I got this from http://add.about.com/library/blsurvivingwork.htm
Surviving ADHD in The Workplace


ADHD can bring many wonderful qualities to a job. Men have reported that the high energy level, creative thinking and problem solving as well as the ability to hyper-focus on a task can bring much success to their careers. The ability to think conceptually, view the entire situation and find solutions to problems that are highly advanced and ingenious can bring much satisfaction. One man writes, “My ideas are laughed at initially but time proves them most benefical.” (David’s Perspective, The Many Faces of ADD)

There are, however, several ADD traits that make the workplace a difficult and trying place. Forgetfulness, inattention to detail, poor listening and communication skills, hyperactivity, and short attention spans are some of those traits.

It is a hard decision to ask for accommodations to meet individual needs. Men are supposed to be able to handle the stress and pressure of a job. Asking for accommodations can make men feel weak and frightened that they will be viewed as not being able to live up to expectations. Bosses may feel that asking for accommodations is like asking for special treatment and may feel that it will disrupt the flow of the department, causing resentment on the part of workers that are not given accommodations. Unfortunately, many may still feel that ADHD is an excuse for poor work performance. Many men, therefore, have chosen not to disclose their ADHD to their employer, choosing instead to find ways to manage the characteristics and traits of ADHD that might cause problems at work.

Whether you choose to ask for accommodations or to handle situations on your own, there are some behavior management systems that might provide some relief.

Inattention and Memory
Use a timer/watch with alarms and set it to vibrate or beep at certain intervals during the day. The vibration/beep should remind you to get back on task and remain focused.

If you work with a computer on your desk, you can use your computer to set reminders.

Use your email and send yourself a message on deadlines, things to do and projects to be completed.

Use a “32 file system.” Set up manilla folders, one for each day of the month and one for anything past this month. File your work under the day that you need to work on it, with reminders in upcoming days for deadlines. If your work is mostly on the computer or does not involve paperwork, write a note as to what needs to be completed and place in the correct date. Anything not needed to be completed this month, write a date on the top corner of the paper and file it in “later.” At the beginning of each month, refile the “later” papers into the correct dates. Each morning, you should have a file containing the work that needs to be completed that day. Anything for tomorrow is off your desk and remains unseen.

Use a PDA. This device, as with all management systems, is only as good as you want it to be. You will need to discipline yourself to use the PDA and input the data you need to keep you organized.

Use a coach or a buddy system to have someone remind you of important dates, deadlines or other work to be completed. You can communicate via phone, in person or by email.

Ask your supervisor/manager to meet briefly with you each Monday morning to review the projects and expectations for the week.

If you work in a situation where there are numerous interruptions, keep a stack of index cards or “sticky notes” on your desk. When interrupted, immediately write down what you were doing. Once the interruption is over, you will know exactly what you were working on and can more easily get back to it.

Hyperactivity

Set your schedule to allow for time to stretch, walk around and otherwise use up some of the excess energy. Pace your time so that “sitting” work is divided into chunks, rather than long stretches.

Use your lunch hour to exercise. Take a walk around the building.

Ask about completing some of your work at home so that you change your environment, decreasing your restlessness.

If you attend meetings and can’t seem to sit still and concentrate, keep a pad with you and constantly take notes on what is being said.

Restructure your workday to complete boring and mundane tasks first.

Impulsiveness

Taking on extra work because you impulsively agreed to do it can be devastating. Talk with your supervisor or manager and let them know that you may sometimes take on more than you are able to complete. At the moment it may sound great, but later, you realize that you have over-extended yourself. Let your manager know that you would like time to think about additional projects before giving a commitment.

Keep your day structured to avoid impulsively moving from task to task.

Blurting out comments and answers can sometimes happen because you fear that you will forget what you wanted to say if you wait only a few minutes. Keep a small notebook with you at all times and when someone is talking, write a short note to yourself as to what you want to contribute to the conversation or discussion. When they have finished talking, you will be able to add your comments, without having interrupted or spoken without thinking first.

If anyone has any other suggestions or even other problems could you share them with us?
One problem I have at work is the distraction my co-workers do, the laughing, giggling, flinging of rubber bands, playing weird sounds on their computers (Such as beaker from Muppets), talking loud on their cell phones.

Voice recorder for what you want to contribute to the conversation (I have one on my new cellphone).

Put on your headphones with the Mozart or Vivaldi on them to block out the office noise.

I'm a little brain dead and don't have any other suggestions right now.

Oh, one more.

If you're in a field or city that is at all competitive, get your support system in place - hire your organizer - do whatever you have to do - but DO NOT reveal to anyone you work with or for that you're dealing with AD/HD. It's a screener, plain and simple. It's not the way the world should be but it's the way the world is.

when I've had part time office jobs, I too find music helpful. :)

At my last two jobs I've gotten really nervous when I work. When anything goes wrong I freaked. Now I'm trying to find another job and hopefully things will work out.

-Raven

I agree - Music helps me ALOT (although, I have to stay away from slow music - it'll put me to sleep ;)

I have inattentive ADD - but, luckily, with my job, I'm VERY busy - so I find that if I move on to something else for a little while, I don't have as much trouble going back to a previous project. Sometimes, I do have to force myself to do things tho *bleah*

Hello All,

I have the biggest problem figuring out what my priorities are at work. I work in an environment that constantly throws new issues at me all day and I have to re-prioritize depending on which ones are "hot". This makes it really hard for me to start my day. I sit here, staring at my screen with my mind racing about what I should start working on. But I stress out because I don't feel sure of my decision and my mind starts wandering to the other issues.

Any suggestions on how to not let all the thoughts in my head stress me out so much? I get to the point where I'm in the middle of researching something and my mind says "Oh, what about this issue!!!" and I move onto the next issue. I end up not getting much done at all and I beat myself up.

I'm trying to retrain my brain and get some structure, but the thoughts are powerful and consuming.
This is tough. Glad I'm not alone.

Thanks,
Paul

Plast,

Your post could have been mine.
That is exactly the environment and flow that I am in.

I am stressing right now, because I have yet to get to something done that I know should be on the top of the list that I should have had done 2 days ago. :dizzy:

Tomorrow, I am going into my office and shuting the door behind me. Let's see if that works.

Finding the priority when give multitasks is a biggy for me too. I had to go to my head engineer and say "Which is the order I should do things" If you own your own company this must be madding!

Prioritizing is one thing that coaching does help with. At work, it should be possible to borrow someone's ear for a few minutes to sort things out. It might sound unusual but it could even be a mutual exchange. I've done that at work all the time calling people over to help with a design problem, though I'll admit it's not so common for more mundane organizational details it should definitely help if you can find someone to help. Offer to help them with something. Forced collaboration (teamwork) at work kills me but when it's voluntary, it's excellent.

And it could be my post too. I'm scaring myself with some of the neglect on the work front. I keep telling myself that all is stable in most other areas of concern and is certainly an improvement over a few months ago but all is not perfect that's for sure.

It seems as if any time there is something with any pressure attached I can't get on my game.

I've made more headway in the past couple of weeks than in several months previously. Mostly though patience I think and maybe some preparation. I just try not to give the phone calls and the nagging voice in the back of my head much energy.

