Nurses with ADD/ADHD?

[Metron]

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?:)

[chris_at_lucas_RN, RN]

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.

I normally don't have to ask for help, but in nursing school, even though I type 100+ wpm, I could not keep up with the frenetic flipping through the power points.

I finally asked if I could either see the power points before or after class, in order to have a framework in which to deciper my rapid notes, or to have an outline. It really almost didn't bother me, but I was providing notes for the rest of the class as well, something that had been done for class after class before us.

I had a great deal of difficulty getting any support at all. I should not have had to ask--what I needed I should have gotten whether I had ADD-H or not. The Director got into it with the office for handicapped whatevers (boy did I resent that label! And the interference!), and one instructor habitually gave me a copy of her notes an hour or less before the exam.

If I were to suggest anything about nursing instructors and students with difficulties such as mine, it would be to just treat people kindly. If you remove the control issue (you will learn this from me, my way) and simply provide as many resources as possible for people to learn, including fostering mutual support in the learning process, people would not gain those notorious 20#, there would be a lower attrition rate, and less of the other bad reactions to stress so unfortunately common among nursing school students.

The fact is that if nursing school is about learning to be a nurse, then instructors should not have to sabotage the nursing students in order to get the job done.

Thank you for asking, sorry I dumped on you. (But I feel better now, so thank you for listening too!)

[smilealot]

I am so glad that I found this thread! Somtimes I think that I am the only one that is ADD/ADHD. I was diagnosed with Dyslexia and ADHD shortly after first grade right now I am 22. I am almost done with my first BA and just started an ASN program. I had taken ritalin for around 8 years growing up. When I graduated from high school I stopped taking any medication becuase I wanted to be completly "independant":rolleyes: At first I tumbled downward with school but I was soon able to develop "tricks" to help me. I hope these might be helpful for you too.

1. I planned for short 10min breaks while studying

2. Eventually my classes all became color coded for example my math class was blue so everything I had would be blue (Highlighters, post-its,flash cards with words written on blue, and blue binder for hand outs.

3. When learning new words definition/spelling I would repeatedly write them out in big letters with a different color for each word. (If you have not noticed I am a very color oriented person. Sorry!)

4. Buying a laptop and being able to type have also been extremly beneficial to me.

5. Lectures were always hard for me to pay attention to so I started tape recording them (with the permission of the teacher)

6. Most classes I would talk to the teacher about my situation so that way when they would notice me fidgeting all the time they knew it was not be cause I was bored.

7. Another thing is that I always try to sit in the first row. That way when my mind begins to wander the teacher would usualy come and stand in front of my chair and lecture straight to me.

Okay I will stop here but if any one else has other ideas I would love to hear them. About a year ago I started taking Strattera and so far it has been helpful. Sorry! I type alot, I talk a lot too. Have a great day!

[Badi]

I not only have ADHD but dyslexia as well. It makes life much more difficult to the point, I want to leave. Does anyone else have this combo?

I also have ADHS and Dyslexia, it made highschool hell. I barely crep throu with a 51-54% aveg. I really struggled with school, I hated everyday. Now that am in univeristy I focus on my str and get as much help as I can from the Unvi I get class notes (thou this time i had to wait untill I had already written my mid term to get them) I also get more time for test. This has allowedme do alot better then i ever did in school.

I am not currently on meds for ADHD but I am really considering it am trying to gather all the information so that I can make an informed decision.

[PACU queen]

I was wondering if I have ADD. I have always had a hard time concentrating on the material or when I took a test, etc. Alot of times at work I feel disorgainized and scattered. It's like I can't relax and slow down and think things through. I know study material but I get so "hyped up" and anxious I can't think through it. I also will speak b4 thinking too. I feel like I have the inattention part of ADD, not the hyperactivity. Could I possibly have lack of confidence due to possible ADD? Does that make sense? Please help me sort through these thoughts.

