Nurses with ADD/ADHD?

Nurses Stress 101

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Hey all! I was wondering if there are any nurses with ADD/ADHD out there who want to comiserate and support each other? I know I need the help/advice. It might also be a place for "regular" people (I hate the word normal) to come and read and understand what its like for us. Or ask us ?'s.

I'll start with an intro:p I'm 29, and I've had an official diagnosis for less than 2 years, but have been trying to find the answer (for what's up with me) for MUCH longer than that:uhoh21: :) I currently work night shift at a drug rehab and on call at a nursing home. I have a lot of trouble in staff meetings - sitting through them, being treated like a brat because I actually show some emotion. I had much difficulty in school, (I didn't know back then), not with grades but with social stuff. I almost got kicked out of school because of the problems I was having.

But its not all bad. I'm funny and creative and often am able to connect with my patients in unique ways.

So we'll see how many of us there are out there?:)

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

I just think it needs to be sent up to NRSKAREN for help....

BUT I do agree that one should possibly look into a different nursing field such as education, legal nursing, forensics, etc... IF that would make that person more comfortable as a nurse. Regarding special accommodations... well... it is a learning disability and is covered under the ADA. The point to accommodations are to put the afflicted person back onto a level playing field with his/her peers.

All of the above again is meant in respect and I am open to hear thoughts/comments. :typing

~ Psych

My mother is definitely ADD/ADHD. She was a very successful nursing educator for over 30 years. She was never diagnosed but she definitely was able to succeed as a nurse.

Sadly, it is all too common to be misdiagnosed by psychs. I swear you can put 1 patient in a room and have 10 docs diagnose him and you will get at *least* five diagnoses.

One point that is also noteworthy is that if you take an true AD/HD'er that person will likely have family members that are mentally ill. That too, is true in my family. One sis with depression, another that I don't have a clue what is wrong with her. She's been dx'ed with just about everything and none of the meds work. And my parents were alcoholics.

I figure I got off easy with ADHD. :chuckle

ADD/ADHD definitely has a linkage with mood disorders, and possibly Autism.

I can certainly relate to everyone. I work at a clinic where I build medisets for 8 hours aday which is not great for someone with adhd. All the nurses are making mediction errors but it seems I have made more and my are more serious. They have me on administative leave. I have ask for special accommadations but I don't think sitting still for 8 hours is good for me. I feel if I worked on a floor moving around I would do better but don't know for sure.

Thanks for any relative thoughts.

One of the reasons movement is important for people with ADHD is that it helps the exceutive functions of the brain to get in gear. I think that if you presented your ideas to HR they may be receptive to helping you get to a more suitable situation. I would have your "ducks in a row" when you go in to seek accomodation. (BTW in a previous job whenever I felt frustrated with a problem pacing helped me solve it.)

Hey all. I'm glad I found this thread. I'm not a nurse but I sure want to be one. I don't even know if I'll make it into the program or not but if I do I don't know how good of a nursing student I'd be with ADHD. Especially since I can't tolerate my meds anymore. I'd been taking dexedrine since I was about 11 years old (about to be 21 soon) and never had a problem with it until now. I've been sick recently and one of my symptoms seems to be an intolerance to stimulants. I've talked to 4 doctors about it and they all just seem to believe that its all in my head. But I KNOW its not. All of my symptoms are just too real. Needless to say I've lost all faith in doctors. Now that I have a chance to go to LPN school my intolerance to my dexedrine is the scariest symptom for me. I really just hope I'm able to find out what's causing this med problem because this LPN program is pretty much my last hope at being something.

Hey all. I'm glad I found this thread. I'm not a nurse but I sure want to be one. I don't even know if I'll make it into the program or not but if I do I don't know how good of a nursing student I'd be with ADHD. Especially since I can't tolerate my meds anymore. I'd been taking dexedrine since I was about 11 years old (about to be 21 soon) and never had a problem with it until now. I've been sick recently and one of my symptoms seems to be an intolerance to stimulants. I've talked to 4 doctors about it and they all just seem to believe that its all in my head. But I KNOW its not. All of my symptoms are just too real. Needless to say I've lost all faith in doctors. Now that I have a chance to go to LPN school my intolerance to my dexedrine is the scariest symptom for me. I really just hope I'm able to find out what's causing this med problem because this LPN program is pretty much my last hope at being something.

First off, I'm sure it's not in your head. These meds are very prone to be irritating. Most doctors just don't have the time to sit down and really investigate possible reasons for problems. Second, you can do what ever you put you mind toward doing. If you want to be a nurse, do it. And when people say you can't, then be glad you have ADHD because you'll be able to think of some creative way to figure out a way to do what you want. Just keep looking and think outside of the box. You just may need to do some things differently than others.

OK back to your problems. What kind of intolerance are we talking about? stomach/GI? racing heartbeat? nervousness? inability to focus or think clearly? More info could helpful.

A couple of things to think about which might help you figure out an answer to your med issues.

When did you first start having problems tolerating your meds? How long have you been experiencing problems? When are you taking your meds, Whats changed in your typical day since you were 11...probably a good deal. Here's my two best guesses.

1. Are you taking your ADHD med with a meal containing atleast 8 grams of protein? Carbs won't cut it. Breakfast bars often do not have that much protein, Did you start having problems after giving up the milk and cereal routine in favor of a portable breakfast. If you are trying to take the meds without a meal containing a fair amount of protein, that very well may be your issue. Also if you are using a time release formula (ie may have initials like XL, TR, SR,) a second meal with another 8 grams of protein may keep queeziness and nausea, jitteriness away. Protein makes a HUGE difference. If you look, you can find individually wrapped potable low fat cheese, cheddar and mozzarella. These can be extremely handy and can typically go without refridgerating at room temp for 6 or so hours.

