ADD and social anxiety need advice

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I am wanting to become a nurse but I have issues with social anxiety and ADD. I am so worried I won't be able to do the job due to my lack of focus, organization and social anxiety. Can anyone give me hope or should I consider a different career?

Thank you

Specializes in Rehab, Med Surg, Home Care.

I've been able to manage most of the organizational stuff and stay somewhat focused. Also, I'm fine relating to my patients one-on-one or with their families and I'm OK making calls to MD's or giving / taking report with other nurses.

What I've never totally gotten comfortable with is becoming part of social conversations going on at the nurses' station or joining a group of colleagues for lunch. That just wears me out, because reading social cues like tone of voice, receptiveness in body language and how long to maintain eye contact is like a foreign language to me (at least with people I know only casually. I am fine in a small group of intimate friends and surprisingly enough, OK in front of a group if I know ahead of time what I will be talking about). It takes every ounce of my concentration and I'm not very good at it.

No, it has never become easier over time and I don't think it's likely to after all these years. And no, I don't think I'm making too much of it, because if I don't put in the effort I am apparently perceived as unfriendly or worse. I'm seldom included in social invitations, and seldom in conversations if I do not make an effort to join. It doesn't help that at my work most of the nurses are in the same (different from mine) age group/ social situations. I try not to let it get me and just do my job, because I do have an outside life!- but it does mean that I do not have the benefit of the social networking we know to be so important. BUt the networking part would be important in any work setting, so in that way, I don't think nursing is any better or any worse than any other job setting for me with regards to having social anxiety.

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well said, Chaya. I'm unfortunately in the same boat. It amazes me that no one (it seems) understands that social anxiety is a real disorder. Everyone just expects you to be as warm and outgoing as everybody else. Work can be incredibly miserable at times and I wonder if I could even cope with a 12 hour shift. I guess you just have to keep trying to improve on your problems. I've been listening to this series of therapy sessions from the social anxiety network and it seems to be helpful in terms of enabling me to believe that I can beat this. I'll see if it pays off later on but apparently cognitive behavioral therapy is the most effective treatment.

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Why would it be anyone's concern what medications you are on? It's definitely not a good idea to share personal information like that with coworkers. It's no one's business as well.

Information is power...

Many employers require notification of med usage due to random drug tests.

Also, letting people know about disabilities can be a help. People that are your friendly or at least human will be supportive to some degree or another. People that aren't will notice anyways.

On a side note, I let my boss and other people I work with know I have bp and anxiety. This has paid off as one day I had a 'crises' and didn't quite make it to work. My employer sent someone to my house which pretty much saved me.

The stigma against 'mental disorders' persists because people still hide it. It's a good year to out yourself.

Information isn't power. Knowledge is. Especially knowledge of secrets. The best way to take that power away is to reveal the secret...

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Specializes in Peds (previous psyc/SA briefly).

I work with several people who have varying degrees of mental health challenges... a couple have ADHD that honestly seems to serve them WELL in nursing (well, one's an RT.) I certainly can't see either of them in the board room at IBM. But my friend who has severe ADHD does just fine in the critical care truck and the helicopter. He's very open about his ADHD, too... but he's very gregarious. (Not to belittle - really, but both the guys I'm thinking of joke like this constantly!)

I also work with a few people who have pretty profound psych histories that I'm honored to be privy to. They are fantastic nurses and people.

I guess I just want to echo the above... talk to your health care folks. But my vote is that nursing is such a wide profession, with so many options and so many roles... and we ALL come to the table with strengths and challenges. We nurses could use your strengths!

Best of luck with whatever you decide...

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I really don't want to take meds to be able to focus =/ but I am aware I have ADDHD.

So, am I pretty much doomed lol?

My problem is focusing, and holding onto things I've studied? I preparing to get back

into school and feel extremly over whelmed.

Do Omega oils help? Any other advise besides antidepresants, because I'm not depressed =/

I just can't stay focused for long?

Frusterated =) But williing to do hear what anyone can advise for me to to get thru this

and get smarter lol ;)

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I am not depressed and I'm finding that most MD's want to put pt's on antidepressants?