I am trying to remain positive and make an effort to think about good things like all the other things in my life that were a mess previously that aren't now. This week I have tried to focus on the fact that I am making head way even at work and that if I can maintain the slow improvements the work will get done and all will be well.

It is scary though. I've decimated my business over the last year. My credibility is forever compromised. My life goals have changed as a result but I'm still quite frightend by the lack of attention to what I think should be high priority items.

I'm leaning but my expectations are high and my patience is low.
Life is short. Play hard.
Ian.

me too with the priorities.
If all the tasks at work were glasses of water that needed to be filled with a teaspoon, my personal, ADD-ish style would be to fill them each a little bit, and then continue, filling the more urgent ones with an extra spoonful. Tasks new to the line-up would then be completed later, unless given extra spoonsful of attention.
It actually works pretty well, except for the constant anxiety.
But my boss sees this work style as being alternately scattered and obsessive--which it is. But she gets angry at me for working the way I do, which makes the anxiety level rise until I can't do anything, and, worst of all, lose my momentum, forgetting where I was on the tasks.
I'm taking meds now, but they have a similar-but-different effect. My method has been shattered by the meds, and is not working.
I can't easily find a new job, as I am an aging single parent and do not want to uproot my youngest child right now.

This week was a good one on the work front. I got really weak from lack of sleep, painful mouth after being beat up by a dentist and relationship realignments. Now that seems to have all resolved and I've just got the spring allergy hit to haul around with me.

Just a note on multitasking. I used to think it was the cats meow but have since learnt that it does not work as well as I once thought.

Here is a link I found that begins to explain why.
http://shorterlink.org/189

I've begun to try and assign short blocks of time to tasks so I know I don't have to be doing the same thing for what seems like forever. I also make sure I get up and do something for short periods if I do get into doing a longer task.

Even getting up and stretching can extend my ability to stay on task. A walk to get a glass of water is even better. It seems to be a skill I'm capable of learning though which is encouraging.
Cheers! Ian.

Dear Plast:

I don't really have a suggestion for you because I am in a similar situation. What I have done is to ask each person who requests a task to give me a drop-dead due date. While I try to avoid suggesting that I will not be able to meet the deadline, I sometimes negotiate a new deadline. Some of the responsibility for meeting deadlines is not just yours.

Got to go, thunderstorm just started, Good Luck, Ann

oh goodness, this was so much help to read!

I'm having so much trouble with work lately and no one in my office seems to understand that I am not irresponsible -- my brain just works a little differently!

I just got this email from my supervisor this morning, so I'm freaking out a bit:

"I will inform you that Ann-Marie and myself are concerned that you are slipping back into behaviors that we had talked about last year. It's all little stuff like coming in late, pto admin, losing keys, etc. but it does affect business. We may have to talk if it continues. As we've discussed before, following simple admin procedures are important. I'd also remind you that we had discussed communicating more with myself and the rest of the staff verbally instead of always im'ing and emailing. You seem to be back to the nonverbal communication. Your work is excellent but this other stuff definitely affects productivity and everybody else. I just wanted to give you a heads up now so that we avoid any future "reprimands"(for lack of a better word).

If you need to talk about anything or take time off to straighten stuff out, let me know. thanks"

:eyebrow::rolleyes:

ouch.

I am so glad I have these boards for resources... and to know I am really not the only one out there with a head full of chaos!

I hope that you are still with the same job and working for Ann-Marie. The reason I am able to say this is that she is really trying to help you know where you stand and what you need to do. (Of course for ADD people we often seem to know WHAT to do, it's the how.)

Anyway, By telling you exactly what she'd like to see changed - ie: that your'e communicating through email rather than in person, and being non-verbal she is telling you where you stand. So you know. Personally, it is sometimes easier for me to send an email b/c it makes sure that I have my thoughts lined up so they make sense instead of jumping around a lot. I also don't tend think as fast on my feet with my supervisor as I'd like. (I have so much respect and admiration for him that it is difficult for me to talk to him b/c I feel like he would view me as lacking or unworthy. In truth he has put up with a tremendous amount from me and I haven't given as much back.)

So, perhaps explaining to Ann-Marie that you find it easier on some things to communicate via email b/c it allows you to present information in a clear, concise, and organized manner. Perhaps she would be able to provide you with strategies for communicating with her verbally.

email from supervisor

Wow. I can understand that it hurt to receive it, but I want to borrow that e-mail, b/c I think she hit a constructive tone. I have a hard enough time managing my own issues, and I suspect that someone I now have to manage has untreated ADD. She has many of the same issues the e-mail addresses.

Prioritizing is one thing that coaching does help with. At work, it should be possible to borrow someone's ear for a few minutes to sort things out. It might sound unusual but it could even be a mutual exchange. I've done that at work all the time calling people over to help with a design problem, though I'll admit it's not so common for more mundane organizational details it should definitely help if you can find someone to help. Offer to help them with something. Forced collaboration (teamwork) at work kills me but when it's voluntary, it's excellent.
"Forced collaboration (teamwork) at work kills me but when it's voluntary, it's excellent."

Ask more about why this is? This is how i works all the time. We know what our priorities are but we don't consider them to be any less a priority than another one. We simply have our own WAY of doing it. This WAY will work just fine and allow us to excell at what we do. But the mundane tasks get in the way. That in itself to me personally is a mundane issue!

Music - it drowns out the noices that the savage beast [office worker] makes. IHAVE to have some music playing just to block out the noice. After I'm able to focus on what I'm doing, I can take off the head phones and it didn't matter what was happening around me. The building could be on fire and I wouldn't notice it.
I can't listen to a full album, everything is randomized. For example, two songs ago, it was an old jug band song [old, '29 and many consider it to be the foundation of what we know of the blues/rock/,,, today.], last song was Creed, and now it is Gracie Fields -'49. Good, BlindSide coming up next.


http://www.turbofish.com/music.txt

I started a new job about 3 months ago and just came up on the end of my probationary period and had a conference with my boss about how I am doing. Well, she told me that she was extending my probationary period for 30 days so that she and her assistant could work with me on a few things that have been lacking in my job performance. She explained that they could'nt give me the attention that they wished to because they have been so busy. She knows about my add and also some issues I have with anxiety disorder. She also said that she thought I was a very good worker and was worth her time and attention. I'm worried however about this extention because I think when you are in the probationary period you can be let go for no reason. I feel like I am walking on eggshells and am under the microscope in there now. I'm scared to death of losing my job. I try so hard and it never seems to be good enough. I am on SSDI for depression and anxiety which I will be getting off of soon (my decision) because I want to be a functional and contributing member of society. Can anyone out there offer any advice, council, or reassurance that can help me get through the next 30 days? Thanks in advance.

This is the first school I have worked in with very little technology-adapting is taking a long time-I really depend on it and am at a very high stress level trying to adapt to the extra work-and the increase in mistakes and time to fix them.

Don't want to use ADD as an excuse-plus, some of it is school-wide and impossible to change. Just need a shoulder to lean on. And a place to rant, rave, and cuss. I would rather be teaching.

