Nurses with ADD/ADHD?

Nurses Stress 101

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Hey all! I was wondering if there are any nurses with ADD/ADHD out there who want to comiserate and support each other? I know I need the help/advice. It might also be a place for "regular" people (I hate the word normal) to come and read and understand what its like for us. Or ask us ?'s.

I'll start with an intro:p I'm 29, and I've had an official diagnosis for less than 2 years, but have been trying to find the answer (for what's up with me) for MUCH longer than that:uhoh21: :) I currently work night shift at a drug rehab and on call at a nursing home. I have a lot of trouble in staff meetings - sitting through them, being treated like a brat because I actually show some emotion. I had much difficulty in school, (I didn't know back then), not with grades but with social stuff. I almost got kicked out of school because of the problems I was having.

But its not all bad. I'm funny and creative and often am able to connect with my patients in unique ways.

So we'll see how many of us there are out there?:)

oftentimes it's a misdiagnosed addiction problem (in adulthood)

but as an adult, it's your business to take any meds/treatments

BUT, giving speed (adderal is PURE amphetamine) to children is criminal

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Okay for those of you who have Add and are nurses. I have add and I'm a nursing student and I'm trying to find the best way to get organized. Just bought a pda bc it seems that would help me a lot with that. Does anyone here use a PDA and find it helpful? Any thoughts or opinions would be greatly appreciated!

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Specializes in ER, ICU, L&D, OR.
oftentimes it's a misdiagnosed addiction problem (in adulthood)

but as an adult, it's your business to take any meds/treatments

BUT, giving speed (adderal is PURE amphetamine) to children is criminal

so very true

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Hello, and thanks for bringing up this subject.

I believe I either have this or bipolar disease. Because, at work, when I work on the floor, I have a hard time getting started once I sit down and actually have time to chart and do things. I sometimes find my desk area all unorganized and messy and I just can't keep up with things, like my pen.

And I find myself writing little post-it notes or jotting things down on a piece of paper towel to remember what patient wanted what or when I gave a PRN med. And the kicker is, I often loose the note during the shift and I run back and forth into patients' rooms because I always leave something behind. And people laugh when i tell them that I write notes to keep up with all that's gone on during the shift. And I always leave last. I have been fussed at by my manager a few times for leaving too late, sometimes 2 hrs later. And everyone always tells me that I am too hyper and talk too much and tell me to calm down. I don't know what to do and I don't want to be on medication. But, it makes my job hard because I get overly stressed and uptight about everything.

Olive, this is like reading my life story. I am not on medication but seriously considering seeing someone to validate whether or not I have ADD/ADHD.

When I was younger I worked as a crew McD's and it was a disaster everything was too fast I cannot focus. I got in trouble for disorganizing/ misfiling stuff back when I assisted in an office, I constantly lose pens, id's, purses when I was younger.. but improved as a grew older. (IM 33). This is my pattern:

1. Get stressed 2. Mind goes 90m/s 3. Cannot start intimidating tasks or get very disorganized 4. Get rattled and glosses over important details 5. Gets really really frustrated and the cycle begins again.

Im usually too flightly/ spacey but can concentrate on people who are lecturing or giving a me a litany of their troubles or reciting their biography. It is the carrying out the task that troubles me. My wanting to be a nurse is mostly motivated by wanting to prove something to myself.. that Im not a loser not stupid and can actually achieve my dreams.

Im really hopeful for my future. I am now a mother and I want very badly to succeed despite of this history.

Good luck and more power to everyone.

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Wow. I am new to site and have cruised through this posting. I had no idea so many people had ADD. I am newly diagnosed, but do not take my meds regularly. That might change when I start working soon. When I have more time, I will read for tips. Thanks!!

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Specializes in Med-surg > LTC > HH >.

Hi everyone,

This may already have been mentioned here but I have missed it if it was, but alot of dr.'s think add/adhd is really bipolar disorder with a nicer name. What is your take on this????? After reading alot of these posts it seems the medication regime is different(to me anyway):monkeydance: . People diagnosed with add/adhd seem to be on speed while the biploar are on anti-depressants, mood stabilizers,etc. So I'm just curious whta some of your thoughts are on this(if it has already been discussed sorry:( ).

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Hi everyone,

This may already have been mentioned here but I have missed it if it was, but alot of dr.'s think add/adhd is really bipolar disorder with a nicer name. What is your take on this????? After reading alot of these posts it seems the medication regime is different(to me anyway):monkeydance: . People diagnosed with add/adhd seem to be on speed while the biploar are on anti-depressants, mood stabilizers,etc. So I'm just curious whta some of your thoughts are on this(if it has already been discussed sorry:( ).

You are right about the meds. Although those of us with ADD rather resist the street labels for our medications.

There are so many differences between attentional disorders and the mood disorders that I cannot believe any physician who is fully awake can't tell the difference.

Attention disorders do not cause mood swings. Of course we have moods, we are human beings.

If you do not have an attention disorder, and you take medication for the attention disorder, you will be as if you are "on speed." Those with any of the ADD conditions simply feel normal when they are medicated properly.

Interesting question. If you are talking about your own doctor thinking they are similar (at all), make haste and get another doctor.

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i don't see why ADD and bipolar are often confused either.

are they thinking mania and hyperactivity present identically?

you don't have the hyperactivity in ADD.

and when i have taken ritalin or adderall, it doesn't even make me feel normal, but rather, sedated: not tired/sedated but mellow/sedated.

i hate the feeling.

i just have to work a little harder at containing my s/s.

leslie

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:monkeydance: I would also like to see more information on ADD since I have just begun Nursing School and I am having a really hard time grasping the concepts

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I am on track to graduate with a BSN in September. But anxiety has reared its ugly head and is making this final term a nightmare for me. The combination of anxiety leading to decreased concentration and sleep disturbance, and treatment for the anxiety leading to sedation has led me into a rut that I may not be able to climb out of in time to graduate this fall. I won't give up trying, but things don't look good.

Hi Mat,

Have you told your teachers? I am afraid to tell mine, thinking that they either won't care, or that they'd render me unsafe (unfortunately, they're all knowledgeable about it; I've heard their references to it in lecture).

Hang in there and keep me/us posted. :uhoh21: It's frustrating, I know.

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Thank you all for sharing your trials and successes. I am a Nursing Faculty member with personal and professional experience with ADD/ADHD. Many of your situations really resonate with my experiences. If you have any personal tidbits you want to make sure nursing faculty understand I'd like to hear from you.:nurse:

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Hi, I'm also diagnosed w/ ADHD (adult onset). My brother was diagnosed at 4 and was severe (private schools from grade 4 thru 9 to keep him inline behavioral and otherwise) and mom never thought to check me cuz I was so normal compared to him. Decent student in High School, didn't have to study much. Early college career, no problems, by junior year I started having distraction problems that were always there but easily ignored due to easier classes. I would 'blow up' in stressful situations at home... Now, my question is this, Dr. put me on strattera and something else that I can't remember. These helped some but not enough, I currently am not on anything because most days I can cope, but there are days that coping isn't even a thought....Memory is really bad now though, I started college again (NURSING!!! my previous degree is BS in elem. ed) and classes are harder, plus I'm working fulltime and have 4 kids, hubby! UGH and stress is DEFINATELY there. I wondered if anyone has a good med that is PRN rather than daily... Also, are there any stress relievers that are tried and true, cuz all I've found is to get away from stressor and sometimes thats impossible! Sorry if I rambled :rolleyes:

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