Can fish oils help? What else is out there for anxitety and ADDHD that doesn't mess

with our minds? Nothing personal I know it works wonders for many people, but I've tried

many meds and so far nothing has worked to make me "focus" and take that edge off?

Any advise, I'm going back to school and can't seem to "focus" and keep things in?

Let along I'm so over whelmed I feel dumb at this point lol...

Frusterated but willing to hear what some of you may advise to help?

Thanks =)

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well, so much has been said here-i battle with anxiety also-it's like a dog chasing its own tail-a vicious circle! well i use to think this but it's not true! you can overcome this-it is about conditioning your mind and your whole being.

i've been on medication before-antidepressants,good old xanax(which is horrible to get off!) i chose not to be medicated-it might of been a mistake or maybe not-i told myself a long time ago to get over it and stop thinking about all the what ifs. i've never been diagnoses with ADHD or social anxiety or whatever dang name the have for it-i've realized one HUGEEEEEEEEEEEE thing and it's this:

i am not perfect nor will i ever be

i can be happy without feeling guilty

thoughts do control you if you let them(giving in to them)

we condition our minds by the way we allow ourselves to feel

IT ALL BEGINS WITH A THOUGHT

I can't please everyone @ the same time(no way possible!)

I've had to learn to love myself(not just say it, but really love myself)

I've had to learn to KNOW that i am somebody-it doesn't matter what has

happen to me-i deserve the best!!

Medicine isn't for everyone/nor is it the natural cure of your body naturally

acting out for many reasons.

Doctor's really don't know everything/you can be your own best friend if you

would learn how to(it takes time)

Without a doubt FEAR is truly the underlying problem of a lot of anxiety problems

Exercise is a lifesaver when it comes to battleing anxiety and depression.

Doctor's say anxiety is a symptom of depression

The BIBLE says anxiety in a man's heart CAUSES depression(proverbs)

It also says a good word is like medicine to the sad soul(proverbs)

i am living proof that with a little faith and steps forward even when scary-can

heal the person that battles with such a condition.

i'm not knocking medicine or therapy but YOU are your best medication, best therapist-ask God to show you how-it will work out-i promise!!!

Excited Nursing STudent and believer of God who has come a long way in 3 years-

Hope this has reached out to someone-i must give back!!!! it's a must!

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jewelspassion

your words are just what i needed to hear. i even printed it out and posted it on the wall. thank you so much!!! good word IS better than medicine. i'm 24 with social anxiety. been prescribed xanax, abused a little, went through nasty withdraw and made mind not to take it in a stupid way i used to ever again. (except taking it few times a year) i agree that doctors don't know everything about you..only you know yourself better than anybody. i just finished taking CNA course and cerfitied. I am ready to take next step!

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I am so happy to help you! The thing is when you feel this way it seems so true. Just remember it really is the condition that is making you feel that way.

You are not losing your mind

Your mind doesn't have control over you-u have control over it!

You are not alone!

You will never get better and always have to deal with this!!LIE LIE LIE LIE LIE LIE LIE!!!!!

the truth: you will get better, that's the truth, you have to take whatever steps you have to, to get better.

One day you will look back at this and think my gosh i was really sick, but now i am a different person. A lot of psychiatrist or therapists can relate only so much, book knowledge, sometimes good and not so good sometimes. You really can get yourself out of this, it's true.

You are really young, don't set yourself up for failure, what you and who you are, you are good enough, defy the odds my friend and you will see how wonderful you feel. Find out what that is for you, it could be a million things.

I had to slow down and learn how to truly have a voice, i had to realize that what i want is as equally important as everyone else, we talk a good talk but really are we who we should be?? i wasn't i lost that in the midst of abuse, bad relationships, in my own mind i wasn't good enough for anyone, not even the person in the mirror.

It's crazy how life brings you to a stop where all you have to do is think about self, do you think it's coincidence that you are so focused on yourself while going through this, social anxiety, sure they say that, but don't OWN IT dear friend, you own it! don't let it own you!