Becky

Some things that help me:
1. Stay away from the computer at least some of the time. It is best for me to start without the computer. I can prioritize, plan, and start better that way.
2. Take breaks for water. Use those break times to do tasks other than "computer things".
3. Ground myself in all ways.
4. Write down exactly why I stopped working on one thing, and then (when it's a "problem" I don't have the answer to) make it a point to ask someone or get help on it.
5. If I communicate better by thinking it all through and writing it all down first, I do. This is especially important for phone calls and meeting strangers.
6. Relax more. Though it seems so illogical, the more I relax, the better I do. And the better others like me, and I like myself--at least sometimes!

If anyone has any other suggestions or even other problems could you share them with us?
One problem I have at work is the distraction my co-workers do, the laughing, giggling, flinging of rubber bands, playing weird sounds on their computers (Such as beaker from Muppets), talking loud on their cell phones.
Wow thats amazing thats my biggest problem at work is distraction. Particulary when this one guy laughs I start laughing to me he has a funny laugh. Then there is the times when someone is explaining somthing to me and I start to lose track of what is being said. This is becuase there are so many distractions. MY boss has already told me that I have an issue when it comes to paying attention, I seem to always ask the same question more then three times that has been anwsered the day before. Funny thing is my boss has ADD too lol. But he lost his hyperness and he is much better then I am at listening and handling pressure.

my sidekick 3 cell was helpfull till they figured out i had internet on it:mad:

Ive been asigned a different pace for work today.......uh just when i get my own stuff done,im very anxious as in nervy today,my whole day will be out of wack.

oh the powers to be can be so cruel:p

Good luck with the new assignment! Don't I know how cruel the powers-that-be can be acceptance! :)

This was all before I even knew I had ADD. I had done OK in the place where I left to go to uni because they left me alone to do a job & didn't hassle me. Then the workload in that job go too much & I started to protest & tried to get help. So they decided they were going to "cycle" people through the job (ie dump me from it & put me into a lower level, general job) and my coping mechanisms at that time failed me, sending me back to hospital with major depression.

When I returned with a new attitude, nothing was ever good enough, at first we were allowed to listen to music on the computer (which really helped me) but I was constantly told by the supervisor to "turn it down" when it was not on loudly in the first place. Nobody else complained,by the way.

Fast forward to just over 2 years after returning to my work, I was put on a final written warning for things like "talking too loudly on the phone", "butting into conversations" etc. When they gave me the final written warning the supervisor actually said "This is not about your performance, it is about other things - but then did not go into these "other things" - they just gave me the letter with the final warning write-up. Since then, I realised these things were part of my ADD.

At that point I realised that I was never going to be able to save myself there & applied for uni, got my place back & I have not looked back. It just shows that there is a lot of ignorance in the workplace about any sort of mental health issues.

I hope that you are still with the same job and working for Ann-Marie. The reason I am able to say this is that she is really trying to help you know where you stand and what you need to do. (Of course for ADD people we often seem to know WHAT to do, it's the how.)

Anyway, By telling you exactly what she'd like to see changed - ie: that your'e communicating through email rather than in person, and being non-verbal she is telling you where you stand. So you know. Personally, it is sometimes easier for me to send an email b/c it makes sure that I have my thoughts lined up so they make sense instead of jumping around a lot. I also don't tend think as fast on my feet with my supervisor as I'd like. (I have so much respect and admiration for him that it is difficult for me to talk to him b/c I feel like he would view me as lacking or unworthy. In truth he has put up with a tremendous amount from me and I haven't given as much back.)

So, perhaps explaining to Ann-Marie that you find it easier on some things to communicate via email b/c it allows you to present information in a clear, concise, and organized manner. Perhaps she would be able to provide you with strategies for communicating with her verbally.

That is a wonderful email. I can appreciate Ann-Marie's candor and constructive criticism. Wow. Respect level has gone up, up, up for certain mgrs.

Hello All,

I have the biggest problem figuring out what my priorities are at work. I work in an environment that constantly throws new issues at me all day and I have to re-prioritize depending on which ones are "hot". This makes it really hard for me to start my day. I sit here, staring at my screen with my mind racing about what I should start working on. But I stress out because I don't feel sure of my decision and my mind starts wandering to the other issues.

Any suggestions on how to not let all the thoughts in my head stress me out so much? I get to the point where I'm in the middle of researching something and my mind says "Oh, what about this issue!!!" and I move onto the next issue. I end up not getting much done at all and I beat myself up.

I'm trying to retrain my brain and get some structure, but the thoughts are powerful and consuming.
This is tough. Glad I'm not alone.

Thanks,
Paul

You are definately not alone! You articulated very well what I go through almost on a daily basis! I get to work 1 to 2 hours before my co-workers so I can get a jump on the day, but it never works out that way, I try to catch up on something that I have been puting off, and things keep popping up anyway! Maybe I shouldn't check my email first thing in the morning. It is so frustrating. I want to show my boss I'm on top of things (especially since I just got a promotion), but then he'll ask me if I had gotten around to something I had completely forgot about! My task list in outlook keeps getting longer instead of shorter, because I forget to check it and keep adding stuff. Help!!!

I have a problem with following up on things. If I send someone an email to do something I forget about following up on it b/c I assume they are going to do it. I work in the insurance industry and so I am constantly requesting information or changes etc. Once I send the request I forget about it until they get back to me. Does anyone have a good system for following up?

ADHD can bring many wonderful qualities to a job. Men have reported that the high energy level, creative thinking and problem solving as well as the ability to hyper-focus on a task can bring much success to their careers. The ability to think conceptually, view the entire situation and find solutions to problems that are highly advanced and ingenious can bring much satisfaction. One man writes, “My ideas are laughed at initially but time proves them most benefical.” (David’s Perspective, The Many Faces of ADD)

one of those kind of qualities i bring to the table is i volunteer like a mad man. Boss says i have a job here for someone to do...... i tell him or her and am usually the first to say give it to me ill do it. Get alot of crappy jobs at first but once the boss knows you dont mind volunteering you will get the good jobs. Thats always been the case in my experience, that way i dont need to be paranoid all the time thinking im not doing my job lol.

Wow--this is so great to read because I deal with all of these issues on a daily basis!! Also, i think it is so interesting how many people with ADD also deal with anxiety and depression. There is so much pressure to perform and produce in a particular way that it is very stressful to people who are more creative and abstract! Unfortunately, all the aspects of a "good" worker are contrary to the aspects of ADD. I am looking for a job and EVERY post says "self-starter", "organized", "punctual", "good follow-through", "work independently", etc. I keep thinking, where is the job posting that says, "sharp, creative worker wanted. Temporary bursts of enthusiasm, flexible sense of time, lack of focus or intense focus, distractability, need for collaboration and feedback, and direct, blunt communication a plus." Ha ha!! That's the job for me!!

I immigrated here from the Philippines almost 2 decades ago and went through depression and anxiety almost that length of time. I was diagnosed with ADD about four years ago and now in my second medication. Medication is not a cure all as you still have to work, get along with people and meet deadlines. I was fired in some jobs and barely survive the others.

