired it just goes on straight. Concentrating on one thing, even something entertaining like a movie or music or video game is not doable because I just can't pay attention. The slightest external stimulus will distract me. If one of the florescent light bulbs is buzzing in class it drives me insane. If the prof is speaking and so is someone else near me, I can't focus on either one. Its like trying to watch two tv's at max volume right in front of my face.
Though there is one positive. If I am extremely motivated about something, I can "hyper focus" on it and go through it with ease. I have always loved reading and when I get a good book I can sometimes finish in a couple hours. In grade school I consistently read 3-4 grade levels above mine. Other than that benefit, I'd say it is a living nightmare at times.