This is a touchy subject but I need to talk so if you are reading thanks for reading this.
i was diagnosed with ADHD when I was a little kid. I was put on stimulants and they worked well my grades improved but my parents took me off cuz of s/e (lost too much weight, couldn't sleep etc)
After being off Meds grades dropped and I was put back into special Ed classes, was always getting in trouble for stupid stuff all the time, notes sent home to my parents, parent teacher meetings etc. Grew depressed by 4th grade.
Was off medications until I was in my teens, got put into an entirely different school for kids with learning disabilities and behavioral problems. I was more and more depressed, had anxiety, was bright when it came to science and English but terrible with social/behavioral skills and math. Always was good at basic math in my everyday life but in school just terrible.
Went back to a psychiatrist when I was 16 and got diagnosed again with ADD. Was put on straterra but I don't think it did much so I eventually stopped taking it.
Went years without meds again. Entered college and did pre-reqs for nursing. I did really well with all my other prereqs but failed remedial math 3 times and somehow still made it into nursing program. I always had trouble in school on tests. Careless mistakes, etc,
I did well in nursing school but had to stop working just to get through and forced myself to study long and hard and it was such a challenge I became greatly depressed but made it through.
Now I have been a nurse for a year and a half and I love it so much but was always making careless mistakes...NOT with patients safety or medications, mostly with charting, being disorganized with simple tasks, not being able to establish a routine because I was all over the place and would jump from one thing to the next before finishing.! I became extremely scared that I would eventually make a serious mistake and put a pt safety at risk! I had been lucky that I hadn't already! My home life had also always been overwhelming and disorganized too, I seem to lack something.
I became very frustrated and depressed again and went to back to another psychiatrist. I was diagnosed again with ADD and put on stimulants. This is the first time I agreed to take them as an adult and I hate to say it but after some trial and error trying a few doses, different ones, I found one that works! But I hate having to take a controlled drug just to feel normal! Just to function at a "normal" level like other people! I feel stupid, not good enough, that I have to take a drug like this just to achieve what someone else can achieve without this! I have to take it every time I am working now or else my symptoms come back and it really stinks. Now I wonder will I need this forever? My doctor said most likely. I can take breaks from it and I don't take it all the time when I am off unless I have to get things done, but when I don't take it I am back to my normal ways and very fatigued, out of it, messy, anxious, etc.
I was always a little bit in denial about my ADHD but I was dx 3 times at 3 different phases of my life by 3 different docs, and now the meds are working. Im still in denial deep down I guess because I just want to be normal. Thanks for letting me vent.
."I too am a adhde. I work psych. I know my limits... If in a long stretch day 3 is my limit. After that I'm very distractable so would alter how I did things. Such as doing my assessments where I couldn't see what was going on in the hall. They give me the manic patients. They give me the ADHD patients cause I can keep up with their mind.
Thank you all for your thoughtful comments. I guess I am feeling like I have come to a big realization about myself that I do have this condition and its a lot to handle. I always thought I had the wrong diagnosis, because I always thought adhd was over diagnosed, or that it's too "easy" for docs to dx it, and wanna throw me on meds. But I'm realizing now that I might actually have this. I'll Adjust to it, just gonna take time. I just needed to vent. Thank you all
I have a couple of things that you could call factory flaws that once I got a control of I owned and turned them into ways to help other people. I've been able to help a few in a pay it forward sort of way by seeing me thrive with these mutual issues and explaining how to navigate the system.
Be proud how you've been able to manage a complicated difficult condition.
I have ADHD and only took meds during school, not after starting work as an RN (I hate the side effects and don't like to take pills unless it's 100% necessary). Instead I created my own little workarounds. When starting my shift, I would make a detailed sheet of checklists for each patient with times that I had to complete tasks (meds, dressings, charting, whatever) and I would look at that sheet of paper CONSTANTLY. It absolutely helped to keep me on track. For a while I found myself getting distracted easily (eg. talking to patients or family members) so I kept a watch in my pocket set to beep twice at 20 min intervals -- it reminded me to keep moving! There are always little ways you can tweak your behaviour/environment to help you stay focused and get things done (without making yourself stressed). Figure out which areas cause you trouble and get creative. I do the same thing at home, everyday I have a checklist of stuff I have to do and keep looking at that list, otherwise nothing will get done. You have to work with what you have.