I currently took a week off from work to deal with my emotional problems and overwhelming stress. I got the feeling that I will be leaving this job soon. I came to this job after quitting another job within the same company. This is my 4th year with this organization and maybe that length of time is enough and it's time to seek out other opportunities.

I've just finished my master's last May and boy, that was stressful. ADD, work and school at the same time almost cost me my sanity. There were quite a few times that I feel like going to the psych ward. I'm now faced with the reality of finding another job and historically, I always had problems finding a job that best fits me. I guess I'm not alone with this dilemma. I read in other forums that some are at the point of giving up and that's really sad. I was in that predicament quite a few times in my life.

I'm going to a CHADD meeting in two weeks and hopefully that will provide me some answers to some of my questions regarding ADD. I'm 38 years old and I feel that I've been caught between a rock and a hard place too many times during my adult life. My wife stood by me all of the 10 years we've been together. I am fortunate to have a loving and understanding wife. My lack of success in life is something that pains me a lot and feel bad for my wife. She always re-direct me and let me count my blessings. She's right.

I enjoyed the postings and it is a great source of inspiration.

Reading these posts brought tears to my eyes! I can so relate, and being brand new to this board, and having not really shared that much with other ADDers, I had NO IDEA how NOT ALONE I am! I'm going to go back and click THANKS on all of these! I feel like a weight is being lifted. THANK YOU!

That link didn't work for me, but I found this at the same website.

http://add.about.com/od/adhdinadults/a/Worktips.htm

Thanx to all for such useful hints and information, it is too late for me as I am yet again unemployed however I will have to use them in my next job. I am determined to beat the on and of and on and of and on and of employment merry-go-round .... wish me luck.

I am returning to this board after not looking at it for awhile. Does anyone here have issues with Non Verbal Learning Disability? If so what are your issues I was tested recently and found out that I have a 20 pt gap between my verbal score and performance score and that is with taking 20mg of adderall xr 20. The gap narrowed from what it was 8 years ago when I was taking only 5 mg of ritalin and before Sensory Integration therapy Without adderall my eyes will not focus at all and neither will I. My biggest issues or concerns for me is my motor skills which are horrible. I am 50 and my fine motor skills are really weak. (I can type and use computer software. ) My hand eye coordination is also extremely weak. I had done sensory integration therapy for about two years and stopped it in 2002. I recently started using something that I had gotten from my occupational therapist and it helps in that it keeps me from verbalizing everything that I do especially stuff that involves using motor skills, and makes me less conscious of the delay with my hand and eye, it might shorten the delay. The verbalizing the stuff that is automatic for other people distracts me from being able to really think about the mental aspect of the work. My tester did not believe me until she watched me work (which was before I went back to doing what I did during OT (which I hated but it makes life easier)

If anyone is out there with NVLD what kind of work are you doing? How did you discuss the fact that you are so much slower than you would seem to be? If I say nothing I might get in a situation where the output required is more than I can handle. Bosses always love me when I have temped and they have neither met me before my start date or seen my resume. Obviously the job is easier. Those positions wind up being either permanent positions or really long term temp assignments. It's been awhile since my last temp job. (the people loved me but their location closed about two months after the temps left, and because we were being phased out the work load was much lower than the norm so I could handle it or stay later since I didn't have to clock in with a regular time clock, I didn't pay myself for the extra time I worked due to my slowness and desire to be productive). I am trying to figure out what to do for full time work. I work part-time in a department store, and even there I am noticeably slower than most of the other people. Using what I learned in SI helps me to not talk to myself on the register and lets me do things quicker and not get rattled by the stuff that isn't routine like a return without tickets or something that might have been stolen. It also helps me in the tax program in that I can deal with something that is not familiar to me and work through it without freaking out.

By education I am an accountant, I worked tax season at H and R Block as a preparer. The people in my office knew me from working the year before in a clerical capacity and helped me with stuff that was more difficult and I helped them with some of the more routine stuff that was more clerical in nature.

I'm taking tax courses now to get ready for next season. I can get good scores on the certification quizzes which are open book, (although the wording can be tricky) but I'm always one of the last to finish the classroom exercises. People do notice these kind of things. It's like something doesn't add up.

My workplace is sometimes conducive to ADD, most times not. I work in television. There is a lot of hurry-up and wait, then a flurry of activity followed by a lull in the action, then busy again with my attention pulled in several directions with more than a few things to keep track of.
It's the down time that drives me crazy. I can't relax. I read, do crossword puzzles, try to talk shop or sports with others around me but not too good at that kind of thing. All the while feeling anxious and even guilty that I should/could be doing something more productive. Like the projects at home that I've started but are in various stages of completion. Seems the job is always getting in the way of my personal life.
At the end of the day I often feel worthless. (Then arrive home to the room with the paint, brushes and ladder sitting there and the powder room that just needs the tile installed.) My boss hasn't said anything, good or bad, to me which leaves me wondering where I stand. Maybe he gets it that this is the way the job goes and I just can't get used to it. And I've been there almost 25 years!
Now I've lost interest in typing. But do look forward to ideas and suggestions.
Thanks!

I'm very discouraged by all that I've read regarding ADHD and overcoming workplace problems.

The only consistent answer that I see essentially boils down to, 'Discipline'.

The condition by its nature precludes discipline. This sounds to me like someone telling a blind person that all they need to do to read is look harder at the words. It's like telling a parapalegic that all they need to do to walk is practice using their legs.

I'm an ace at organizing. I carry a PDA like a security blanket. I have even gone so far as to structure my life so that those around me provided constant reminders and coaching.

And none of it... NONE of it has stopped my brain from going wherever the hell it wants to go. Does this mean that I don't want to succeed? Not necessarily. I want to succeed, but I cannot do the very things that allow me to succeed.

I have trouble believing that you can bootstrap yourself past this condition. If one finds a way to succeed, it will be something that you WANT to do. That's how my father deals with his ADHD, and even doing something he loves, in a situation ideal to his condition, he still doesn't have the credentials or knowledge that the 'normies' in his field have.

He's valuable, but he requires a secretary to write his memos. He requires a team of normies to carry through his ideas. This isn't practical for most people in the day-to-day world.

Answers, please!

My problem is that I DO use the calender in my computer at work and put in all reminders but i NEVER remeber to look at it. lol. It keeps popping up reminders all the time and I just ignore them. I work with probably the most unsuitable work possible for myself but have somehow (almost) managed to get by.
Since i finally admitted to and realized that ADD is my diagnose it is somehow easier as i try to remember my weaknesses instead of the overwhelming failure feeling

BADCAT:
I am looking for a job and EVERY post says "self-starter", "organized", "punctual", "good follow-through", "work independently", etc. I keep thinking, where is the job posting that says, "sharp, creative worker wanted. Temporary bursts of enthusiasm, flexible sense of time, lack of focus or intense focus, distractability, need for collaboration and feedback, and direct, blunt communication a plus." Ha ha!! That's the job for me!!

