http://www.careerjournal.com/myc/survive/19980625-lavan.html

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</td><td class="articleHoodGradient"> Is ADHD Interfering
With Your Career?
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By Helen LaVan</td></tr></tbody></table>What did Albert Einstein, Mozart, the Wright Brothers, Walt Disney, John Lennon, John F. Kennedy and Werner von Braun have in common? They all had attention-deficit or learning disabilities, which they overcame before going on to make significant contributions to society.

If you’ve been struggling with your career or unable to land a new position for no apparent reason, it’s possible that similar disabilities are hindering your efforts. Common behaviors often thought to be part of the emotional anxiety of losing a job may actually indicate you have an often misdiagnosed or underdiagnosed psychological problem--Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

ADHD is characterized by distractibility, impulsivity and hyperactivity. Often called attention deficit disorder, or ADD, this disability is sometimes viewed as only a childhood condition. Recently, however, it’s been recognized as an adult disability. From one-half to two-thirds of children with ADHD will continue to have significant problems with ADHD symptoms and behaviors in adulthood. Moreover, ADHD adults tend to have other problems, such as alcoholism, that impede job hunting and long-term career success unless they can be arrested and treated.

As many as 40% of ADHD sufferers have only inattentive type ADHD, a related condition. In these cases, sufferers have less hyperactivity and are more impulsive and inattentive.

Signs of ADHD

It’s not surprising that untreated adults with ADHD may have trouble job hunting. Many of the behaviors associated with the disorder can hinder career success and certainly make interviewing difficult, if not impossible. These include a short attention span, disorganization, difficulty concentrating, low tolerance for frustration and a quick temper. Untreated ADHD sufferers frequently interrupt others, seek conflict and resist authority figures. Their resumes may reveal a history of job changes and relocation, underachievement and poor time-management skills.

ADHD adults also may struggle with organizational and financial management problems. They get stuck in the syndrome known as, "The harder I try, the worse it gets," because they take on too many projects and then can’t complete them. Because they’re impulsive, they may make major decisions without planning for them appropriately.

Sufferers are easily distracted, restless and unable to get started and follow through. They tend to change their minds often, have writing or fine motor coordination difficulties, sleeping difficulties, low energy and sensitivity to noise or touch.

Social skills and emotional control also are difficult for ADHD adults. Unable to maintain long-term relationships, they may divorce and remarry often. Prone to depression, ADHD adults may have a pattern of substance abuse.

A Success Story

Many professionals with ADHD can have successful careers once they seek help and learn to channel their energy productively. Consider a 32-year-old insurance-claims examiner who was on probation because of his work style and problems with co-workers.

He had trouble concentrating, meeting deadlines, even sitting at his desk for a short period of time. He didn’t get along well with his boss or colleagues because he couldn’t tolerate frustration, frequently interrupted others and had a quick temper and trouble with authority. He was so fearful of losing his job that he became stressed and depressed.

He sought help and was diagnosed with ADHD and referred to a psychiatrist for medication. With new insight about his behavior, he decided to seek a job that would better suit his short attention span and allow him to transfer his skills.

He began networking with insurance-industry contacts at companies that fit his ideal profile. He set goals concerning the type and number of contacts to make weekly. After about two months, he accepted a job as an insurance adjuster which required him to be out of the office about 80% of the time.

Recognizing the Symptoms

The sidebar (http://www.careerjournal.com/myc/survive/19980625-lavan.html#SIDEBAR) lists some of the most prevalent symptoms of ADHD. Although you may recognize certain signs or characteristics of ADHD in yourself, don’t try to self-diagnose your condition.

Seek a medical opinion from a psychiatrist or psychologist. Remember, though, that there’s no "adult onset" to ADHD. You must have had symptoms in childhood, even though they may have changed as you aged.

Realize, too, that since the illness has only recently been recognized in adults, you may have been misdiagnosed previously. For instance, some adults with ADHD have been labeled depressed or as having an antisocial personality or character disorder.

Impeding the Search

ADHD can affect your ability to find and keep the right job for these reasons:

• Inability to derive satisfaction from your career.

This is because of ADHD adults’ constant need for stimulation and inability to concentrate. The consequence often is poor performance ratings, which may cause them to impulsively quit jobs. This leads to low self-esteem that can affect a future job hunt.