2. Presuming you are a female, Have you recently started or switched birth control types? ie any type that is hormone based (pill, patch, ring, etc) could be contributing to your intolerance. I jave found that even switching from generic to name brand can bother me. Are you trying to take ADHD med and birth control at the same time (with no food)? Vomit comet all the way! Trying to remember to take both at separate time may be hard, but may be essential. Are you taking you your ADHD meds and and thing else? Even a mulitvitamin can bring on the nausea.

Feel free to pm me. Hope this helps.

I am truly starting to think that I have ADD. I was thinking about it tonight and I can't keep my home or car organized no matter how hard I try and I never finish any task that I set out to complete. I will be starting nursing school this fall and I need to fix these things in order for me to be successful.

I'm not sure what I need to do though?

It's good to see nurses with add/adhd

Kira

Specializes in Urgent Care.
Hey all. I'm glad I found this thread. I'm not a nurse but I sure want to be one. I don't even know if I'll make it into the program or not but if I do I don't know how good of a nursing student I'd be with ADHD. Especially since I can't tolerate my meds anymore. I'd been taking dexedrine since I was about 11 years old (about to be 21 soon) and never had a problem with it until now. I've been sick recently and one of my symptoms seems to be an intolerance to stimulants. I've talked to 4 doctors about it and they all just seem to believe that its all in my head. But I KNOW its not. All of my symptoms are just too real. Needless to say I've lost all faith in doctors. Now that I have a chance to go to LPN school my intolerance to my dexedrine is the scariest symptom for me. I really just hope I'm able to find out what's causing this med problem because this LPN program is pretty much my last hope at being something.

Ask your doctor about stratterra. It is not a stimulant and is the only med approved by the FDA to treat adult adhd. Treating adult adhd with dexedrine etc is an "off label use"

Ask your doctor about stratterra. It is not a stimulant and is the only med approved by the FDA to treat adult adhd. Treating adult adhd with dexedrine etc is an "off label use"

Sorry, this is just not true. Check with your doctor.

I wasn't diagnosed until my mid 40's. I worked for a neuropsychologist who did not believe in adult ADD?ADHD or tolerate ADD/ADHD cognitive styles. I have been on ADDERALL for a year and I can tell the difference when I don't take it. I am starting nursing school in 6 weeks. I want to become a nurse practitioner just so I can be an advocate for people who experience ADD/ADHD. (FWIW I also struggle with organization and time blindness)

In my reading about ADD/ADHD nursing and teaching are professions that are considered ADD/ADHD friendly. Anyway, I just wanted to say that ADD/ADHD is not a bad thing. It is just a different way of relating to the world.

If you as a person have difficulty with relationships due to ADD/ADHD GET TREATED. Its not worth it to live with low grade depression or frustration. My life is better since I started treatment.

I have enjoyed reading your intelligent posts on this subject. I am 45 years old and was diagnosed in 2001 after a year of therapy. I had academic problems all my life, getting A' and F's, but I never considered ADHD as a possible diagnosis because I wasn't hyperactive. Medication has made a huge difference in my life, affecting more than just my ability to concentrate. My social skills have vastly improved as well. However, improvement doesn't necessarily equate with a cure.

I am on track to graduate with a BSN in September. But anxiety has reared its ugly head and is making this final term a nightmare for me. The combination of anxiety leading to decreased concentration and sleep disturbance, and treatment for the anxiety leading to sedation has led me into a rut that I may not be able to climb out of in time to graduate this fall. I won't give up trying, but things don't look good.

The most troubling thing is that people (refering primarily to instructors) often are incapable of understanding the nature of the problem. Of course some of my professors have gone out of their way to be supportive, and I would never have gotten this far without them. But I know that many people observing my behavior - my academic performance, cant help but conclude that it is the result of indifference or lazyness.

Anyway, wish me luck! One way or another, I'll get there eventually.

Matt

PS- I find it interesting that you worked for a neuropsychologist that doesn't believe in ADHD.

I have enjoyed reading your intelligent posts on this subject. I am 45 years old and was diagnosed in 2001 after a year of therapy. I had academic problems all my life, getting A' and F's, but I never considered ADHD as a possible diagnosis because I wasn't hyperactive. Medication has made a huge difference in my life, affecting more than just my ability to concentrate. My social skills have vastly improved as well. However, improvement doesn't necessarily equate with a cure.

I am on track to graduate with a BSN in September. But anxiety has reared its ugly head and is making this final term a nightmare for me. The combination of anxiety leading to decreased concentration and sleep disturbance, and treatment for the anxiety leading to sedation has led me into a rut that I may not be able to climb out of in time to graduate this fall. I won't give up trying, but things don't look good.

The most troubling thing is that people (refering primarily to instructors) often are incapable of understanding the nature of the problem. Of course some of my professors have gone out of their way to be supportive, and I would never have gotten this far without them. But I know that many people observing my behavior - my academic performance, cant help but conclude that it is the result of indifference or lazyness.

Anyway, wish me luck! One way or another, I'll get there eventually.

Matt

PS- I find it interesting that you worked for a neuropsychologist that doesn't believe in ADHD.

I am in your corner!

Specializes in Emergency.

Just a quickie on this...disease is disease and anyone can have one, how we manage our lives determines our success or failures at whatever we are doing.

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