Hi all, I'm new. I just posted this on another forum, but I was hoping all the traffic here would give me more of much needed advice. It sure is nice to talk with people that understand..

I am writing this from my computer at my 8th job in 8 years. I make a really good living, but I always end up at a job about a year, continuing to screw up, and then quit and find a new one before I can be fired. Although that has happened twice. A little background...
I made it through college, although I switched colleges/majors 3 times. Couldn't concentrate, assignments always late, etc.
I landed a job in the automotive industry, which for the specialty I have is in very high demand. I'm always able to find a job, so that hasn't been a problem. The problem is I've moved my wife and 4 perfect kids around the country chasing the next job, always thinking the next one will be different and all I have to do is "concentrate and try harder" . I'm not dumb, I just can't focus.

So now here I am at my new job. i love the area, the company is cool, and for the first month I did pretty good. Now I'm back to the old routine of staring out the window and not doing a damn thing. By the way, they are paying me around 80K a year for this..

I am certain I have ADD, but my wife is not so convinced...when I concentrate I do really well (like during interviews..LOL), but I can't seem to get rolling. I am in meetings a lot and can't remember a damn thing that was said. Sound familiar?

My question is: Do you have any advice? Who do I see? We have a local psychologist that specializes in ADD, but can he prescribe meds, or is that just a psychiatrist? I really don't want to have to convince a doc I have it. I just know I need help, or I will be moving again and taking my family with me, just as they are settling in. Plus my resume is getting a little crowded..LOL....thanks...

Go see a psychiatrist to get tested. Don't go by what your wife says/thinks/feels, etc. She's not the one going through these symptoms (except your moving them around the country! LOL!)

At least get tested for ADD. The doctor will go from there.

Welcome!

My name is Hope. I am an adult ADDer.
The job I have now is the first one I have held over a year. Now here 6 years.
I fight the boredom daily. Obviously, I am here and on this forum.
So medication is sanity for me.
So to answer your question, the psycologist can diagnose, but can't prescribe.
They ususally work in tandem with a doctor who can though.
I have done that route with my son.
I personally prefer a neuro-psychiatrist, or psychiatrist that is at least knowledgeable in the ADD and believes it exists in us adults to.

I do go to a psychiatrist now. He really specializes in kids, but ends up treating their parents too!

So shop around. If a doctor knows about ADHD you won't have to convince them, if you have it, it's usually pretty obvious.

Good Luck,
Now get going before you have to find another job.

Hope

thanks hope. I know how you feel with the job. My work as a project mgr is very challenging, probably the nightmare job for someone with ADD. Tons of small details that have to me managed constantly.

I think one of my biggest problems is the internet. I probably have been on there for 3 hours today, but I can't seem to get going. I will work for about 5 minutes, and then stare out the window/surf for 20. It's a terrible pattern, but I feel almost helpless to stop it..

My Job is good for ADDer's I am a recovery supervisor...lots of little details ,but also big one's and meetings and emails and on and on..I stay engaged.

I also get frustrated, which took me on the road back to meds after 10 years of being off them.

My job has slowed down over the last few months so I goof off alot more, but I do what I need then I goof off. I know the days will come again when I have time to do nothing but my job.

So if your symptoms are that severe, get to that doctor!
There are meds that can tone that down!

I don't have any advice. I've had the same job for the past 13 years, it's the kind of job that keeps me from being bored and I just plain love my job.

But before that, I had a new job every year and did this for years and years. I got bored easy or someone did or said something that would make me mad and I'd not go back. :o

Good luck I hope you find the answers you need.

Oh ya and welcome ! I love Maine, my Dad lives there :D

Hi there Sqeng69.

I think going to the psychologist who specializes in ADD sounds like a good place to start. The two of you can work on your history and sorting out your symptoms, and trying to figure out a diagnosis. Since you will probably want to work on your behavior (not just take meds), it's good to find someone who understands ADD and who might be able to perform some of the more "coaching" type of therapy that, from what I've read, a lot of ADD folks seem to benefit from.

I've found it quite helpful that my psychologist acts as an encourager. It's different than a friend who says, "you can do it", it helps me to sort things out and put things in perspective and we can discuss strategy or techniques for whatever it is that is a priority at the moment. The nice thing is it doesn't have to all be the coaching approach, you can also talk about other issues too. I don't know if all psychologists who specializes in ADD use a coaching sort of approach with their patients when it seems warranted, but you might think about whether or not that might be helpful to you and maybe you can discuss with the psychologist what kind of approach they think they would take with you. What would a session look like?

A psychologist won't be able to prescribe meds like a psychiatrist could, but they can talk to/fax a report to your medical doctor so you don't have to "convince" the doctor. Also sometimes a psychologist has a medical doctor or psychiatrist that they work with who trust and respect them and their diagnosis, you go see that person and talk to them some about what's going on, and they receive info on your diangosis from your psychologist, and then they can prescribe appropriate meds.

Also, if you don't feel like the person you go to is really hearing and taking seriously your concerns and you don't feel a trust and rapport with them after a couple of visits, then you might think about trying someone else.

Best of luck with the new job, and with figuring out what's going on and making the changes you're hoping to make in your life.

Peace, bythesea

Myself,I chose a job that let me travel and not feel tied down and express myself which was very important to me.
Then I got married and had kids and I was definetly in for a rude awakening!So I understand.
I had really bad luck with psychiatrist.Mainly because I had a history of drug abuse.Obvious to me now as "self medicating".Once I let that cat out of the bag it was a closed case.
Once I was refered to my general medicine doc by my girls pediatrician(who is on the head of the oklahoma c.h.a.d.d)my luck changed!
I got help!I was perscribed Adderall and it changed my life!

Im happier,my girls,my hubby(there were many fights about it)but now he sees that it is real and it is a huge problem for daily function in some cases like myself.

You have to do whats best for you and those 4KIDS!!!!!!WOW!!!!!They need you to be at your best.Your wife will understand(eventually)there may be arguments now and then but with hard work and a little understanding and edgucating herself on ADD,she will come to terms that you have to do whats best for you and the whole family in general.

Good luck to you!