I love it!!! <!-- / message -->

Hello I'm a newbie and need advice. I'm ADHD and I'm a College Admissions Officer. I'm really good at it and I have the most students currently enrolled. My problem is not with the ADD...I've utilize some cope mechs for that...The problem I have is with the HD part. I tend to walk quickly out of my office into another's office and socialize. If there is no student or lead in there, I start visiting. My co-worker's and Director's are patient and to a point understanding, however there are times when I since their annoyance. I'm thinking my social cues at work are lacking. Any advice? O'h yes...I'm working on the, "stop-think-wait-coping mech"..its under construction :)

So I am 32 and just got diagnosed with ADHD on Monday and Tuesday was my first day of taking 20mg Adderall XR. It started working within like 45 mins and my head felt very heavy inside...almost like it was MAKING me focus on one thing at a time. Its almost like i didn't have the physical ability to think of more than one thing beacuse of the "heaviness". I took it at 8:30am and it wore off by 1:30pm and my leg was back to "jiggling" again :)

So I spoke with a Psych and he said that he's amazed I'm where I am with the symptoms I described. I have the HD portion to a fault. I can honestly only remember a handful of times in my life where I haven't been doing *something*. I NEVER get bored and never remember having free time. Because I'm never bored and never reflect, I don't even have a chance to get depressed about anything. I think thats a good thing.

I'm in the Enterprise Computer Software industry and am in Sales now. In short, I've succeeded in work by using MS Outlook to "schedule" everything. Every thought or action item is a task or appt in Outlook. This has saved my butt for years and allowed me to be successful. As far as forgetting things, I learned at a super young age to put everything I'll have to remember in my path or within sight of me before leaving. Everything HAS to have a consistent set place or it might as well be counted as gone.

I went to get diagnosed beacuse I hate having to work 2-3x as hard as everyone else to concentrate. If I didn't constantly put off larger/harder tasks in favor of the easier ones and if I didn't get distracted so easily by the internet and pretty much anything else, I'd be super successful. I've always worked very fast with good results. This resulted in me getting in a TON of trouble growing up for finishing quickly and then talking and distracting everyone else. My 5th grade teacher got it; she let me play Kings Quest Jr and Carmen Sandiego on the PC Jr when I finished my work and I really think something that small is what got me interested in computers and it kept me from distracting other kids.

Its funny to read about the Internet and losing time on it stories on here. I started out on the internet at 11pm looking up ADHD doctors and neurotherapy (which i'm super interested in) and now its almost 1am...this happens at least 3-4x/week and totally cramps my sleeping style!!

In reading through symptoms on here, i'm consistent with random thinking, mild impulsiveness that I've been able to mostly control with opportune rational thinking at that moment, inability to focus initially but once i get going i'm hyperfocused. The larger I view the task and the more I want to do it, the more i tend to put it off. so weird!

ok so thats it for now.


My workplace is sometimes conducive to ADD, most times not. I work in television. There is a lot of hurry-up and wait, then a flurry of activity followed by a lull in the action, then busy again with my attention pulled in several directions with more than a few things to keep track of.
It's the down time that drives me crazy. I can't relax. I read, do crossword puzzles, try to talk shop or sports with others around me but not too good at that kind of thing. All the while feeling anxious and even guilty that I should/could be doing something more productive. Like the projects at home that I've started but are in various stages of completion. Seems the job is always getting in the way of my personal life.
At the end of the day I often feel worthless. (Then arrive home to the room with the paint, brushes and ladder sitting there and the powder room that just needs the tile installed.) My boss hasn't said anything, good or bad, to me which leaves me wondering where I stand. Maybe he gets it that this is the way the job goes and I just can't get used to it. And I've been there almost 25 years!
Now I've lost interest in typing. But do look forward to ideas and suggestions.
Thanks!

Yeah that f.... Outlook. When I use a calender, give me 10 days and it looks like Godzilla wrote the todo-list.

PRELUDE31:

I also am diagnosed with NVLD. I have no idea what it means and what impact it has on me. I haven't found much info on it either. How does it affect you?

I enjoyed working in the military because of my ADD. After I was discharged for back problems though the only other jobs I've ever done is waitressing.

Yeah. It sucks. I'm going to school but the only places that'll hire me right now are restaurants because that's the only thing I have experience and ability in. It's very distracting, very noisy, very much a multi-tasking priority-setting heck of a workplace. But it's all I have so it'll have to do for now. :(

BADCAT:
I am looking for a job and EVERY post says "self-starter", "organized", "punctual", "good follow-through", "work independently", etc. I keep thinking, where is the job posting that says, "sharp, creative worker wanted. Temporary bursts of enthusiasm, flexible sense of time, lack of focus or intense focus, distractability, need for collaboration and feedback, and direct, blunt communication a plus." Ha ha!! That's the job for me!!

I love it!!! <!-- / message -->

Well said! I was trying to get that point across to my therapist and PDoc yesterday without success. They dismissed me as being too dismissive. . .

Uggg....I was a police officer and was good at it...I could drive a patrol car @ 60 mph, listen to the police dispatcher, write on my hand and etc....all at the same time; now I'm a Fraud Investigator (detective work) and ugggg...I'm in a cubicle pouring over financial paperwork; bank statements; employment stuff; analyzing bank statements......OMG! I don't even balance my own checkbook yet I've managed to learn how to do a spreadsheet of someone elses accounts....(THANK GOD FOR ONLINE BANKING)......I love my job and due to todays economic conditions (layoffs etc.) I get on my knees and THANK GOD for my job; however, it's driving me nuts...cases I should have completed a month or two ago are still sitting.......my boss has ADD but, I don't believe it cause he's the most detail oriented person I know and can remember things I said two months ago....all without medication.

I just started Adderall and am taking Wellbutrin XL 300mg for years....I think I need to go back on Fluexotine (Prozac) cause I'm sinking into a depression and I can't stand it....don't know why....although I have been through alot (lost a husband and a child-stillborn and my mother has Dementia and is being cared for by my ADD dad-who is undiagnosed and drives me nuts)..........today I was telling my dad how down I've been lately and he said "Did you hear about the NCAA...." I got so ****ed at him...I could've been standing on a bridge about to jump and he would not hear a work I said and start talking to me about the weather....UGGGGG I just hung up on him..........man I don't know what to do!

And it could be my post too. I'm scaring myself with some of the neglect on the work front. I keep telling myself that all is stable in most other areas of concern and is certainly an improvement over a few months ago but all is not perfect that's for sure.

It seems as if any time there is something with any pressure attached I can't get on my game.

I've made more headway in the past couple of weeks than in several months previously. Mostly though patience I think and maybe some preparation. I just try not to give the phone calls and the nagging voice in the back of my head much energy.

I am trying to remain positive and make an effort to think about good things like all the other things in my life that were a mess previously that aren't now. This week I have tried to focus on the fact that I am making head way even at work and that if I can maintain the slow improvements the work will get done and all will be well.

It is scary though. I've decimated my business over the last year. My credibility is forever compromised. My life goals have changed as a result but I'm still quite frightend by the lack of attention to what I think should be high priority items.

I'm leaning but my expectations are high and my patience is low.
Life is short. Play hard.
Ian.

I've experienced the difficulties you describe here but haven't found my way out yet. Are you still experiencing these problems and have you found any solutions that work? I'm really trying to cobble together a roadmap based on others' experiences. Thanks!

