[Bipley]

Originally Posted by teeituptom

ADD and ADHD are widely abused diagnosis'

In kids you would be quite correct. In adults you are sadly misinformed.

Please attempt to keep up with the research. It will make you better at your profession.

[Nitecap]

[no

[Still Riding]

I have always been a little add/adhd, that is why I chose nursing. My father wanted me to go into buisness but that meant I would have to jump out my window afer a week, with nursing most of the time I can use the energy in positive ways. I never studied well and was lucky I learnt things without alot of work. When i grauate I would like to work in an ED or one of those floors that are so busy they drive everyone to the looney bin.

[cdngirl]

I've diagnosed myself with ADD never been treated but thinking about seeking out some help. My sister has it and is on meds which help her get thru the tasks on hand some days.

I think the reason I enjoy med/surg nursing is because is so chaotic with serious multi tasking. The rest of my life....I struggle with decision making, completing projects, being able to focus and read a good book would be nice. I have no idea how I got thru nursing school. Gee, don't I sound like a therapists challenge

[expatnurse]

Originally Posted by jh479352

I not only have ADHD but dyslexia as well. It makes life much more difficult to the point, I want to leave. Does anyone else have this combo?

Yes I have both. I have just finished school so it can be done. I think the key to it all is making a structure, delevope good study skills. Furthermore I have been given a job in ICU at the start so we are not stupid or anything like that. And never let anyone tell you that you are less than. How long have you known? I to felt like quieting at times but I have a very supportive husband and friends. So I am with you 110% don't give up. It does get easier. Things begin to become second nature it just takes time. Thanks for this thread I think it is great. Look forward to hearing more of ya'll insights.

[rbs105]

Help!!
I am relatively new to this discussion group, but I have recently been wondering if I have ADD/ADHD and was thrilled to find this link. I feel like my mind is in constant motion, like a TV channel flipping all the time. I am finishing nursing school in May, and with the increased stress of this last semester and starting a new job, I think it has gotten worse. I am a NA at a hospital and had 12 patients last Thurs for 7p-7a shift. I was in a disorganized scramble. I got in trouble because I forgot to tell the nurse about a high temp and she didn't find out until she checked the computer 3 hours later!! I am told that someone in room 6 needs something and I turn around and I can't remember the room #, and/or what they needed. I am asked to remove an IV, and I have to ask 4-5 times before I do it because I definitely dont want to accidentally pull out an IV from the wrong pt (nurses get impatient with me asking so much). I haven't made any severe mistakes and I have been very careful, but I am exhausted by the end of a shift and feel my brain has to work 5 times harder to keep track of everything. Other nurses are always commenting that I look like I'm having a hard time.
I do okay in school, I carry a high C, which is average for my class. I have to re-write my powerpoint notes and read everything at least twice, although I do have that problem of finishing reading and not being able to tell you what I read.
I love nursing, but I know I can't do med surg or something where I am carrying a high load of patients. I am careful and like I said, haven't made any major mistakes, but fear what will happen when it is just me on my own. I feel like I am smart, funny, compassionate, and would make a good nurse, but I feel like there is a block in my brain that makes it extremely hard and dangerous. I am starting to doubt myself too because I know I blurt stuff out sometimes or say something stupid and I question what I say.

How do you go to your doctor and say, "Hi, I think I have ADHD"?? I don't want to hear that it's in my head, because the more I read your posts and talk to my brother who also has it, I am almost certain this is not just me. It is getting really bad too. Any advice on how to get this diagnosed and deal with it would be helpful. Sorry for the long post!!

Ruth

[Bipley]