Some employers label ADHD sufferers as lazy, irresponsible or insubordinate, says David E. Drehmer, a licensed clinical psychologist and executive director of the Performance Enhancement Institute in Clarendon Hills, Ill. This prejudice also damages self-esteem and confidence.

• Inability to develop a career objective.

While some ADHD adults make impulsive and poor career choices, others are working in the right fields but under the wrong conditions. However, they erroneously believe that they’re to blame for their lack of success, not their job environment.

Many seek counseling because they lack focus and feel their talents aren’t sufficiently utilized, says Rose Ann Pastor, a consultant with Clarke, Poynton and Associates, a Chicago outplacement and career development firm. Their inability to focus makes them unhappy and unproductive at work and interferes with their job-search efforts, she says.

• Inability to complete a resume.

ADHD candidates have trouble focusing and making decisions, which drags out the resume-writing process. One professional, in fact, worked on his resume for a year.

• Inability to set realistic job goals.

ADHD adults may present themselves as under- or over-qualified for available positions, possibly because they have difficulty securing information about the jobs or have low self-esteem due to previous job experiences.

• Inability to network.

The majority of jobs are secured through networking, but ADHD adults have poor relationship skills which make it difficult for them to work effectively with contacts. They have low frustration and energy levels and poor follow through. They may even forget to keep appointments. Some also spend too much time on information interviews or with the wrong networking contacts merely for the stimulation.

"Many clients have been involved in significant, unproductive networking," says Ms. Pastor. "They also haven’t been able to put closure on their resume and have made impulsive decisions."

• Inability to organize follow-up calls.

Following up with employers is essential, especially when you’ve applied for an actual opening. But ADHD makes many adults too disorganized to do so effectively.

• Low tolerance for criticism or feedback.

ADHD adults may have difficulty accepting advice from others, even a counselor they’re paying for assistance.

• Inability to pay attention in interviews.

Most candidates overestimate their interview performance. Only after seeing themselves on a videotape do they realize they didn’t answer questions effectively.

• Inability to review want ads.

ADHD adults may have trouble understanding what employers want because of problems with concentration.

Help Is Available

Adults can learn to control ADHD through counseling to learn coping skills and medication to control chemical aspects of the disorder. Many professionals disagree about the effectiveness of medications for adults and those who agree on treating ADHD with medication may disagree on which medicines are best.

Psycho-stimulant medications can help some ADHD adults, while antidepressants may help with substance abuse and depression, or when phobia, panic, anxiety or obsessive compulsive disorders are present.

If you think you suffer from ADHD, seek a medical diagnosis, and if medication is appropriate, make sure you take it as prescribed.

Helpful Steps

The following tips can help you to put your job search back on track:

1. Find a job-search buddy who can listen, offer ideas and provide support and inspiration when your energy flags.

2. Create a to-do list each day. Plan your activities and check them off as you accomplish them. Make a log of people to call and set aside time for this activity daily.

3. Seek a job-search coach or career counselor with good credentials and a problem-solving or developmental, not a directive, approach. A counselor can help you work through the psychological issues caused by ADHD and assess your personality, career interests, skills and values. I use the Strong Interest and Skills Confidence Survey, the Campbell Interest and Skills Survey, the Myers Briggs Type Indicator analysis and other instruments to evaluate professional and managerial candidates.

4. Join a job-search support group, where you can vent feelings of anger and frustration, gain support to keep you on track and network.

5. Create a good resume. Write an effective document to use when responding to ads or writing marketing letters to employers. Set goals for how many to mail each week--20 is a realistic number.

Use a resume objective to describe the type of position you’re seeking, followed by a summary of qualifications--six or seven bulleted statements about why you’re qualified. These items might include an overall summary statement, specific knowledge and experience, an important accomplishment, awards or commendations, education, computer skills, international experience, industry familiarity, continuing professional development or special personal skills that qualify you.

When mailing resumes, play "60-cent roulette," meaning that it only costs you 60 cents to send each resume, so when in doubt, send it out.

5. Use your resume as a "cheat sheet" to stay on track when answering questions during interviews. Wear a special accessory, such as a ring, to remind you not to veer off the subject.

6. Job search on the Internet. Visit career sites with job listings. These are presented in a different, more lively format than print ads and may be easier to read. By setting parameters, you can limit the number of listings you receive. For example, by listing certain criteria, a marketing candidate who used CareerPath reduced the listings he received to 40 from 135.