BADCAT:
I am looking for a job and EVERY post says "self-starter", "organized", "punctual", "good follow-through", "work independently", etc. I keep thinking, where is the job posting that says, "sharp, creative worker wanted. Temporary bursts of enthusiasm, flexible sense of time, lack of focus or intense focus, distractability, need for collaboration and feedback, and direct, blunt communication a plus." Ha ha!! That's the job for me!!

I love it!!! <!-- / message -->

THIS is an outstanding post!! Thanks!

I have a job that took time to start and follow through with calling people back. I made it my new years resolution. It has gotten better. When I don't feel like talking to people, part of my job is to write. When I don't feel like sitting, part of my job is to travel. I have found that because I have interests in so many things and I have done so many various projects on my own, that my niche at my job is to be a resource. I get bored. The only thing that keeps me going is to find new ways to do things and new ideas (although my boss has yelled at me for "waisting time" and not prioritizing what actually needs to be done. Once I proved that I do get my work done, and quickly, my boss and co-workers forgave my tardiness, innatentive behavior and my unusual quirky ways of doing my work. The only thing I have never told my co-workers is that I have adult ADD, although one time I mentioned family members who had it and they all agreed that I also had a touch of it as well. I'll never admit though :). I couldn't do my job without the meds though.

Ohh myy gosh! Today is my first time reading about other people with ADD. I just got diagnosed with it not too long ago,,,,,and have been researching my butt off tryin to figure everything out! I sure wish I would have known what the heck was wrong with me a longggg time ago! I was veryyy close to givin up on EVERYTHING when I decided to at least go to a Doc (My first Psych Doc ever),,,,,boy,,,,that had to be the best decision I ever made~ I had heard about ADD,,,but never once did I think I might have it....I just figured when God gave out the brains,,,,he kinda forgot to give me enough,,,,and that was why I couldnt even think straight....I am brand new to this and you guys have no idea how good it made me feel to see that ALLL of you are struggling with the same issues! Its just blowing me away how all you guys are describing all my biggest problems!! Now I just have to learn how to deal and work with them....

lolol....You just described my perfect job!! lolol,,,,all in just a few words,,,,,please let me know if you find it,,,loll,,,,,or I will probably be a non worker for the rest of my life! lol

Me too,,this is alot harder then I thought it would be:)

I found in some fields being able to concentrate on everything going on around you is a good trait. But in others where you have to write or concentrate it is a nightmare.

I found several approaches that worked. I did a couple of alternative programs one with balance and visual activities and the other with listening to filtered music and each one worked. I was really amazed when I got to the point in the balance program where I could, for the first time ever, totally tune out a conversation someone else was having in the same room. Then I knew what it must of been like for "neuro-typical" people. I also found getting distracted by my own thoughts improved with these programs. My ability to process and multi-task really improved.

On twitter I just learned about a program that uses a tomato as a timer but the concept is to only work for 11/2 hr at a time and then take a break. I do that now and what a difference, You know when you get to the point that you feel like you can't pay attention any longer. Take a break, eat, exercise and you can work at the speed of light again.

I feel by having ADHD at times I work like a snail but if I play the music from the listening program it really keeps me focused and on track.

Lila,
What do you mean by "alternative programs one with balance and visual activities"? Tuning out other peoples conversations is one big problem.
I have to agree that taking a break, if/when able, is a great idea.

Probably the top thing is never ever reveal you have adhd in the 1st place.Its just like everything else it will be all reversed and put back on you and used against you like most things or weaknesses in life.

my boss has ADD but, I don't believe it cause he's the most detail oriented person I know and can remember things I said two months ago....all without medication.

It certainly is possible to have ADHD and be detail oriented with good memory. I was recently diagnosed as ADHD combination type (severe) and the only symptoms I dont have are organization (grew out of it) and memory. Yet my brain is so hyper/unorganized I frequently have headaches due to anxiety for no reason. My memory is so amazing even my mom who is in constant denial says I have superior memory (probably because I don't have a social life so I remember all the details in my life).

Probably the top thing is never ever reveal you have adhd in the 1st place.Its just like everything else it will be all reversed and put back on you and used against you like most things or weaknesses in life.


Well this happened to me once with my boss. The nurses mixed up the patients' orders and my boss asked me why I was giving one's medication to another, assuming naturally it would be my fault because I am the one with ADHD. Luckily, I showed him official orders and obviously it was the nurses and not me. Now he's more careful about giving me the benefit of doubt first. I guess this is also because I'm pretty hyperfocused at my work instead of lacking it.

As long as I don't have to write down anything, though. I hate it when I have to write discharge papers. Discharge papers require remembering everything that you have to write, all at once, and also a quiet place with no co-workers around, and no patients who nag you to finish your work immediately. It gives me so much anxiety that at times I feel like I'm about to burst into tears, screaming "SHUT UP!!! MY BRAIN CANNOT TAKE YOUR NOISE AND THIS DATA AT THE SAME TIME!!!!" :-((( I hate those days when I have to discharge 5 patients and prepare 4 of them at the same time. :(:(

I have to write down 4 cases and a seminar, and when I have to present published data, I cannot write down anything because it is so boring and I procrastinate all the time. So I try to use my memory which is oh-so-great (NOT!!) and I botch things up even worse than before.

I think I should give myself some self-coaching time to write *everything* down.

E

IMHO: Try to find a job that is demanding. E.g. a leading position, Project Manager etc. Something to that effect.

"Normal" jobs just get boring too soon, in my experience. And we all know where boredom leads... I usually get fired at that point.

I play instrumental music from my pc...keeps me tuned into that, i use earplugs in public ie: on the plane.or in a crowd....my headphones are blasting, in places like Costco or Wallmart, otherwise i would go postal.
Are you in a work environment where you can wear headphones?

I think the problems mentioned here are definitely important, but I've been thinking about a lot of other workplace problems that don't get as much attention.

-taking longer to process information (thus looking stupid or "wasting" time)
-less ability to deceive or embellish
-the need to be doing something else, like fidgeting, doodling or listening to music, while working or thinking, thus making you look "unprofessional"
-the urge to be defiant (really a huge issue in a traditional work place )

oh goodness, this was so much help to read!

I'm having so much trouble with work lately and no one in my office seems to understand that I am not irresponsible -- my brain just works a little differently!

I just got this email from my supervisor this morning, so I'm freaking out a bit:

"I will inform you that Ann-Marie and myself are concerned that you are slipping back into behaviors that we had talked about last year. It's all little stuff like coming in late, pto admin, losing keys, etc. but it does affect business. We may have to talk if it continues. As we've discussed before, following simple admin procedures are important. I'd also remind you that we had discussed communicating more with myself and the rest of the staff verbally instead of always im'ing and emailing. You seem to be back to the nonverbal communication. Your work is excellent but this other stuff definitely affects productivity and everybody else. I just wanted to give you a heads up now so that we avoid any future "reprimands"(for lack of a better word).

If you need to talk about anything or take time off to straighten stuff out, let me know. thanks"

:eyebrow::rolleyes:

ouch.

