Chess Medication? - Chess Forums - Page 2

Swarlley

Jan 7, 2010

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#21

Thank you Pesadilla! I was hoping that someone would get the reference

Kernicterus

Jan 7, 2010

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#22

LisaV wrote:

If you have an attention deficit or mood disorder, almost by definition an appropriate medication regimen will enhance your focus, or more accurately bring it to a functional level. Whether focus affects chess performance for you is a test in the wild. Good luck in any case.

Now all that was too serious. Three gulps of absinthe and you'll have a damn good excuse not to focus. In fact, I doubt the screen will even be in focus.

I do wonder if I have such a disorder...though I doubt it is to any diagnosable extent. Sounds a little silly but I wonder if I have a "patience" or impulsivity disorder...if such a thing is even named as such yet. I am thinking to see a specialist soon. I would like my chess to stop sufferingn from bad moves that are within my ability to see.

pamoda

Jan 7, 2010

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#23

I know this must sound boring but I have found playing chess is very similar to meditating. In both instances, mind is focused on one subject and concentration is at the maximum to the exclusion of everything else that takes place around you. I find chess, meditation and concentration are like three points of a triangle with arrows pointing either way. As mentioned, boring - I know but learning any of the above helps with the others. A short black works well too in extreme cases :)

PesadillaBandito

Jan 8, 2010

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#24

AfafBouardi wrote:

I just want to know if there is anybody who is on any kind of attention disorder or mood disorder medications which have actually enhanced their chess focus/performance.

I do mean doctor prescribed, not junkie behavior.

i have taken Adderall in the past (through a Dr prescription, of course) and it does help concentration in chess a great deal. However, I also found myself getting lost in the games longer, thus, spending more time FOCUSING on chess than perhaps I should have. I no longer take Adderall for concentration because I am concerned about putting medications in my body for extended periods of time. It can;'t be too healthy, right? Instead of medication I am trying to teach myself how to get "focused" without medication. One thing that is very helpful is to find your "chess space". That is, when you sit down to play chess, always do it in the same place... whether it is at a desk, kitchen table, porch, wherever... this helps me get mentally prepared for the task I need to focus on. I do the same thing with writing, reading, etc. It does take a while to condition yourself to focus though. Routines are good for this. Green Tea helps me, too. and make sure you are not tired. Hope this helps,

best,

Ben (Bandito)

iFeather

Jan 10, 2010

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#25

Running daily (30-45 mins) seems like a good idea... if you do not already of course.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19330430

tryst

Jan 12, 2010

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#26

LisaV wrote:

AfafBouardi wrote:

LisaV wrote:

If you have an attention deficit or mood disorder, almost by definition an appropriate medication regimen will enhance your focus, or more accurately bring it to a functional level. Whether focus affects chess performance for you is a test in the wild. Good luck in any case.

I do wonder if I have such a disorder...though I doubt it is to any diagnosable extent. Sounds a little silly but I wonder if I have a "patience" or impulsivity disorder...if such a thing is even named as such yet. I am thinking to see a specialist soon. I would like my chess to stop sufferingn from bad moves that are within my ability to see.

Just saw this.

Yeah, if you sense something affecting your life, may as well see someone who can make a clinical diagnosis. You may be on to something, and you'll receive appropriate treatment. No self-diagnosing, though--wags finger.

People often have traits that overlap with disorders to the extent that it would appear to the untrained eye that they have the disorders. You may be fine but with some trait interfering with your life. Again, the specialist is the one to make that determination...and the one to help you cope. :)

Win-win.

LisaV, you are so right on this. The "specialist" is also referred to as a bartender. I recommend you see one right away before 4:00am and tip accordingly