A couple weeks ago I started a temp job as a Medical Secretary to a Surgeon. I lost my job as a Staff Assistant in June because of my ADD symptoms (altho I hadn't been diagnosed yet).

I'm starting to notice that I lose all focus in the afternoons. I've been escaping by playing games on my palm pilot.

I called to set up an appointment with the doctor that I want to see, but he's out of town the rest of the week. I recognize that I'm falling into my old ways and it scares the crap out of me, now that I know it's not my fault.

I don't know how to ask for help without telling someone that I have ADD and I don't know what to do to change.

Add to that the fact that my husband doesn't really understand and the frustration of having to keep yet *another* secret (along with my depression) and I've had a super crappy day.

Kelly: History doesn't have to repeat itself...now that you know you'll soon be seeing a doctor....your secret is no longer a secret...you have told us....we all know now:) I agree, afternoons can be tough...I tend to get low blood suger as well. I would make sure to eat a good healthy lunch. I would also make sure to have a glass of your favorite water at your desk throughout the afternoon. Make sure air conditioning is adequate....Do you like music going? Play some. Then just make a list of everything the surgeon wants you to do...to maintain focus...at least if it's all written down, you won't forget anything. No reason to have to commit anything to memory....Take the afternoon in half-hour increments....telling yourself you have just one-half hour to go....and don't forget to take your afternoon break where you actually leave your desk and go out of your office or room or whatever....okay? I used to be a secretary for a dermatologist...I remember what it was like....

Dear Kelly, I would like to give you information in three pieces: Telling others, Finding resources for help and Info. I encourage you to explore these ideas and try out the ones that you feel safe with.
It sounds like you are new to your diagnosis; I am only 6 mos aquainted with mine reading has been helpful. I found reading "driven to distraction quite helpful". Other books are helpful too.


Telling my family was a good thing, as well as trusted individuals, but I would be wary of saying anything at work. There are people that can be trusted and those that cannot. ( If you still aren't sure, you could have a discussion with someone you trust about how and when to disclose medical information with whom.) Lastly as a counselor I can tell you that licensed professionals, ministers/ priests and doctors are sworn to confidentiality
There are probably many resources in your area such as
*community colleges- mine has a carreer resource center, free Strong inventories and Meiers Brig personality types which I have used to discover that I wasn't in the best matched field
*ADHD orgs : ADDIEN and CHADD
*RAMP
I am sure there are others.

Dear Kelly,
I forgot to mention that I had depression... Due to things that had happened to me and not being able to socialize well ie lonely. I don't know what kind of depression you have. I sought help and got it. I would like to inform you that Depression can be resultant from ADD for various reasons. Understanding mine has clarified much of my past. I aslo mention, in order to encourage you and not to give false hope, that I have overcome most if not all of my depression.

Thanks so much for all the encouragement. It makes me feel like I'm not totally losing my mind. My husband and I also talked last night - so I think we understand each other better.

Today's going MUCH better than yesterday - the only time I picked up my palm pilot was to set a timer and I'm just taking a short break to post this.

I left a voicemail for the clinic that diagnosed me - to see if they have any suggestions.

My lovely, lovely co-worker asked me to type up some envelopes for her - so that's keeping me busy this afternoon. YAY!

Oh yes -- sometimes repetitive, but somewhat thought-provoking tasks can be beneficial....such as envelopes....just to pass the time away. It's good you have your husband's support. Your co-worker is "lovely"? Aren't you nice to refer to her as "lovely"!! I hope someday some co-worker thinks I'm "lovely"....

joan u aint a co-worker of mine but yu are lovely, okay? does that count for something?

Hello Kelly,

a few years ago I was in a similar situation and one of the things I did was to try to remove some of the distractions around me that encouraged my mentally wandering off.

This included taking toys and other non-essential items off my desk and deleting Solitaire & Minesweeper off my computer.

You might want to consider blowing away the games on your Palm.

Good Luck,
Mark

A reminder system that pops up every half hour or so , which you can program to get you back on task

Hi Mark -

I'm going to delete the games menu from my computer and, for now, I'm hiding my games tab on my palm.

My husband suggested deleting my palm games *whimper* My only objection is that I play them in bed to help me get to sleep.

It worked fine yesterday, but today will be a little slower - so we'll see.