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Topic: Practicing with depression and a.d.d.  (Read 4293 times)

Offline spenstar

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Practicing with depression and a.d.d.
on: April 03, 2016, 03:27:15 AM
Sometimes I get depression and have low motivation to practice or anything like that. Coupled with a.d.d., I get distracted somewhat easily when I practice. Due to this, I often have extremely non-productive practice sessions. I am prescribed adderall, but I practice in the evening and its about worn off by then. If I take one in the evening it keeps me up until about 4 am. Have any of you gone through this, and if so how did you combat it? And also, what are things you do to stay motivated and maintain focus during practice sessions?

Offline adodd81802

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Re: Practicing with depression and a.d.d.
Reply #1 on: April 03, 2016, 03:15:19 PM
I think posts like this, as brave as you may be for opening up, are not suitable for piano forums. You should have this conversation with a doctor RE depression / ADD and piano teacher for reasonable practice methods for your condition. A good teacher cannot prescribe help for your personal issues, but  if they have taught children that are often unmotivated and easily distracted, I am sure they can have ideas that may apply to older students with similar difficulties.

I have no doubt there may be some people on here that can relate or maybe even offer what they consider to be "advice" but I imagine your experiences are very personal and just couldn't be resolved in a couple of sentences from some strangers online.

That being said, here are some general pieces of advice to piano practice for people that find it difficult to progress or focus.

Firstly mark down your goals, whatever you are hoping to achieve in your lessons or period of study, consider taking a notebook and writing down what your aim is from that lesson, date it and even comment in the book how your progression went, any difficulties you found, this can start to bring more goals for you to achieve for your future studies, and ideas for research and work you can do away from the piano to resolve any difficulties you came across.

Limit your time to practice, so that you give yourself no choice but to make it more focused, start with small goals on small periods of time, say learning 2 bars in 10 minutes as an example, and as you get more confident with the concept, increase the time and increase the challenges.

Ensure you are setting achievable goals and working on pieces suitable for your level. Lack of progress can often be due to tackling pieces we may not be ready for, and as you keep "progressing" and not polishing the pieces within your level, you can find yourself quickly out of your depth without realization of your actual ability compared to what you thought it was because you can do that "1 bit in that really hard song..."

Ensure as many distractions are taken away as possible. I have a digital piano, in my livingroom with 2 dogs, a tele, 2 rats, my loud PC and god knows what going on! So I practice with big headphones on, full volume to block out exterior sounds, or later in the evening when the dogs are asleep so I can turn the tele off.

Lastly, don't force yourself to practice because you feel you NEED to practice. If you don't play for a couple of days, you're not going to forget everything and take 10 steps back... Practice when it feels right, when you feel motivated and at times that suit you, rather than considering it a chore. It's better to spend 20 minutes every couple of days with 100% progress than 40 minutes everyday with 30% progress.



"England is a country of pianos, they are everywhere."

Offline chopinlover01

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Re: Practicing with depression and a.d.d.
Reply #2 on: April 03, 2016, 05:00:38 PM
I don't have either, but I've found that coffee tends to help my friends who have ADD focus for a couple hours or so. Unfortunately, that's all I can offer.
Hope this helps. Cheers!

Offline pjjslp

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Re: Practicing with depression and a.d.d.
Reply #3 on: April 03, 2016, 05:54:08 PM
Sometimes I get depression and have low motivation to practice or anything like that. Coupled with a.d.d., I get distracted somewhat easily when I practice. Due to this, I often have extremely non-productive practice sessions. I am prescribed adderall, but I practice in the evening and its about worn off by then. If I take one in the evening it keeps me up until about 4 am. Have any of you gone through this, and if so how did you combat it? And also, what are things you do to stay motivated and maintain focus during practice sessions?

I would tend to agree with adodd that this isn't necessarily the best place to seek the advice you probably need, i.e. from a physician. That said, I have a child who is on Concerta, and her doctor prescribed both a full dose and a half dose, in case she needs a "bump" in the afternoon that won't keep her up all night. You might ask your physician if this would be appropriate for you. Best wishes!

Offline briansaddleback

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Re: Practicing with depression and a.d.d.
Reply #4 on: April 03, 2016, 06:22:09 PM
I think posts like this, as brave as you may be for opening up, are not suitable for piano forums. You should have this conversation with a doctor RE depression / ADD and piano teacher for reasonable practice methods for your condition. A good teacher cannot prescribe help for your personal issues, but  if they have taught children that are often unmotivated and easily distracted, I am sure they can have ideas that may apply to older students with similar difficulties.

I have no doubt there may be some people on here that can relate or maybe even offer what they consider to be "advice" but I imagine your experiences are very personal and just couldn't be resolved in a couple of sentences from some strangers online.

That being said, here are some general pieces of advice to piano practice for people that find it difficult to progress or focus.

Firstly mark down your goals, whatever you are hoping to achieve in your lessons or period of study, consider taking a notebook and writing down what your aim is from that lesson, date it and even comment in the book how your progression went, any difficulties you found, this can start to bring more goals for you to achieve for your future studies, and ideas for research and work you can do away from the piano to resolve any difficulties you came across.