Originally Posted by rbs105

Help!!
I am relatively new to this discussion group, but I have recently been wondering if I have ADD/ADHD and was thrilled to find this link. I feel like my mind is in constant motion, like a TV channel flipping all the time. I am finishing nursing school in May, and with the increased stress of this last semester and starting a new job, I think it has gotten worse. I am a NA at a hospital and had 12 patients last Thurs for 7p-7a shift. I was in a disorganized scramble. I got in trouble because I forgot to tell the nurse about a high temp and she didn't find out until she checked the computer 3 hours later!! I am told that someone in room 6 needs something and I turn around and I can't remember the room #, and/or what they needed. I am asked to remove an IV, and I have to ask 4-5 times before I do it because I definitely dont want to accidentally pull out an IV from the wrong pt (nurses get impatient with me asking so much). I haven't made any severe mistakes and I have been very careful, but I am exhausted by the end of a shift and feel my brain has to work 5 times harder to keep track of everything. Other nurses are always commenting that I look like I'm having a hard time.
I do okay in school, I carry a high C, which is average for my class. I have to re-write my powerpoint notes and read everything at least twice, although I do have that problem of finishing reading and not being able to tell you what I read.
I love nursing, but I know I can't do med surg or something where I am carrying a high load of patients. I am careful and like I said, haven't made any major mistakes, but fear what will happen when it is just me on my own. I feel like I am smart, funny, compassionate, and would make a good nurse, but I feel like there is a block in my brain that makes it extremely hard and dangerous. I am starting to doubt myself too because I know I blurt stuff out sometimes or say something stupid and I question what I say.

How do you go to your doctor and say, "Hi, I think I have ADHD"?? I don't want to hear that it's in my head, because the more I read your posts and talk to my brother who also has it, I am almost certain this is not just me. It is getting really bad too. Any advice on how to get this diagnosed and deal with it would be helpful. Sorry for the long post!!

Ruth

Don't go to your GP. Find a Psychiatric NP and to to him/her. Call and specifically ask if they treat Adult AD/HD. If they do, go. What do you say? You say, "I think I have Adult AD/HD. I need an eval."

You sound like I was before starting Dexedrine. My S/O is a psychiatrist and he is the one that originally dx'ed me, just not formally. We would fight over this. After a few years of this I went for an eval and sure enough, he agreed with my S/O. I thought they were both nuts until I took my first dose of Dex and the best I can explain it was that if felt like I had a whole new brain in my head. I was calm, logical, organized, I just felt different. It was a major shock and quite frankly, I wasn't sure I liked it.

But I have total control over my life and I don't make those same stupid mistakes you are talking about. I say "stupid" because the mistakes are not you, you are better than to make those kinds of mistakes. Your skills are likely better. When you take meds (assuming you have AD/HD) you don't typically makes those kinds of errors anymore.

Find a psychiatric NP, one that has experience with Adult AD/HD, get dx'ed and see if that is your problem.

[new_mom26]

I think if you go to the website www.adultadd.com or www.strattera.com you can find a doctor in your area that treats add/adhd..
Also, is anyone taking strattera and what kind of side effects have you had from this medicine..

[Bipley]

Originally Posted by new_mom26

Also, is anyone taking strattera and what kind of side effects have you had from this medicine..

I won't take it. I'll wait a few years. Just due to the type of drug and how it works I have a weird feeling about it. I already know Dex works well for me and so I stick to what I know well.

[sweetielin]

I was diagnosed with ADD about 3 years ago. I started out taking Adderall XR. I stopped taking it after only a month or two because of side effects. Now I'm thinking the dose was too high. I did not take any medication for it until about 3 weeks ago. I started Strattera. I haven't really noticed an improvement in concentration yet. I have noticed I am calmer. The first few days I took it, I slept constantly. The first 2 weeks or so I had a constant headache. The headache finally went away. What brought me to the point of going back on med was I felt I was unable to do my job the way I should. When I first started as an LPN, i had to have an extra 3 months probation. I'm very forgetful. I have to make lots of notes for myself so I don't forget to do things. It takes me so long to do everything. I know that I cannot be as good as fast as an experienced nurse but still I can't help but hold myself to high standards. I feel I have to work 3 times as hard to be half as good. I love nursing and I want to be able to perform to the best of my abilities. I know that I have a lot to offer but I worry that I will make a serious error and harm one of my patients. It doesn't make it any easier that occasionally I am expected to give meds, dressing, accuchecks on as many as 23 patients. Plus paperwork. During those times, I do have 2 RNs who split those patients.(We do team nursing at my hospital.) They help but it is still very stressful knowing you are responsible for that many patients. Luckily, average patient load is about 15 per RN/LPN team and we all try to help each other. I am hoping the meds will kick in soon and I will feel better.

Good luck to everyone dealing with this disorder.