Having ADHD doesn't mean you aren't "normal", it just means you are a bit more distracted/excitable, not a big deal. Why do you have to be like everyone else anyway? The more you fight against it, the more anxious you will get and the harder it will be. Embrace the way your brain works and learn to work with it, instead of against it. There is nothing wrong with you, you are not stupid or bad or broken or wrong. The meds aren't a cure-all, they just make some things more manageable. But you're a smart lady, you might be able to figure this out on your own. Something to consider anyway (and absolutely no judgment if you feel that you need the meds, it's really your decision).
Saving some of these tips to add to my orificenal [emoji3]
Specializes in Cardiology, Cardiothoracic Surgical.
Let's look at it from this perspective: I'm allergic to pretty much everything outside (including a nasty bout with poison ivy that sent me to urgent care), yet I like the outdoors. I take a daily antihistamine and I can go function in the world. No one blinks when I tell them what meds I'm on.
You need a little help functioning in the world and ADHD meds are no different. You still have to work, get paid, and do all these other things; don't feel bad about treating a medical condition.
Lol, OP you sound like me! I went ohhhhh, maybe 6 mo without medication during my first year as a new RN. I learned that personally I cannot be off of Meds and be a good (or even mediocre) nurse; while I too made minor mistakes due to disorganization it wasn't long before I drew management's eye:( This led to anxiety, unnecessary stress, some loss of confidence in myself as a RN... Plus I hated being known for being, "scatterbrained," by my colleagues. I take my Meds now, lol. I'm the nurse that's the first to offer help, or be asked to train a new nurse, or just generally asked anything since I have a weirdly great memory. Oh and did I mention that i lost the 15lbs put on after having donuts/cookies/pizza/holiday chocolate constantly available? HA! Oh but some of those tips mentioned are great! It's funny; I developed very similar ways to cope with staying organized and on task- but there's always a shift where everything goes to hell in a hand basket and you leave your report sheet in some random place that literally makes no sense for it to be.
If your co-workers or anyone else who knows that you have to take medication to manage your ADHD says anything negative about it.... Well time to make jokes about their diabetes, or their plantar fasciitis, or maybe they have a hx of high bp...
This is a touchy subject but I need to talk so if you are reading thanks for reading this.
i was diagnosed with ADHD when I was a little kid. I was put on stimulants and they worked well my grades improved but my parents took me off cuz of s/e (lost too much weight, couldn't sleep etc)
After being off Meds grades dropped and I was put back into special Ed classes, was always getting in trouble for stupid stuff all the time, notes sent home to my parents, parent teacher meetings etc. Grew depressed by 4th grade.
Was off medications until I was in my teens, got put into an entirely different school for kids with learning disabilities and behavioral problems. I was more and more depressed, had anxiety, was bright when it came to science and English but terrible with social/behavioral skills and math. Always was good at basic math in my everyday life but in school just terrible.
Went back to a psychiatrist when I was 16 and got diagnosed again with ADD. Was put on straterra but I don't think it did much so I eventually stopped taking it.
Went years without meds again. Entered college and did pre-reqs for nursing. I did really well with all my other prereqs but failed remedial math 3 times and somehow still made it into nursing program. I always had trouble in school on tests. Careless mistakes, etc,
I did well in nursing school but had to stop working just to get through and forced myself to study long and hard and it was such a challenge I became greatly depressed but made it through.
Now I have been a nurse for a year and a half and I love it so much but was always making careless mistakes...NOT with patients safety or medications, mostly with charting, being disorganized with simple tasks, not being able to establish a routine because I was all over the place and would jump from one thing to the next before finishing.! I became extremely scared that I would eventually make a serious mistake and put a pt safety at risk! I had been lucky that I hadn't already! My home life had also always been overwhelming and disorganized too, I seem to lack something.
I became very frustrated and depressed again and went to back to another psychiatrist. I was diagnosed again with ADD and put on stimulants. This is the first time I agreed to take them as an adult and I hate to say it but after some trial and error trying a few doses, different ones, I found one that works! But I hate having to take a controlled drug just to feel normal! Just to function at a "normal" level like other people! I feel stupid, not good enough, that I have to take a drug like this just to achieve what someone else can achieve without this! I have to take it every time I am working now or else my symptoms come back and it really stinks. Now I wonder will I need this forever? My doctor said most likely. I can take breaks from it and I don't take it all the time when I am off unless I have to get things done, but when I don't take it I am back to my normal ways and very fatigued, out of it, messy, anxious, etc.