Also, I have taken my NCLEX twice and failed...could any of this be due to possible ADD? ( When I go to study ..I loose interest quickly..can't concentrate)

[RNinJune2007, RN]

I have been diagnosed with Adult onset ADD. I am still in nursing school, and take Methylphenidate (very small 10mg dose) for classes only. I do not take anything on the floor, and do not have ANY problem other than in class. I sometimes take a dose when I am studying and can't get into it.

I nearly failed out of nursing school because I was so distracted with all of the other stuff going on in my mind, and my mind was constantly racing, while my instructors were up front taking about Cardiomyopathies... it was horrible.

I actually ended up dropping out of high school (to homeschool myself) before I finished 10th grade, and I had the EXACT same problems then... (except it was more of the thing I was not being challenged).

Although I could have been helped a lot back then, I'm thankful that we didn't DX it then, because so much would be different if I didn't leave Public School when I did.

Anyway, so yes, I am a (student) nurse, set to Graduate May 07, and I have been DX with ADD.

[RNinJune2007, RN]

DGCLOUGH,

My MD has me a prescription for Methylphenidate (Ritalin) 10 mg (but I could use an upped dose) BID PRN. One prescription (of a month... so 60 pills) has lasted me from May through now (and I can probably last until the end of this year).

See if you can get some of that PRN and use it like that... the regular release (not SR\CR) is done working in around 4 hours, so you can have a quick study break, and then go about your daily business as normal...

Good luck! It has helped me TONS. (And, if I decide to study doubly as long, i.e. NIGHT BEFORE A TEST! then I will take another dose when I can tell it is no longer working)

[TamRN2Be]

hello everyone!

i'm 22, in my 3rd semester of nursing school. i started my first semester of nursing school, not knowing my diagnosis. I studied my butt off, hour after hour after hour. I still failed by 2 points. I was DEVISTATED!!! I couldn't understand why something I wanted so bad and worked SO hard for couldn't be attained by ME!? I actually went through a pretty dark depression for a while....at 20 years old!!! The first few days was just constant crying, stomach pain, embarrassment....then I just layed on the couch everyday, with no desire to eat, bathe, or talk to ANYONE. (i have always been a pretty social person.) I remember telling my mom after about 2 weeks of the agony, "Mama, it literally hurts to breathe." That's when my parents talked me into going to a psychiatrist. My life was falling apart, and I at this point wasn't relating it to failing nursing school. After quite a few sessions and quite a few tests, they diagnosed me with ADHD. I started Adderall XR 5mg daily, and talked myself into re-applying---the scariest thing ever! I made it back in and here I am now...IN 3RD SEMESTER. Of course I still study by butt off and I'm NOT giving Adderall the credit for my improved grades, BUT my diagnosis and proper treatment helped me realize I wasn't an "idiot" and helped me actually benefit from studying.

Tam, SN

[bluegrassboy]

I agree...I am not yet a nurse...I am a senior in highschool who has ADD...Have had since sixth grade...my teachers who knew about it could tell when I did not take my meds...I will be following this thread very carefully because I want to be a nurse someday and this thread could help me if and when i do.

same with me, this is my last year of highschool and im really worryed about college and nursing school. Dont want to fail out .

[Cottage]

I sincerely know exactly what you are talking about. But I have to tell you, you are not on the correct meds. I can't even sit down and read a book without Dexedrine. I'm old school when it comes to AD/HD and I like plain old short acting Dexedrine. My NP lets me work with the dose in whatever way works for me. Sometimes I don't take any, sometimes I take 15mg. I never ever need more than that. Usually I take 5-10mg at a time. It works for 4 hours and then you need more.

Adderall is great for those who don't want that extra control I need. Sometimes I don't want it, sometimes I do. Sometimes I only need it for half the day.

When you are on the right meds and the correct dose, there won't be a doubt in your mind. I wouldn't wait for other meds to kick in, I'd keep trying different amphetamines. That is what works best for us. Tried and true.

I'm currently taking Adderall but am curious about what you mean by, "is great for those who don't want that extra control?" What kind of extra contol are you getting from Dexedrine?