7. Don’t take rejection personally. You’ll be turned down for openings 99% of the time, so don’t get discouraged if your initial response rate is low.

8. Network effectively. This technique works if you set priorities and manage your time effectively. In an excellent job market, though, responding to available openings, talking with headhunters in your industry or function and completing targeted mass mailings may be more effective.

9. Seek a position in an environment that suits your work style and ability. Consider jobs that allow you to leave the office but still require periodic reporting and accountability. Tell yourself that the difference between being a superstar and a marginal contributor may be finding the right environment, not a lack of ability.

A 44-year-old automobile financing specialist couldn’t keep a job securing financing for dealership customers. After losing five positions in 10 years, he would frantically seek another job even after just accepting one. Incorrectly diagnosed as manic depressive, his symptoms were eventually recognized as fitting ADHD and he received medication and counseling.

Knowing the real reason for his problems, he decided to seek a new kind of job. To channel his creative, problem solving, networking and financial skills, he was encouraged to find work securing venture capital funding for entrepreneurs. He has kept this position for four years and is very satisfied with his ability to help start-up businesses.

Besides being appropriately diagnosed and provided with medication, he benefited from a job-search strategy that required setting goals and deadlines and being accountable for them to a career counselor. He also learned coping skills so that he wouldn’t blow his job-hunting frustrations out of proportion.

With an adequate understanding of their illness, proper medication and coping skills, ADHD adults can job hunt successfully and enjoy satisfying careers.

-- Dr. LaVan is assistant director of M.B.A. and alumni career services at DePaul University in Chicago.

Email your comments to cjeditor@dowjones.com.

I think that the "Helpful Steps" part of this article is really useful. I have used some of these approaches myself with success. One particular point of validity seems to underlie the message: what it really takes to succeed.

I had alot of trouble speaking in public so I joined Toastmasters International. (This was one of the best moves I have ever made). I marvelled at Toastmaster members who were always prepared, always on top of it, and never showed any fear or hesitation. I was discouraged because I lacked all of these abilities. Whenever I stould up to speak, everything I had in my head would run out between my toes. I was reduced to a quiverring bowl of jello.

Then I complemented one of our best speakers on his ability to speak impromptu, with so much aplomb and conviction. He had just delivered a fantastic speech. I complemented him on his great natural ability and his ability to do it with so little effort.

He laughed at me and said that his impromptu speech had taken him about a week to prepare. He said that he planned, and practiced, and practiced, and practiced. He thought in advance of all the questions we might asked and he preplanned the responses he might give. And then he practiced somemore.

Once, he confided, I was just like you, but I figured out what was really going on. I had an wise old Toastmaster share with me his secrets. "Preparation, preparation, preparation." You plan, organize and execute. You find the little tricks that work for you and keep you on track and in control. You know your weaknesses, but you also know your stengths. In the end, extensive practice is the true key to instant success.

Do any of you have concrete suggestions on how to play and win in the game of business, from an ADHD perspective?

Larry

Good Article!!

Thx

I still really like this Article you posted Highfunctioning! :)

I have yet to see one that's better! :)

Interesting question.

ADHD isn't directly interfering with my career. Luckily, I was diagnosed at age 12. I am now 26. So, I've had enough time to find the right meds. I even managed to pass the bar the first time I took it (without an accomodation thanks to the wonderful colorado board of bar examiners). So, it doesn't directly affect my performance at work or my ability to make deadlines and get along with my co-workers.

ADHD affects my career indirectly because I can only take jobs that provide good insurance coverage for ADHD. Because of how expensive ADHD drugs (adderall xr and wellbutrin) and psychiatrist visits are, I need a plan that provides decent coverage for my ADHD related expenses.

There have been some jobs that I was interested in, but did not accept because the salary they were offering was not high enough to make up for the amount of out of pocket expenses I would have had to incur on the insurance plans they offered.

So, ADHD has affected my career opportunities. I have found that most of the employers who offer insurance plans that adequately cover costs of ADHD are large employers. So, I can't work for many small or medium sized employers because of the insurance issue.

Interesting question.

ADHD isn't directly interfering with my career. Luckily, I was diagnosed at age 12. I am now 26. So, I've had enough time to find the right meds. I even managed to pass the bar the first time I took it (without an accomodation thanks to the wonderful colorado board of bar examiners). So, it doesn't directly affect my performance at work or my ability to make deadlines and get along with my co-workers.