Limit your time to practice, so that you give yourself no choice but to make it more focused, start with small goals on small periods of time, say learning 2 bars in 10 minutes as an example, and as you get more confident with the concept, increase the time and increase the challenges.

Ensure you are setting achievable goals and working on pieces suitable for your level. Lack of progress can often be due to tackling pieces we may not be ready for, and as you keep "progressing" and not polishing the pieces within your level, you can find yourself quickly out of your depth without realization of your actual ability compared to what you thought it was because you can do that "1 bit in that really hard song..."

Ensure as many distractions are taken away as possible. I have a digital piano, in my livingroom with 2 dogs, a tele, 2 rats, my loud PC and god knows what going on! So I practice with big headphones on, full volume to block out exterior sounds, or later in the evening when the dogs are asleep so I can turn the tele off.

Lastly, don't force yourself to practice because you feel you NEED to practice. If you don't play for a couple of days, you're not going to forget everything and take 10 steps back... Practice when it feels right, when you feel motivated and at times that suit you, rather than considering it a chore. It's better to spend 20 minutes every couple of days with 100% progress than 40 minutes everyday with 30% progress.




Bam. Op you're in good hands here on this forum listen to this. Asking questions of such nature can be dangerous on the Internet w every other person giving advice deemed fit themselves but not knowing your own situation but this here is very safe and wise to follow.
Work in progress:

Rondo Alla Turca

Offline piulento

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Re: Practicing with depression and a.d.d.
Reply #5 on: April 03, 2016, 06:50:20 PM
I really don't know anything about your specific situation, but I used to take Effexor and it'd really mess me up when I played.
The only advice I can give you is what I used to do when I was in really bad shape because of it - I used to focus on one simple piece that I felt very related to, and just study the heck out of it. For a short term solution, focusing on simple and familiar pieces might let you just deal with the music, without having to concentrate too hard. For a long term solution, I really don't know - I'm no doctor. Maybe you should try looking for something that will help you in the evening too (but like I said - I have no understanding in this area).
Hope things will get better soon.

Offline kawai_cs

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Re: Practicing with depression and a.d.d.
Reply #6 on: April 03, 2016, 07:10:38 PM
I think it is OK that OP asks his question here. He is referring to practice and how anybody else is handling it if they have experience with similar problem. He doesn't want you guys to write him a prescription!
I don't know about you but I have not met a physician yet who would be actually really knowledgable and eager to help, being able (and eager) to give options, alternatives, and so on. Mostly they just give you something that they normally prescribe in similar cases, tell you the standard stuff what to do/not do and want you out ASAP.
I seldom go see physicians, thank God:-) but if I have to because I need a prescription, I inform myself thoroughly first and then ask them for something particular. Of course, I don't say, prescribe me this or that, I just ask their advice what they think, bc I have heard it is effective, and so far it has always been what I needed and got prescribed. Maybe it is bc I also generally do not trust physicians. I trust specialists more, and general practitioners least. Not all of them study further and are updated about everything and their area of competence is also too wide.
Moreover, they seem overloaded with work and not really interested to prolong visits by discussing each individual patient's situation.
So I am glad some of you have given the OP some ideas he can discuss with his doctor next time.
Chopin, 10-8 | Chopin, 25-12 | Haydn, HOB XVI:20

Offline briansaddleback

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Re: Practicing with depression and a.d.d.
Reply #7 on: April 03, 2016, 07:14:25 PM
I think it is OK that OP asks his question here. He is referring to practice and how anybody else is handling it if they have experience with similar problem. He doesn't want you guys to write him a prescription!
I don't know about you but I have not met a physician yet who would be actually really knowledgable and eager to help, being able (and eager) to give options, alternatives, and so on. Mostly they just give you something that they normally prescribe in similar cases, tell you the standard stuff what to do/not do and want you out ASAP.
I seldom go see physicians, thank God:-) but if I have to because I need a prescription, I inform myself thoroughly first and then ask them for something particular. Of course, I don't say, prescribe me this or that, I just ask their advice what they think, bc I have heard it is effective, and so far it has always been what I needed and got prescribed. Maybe it is bc I also generally do not trust physicians. I trust specialists more, and general practitioners least. Not all of them study further and are updated about everything and their area of competence is also too wide.
Moreover, they have seem overloaded with work and not really interested to prolong visits by discussing each individual patient's situation.
So I am glad some of you have given the OP some ideas he can discuss with his doctor next time.
Bam. Op you're in good hands here on this forum listen to this. Asking questions of such nature can be dangerous on the Internet w every other person giving advice deemed fit themselves but not knowing your own situation but this here is very safe and wise to follow.
Work in progress:

Rondo Alla Turca

Offline kawai_cs

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Re: Practicing with depression and a.d.d.
Reply #8 on: April 03, 2016, 07:18:28 PM
Bam. Op you're in good hands here on this forum listen to this. Asking questions of such nature can be dangerous on the Internet w every other person giving advice deemed fit themselves but not knowing your own situation but this here is very safe and wise to follow.
Brian, change your templates. You already used this one above;-)