I am so glad I have these boards for resources... and to know I am really not the only one out there with a head full of chaos!
So sorry to hear this - I was often in the same position before I got on meds. Then of course it was a journey to find the right meds,and the right dosage. You might tell them you have some medical issues, and make an apptmt with your dr to discuss changing your meds or your dosage. It's horrible feeling like your supervisors are just making a list of things so they can eventually fire you.

I just got put on 18 month probation for makeing mistakes. My company knows I have add and I'm being treated for it. They docked me a days pay and there watching everything I do. My boss gave me a list of thing I need to work on with dead lines and if there not completed I will be terminated. Can they do that.

When I was in the workplace, I used to have two dry erase boards. I would list all of my priorities on one board and then put three priorities at a time on the other board. I would only focus on those three things and when they were complete, I would add three more. It really helped keep me on schedule. I managed an office so there were constant distractions.

Any tips for retail workers? Specifically one in a leadership role? (i.e. Department head) Lately I feel as if I just can't juggle my responsibilities with customers, and when I try to focus on customers (which is the important bit, really), I get in trouble for falling behind on my responsibilites... Or else I'm given a long list of stuff to do, and end up forgetting ONE thing, and it's usually the most important one to do.

I try to write things down as much as I can, but I'm forgetting to do this more and more. As if the harder I try, the more forgetfull I get. And I just don't know how to get around this.

If anyone has any other suggestions or even other problems could you share them with us?
One problem I have at work is the distraction my co-workers do, the laughing, giggling, flinging of rubber bands, playing weird sounds on their computers (Such as beaker from Muppets), talking loud on their cell phones.

If they are doing some of those things, they aren't working now are they? My best advice is white noise, can you where headphones and listen to background music or any kind of noise like the sound of the ocean? My worse pet peeve is people chewing, OMG! Or opening up a bag of chips, it is so irritating. Sitting in front of someone at a theater crunching pop corn, lol, :(. Why am I this way?????

I am also having this same issue at work. I work in a very fast paced health care social services position I am constantly having interruptions, a talkative office mate, and a boss who does not trust me. I also have ever changing due dates and deadlines that I have to meet daily. I am appearing irresponsible right now because I have missed a few and my boss has called me at home to come back. I am nervous about this situation I have called my employee eap and got a referral for assistance which will hopefully lead me to doctor who can diagnosis me with add.

Hello All,

I have the biggest problem figuring out what my priorities are at work. I work in an environment that constantly throws new issues at me all day and I have to re-prioritize depending on which ones are "hot". This makes it really hard for me to start my day. I sit here, staring at my screen with my mind racing about what I should start working on. But I stress out because I don't feel sure of my decision and my mind starts wandering to the other issues.

Any suggestions on how to not let all the thoughts in my head stress me out so much? I get to the point where I'm in the middle of researching something and my mind says "Oh, what about this issue!!!" and I move onto the next issue. I end up not getting much done at all and I beat myself up.

I'm trying to retrain my brain and get some structure, but the thoughts are powerful and consuming.
This is tough. Glad I'm not alone.

Thanks,
Paul


This is not an ingenious recommendation or anything, but I find that making a quick list helps. I know it sounds simple, but I swear the things that make it work for me are 1: Making boxes next to each item that look like bullet points but can be checked as the tasks are completed, and 2: The fact that if I have it out of my head and written down it both looks more easy to tackle and it makes it easier to prioritzie.

For example, if I feel like I have 20 things to handle and my mind is stressfully wandering, then I write down the 5-6 things (the # may vary for you) that are the most vital, knowing I can move on once those are accomplished. Of course, as I begin to write them down, my intention is to write them down in order of priority, but sometimes once they are written, it becomes clear that it would make more sense to handle one before another, at which point, if it helps you can always number them.

I have often heard that you should tackle your biggest projects (or the ones you dread the most) first but do not find it always works best for me... sometimes if I have 6 things on my desk the biggest one makes sense to do last because smaller ones might be able to be completed in a few minutes each, leaving me with a clearer mind to devote to the larger project, more brain-consuming project.

It helps me to allow myself to some degree to take on which project I am capable of at any given time... my attention threshhold varies throughout the day and more than anything, feeling capable and accomplished affect my ability to take on my next project, so it is often most efficient for me to do the project first which I am most capable of.

If you are going to spend an hour stressing, you might as well spend that hour doign soem little things getting something done, building your confidence and creating space in the to-do list in your mind for the bigger projects.

Hope the listing helps!! : ) Here's my humorous (hopefully to you too!) example:

[ ] Figure out my tasks for the day (1)
[ ] Check email (2)
[ ] Actually read long involved emails which require concentration and possible follow up (5)
[ ] Simple phone calls that require 15 minutes but should be easy (3)
[ ] Filing paperwork (4)

See, three ended up being five, but that's okay! I'll feel more refreshed when I tackle it!

Some more tips:

1. Schedule meetings to review your work. This might make you finish it so you're not a total *** when you show up.
2. Find "accountability partners" at your job who can help motivate you and check in with you about your work. Not to mother you, but to give you a little kick when you need it. You can give this back; people will find it valuable.
3. Map everything out. I'm a mindmap fan, but some people prefer lists; others like GANTT charts..

Some more tips:
3. Map everything out. I'm a mindmap fan, but some people prefer lists; others like GANTT charts..

Found a program for 'arranging your mind', called FreeMind. Can replace Wordpad etc (rtf), but is intuitive to use, for me, anyway. Found I could really write at random!, without losing my train of thought - too easy to do!
Program free on internet, of course!
Hope this helps

I work in a hectic environment where new issues are always being thrown my way. My work is a sedentary desk job, but my coworkers are constantly on their feet, rustling through cabinets, and just generally making all kinds of noise.

I cope by using music... typically classical, as lyrics will distract me.
I cope by asking my manager for a priority on nearly everything that comes in.

In cases where I do not have a clear priority, I prioritize, without apology, based on what I want to do, because it will keep me motivated and result in overall increased productivity.

I make deals with myself. I will do what I want to do this hour, but then I must return to what is expected of me. The net result is more productivity, and extra, unexpected goodies / projects completed for the company or added to a project. I find rational explanations to give management after the fact.

Other times, my professionalism gets in the way. Management wants it quick and dirty, and I want it powerful, flexible, extensible, and organized. When I just can't find a way to hyperfocus, sometimes I have to let go and allow myself to do it ADHD style, which in the end is what management wants anyway, oddly enough.

I email myself with important tasks, or sometimes as a delaying tactic + ADHD cope, I request my manager or whoever is requesting work to do it for me, then forget about it. If they don't send the message, that's my fallback for not having it done.

I make a lot of lists. I try to visualize myself performing whatever task I need to complete, and then I write down whatever steps I need to complete to finish it. Sometimes they're detailed, and sometimes they're incredibly vague--whatever I can muster at the time. But physically writing it out, and then being able to cross things off of the list throughout the day gives me a clear agenda and a sense of satisfaction every time I slash through an item with my beloved red pen.