[Cottage]

Well here is my two cents. LOL

First I would say that there are different subsets of ADD/ADHD and some may be manageable without meds. However, many times medication is needed for the more severe cases. Also one should consider combining meds w/ appropriate counseling.

As far as emotions are concerned, I would have to respectfully disagree w/ Chris. Psychostimulants can have adverse reactions on mood/emotion; including depression, sadness and fatigue. So if someone is taking them and they don't feel creative or that their personality is a little "dull" it is quite possible that the meds have caused it. I am just saying that there is a correlation between the two.

Kids focusing on video games: 2 things... again the subset thing and another... it would be easier to focus on a video game because the scene/video graphics are constantly changing which is stimulating them. W/O my meds I can play a game but if I need to study/balance checkbook/etc... I will take my medication.

For some it would be more responsible to simply take their medication as it is prescribed than not to take them. Tips and tricks may work for some but not all. We are talking about a learning disability and how it impacts the mind. But that is where one should include counseling because they may find a trick that could work for them.

To simply say "self management" I find very grievous. It is placing blame onto the person and disregarding the fact that this is an actual medical problem. If someone is able to get by with just tips and tricks...they should consider themselves lucky; however, they should not be dismissive to others' who are afflicted. People are unique and react differently to the same disease, as well as, medications.

To imply that someone may be dangerous as a nurse I don't quite get as long as they are careful.

BUT I do agree that one should possibly look into a different nursing field such as education, legal nursing, forensics, etc... IF that would make that person more comfortable as a nurse. Regarding special accommodations... well... it is a learning disability and is covered under the ADA. The point to accommodations are to put the afflicted person back onto a level playing field with his/her peers.

All of the above again is meant in respect and I am open to hear thoughts/comments. :typing

~ Psych

I agree with adding counseling. I hired an ADD coach. The best thing I ever did. I do also take meds, but my coach helped me recognize and figure out how to manage my specific symptoms. Do a search on the internet to find out more info.

[wannabemw]

Tam,

U CAN DO IT! I too failed & became depressed, but I had to move on & went into Health Ed. This degree helped me & 3yrs ago I was dx w/LDs (3 types) & then I gained the courage to ask my neuro about possible ADD (I didn't request dx of the pych w/my LD testing, but she suggested the possiblity when giving me my dx). He said "just a sec" went to his office & returned w/diagnotic criteria he asked me several q's, said, "your right" & then gave me a script for Adderall. I could not believe the difference! I could study for hrs, my GPA jumped .25 pts & my house got organized & my family was finally not afraid of my random outbursts! Oh yeah, and DH said how refreshing it was to not have me run around for 15m trying to leave, looking for all my stuff! I gained enough confidence (& was finally less depressed about my failure @ my 1st shot of NS) to apply again. This time I applied for an Accelerated BSN program & graduated in August with a 3.5! Oh what a difference dx & medication can make... oh yea & a study & learning coach!Who woulda thunk it? Me w/not 1 but 2 AA degrees & 2 BS degrees!

And I always thought I was stupid!

WRONG!

Just HIGHLY distracted!

I'm & :wink2: now! I'm a :mortarboard: now!!!!

NCLEX here I COME!

~MJ

[wannabemw]

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!

As no one has posted on this that I saw:

I went PDA & my life is now organized! :chuckle I remember appts, & for school: class times, assignments, changes. {Note: MAKE SURE YOU BACK UP TO YOUR COMPUTER often (in my case hotsync to MS Outlook)}. It is ALWAYS good to have a hard copy & a PDA copy (my learning specialist told me this & she is SO RIGHT!). I love PDA books, having extra memory (1gig is great!), writing quick notes so I don't lose those sticky slips of papers & I have my assessment outlines on it. Make sure you delete ANY pt info b4 u leave clinical. I LOVE having my drug book on it. Additionally, if you get any books for it there are plenty of sites that offer "bundle packs." Ck the PDA sticky on this site. There are freebees you can get too. My personal fav: epocrates.com drug book. It gives you more then just drug listings too. I love the optional free trial I got for cking to see if drugs are compatible!

Good Luck! PM me if you want more info!

~MJ