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?:)
My user name includes my dx: 314 I have inattentive type.
I wish I had found this thread sooner because it is such a comfort to know there are others like me out there. I used to think I was stupid and lazy because I was never where I was suppose to be, never had what I needed, etc. If I had been diagnosed early in life, like when my teachers in grade school were telling my parents that I wasn't "applying" myself, and wasn't "working up to potential" things would be different. I wasn't diagnosed until my late 30's. I've been on Adderall then Adderall XR for the past 5 years and it makes a big difference.
I was diagnosed last year at the age of 20. I thought I was having short term memory loss. I feel exactly the same, I often am unprepared for events even though I tried to get everything together. It is very frustrating because I'm just getting used to doing things a different way.
Recently I had a make up assignment for my clinical that I missed. my teacher wrote it down for me and I posted it on my door so that I would see it every day before I left and remember that I had to go to it.
What I saw on this paper from the day that she wrote it was
Friday December first -flu clinic with freshmen 12-4
Now two days ago my teacher asked me about the conference and said "you didn't go to both of them?" I didn't know what she meant. She said that she wrote down two different conferences, one on diabetes and one on dialysis. I swore up and down that she only wrote down the one, and told her that I would bring in the paper to prove it.
Driving home I was so sure for once that I had done something right, that I remembered something completely and someone else made the mistake. I said that if there was something else written on that paper that "I give up".
I get home, and what does that paper say?
Friday December first -flu clinic with freshmen 12-4
Monday December fourth - davenport conference room 102a Diabetes 2-3pm
Peritoneal Dialysis 3-4:15
It is so upsetting it is to be like this, mainly because it has gotten much worse since I started college. I have no control over it no matter what I try.
My parents just lectured me on the fact that me forgetting things is the reason that the school wont let me retake a test I missed. and "how do you expect to be a nurse when you don't pay attention?"
I couldn't even defend myself. I just got upset, locked myself in my room and cried.
A lot of people don't understand what its like in your head when you have ADD. Teachers included. I used to be one of those people, but now I really get it.
My user name includes my dx: 314 I have inattentive type.
I wish I had found this thread sooner because it is such a comfort to know there are others like me out there. I used to think I was stupid and lazy because I was never where I was suppose to be, never had what I needed, etc. If I had been diagnosed early in life, like when my teachers in grade school were telling my parents that I wasn't "applying" myself, and wasn't "working up to potential" things would be different. I wasn't diagnosed until my late 30's. I've been on Adderall then Adderall XR for the past 5 years and it makes a big difference.
Wow, could have written the first part of this myself! I heard all those painful buzzwords again and again! I was never made to feel stupid or lazy; more like a had a character flaw for willfully not using my abilities. DH still doesn't get it and thinks I'm making excuses and/ or looking for sympathy ("Well, everyone feels disorganized and has trouble focusing...")
I've never gotten a formal dx because at this stage of my life the techniques used for coaching as I understand them are similar to the adaptive practices I have learned to work out on my own. I might be interested in starting meds if I had more info in whether they have proved beneficial to people my age (50's). Also have past history of breast cancer and am on follow-up meds for 5 yrs; don't know how this would affect the plan.
I know, I know, only a doctor could tell me for sure. Just wish there was some info out there on my situation before I decide to persue it.
On a different tangent; any other ADD'ers out there got any good coping tips to share?
Here are a few of the ways I've learned to turn ADD tendencies around and make them work for me (or at least let me feel like I'm not driving in reverse):
Since my mind is all over the place anyway, I find if I multi-task 2-3 things that take about the same time, I get all of them done. Examples: Start the coffee, then go put laundry in. Wash dishes and change beds while laundry in.
I have to sequence tasks for the day or a given time interval before I can start. For errands I have to make a list of places I need to go, what I need to accomplish at each, what I need to bring with, and in what order I need to go.
I have to "pile" things by the door before I go to work or anywhere so I don't leave out something important. Work bag, keys, cell phone, wallet and lunch go by the door so I'd have to trip over them to get out of the house. Scrub outfit for the day laid out on the bed before I shower. All toiletries used in getting ready out on the counter together: they get put back into the cabinet as they are used.
I have to re-write info I need to learn or remember. If it doesn't go thru the hand, it doesn't get into the brain.
If I have 3 things to remember, that's my first instruction to myelf. If I tell myself "three things to remember" my mind will usually produce those 3 things. (usually...I sometimes get home from the grocery store with 5 extra items,because I couldn't remember one of the items, which turns out to be the main ingredient for what I was planning for dinner...
When taking report at work (and throughout the day), I jot relevent info in a section of my notes page reserved for giving report. If told in report the pt rec'd blood, has a Foley, etc, it goes in the "give report" section immediately, as does anytime I give a PRN med or other relevent care. At the end of the shift this helps me be so much more focused.
Wow - I can't believe how many others have adhd. I am 38 yrs old and was diagnosed with it in second grade and prescribed ritalin. In middle school the school decided I didn't need to be on ritalin anymore - well guess what.... my grades dropped and by the time I was ready to graduate I had to do so much extra credit just so I would pass. I went to school for a bit after graduation but then dropped out went to work and raised my daughter. Again, yrs later I went to school for paralegal - again I dropped out telling people I had a good job and was making good money - I only had 3 courses to go before garduating. Of course, I am not at that job anymore. Well, I have now decided to finally pursue nursing but I am so scared I won't suceed at it. I am still not on any meds but truly believe I need something. I am married to a wonderful guy and it seems I screw up everything at home - between paying bills ontime or keeping up with the housework. I just seem to always put things off or not complet them. Even at my present job - I have a pile of things started but not completed. After reading all these "threads" I have decided to find a doctor who can help me and see what I need to do. I definately feel I should be on something, especially if I am going back to school - I am tired of feeling like a failure. Thanks everyone for all the information and for listening to me rambling on and on (something I always tend to do).