A person with cancer battles and battles, denies and gives in and at some point stands up because they are tired of it all. Anxiety can make you feel just like that, you will get sick of it!! to the point where u wish you weren't dealing with it, it's one of those things that makes you say "please just go away i don't want to do this, i can't!!!:crying2:", but it's then you get tired and weary and you learn to fight and realize i have to change. You will see how strong you are. That's why i say i don't knock medicine, it serves its purpose at the right time but you have to be wise, you know that.

My prayers are with you-seriously, talk to me or pm me if you need anything at all, i am here to help, seriously xoxoxoxxoo jewels

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Specializes in Elderly, Long term care.

I went to Iraq twice as a combat medic in the army.I was fine, at least i thought while I was in, but once I did my time and got out, that is when the problems started. Severe OCD....purely Obsessional and depression. All of this was occuring while starting nursing school. After a few months I realized that I had severe anxiety. Finally a Dx of PTSD was given to me. I have yet to pass boards, but I still work. I am different than a lot of people that I know, and have been told by many that I am add, because I am from one thought to another while speaking and very impulsive and never stick with a task. I just would like to say you can do anything you want to and you don't need to feel ashamed.

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I went to Iraq twice as a combat medic in the army.I was fine, at least i thought while I was in, but once I did my time and got out, that is when the problems started. Severe OCD....purely Obsessional and depression. All of this was occuring while starting nursing school. After a few months I realized that I had severe anxiety. Finally a Dx of PTSD was given to me. I have yet to pass boards, but I still work. I am different than a lot of people that I know, and have been told by many that I am add, because I am from one thought to another while speaking and very impulsive and never stick with a task. I just would like to say you can do anything you want to and you don't need to feel ashamed.

Yes! i agree with what you are saying, wow i know it must of been hard for you all this time. My younger brother has been battling with anxiety the past few weeks. I am glad i have experienced so that i could help him in many ways. There were so many things i had to learn the hard way-i thought i was going crazy!! But i wasn't. i didn't even have insurance, i couldn't get medicine or see a therapist, it was really sad, i suffered for a very long time, sad :crying2:. It's been three long years and i am still holding on to recovering fully.

As the years go by i feel better, half the anxiety is fear of what the future holds.

I have learned a lot of coping skills some better mastered than others, it's a horrible thing to go through but i've changed so much through all of it. I can honestly say i have learned to love myself a little more, even if it's not fully, i am still working on it.

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Specializes in Home births.

Hello everyone,

I have extreme and profound anxiety to the point I do not go to the supermarkets. Got worse after I had my 3 children. I finally went to a therapist and got some help. My 2nd session is in a couple of weeks. My son was Dx with AAHD. The puzzle is finally coming along. I had no idea that I could have ADD. My therapist told me that girls are often overlooked as having it in elementary schools. I just know that I have never worked up to my ability because of the overwelming nature it makes me feel. I just could not put my finger on what was wrong with me.

Do not let me get started about keeping a job for more than 2 years. I have counted over 200 jobs that I have went thru.(I'm 41) over a twenty year stretch. I just get so overwhelmed, was labeled as being lazy, and inconsistant. I do not start any big projects fear of not finishing it. I have learned to do as little as possible in life so that my anxiety did not get the best of me.

I have never worked a 80hr week. I can only do 3-4 days a week. I can work a double cause it is only being at the job for 2 days out of the week.

Because I am a loner, I pretty much kept to myself and thought this was the way I am. I did some soul searching and was honest to myself about what keeps me from enjoying life to the fullest. I have been avoiding life, furthering my education and climbing the career ladder. Pretty much a sitting duck. I am glad that my son will not have to go thru life as I have lived; I have decided to get my other 2 younger children tested for AAHD as well.

I do not officially have my Dx. of ADD but I have all the characteristics of the disorder. I recently experimented with my sons Adderall. I was able to complete simple task as laundry, shopping, cooking a meal for my family. I could never do all these things. I can clean my house, but I did not cook, I can shop and cook the meal too! Seems simple to others, but was a task that I have avoided. Thank God for supportive husbands! I can now wash the clothes and fold them up. I do small loads daily, I fold, and and put them away. It may not be on the same day but I complete the task.

I cannot tell you how refreshing it feels to be get help. I will be so happy when I am officially Dx. and Medicated!

Thanks everyone for sharing your personal experiences about this disorder.

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