Add/ADHD: disclose or keep to self

over30nursestudent · Jan 5, 2006

I would not disclose, just because there is plenty of ignorance out there with this diagnosis, and any other mental health issue. I am in school to be a nurse and I work part time as an aide at a small hospital and I am shocked to hear how the nurses talk amongst themselves about others and it always seems that they look for ways to hang someone out to dry. :)

Just wondering what others think about whether or not to disclose to unit manager and/or co-workers that you have this. Just curious. I recently lost a position and this was brought up as a reason. Although this was mentioned in a round about sort of way. Dawn

Saoudishabiba · Jan 5, 2006

Here is something to keep in mind. You may need to eventually disclose this information. Especially if you are taking a stimulant. The stimulants show up on a urine drug screen and most employers that I know of are doing random drug screens.

Good luck in your decision!

SmilingBluEyes · Jan 5, 2006

Keep it to yourself. And make sure you have excellent behavior modification techniques to draw on while you are at it. I have ADD myself and I consider it MY business and will NOT make it an issue for others. It's just not appropriate.

If there comes a point where you need to take a drug test, simply claim the medication on the form prior to submission, as I have done for any medications I am on (I even claim OTC's like Benedryl and Motrin---really). It's simple as that. Other than that, it's nobody's business and can prejudice some against you.

over30nursestudent · Jan 5, 2006

I think that disclosing medical information during an employee health physical and drug screen (obviously you need to have a script for the stimulant) is alot different than telling your co-workers about your personal business.

Here is something to keep in mind. You may need to eventually disclose this information. Especially if you are taking a stimulant. The stimulants show up on a urine drug screen and most employers that I know of are doing random drug screens.
Good luck in your decision!

Saoudishabiba · Jan 5, 2006

I don't think coworkers should be made aware of it. I was just making a comment about the drug screen. IMHO, it is your business and nobody else's.

lpnadmin · Jan 5, 2006

I worked with an RN who had ADD. If he hadn't mentioned it, I never would have known.

Doggone good ER nurse, ADD or not.

lpnadmin

SmilingBluEyes · Jan 5, 2006

ADD can work to one's advantage. That is why I recommend anyone w/ADD seek behavior modification techniques that work, versus just going on meds, esp adult ADD people. IN the long run, learning how to make it work for you is much more useful and productive.

West_Coast_Ken, BSN, RN · Jan 5, 2006

I recently lost a position and this was brought up as a reason.

Is seems you have answered your own question.

I don't even discuss my son's ADD. I used to but the amount of ignorance and intolerance is more work than I want to deal with frankly. I have helped my son and where I feel there is a glimmer of hope I share my experiences, but that is rare these days.

There has been a very effective disinformation campaign against mental health issues for decades. Many, many people view "mental illness" as "moral weakness" and sadly that is likely to never change IMHO.

I applaud those who are willing to take up the cause to advance mental health issues and I support those efforts in many ways just behind the scenes. I don't want to be one of the few frontline warriors any longer.

HyperRNRachel · Jan 5, 2006

Tell employee health and that is it. Why would it be necessary to share this information with anyone else on the unit? My employee health nurse said there are many, many, many nurses who need to take medications to be able to function. She related my taking Adderall to the need for some nurses to take antidepressants.....it is needed to function. She said I did not need to disclose my ADHD to anyone on the unit and, of course, reiterated that my file is PRIVATE.

On the bright side of ADHD (if there is one) , I always have energy and in a work type setting I function better than I do in my home setting because of the routine. The stress also helps me to achieve a natural ability to focus.

I wish you luck and I hope you do well in your new position.

Bipley · Jan 6, 2006

Here is something to keep in mind. You may need to eventually disclose this information. Especially if you are taking a stimulant. The stimulants show up on a urine drug screen and most employers that I know of are doing random drug screens.
Good luck in your decision!

Noooooo, not true! HR knows, Occ Med knows... that does NOT mean your sup knows.

Keep it to yourself. If something happens like your Dex falling out of your breast pocket when you bend over and you don't realize it, you can tell then.

Thing is, once you tell someone something you can never take it back. Once they know, they know forever. The general population type folks are stupid when it comes to this disorder. Don't borrow problems, keep it to yourself.

lhorton42671 · Jan 6, 2006

Tell who you have to tell ONLY... I was a nurse, then I left to work in Human Resources... now I'm a nurse again... but anyway... with HIPAA laws nowadays... medical conditions are mucho confidential... if anyone "leaks" the information that you give to them... they're at fault and liable.