Adult ADHD and Worship

Two things you're never supposed to talk about with strangers: politics and religion. My apologies in advance for my step away from doing what is required by decorum. I want to talk about the difficulties I face with attending worship services and why it just might be hard for your priest, rabbi, minister, etc to meet your specific needs during service.

ADHD Makes It Difficult to Focus on Sermons

Ritalin helps me to be successful in a number of ways, but it has not increased my attention when it comes to speakers speaking to large groups. The few times I've been to worship services (Unitarian Universalist, Catholic) recently, I have tried so hard to focus. I hear the first few sentences of what the person is saying and then I drift off thinking about how I should be listening. Then, I get down on myself because I'm no longer listening. Then, I tune back in after missing many key points and I feel lost for the rest of the service.

Next, I start to wonder why religious leaders don't take classes in educating others. Why are they not speaking to people of all different learning styles? I'm a visual learning myself and listening, listening, listening just isn't my cup of tea. I prefer a peach rooibos.

I've never found a good way around this. When I was at jury duty, I took notes. It would feel so embarrassing, though, to take notes at church, don't you think? I wish that priests would start using Powerpoint or give handouts at the start that outlined the major points of their sermons. Now, that's something I could get into.

Do any of you have issues paying attention during your weekly religious practice?