ADHD affects my career indirectly because I can only take jobs that provide good insurance coverage for ADHD. Because of how expensive ADHD drugs (adderall xr and wellbutrin) and psychiatrist visits are, I need a plan that provides decent coverage for my ADHD related expenses.

There have been some jobs that I was interested in, but did not accept because the salary they were offering was not high enough to make up for the amount of out of pocket expenses I would have had to incur on the insurance plans they offered.

So, ADHD has affected my career opportunities. I have found that most of the employers who offer insurance plans that adequately cover costs of ADHD are large employers. So, I can't work for many small or medium sized employers because of the insurance issue.
I too have had to limit my job possibilities because of insurance concerns. I have an excellent plan now with my current employer and can't imagine leaving it.

Do you work for a large employer cwbyjohnson? I currently work for the federal government.

No I work for a small company that thankfully has enough money to underwrite their own insurance plan, which I had a major plan in writing.

That's cool. I didn't know that small employers could underwrite their own plan. I thought they had to try to bargain with the insurer and take whatever the insurer offered.

I'm interested in learning more about how small companies can underwrite their own health insurance plans.

Well, it's actually more of a reinsurance situation. We draw up the plan and cover an agreed upon amount of claims, and then find an insurance company that will cover anything beyond that. It's still unusual for small companies, but the company I work for has gobs of dough that makes it easy.

These include a short attention span,YES
disorganization,YES
difficulty concentrating,YES
low tolerance for frustration and YES
a quick temper.YES, but not so much.

One thing I've noticed on these forums, is that the older members have learned how to cope and have developed their own strategies for being functional. This is the same with me. I'm 40, and being oblivous to ADD for that long meant that I've have to figure it all out on my own.

One important lesson that I learned earlier on is to find a job that suited me. It took a while, but eventually I landed a job as a UNIX sysadmin. It's always on the go, projects never last longer than a week. If they do, then I ensure that I only take on projects that REALLY interest me. I've learnt to imagine myself finishing the project and think about how long it'll take and whether I can actually cope with it, before saying yes.

I still get frustrated. I'm still disorganized. I still have the attention span of a fish. I still get frustrated at the fact that I should be further ahead than I should. I still have a tendancy to take on more projects than I should. However, I now have developed methods to control them.

I present myself as over qualified for all the jobs I post for. I am good at pimping myself too much. And I get bored with the tech jobs too quick because there is no -Heather being there would make a difference in this world.

Where do I find a job that being there would make a difference? I have been ASST DIR to IT when I was 27, and found better joy in working at Blockbuster discussing movies and plots with various people.

It is Thursday - My I'm doomed day.

I slept 19 hours already.

I tend to over-present myself more than under-present. But I'm a male, and I guess males tend to feel inadequate more if they think they should be further ahead than they are.

it has always and i get tired of my job i quit i drive people crazy ive been told all of them knew i was adhd

that would be a YES to the TENTH POWER!

when do you say it is "ADD" and when is it just me/you? I think you have to be responsible for your actions, self control and putting yourself in situations. But "ADD" is its own animal, shows up when it wants too, usually during a critical juncture when it is least welcome, plays with you when it wants to.

I don't think I would want to hire me or be around me. It is a release to be able to say this.

At least it isn't a more cruel disease or disorder. But the headgames never go away. Such Fun!

I am in financial services & accounting which is probably the worst career choice for someone with ADHD issues. In my case, getting distracted (like now) when I should be focusing on something, anxiety and making 'too many mistakes' as well as being disorganized led to many of my problems on the job.

Often times people with ADHD do best working for themselves, often from home. That way, they can set their own schedules and work at times they do best. There are no bosses to contend with and no employees to hire and fire.

what what a revelation! a home business, doubt many have thought about that..seriously, everyone who has worked and had trouble at jobs(fired, quit,etc) has thought about working for themselves. Thanks for the post though! :0

After a very rocky series of corporate positions I left that world to start my own company and now work in a home office. I certainly understand that it may not be an option for everyone, but, it can be an option for many people when it's prioritized.

As I said, I left the corporate world for a variety of reasons most in keeping with the issues discussed so far- I was a disaster with the "little things." I made a decision to consciously accept the stress of self-employment and the attendant income/benefits drop.

It's been four hard, stressful years. I still don't make what I did in a cushy corporate gig, I have no idea what a holiday is and I work long into the night when I get distracted during the day ....