I was fired from my 3rd job yesterday. I wanted to die but I promised my friends I would keep trying. I feel I was set up,I'm in my late 50's and I can't go as fast as these young nurses. I was trying to give medications and do tx.for the first time in this assisted living facilite and I made some medication errors. The Lpn that was following me didn't like me. I just can't seem to see all the medications listed on the MAR. The woman who fired me said you being an RN , you should not be making medication errors. I will try to get a job in nursing that does not involve giving medications. If that doesn't work I am going to quit nursing.
Thanks for your reply. I had an interview at a SNF and would be unit manager doing in MDS and an occasional 16 hour shift giving meds and tx. which scares me. I also gave an interview at a jail so we will see. i don't have alot of confidence at this point. Thanks again for your reply.
Specializes in Lactation Ed, Pp, MS, Hospice, Agency.
Have you thought about investing in a PDA of some sort? I LOVE epocrates (Epocrates, home of the world's most widely used mobile medical references)! It's free (or around for around $100.00 I believe you can get the enhanced program), & I can look up my meds & check to see if their are any meds that don't mix + side effects!
Just a thought. I know I have more confidence when I ck meds this way!
I was fired from my 3rd job yesterday. I wanted to die but I promised my friends I would keep trying. I feel I was set up,I'm in my late 50's and I can't go as fast as these young nurses. I was trying to give medications and do tx.for the first time in this assisted living facilite and I made some medication errors. The Lpn that was following me didn't like me. I just can't seem to see all the medications listed on the MAR. The woman who fired me said you being an RN , you should not be making medication errors. I will try to get a job in nursing that does not involve giving medications. If that doesn't work I am going to quit nursing.
Welcome to my world...jeeeze/
I was fired from my 2d job in eight years last month for the same old stuff....anger management issues, not getting along with other staff and departments, you name it. I decided to see what the problem was and, well, I wouldn't be writing this if not for ADHD, inattentive type. I had been misdiagnosed with depression 10 years ago or so. I live in rural Wisconsin with not many nursing opportunities. To survive, although I'm an ER/trauma nurse with lots of experience, I have been working in a SNF passing meds on a per diem basis...three hours away from here. he up part is that I've been prescribed Adderal, along with Buprofion, and OMG what a difference! I even like myself a lot better! MOST of the time. Unfortunately, I'm fighting almost paralyzing anxiety about job search and where I fit into society.
If I knew how to do anything else, I would quit nursing.
Wow, I am amazed at how many of us have this problem. I've been dx. for about 5 years now & ived been an LPN for over 16 yrs.
I am taking adderal XR, and Wellbutrin but I dont feel the adderal is helping all that much with my concentration,,,in fact i was recently told I was not 2nd year ADN-RN material,,not performing well in clinicals,,,,, unfocused, unorganized, etc.,etc, i was devistated, because I am no longer in school there,,,so that whole year & 1/2 was what? a waste of time, maybe. ,,but Im picking up the pieces, trrying to figure out where i went wrong,,,how to fix me, etc.,Am I determined? yeah, you could say that! maybe Iwill try the regent thing! or leave nursing all together......i dont really know yet...
thank for sharing that and good luck with your pursuits in nursing!
Dont ever let any one tell you that you cant be successful If your really sure thats what you want to do, GO FOR IT,,and remember you have this forum of support to help back you up.....
I took wellbutrin for a little while, not realizing that its like adderall, and didnt sleep for 2 days, plus it made me wicked sick, so I went back to the celexa and adderall combo which has worked well so far.
dont give up, I hated hearing that for so long but I didnt and finnaly passed the first semester of my last year of nursing school. just have one more semester to get through and the NCLEX and ill be done for a while! I deffinately need a break before getting my next degree.
funsizedliv
39 Posts
I was diagnosed last year at the age of 20. I thought I was having short term memory loss. I feel exactly the same, I often am unprepared for events even though I tried to get everything together. It is very frustrating because I'm just getting used to doing things a different way.
Recently I had a make up assignment for my clinical that I missed. my teacher wrote it down for me and I posted it on my door so that I would see it every day before I left and remember that I had to go to it.
What I saw on this paper from the day that she wrote it was
Friday December first -flu clinic with freshmen 12-4
Monday December fourth - davenport conference room 102a Peritoneal Dialysis 2-3 pm.
Now two days ago my teacher asked me about the conference and said "you didn't go to both of them?" I didn't know what she meant. She said that she wrote down two different conferences, one on diabetes and one on dialysis. I swore up and down that she only wrote down the one, and told her that I would bring in the paper to prove it.
Driving home I was so sure for once that I had done something right, that I remembered something completely and someone else made the mistake. I said that if there was something else written on that paper that "I give up".
I get home, and what does that paper say?
Friday December first -flu clinic with freshmen 12-4
Monday December fourth - davenport conference room 102a Diabetes 2-3pm
Peritoneal Dialysis 3-4:15
It is so upsetting it is to be like this, mainly because it has gotten much worse since I started college. I have no control over it no matter what I try.
My parents just lectured me on the fact that me forgetting things is the reason that the school wont let me retake a test I missed. and "how do you expect to be a nurse when you don't pay attention?"
I couldn't even defend myself. I just got upset, locked myself in my room and cried.
A lot of people don't understand what its like in your head when you have ADD. Teachers included. I used to be one of those people, but now I really get it.