Okay, here goes. I work in Dental Claims for a Dental Insurance company. It's quite high traffic really. I'm making pretty good money right now.. not exactly the best, but what can you expect given I have my GED and no college education.

Anyway, there's pretty much a lot of things that I'm responsible for & it seems that with the way my ADD is, it's causing a lot of disruptions with my day & affecting my productivity. I take phone calls, make phone calls to resolve claims issues, process claims, minor adjustments, write & send letters, monthly reports, request information to be sent as well as meetings, training updates.. etc etc etc.

I've worked in this position for a little over a year. I'm the only one with income right now & with the economy being the way it is... well, there isn't really much that I feel like I can do. I mean, especially with my level of self esteem, or lack there of.

My last meeting with my supervisor- prior to my diagnosis with ADD was not exactly stellar to say the least & I'm afraid that unless something gets done, I'm looking at possibly losing my job. I have had friends that have left that company, gotten fired... whatever & have taken over a year before they could find another job. Not for the lack of trying either. One of my friends put in over 100 resumes and nothing! When she did, she found a job in customer service that pays less. I've even put in resume's places.. I don't really have that bad of a record as far as for time in company or whatever and all I've gotten is thank you, but no thank you. I have 2 children that depend on me & if this job doesn't work out for one reason or another... what next?

I know I should work on one thing at a time... but I can't help but feeling like I have to worry about my security in the company.

I don't really know how to feel.

Any advice???

Thanks guys!

Janet

Hi Janet -- Perhaps looking at what that "something" is that needs to get done in order to stay there....since chances are the grass is not greener in another job....that you say yourself would be hard to find anyway....most ADD'ers struggle in their jobs....so perhaps it's best to get specific feedback from your boss (if you did not already during your last evaluation) regarding exactly what you need to improve on -- and then work really hard to improve on those issues.....finding some strategies to make those improvements...perhaps getting some support from your local vocational rehab (they will work with us ADD'ers for free) or check out your employee assistance program if your company offers one as part of its benefits...(I've done this and EAP counselors work with you on a totally confidential basis).....and perhaps start documenting exactly what you get done in a day...cannot hurt at next evaluation time....and perhaps get some organization strategies in place that work for you....if you have not already....Good Luck.....I'm just out of school and job hunting now...and frankly I'd rather be in your shoes.....:)

Sound advice, Joan.

Janet, you might also request an interim performance review, or ask your supervisor's boss if he/she wouldnt mind being your mentor :)

Good Luck!

I appreciate the feedback - I'm still so new to this thing.. trying to figure out how to work with it is new to me. Especially since I know what it is now. That's a good thing.

Anyway- I talked to my supervisor today at work. She's going to have someone sit with me & evaluate what I'm doing .. and to see if there's something that I don't need to be doing or just doing too much of.. or whatever. So I hope that helps. Otherwise, NEXT!!!!

I think that my employer will be willing to help me- so that will be nice. I don't want to lose my job.. I really don't. Not that I'm totally excited about it.

How do you get excited about work... motivation or whatever.???

Anyway- that's it for now. I have a support group to attend tonight...

Take care all..
Janet

How do you get excited? Motivated? I guess you can create a game out of it...in other words, make your own excitement....your own motivation....you can get real creative about this.....find neat ways to organize your desk, your files, your computer...create a new filing system....with each task, find a way to make it interesting and challenging.....with each phone call, concentrate on each one....making the other person feel real important.....dress really nice everyday...(I'm amazed at how nice my roommate looks when she trots off to work).....:)

I don't have any advice ...But I do want to give you a big pat on the back for even trying to do the work your doing. That kind of job is my worst nightmare come true...

I've tried working in an office....OMG !! I did everything wrong. I couldn't get messages right, I'd write phones# wrong....I was so bored I thought I'd scream.....lol...I felt like such an idiot....

Don't give up !!! In my opinion you should look at it this way, they must see something about you they like to want to help you......

You should be proud of yourself ! ...........

Paula

After 12 years of Quality Control I now drive a truck

I find a job where I am alone but responsible for my job I do well

Nobody cares if I sing or tap my fingers as I drive

I also drive a school bus, like fast talking MOM and I love that job

Love the kids

Hate the noise, so I tune it out

Took me a long time to find something I could do comfortable and I even found a boss who doesn't understand ADD but accepts it and me

Hang in , Evaluate what's good for you , If you can recognize the problem , then that is half the battle , the next half is to find the best way to do it...


Im with FasttalkingMom on this one

you should be proud as that is not an easy job

They seem to want to help you so go for it

and remeber

How do you eat an elephant

ONE BITE AT A TIME

Originally posted by Garry Lawton
Nobody cares if I sing or tap my fingers as I drive [/B]

Never thought of this before.....lol....:cool:


Paula

Janet -- Have you ever thought of attending dental school -- and having your company pay for it? Any ambitions in that direction?

I really have no interest in that line of work. To be honest with you- I'm scared crapless about going to the dentist. LOL. Anyway, thank you though. I'm hopefully going to be talking to someone that runs our local CHADD Chapter.. she's thinking about calling me tonight, so that will be nice. Plus I have some things swimming through my brain. LOL

Also, because of my moods as of late- I just felt so extremely frustrated that I couldn't take it anymore. I called a place not too far away from my work & they apparently are in my network- so I scheduled an appt for this guy to see me TODAY! I was floored! But I needed it. It was necessary. I don't think my supervisor was happy, but Well, I hate to say it.. I don't really care. I can't go on like I have been.

Whew... anyway- back on track.. I got an appt with him - and he refered me to a state run organization that works with people that has disabilities both emotional & physical. To provide training to them to find a job that would be more suitable with the disorder & hopefully find a job match. So hopefully some vocational training will be in order. I left them an email to see if I would qualify because apparently you have to meet certain criteria or something.. I should hear back in 3 days!!! Wish me luck!

Anyway- that's all for me for now. I'm glad I have found someone that will work with me. I need that so bad right now!

Good for you ..... :) I hope it works for you.....

{{{sending good luck vibes}}}}


Paula

Me too....vibes from me too:)

Thank you all for your support.. I really do appreciate it & I really feel like right now I need that extra nudge. Heck, I'd even take a slight push at this point. LOL

I can't tell you enough how much I'm grateful for this board. It's been such a support to me. You guys are all awesome!

I just have to look for more things on the internet to try to help me. Plus, when I get some money.. I'm hoping to buy a book! I'm kind of between You mean I'm not stupid, lazy or crazy?! or Driven to Distraction... It's a tossup.

Well, if anyone wants to email me, feel free to do so. I'd love to talk to all of you!

Thank you again!