A reader asks: I am a Grade 12 student. I have been facing a problem since childhood. My problem is that I'm not able to study. Some force keeps pulling me down and doesn't allow me to study. Whenever I do a specific task, I do it 75%, but after that I'm not able to continue and I quit.
I can’t focus or concentrate and also lack confidence. I become angry very fast for silly reasons. I don't have patience. I don't like to do what my parents ask me to do. I get angry when they say something. It’s a very serious problem for me and I am unable to find a solutions. Please help me…
Dr Elizabeth Kurian (Specialist Psychiatrist, ASTER, Sharjah) replies: You are not alone! Many teenagers complain of similar problem. Adolescence is the time of immense physical, hormonal and emotional changes. It is expected that a teenager would go through some psychological problems like mood swings. They may be impatient and frequently feel angry, since this is the time that they are trying to become independent.
A proper evaluation is required to understand your problem completely. It could be that your method of studying is incorrect or you could be actually suffering from inattention.
If your complaints of being unable to focus and concentrate is a recent one, again it is something quite often complained by adolescents. What I would advise is to have a regular structured time table for your studies. The time at which you do your studies should be the same every day and not “as and when” you feel like studying. I hear parents complaining that their kids sit in front of the television or lie down on bed for studying. This is not ideal for a distraction-free study time. You should have a fixed place away from distractions (like windows, noise, electronic gadgets) where you can sit down with your books.
Sitting with your books for long hours also wears you out and decreases your ability to concentrate. Rather set a target for you to study and take breaks after every half an hour or so.
Revising your study materials is not a sign of weakness nor is it a waste of time. Humans except a few, require revisions to remember facts. To consolidate what you have studied, you require proper sleep. Teenagers require at least 8 to 10 hours of sleep per day.
Students differ in their comprehending capacity, retaining power and persistence. But what actually makes the difference is employing a proper study method that is best suited for that individual student.
Disclaimer: This blog is a conversation and is not an alternative for treatment. The recommendations and suggestions offered by our panel of psychiatrists are their own and Gulf News will not take any responsibility for the advice they provide.