I do not do well jumping from project to project to project. I forget what I'm doing, lose momentum, motivation crashes, and my mind goes blank. I make full use of procedure and professionalism to delay new requests, or shifting priorities, long enough for me to finish up with whatever I'm doing--unless the new priority appears to be truly critical. I ask questions via email, request approval, anything and everything I can get away with to allow me to finish. If all else fails, I will appeal to my manager for extra time to finish what I'm working on. My excuse is that unfinished projects bother and distract me.

Hope this helps some of you.

This has been great to read! I am really happy and relieved to find some other people stuggling with the same things. Hyper focused? I didn't even know what I was doing had a word! I have lists everywhere, sticky notes, e-mail reminders, files, folders...I even have to write the date on my palm when I first get to work because I forget!



My issue is that I am expected to answer the phone after 3 rings (meaning the receptionist did not get it) and we don't have voicemail! The phone rings constantly! It interrupts me all the time and DRIVES me CRAZY! Not only is it a distraction, but if the other person is not on reachable (where I am trying to transfer the call) I have to further talk with the caller asking "is this important, can I help? Can you call back?" No voicemail..so it goes on all day long! I am such a conceptual person, and I work in the medical field dealing with insurance (EXTREMELY COMPLICATED) there are so many layers and things to remember.



I have a 30 day action plan after being told all was fine for the last five mos. "If after the thirty days we don't see improvment, we can't say for sure if you will still have a job" WTF? I cried for three days and didn't sleep. That is what got me to finally make an apt. with the doctor as I have been told I might have ADD for years now. I have lost three AWESOME jobs from my brain's unique way of thinking (trying to be positive here)..there HAS to be a way for me to do this!

Does anyone have any tips for auditory processing/listening skills?

I just started with a telemarketing job and I'm actually remotely satisfied with it - part time, starts at noon, decent product. I even managed to get over the phone anxiety in the first few days. I know what to say, but I have problem with timing, talking too fast and listening properly. Has anyone came to same issues and thought of any good tips to get past it?

Does anyone have any tips for auditory processing/listening skills?

I just started with a telemarketing job and I'm actually remotely satisfied with it - part time, starts at noon, decent product. I even managed to get over the phone anxiety in the first few days. I know what to say, but I have problem with timing, talking too fast and listening properly. Has anyone came to same issues and thought of any good tips to get past it?

I've done telesales (and should be getting back into it soon). Might some of those things be because you're a little nervous? It might help to imagine that the person you're calling is a friend or relative you get along well with (as long as you don't call them by your friends' or relatives' names, heh).

It takes a little while to get used to as well. :)

I also agree that priortizing at work is hard for me as well. What helps is by creating a checklist for each person I have to see while working and check off what I have completed so the next time I go I just start from where I leave off.

Does anyone have any tips for auditory processing/listening skills?

I just started with a telemarketing job and I'm actually remotely satisfied with it - part time, starts at noon, decent product. I even managed to get over the phone anxiety in the first few days. I know what to say, but I have problem with timing, talking too fast and listening properly. Has anyone came to same issues and thought of any good tips to get past it?

I worked at an IT Help Desk for a while and experienced similar issues. Callers would launch right into their problems and start unloading a lot of blah, blah, blah information. I took to stopping them, and saying "Let me start by gathering some basic information." And then I would drive the conversation by asking questions, keeping their answers brief, and stopping them, gently, from talking too much, by saying, "Let me jot that down," or, "Let's pause for just a moment. I type too slow!" or something like that. The key for me was just to break up a lot of dialogue with questions.

As for talking to fast, callers are pretty good at letting you know when you're going too fast. You can also ask questions there, by saying, "Did you understand that?" or "Do you want me to repeat anything?"

I think a lot of ADD people have sort of a genuineness and goofy cheer that makes it hard for callers to get mad even when they're forced to work at your pace.

One caveat -- I did not last long at the help desk. Quickly, the calls became repetitive and boring. I thought if I heard one more person tell me they needed some password reset, I would reach through space and clobber them over the head with their own phone. I don't know how to keep a job fresh.

What's worked for me so far is to try really hard not to care what another people gossip about at work. That being said three of my best friends are fellow employees and we are the 4 biggest dorks who age from 25 to 47.I've been on teams at work where I have nothing in common with the other people on my team and it was hell.For the first time in the 5 years I have worked at this job I am incredibly happy with where I am at.
Yeah the job sucks at times because I spend the day getting calls from people who have either little or no knowledge about technology or the electronic equipment they have and assume it should work flawlessly all the time.I lucked out when I got these three other guys on the same team and the Supervisor I do now. These guys were all my friends before but this made it so much better

I think I may have to read this entire thread. But not tonight.

One question. I'm not on any drugs anymore. I am worried I may need to go back onto ritalin or the like to "dumb" myself down enough to survive at work.

Does anyone else feal that medication changes them for the worse?

I am fortunate that I have a stellar job in which ADHD is more of an asset than it is a hindrance. Don't get me wrong, there are absolutely times when ADHD rears its ugly head and causes issues (not paying enough attention to small details, forgetting what I'm doing mid-way through the task or lacking follow-through, etc.). But for the most part, the skill sets that are valued in my place of work are actually augmented by ADHD, not diminished by it.

I work in IT support, both in person and on the phone. I manage a lot of complex technical issues as well as basic problems, anything and everything comes through our doors and I love it. The human capacity to mess things up is rivaled only by a computer's capacity for various ways to be messed up. You put those two things together and what you end up with is a never-ending stream of novel and interesting computer issues to solve.

Anyway, I have found that ADHD actually helps me in terms of the kind of multitasking and outside-the-box thinking that is demanded in my line of work. Also, my level of energy and inability to sit still for long (thanks to the H) really helps because it's an incredibly fast-paced job that often requires me to bounce between phones and in-person clients, manage surges of activity, move between offices, etc.

The biggest issue that ADHD gives me at work is when I'm working on the phone with clients. I'm trying to focus on the phone call, but there is a constant stream of distractions around me - other people talking on phones, in-person clients milling around, people IMing me, all of the other tabs I have open for various work projects, people trying to ask me questions while I'm on the phone... etc.

It can be so overwhelming that sometimes I put my head down on my desk and cover it with a jacket just so I can literally block out the rest of the world and focus on what the client on the phone is saying! It looks silly but people are used to me being silly, and it makes my point clearly. My coworkers refer to it as "an ADD attack" and they know that it means I've hit a point mentally where I simply cannot manage all the external stimuli, so I'm trying to control it as much as possible. They leave me alone until I reemerge.

The number of people in my office who have ADHD (or ADHD-type behaviors) is notably higher than any other job I've ever had, and I think it's because this work setting is unusual in that it generally works with our skills and limitations, not against them. It's still very obvious to my bosses that I have ADHD, especially because I am female and it's less common for women to have as many hyperactive symptoms as I do (I have combined type). But because so many of us have the same quirks, it isn't really an issue for me in the office.

Reading some of this I realise that as I work on my own it is a good thing as office politics suck. I can plug myself in to my ipod & that seems to stop distractions with the help of rubifen. My job is constantly varied so I am now trying the one notebook task list which I can transfer to software where needed etc but I am hoping this will stop me being forgetfull, make silly errors which make me scream. Every job is a learning curve & finding out that I am adhd well just means I need to re assess the way I do my job.