depression, ADD and nursing

[serenidad2004]

I have been in nursing for 9 years, the first 8 or so years in LTC and skilled now dialysis. I also have dx of depression and ADD for which I take Lexapro and Vyvanse.

How do those of you with these issues cope? I find myself having a harder and harder time managing while at work.

I have no problem with the work itself, that is not an issue. My problems are with the people I work with.

I am an energetic person by nature and believe in team work, however I was told today that I am "too helpful" and that I am driving the other staff nuts. Stuck between a rock and a hard place.... because if I wasn't helpful I would be told I wasnt a team player.

I also tend to personalize others moods/attitudes and make it my fault, even when I know that it isn't.

Maybe this is more of a vent anything, but if anyone would happen to have words of wisdom I would appreciate it.

[VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN]

Not ADD, but bipolar with anxiety, a very short attention span, and frenetic bursts of activity during my manic episodes. I saw that no one had answered your post, so I'll offer you what small wisdom I have.

For one thing, I know how it feels to never hit the right balance between doing/being too much and not doing/being enough. I'm the one who's always just about 5 degrees off 'normal' and can't seem to achieve it, no matter how hard I work at it. But you know, there's a place in the world for all of us......we merely have to accept that NOBODY is as occupied with us as we ourselves are. :)A lot of what we take personally really isn't personal at all; our perspective is colored by our mental and emotional makeup, and sometimes it's hard to reconcile that with reality.

If you can remember this one thing the next time you feel nervous or like you're under scrutiny, you'll do fine. I wish you the best.