anyone out there with ADD?

[nurse_clown]

I was diagnosed with ADD and dyslexia when I was in my third year of nursing school. My parents told me I might have to settle being a cleaning lady. I wouldn't and graduated. I've been in the nursing profession for about 10 years. Six years, I worked in child welfare. I quit that job and started at an acute care setting: oncology and palliative care.

Things have been pretty good but recently, life has gotten a little confusing with the death of my mother and I was also sexually assaulted by a patient (that's too long of a story to get into now.) It's been very hard concentrating at work. The patient has been stalking me. I know I'm going through a lot and I've been in counselling.

I know I can't be the only nurse out here with ADD and dyslexia. Anyone have any ideas to help me focus again? I work the night shift and I don't think going back on my ADD meds is a good idea.

[DG5]

:icon_hug: First of all, big hugs. Even if you didn't have to cope with ADD, anyone going through what you are at the moment would be finding it hard to focus at work. The ADD is another thing on top of everything else. I hear that people with ADD are also people who are very resourceful and creative. They tend to be people who overcome huge obstacles and achieve against great odds. I know I have a whole family with ADD and ADHD - two sons have been diagnosed, one as a child and one in his teen years, and I suspect another child who will get tested next year. Maybe I am also! I lose keys, purses, cards, books etc. and have a hard time managing things in a little bit of chaos. Yet, somehow we do!!

The counselling is a wonderful idea. Does your DON know what difficulties you are having to face and are they helping you at work?? There should be counselling for you at work. Can you go on some kind of stress leave? You need space and some time to heal. You have open wounds which need dressing from the inside out. ADD is another issue. There are some tips I can give you that have helped my boys - some simple ones like having some white noise (some music in the background) to help filter out some of the distractions and helps you to focus, also believe it or not, caffeine (coffee and coke) seems to help in calming distractions! Having lists and following them one at a time like a donkey putting one foot ahead of the next is another. I have also bought a fluorescent clip that keeps all my keys in place and hooks onto my pocket so I know I haven't lost them!

Hugs again!