I was always a little bit in denial about my ADHD but I was dx 3 times at 3 different phases of my life by 3 different docs, and now the meds are working. Im still in denial deep down I guess because I just want to be normal. Thanks for letting me vent.
My reply: You're not alone! I have never been formally diagnosed, but havee done an online screening for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). I look back at my life including my childhood, teen years, and my personal and professional adult life. I probably have ADD as well. All 3 of my kids have either ADD or ADHD and some degree of ASD. I struggled with school from elementary through graduate school, made it through by working at everything longer and harder than most of my peers, but made fairly good grades. I've been an RN for 30 years, worked in a variety of settings, and constantly worried about keeping up with my peers and meeting safety and quality standards. Private Duty work has been a blessing, so was clinic work. Find your niche and you may find your work more satisfying and less stressful. I always found hospital based Med-Surg wild and crazy, leaving me stressed out and in the clean utility room (on the verge of tears frequently) and praying to God to get me through my shift.
On a somewhat related topic, does anyone have NCLEX test-taking tips for an ADHD-er like myself? I'm not on medication and have been able to manage throughout nursing school just fine, but I'm concerned that I won't be able to sit and focus long enough to take the exam.
Note: I would have posted this question on the NCLEX forum, but I foresee it getting buried under all the "I PASSED" and "I FAILED" posts.
I totally understand where you are coming from. I have had my share of things too. I was put on a medication that makes me feel weird and very sleepy. I really have a hard time waking up in the morning. I have personally found a few things that have helped me with my situation. I have found that if I meditate or think of a calming thought, that would help me with the medication effects. I usually think about the beach and the water. When I hear the water rushing down over me, I feel really relaxed. Another great tip is to write in a journal. The journal can help you organize thoughts and see things in a whole new light. I might also talk to your doctor about the medication and see if you can see a therapist or an art therapist who can help you with the meditating. I wish you the best. Marcy CNA
Congratulations on making it through Nursing School! You have demonstrated that you are able to excel and succeed. I understand your frustration with always taking medication to help you focus. But you would not throw away your glasses and try to see better by squinting - or just looking harder. That is what the medication is; it is equal to eyeglasses. It helps you focus so you can see clearly. But unlike eyeglasses, you have the additional gift of immense creativity and capacity. Thank you for showing girls everywhere that you can have ADD or ADHD and thrive!
Specializes in orthopedic/trauma, Informatics, diabetes.
I think a lot of nurses are ADD/ADHD. It helps with multi-tasking. I was diagnosed this year. At 51. Both of my children have been diagnosed and my husband is undiagnosed but there is no way he isn't. I have an odd type, I focus better on opiods (discovered this while on Tramadol for pain) not stimulants. I work with several other nurses that are ADHD.
Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
I have ADHD myself. I have learned to embrace the positives (lots and lots of energy, twice that of some of my much-younger coworkers). Also ADD/ADHD people tend to be very intelligent, so embrace that, too.
Get some behavior modification techniques incorporated into your daily life. You can get them from some good books or even therapists. Learning good work habits that fit in with your ADHD is imperative. And it's possible.
Meds are only part of the solution; behavior modification is at LEAST as important. It's what got me through nursing school and nearly 20 years (now) into a career.
I don't have to take meds cause I learned how to cope without them. But everyone is different. You clearly need yours. Take them and learn how to cope.
Lots of people are affected and perform well every day. We aren't THAT special (smile).
On a somewhat related topic, does anyone have NCLEX test-taking tips for an ADHD-er like myself? I'm not on medication and have been able to manage throughout nursing school just fine, but I'm concerned that I won't be able to sit and focus long enough to take the exam.
Note: I would have posted this question on the NCLEX forum, but I foresee it getting buried under all the "I PASSED" and "I FAILED" posts.
I wasnt on on meds through nursing school or nclex. It took every ounce of my being but I got through. Although I was very depressed because my brain was overworked. I tried to makes itfun. Flash cards, quizzlet, NCLEX apps on my phone when I was bored. Good luck I wish you all the best!
Mandychelle79, ASN, RN
771 Posts
."I too am a adhde. I work psych. I know my limits... If in a long stretch day 3 is my limit. After that I'm very distractable so would alter how I did things. Such as doing my assessments where I couldn't see what was going on in the hall. They give me the manic patients. They give me the ADHD patients cause I can keep up with their mind.