Nurses with ADD/ADHD?

It is widely abused my adults also, and yes I keep up with my research. And yes we are seeing a much increased number of "Adults" coming into the ER wanting scripts for ADD/ADHD treatment. Some to use personally, but also Ritalin is being sold on the streets. Personally I consider that abuse.

Thank you all for your posts. I am going to see a therapist tomorrow and see what can be done. Just on the initial phone assessment she told me I am doing too much (mom, school, working, etc) and just hearing someone professional tell me that made me feel a little validated in all my frustration. I appreciate these posts because it helps me to know that I am not alone and you have put words to the madness that is going on inside my brain! Now, how do we get a permanent thread going for this topic....?!

Ruth

Oh my gosh!!!! I never even thought of starting a thread for this. I am 39 and was dxed 2 years ago after a discussion with my son's psychiatrist. My son has it too.. I just thought I was either imagining things, or had killed too many brain cells in the 80's!!!! Found a used book in the library called "Adventures in Fast Forward - Living with AADD" and if that ain't me, don't know what is!!! Also saw a show , maybe Jane Paulie?- about this dx. Had some VERY successful, rich people on the show who were creative, very social and well-liked, and had used their "disability' to their advantage. None of them wanted to go on meds and change how they were. I have embraced the advantages I have found with ADD. I am creative, people seem to flock to me because I'm different, and have found humor in my "deficit." So glad there are more of us "special" nurses out there! MY LOVE TO ALL OF YOU!!!!!!!

I wonder how frequent this combo is...my ex BF has both and I have seen other examples.

This is just me, personally (I'm 99% certain I have ADD but have never been formally diagnosed)...but it seems like nursing is a profession that suits me because of the multi-tasking involved; I don't seem to ever have time to lose my focus because it's constantly shifting, KWIM? It's one of the few professions that seems capable of keeping up with my racing thoughts.

I sincerely know exactly what you are talking about. But I have to tell you, you are not on the correct meds. I can't even sit down and read a book without Dexedrine. I'm old school when it comes to AD/HD and I like plain old short acting Dexedrine. My NP lets me work with the dose in whatever way works for me. Sometimes I don't take any, sometimes I take 15mg. I never ever need more than that. Usually I take 5-10mg at a time. It works for 4 hours and then you need more.

Adderall is great for those who don't want that extra control I need. Sometimes I don't want it, sometimes I do. Sometimes I only need it for half the day.

When you are on the right meds and the correct dose, there won't be a doubt in your mind. I wouldn't wait for other meds to kick in, I'd keep trying different amphetamines. That is what works best for us. Tried and true.

I read on this forum that another nurses with ADHD can read an order and miss part of it. The ex. was tylenol 325 mg. 1-2 q4-6h for HA. She would not even see the 1-2. I have that same problem and can't figure out if its my ADHD or my dsylexia.

I never claimed there was no abuse, I wrote that it is over diagnosed in children and underdiagnosed in adults.

Your personal accounts do not reflect the world. Amazing, I know.

It could be either. If you are truely AD/HD you don't focus the way others do so you miss things. So it really could be either one, or both.

I have been treated for ADHD for 3+ years now. Like many I did not know I had it. In jr and sr high school I was impulsive and fidgety. I couldn't stand myself. Fast forward 10 years later and I am taking my placement exams for college and within 5 minutes I started "dot racing" through the test form. I could not believe it... I was soooo upset because I felt like I did in high school.... I thought that I had outgrown this. Well I did drop out of HS however after my "dot racing" I went to a psychiatrist and started Dexedrine... well I have made the Dean's list and the honor roll 5 times and I am also an honors student. I can actually sit and study for hours and actually enjoy it.

Simply put... before meds... I read Reader's Digest... short little stories...
After meds, can read/study for hours. The mind is amazing.

I would like to mention one thing... even with taking meds. I feel that because I did not take them in elementary school (many years ago ) or in HS.. I feel like I didn't know how to study when I first started college.. if that makes sense. I get better each semester in college but I had to work very hard at first. The meds gave me the ability to read and to sit but I had to teach myself what I needed to read and how to absorb the content. (which one learns in elementary and HS)

If that didn't make sense sorry...my meds are wearing off! LOL...

ALSO...for anyone in school you might get accomodation because of the ADA act. I have twice the time for exams/quizzes as well as a quiet distraction reduced environment. It is worth checking out with your Dean of Student.

Yes there are some people who abuse/sell them but a good HCW will catch it within a couple months and hopefully address that issue with their client.

Take care and good luck!

~Psych

So, are there issues in your workplace related to amphetamine use? I use ritalin for narcolepsy, and I'm afraid that I may be black listed from certain healthcare facilities if they find out. Any thoughts?