EDIT: I forgot the most important. I hope things get better for you, spenstar!
Chopin, 10-8 | Chopin, 25-12 | Haydn, HOB XVI:20

Offline briansaddleback

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Re: Practicing with depression and a.d.d.
Reply #9 on: April 03, 2016, 07:20:06 PM
Brian, change your templates. You already used this one above;-)
It isn't a template kawai. I just wrote from my heart and lo and behold .. It was exact same verbiage as above.  ;)
Work in progress:

Rondo Alla Turca

Offline kawai_cs

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Re: Practicing with depression and a.d.d.
Reply #10 on: April 03, 2016, 08:21:02 PM
It isn't a template kawai. I just wrote from my heart and lo and behold .. It was exact same verbiage as above.  ;)
Of course :)

To OP: Do you do any sports? I would like to encourage you to start some physical activity you like which makes you sweat a lot. Sports has invaluable influence on our psyche. It leaves you with clear, calm and strong mind. And great body too!  ;) Please do not underestimate it. Sometimes the means that are right there are the ones that are best.
Chopin, 10-8 | Chopin, 25-12 | Haydn, HOB XVI:20

Offline louispodesta

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Re: Practicing with depression and a.d.d.
Reply #11 on: April 03, 2016, 10:58:16 PM
Sometimes I get depression and have low motivation to practice or anything like that. Coupled with a.d.d., I get distracted somewhat easily when I practice. Due to this, I often have extremely non-productive practice sessions. I am prescribed adderall, but I practice in the evening and its about worn off by then. If I take one in the evening it keeps me up until about 4 am. Have any of you gone through this, and if so how did you combat it? And also, what are things you do to stay motivated and maintain focus during practice sessions?

If you click on your name, it will post your personal data.  At the bottom in the last sentences, it will state: "send me a personal message."

That is what I would like to do because your situation is one that deserves advice from someone with similar circumstances.  So, if you want me to do that, please send me a PM?

Thanks.
 

Offline pianocat3

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Re: Practicing with depression and a.d.d.
Reply #12 on: April 03, 2016, 11:35:56 PM
I haven't done this for piano, but when studying in college, when I wasn't motivated, I would study about 45 minutes, take a 15 minute break, then reward myself. Read in a book, call a friend, play a game, get a cookie whatever. Then repeat. Now for me, I focus so hard in piano, I can't seem to keep it focussed more than half an hour at a time. So I do a half hour, take a 15 minute break. Since I really like the music I'm playing and I'm not struggling too hard, I have not needed to have rewards on the side, not yet. But if I do someday have to practice things I don't like, maybe I'll make some cookies :-).  Now maybe you are only doing half an hour a day. So split it up. When i was a young person, i was not a diligent student. I have learned discipline for piano. Good luck!
Currently working on:

Beethoven Pastoral Sonata (Andante)
Debussy Prelude from Suite Bergamasque
Accompaniment music for cello and piano
Summer project is improvisation

Offline bernadette60614

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Re: Practicing with depression and a.d.d.
Reply #13 on: April 04, 2016, 02:48:32 PM
My mottos:

Fake it till you make it.

Attitude follows activity.

There are lots of things I don't feel like doing:  working, doing chores, practicing, reading, seeing friends.  But, I fake it.  I do those things anyway...cause I know once I get started I'll get into them.

I also follow a little trick:

I list 5 goals for a practice session:  I practice for 20 minutes on each of those goals. At one time, I would tell myself I would practice till I felt I had done enough, then I realized that I could mentally rationalize being "done" when I had only scratched the surface.  I do 20 minutes, 5 minute mental "reboot" then another 20. 

Finally, find a real piano community.  I live in Chicago and take lessons at the Music Institute of Chicago which has a good adult piano community. We get together quarterly to play for one another and I find that very motivating.

Music can be the best balm against depression...it orders life!

Offline recnepspencer

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Re: Practicing with depression and a.d.d.
Reply #14 on: April 06, 2016, 03:40:14 AM
I think the goals in practice are the most important. And a lot of it is a mental game, you just have to win inside your mind. It's pretty hard but you can do it!!!
Recently learned:
Beethoven- sonata 32, op111, I
Chopin- sonata 2, scherzo
Liszt-Etude 4, S.136
Rachmaninoff-Prelude C Sharp Minor
Learning:
Liszt-Transcendeal Etude 2
Chopin-Etude op25 no 11

Offline bernadette60614

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Re: Practicing with depression and a.d.d.
Reply #15 on: April 06, 2016, 11:52:21 PM
Another thought:

I think as adults we tend to live with so many shoulds...I should be focused totally when I practice, I should be practicing x number of hours a day, I should be making incremental progress.

My goal each day:  Practice for 45 minutes.  Just that. If I sit down and just say I'm not getting up for 45 minutes no matter what my state of mind, I make progress.

A dear friend of mine (who went blind as an adult, then earned a degree at Harvard and is not the Director of Communications for a major company) said to me that his blindness as an adult made his adopt the motto:  Live without fear.  He couldn't function if he was always afraid of walking into walls, falling, getting lost. And, he did all those things...but his greatest challenge was the fear.

So, whatever your challenges, practice without fear!

GL, and take good care.
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