Surviving ADHD at Work and School

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I agree with the nurse above. This is helpful for office environments, but not all professions are like that. I am a waitress, which is great in some ways because I am on my feet and moving all the time, but terrible in other ways because I am expected to remember a lot of details and get judged severely if I were to mess up anything. It is very frustrating and angering that I cannot do much to change my situation. I have switched from profession to profession trying to find something that works, but I'm afraid that even though I have a lot to offer I will never be successful. I think women are also more harshly judged when it comes to things like distractability and forgetfulness. Women are traditionally the organizers and men the risk takers. So when I fail at my traditional role it upsets people even more. And no one expects or wants me to be the risk taking big thinker. I have also come home from work in tears from hurtful comments or personal frustration.

Anna of IL 10:55PM June 19, 2011

My secret to managing my ADD is medication, specifically Adderall, and the complete reliance upon Microsoft Outlook with Google Calendar Sync and putting everthing into a schedule, my iPhone beeps, time to do something...
Nathan

Nathan of FL 11:31AM November 11, 2010

I have been working as an RN for 29 years with ADHD, of course. Diagnosed 5 years ago and medication has helped for sure, but certainly not a cure-all. Unfortunately all the suggestions sound great, but not for a nurse working in a hospital. The amazing thing is that I go home in tears almost every day, not only because of the difficulty with ADHD at work, but the negative attitudes of the mental health professionals regarding ADHD, along with the comments made, has left me feeling hopeless much of the time...too late to start a new career. Strongly advise anyone with ADHD to stay as far away from the medical field as possible, especially nursing. Thanks for the opportunity!

Nancy of IL 11:36AM November 10, 2010

What a talented response---just brilliant and so true. Keep writing sl newman. You are a true writer. That shows at least one attentional skill is flourishing!

leah of FL 7:39AM November 03, 2010

Oak tree with an owl hole and stars
Halfway listening, halfway daydreaming
Drawing hearts
Eyes swirling, roses, circles and birds
Always thick because I go over and over…
Starburst
And Pokemon, especially Gengar
Mutant flowers that bite off your finger
Stars, eyes and butterflies
Hedgehogs with lines for eyes
Cows, horses and baboons
Rainbows and unicorns
Sometimes landscapes with trees and mountains
With ice at the peak
Or a big crescent wave, an island
Just a single palm tree
FACES FACES FACES, silhouette of people
Pointy shapes like triangles, chaotic scribbles
Chibis, pretty soldier Sailor Moon
Or an Eiserne Jungfrau maid of iron
Straight lines, squiggles and curvy shapes
Emanating
From the corner of my page