Art therapy

[Zina]

Hello everyone

I am following a focus group with others people diagnosed having ADD.
During the exchange it comes to discussion that maybe I push aside the
idea of doing a master degree because I am afraid of long term work.

The study I wanted to do was in psychology, art-therapy because I
already study one year in visual art and I like it. Also, I dont want
to fall again in this newness trap I usually do, you know, everything
new grab my attention. So I try to stick to old idea more now.

My question is, anyone know someting about art-therapy AND ADD, just
to know if it can help other people like me.

Thanks

Zina

[Tina Mammoser]

Hi! Not sure if it helps but I'm actually an artist and find that since I
quit my "real" job (ha!) and started painting full time it helps me cope
better with some things like my attention span and excess energy. This is
partly due to it helping change the structure of my work day and time
though I think - so it's not really to do with art but with being
self-employed. Personally, if you like art I think it's great therapy for
anyone, with ADD or not. It's a great way to escape your thoughts (or
just let them ramble) and relax.

If doing the psych degree interests you then go for it! I have several
degrees in different topics because I kept changing my mind by the time I
finished one. *grin* I'm glad I did all of them and came away with
different experiences. My first masters was the most difficult and I
couldn't focus. Having to work on my own all the time was very hard but I
was able to get an extension after a leave of absense. Talk to someone at
the universities you're applying to, someone in the actual Psychology
department. I've heard many people here saying ADD is recognised as a
condition by the educational system, so hopefully that's right for higher
ed too. Talk to someone at the university and tell them about your ADD.
You might want to see if there's a way of planning the degree to allow
for varying periods of attentiveness and energy? Also discuss the actual
requirements of the course to see if it suits you.

Best of luck!
Tina.
_____
Contemporary marine and landscape paintings:
http://www.tina-m.com