BUT, I haven't been late to work once in four years, (we don't have those rules in my office:-) I have a pretty cool boss and my dog, Blue, sleeps at the foot of my desk every day in between walks.

I guess my point is this: It's easy to think that one couldn't be self employed because one's thinking within the context of their current employment. If you prioritize the working for yourself part, over the I do "x" for a living part, you may find that the opportunities to be self employed are more significant than they previously appeared. You may also find that, in a short time, working for yourself becomes the priority.

Just my thoughts.

If you're going to survive sanely with ADHD in the home office or self-employment, you better have in place some significant structure (time blocking, timers, double-check system, prioritization, organization, etc.). High risks there -- but don't many ADHD's gravitate to those anyway? :rolleyes:

I suspected I have ADD for a few years and it could explain my lackluster "career". It could explain why I am angry and depressed at my current job.

I did so well in school and college but had problems outside of school. School gave me structure and I felt accomplished and proud of my work and study habits. After i graduated with a BFA in Graphic Design, I felt confident I would have a job before the summer was over. Fat chance. I found some temp work in Graphic design during the summer and had a few interviews.

My career sucked. I had a dream to be a Art Director which is a position of someone who gets the big projects and supervises other designers. That dream died. My boss basically told me I can have other dreams during my job review where I got a poor rating.

My career is filled with graphic design temp work where I was treated like dirt. I had a full time job which taught me alot and was fun and creative but I was exploited by not getting benefits. I was the multimedia designer and IT support. We merged with a company with deep pockets, but I never was promoted. Because of the recession in 2001, I survived many rounds of layoff until the office was closed down.

I couldn't find a job. My former boss asked to help him restart his business and paid me way less than he did when I worked for him before. Even though he offered me a job, I turned him down because I was very depressed from many personal problems that I had to move out of the area to start fresh.

I spent another year and a half scraping by with temp work and doing a lackluster job search. Suffered alot of depression. I finally found a temp job when a temp agency found my resume on Monster.

I still work there. I was a temp for 2 years until they hired me! Since the work is quite boring and uncreative, I have a tendency to surf the web or come in late. After the first boss was fired, we got a new boss that has a low opinion on me. She is eventually took away most of my creative jobs and gave me jobs that meant nothing to nobody.

I got really depressed when everybody in the marketing department had at least one of their projects submitted to some sepcial design awards. Only one person didn't have anything worth submitting. That person was me. It was like the boss made sure everyone but me had something to submit to reinforce her low opinion of me. I was also demoted after my poor job review.

Today, we received the list of people who promoted. I knew I wasn't on the list. The freelancer will get promoted before I do. I think my ADD is making me depressed, jealous of co-workers, feel unappreciated and useless, and passively rebel against my boss.

Sorry for the long post. I know I have problems reading long posts but it is therupeutic for me.

the word interfering would be like saying you need a box of bandaids in a triage situation.

more like completely Fcknup my whole life and career would be a more accurate statement.

I am getting really frustrated with my current job. i am a call centre tech who supports end users in a pharmacy environment. I am looking for something else in the meantime. but the add is really reeking havoc on my current job. I am having trouble getting out of bed to do the job, not wanting to take calls, and becoming really short with the people on the phones as they tend to explain the issue in a round about way or very vague way instead of getting to the point. they also tend to not to listen when you give them instructions and get upset when you correct them. How do you keep your sanity long enough in a job you hate to move onto something you love?

I am getting really frustrated with my current job. i am a call centre tech who supports end users in a pharmacy environment. I am looking for something else in the meantime. but the add is really reeking havoc on my current job. I am having trouble getting out of bed to do the job, not wanting to take calls, and becoming really short with the people on the phones as they tend to explain the issue in a round about way or very vague way instead of getting to the point. they also tend to not to listen when you give them instructions and get upset when you correct them. How do you keep your sanity long enough in a job you hate to move onto something you love?

I'm in a similar line of work but I'm very good at what I do. I don't deal with many difficult customers either so that helps.

If there's something more interesting you want to do, I guess the best way is to see how feasible it really is to switch jobs in your current situation. With the economy the way it is, it's always risky being at the bottom of the food chain.

So far, In my effort to find and settle on a job I've been:

Age 16 - A support worker for a mental health community support team (temp job)

Age 17/18 - A concrete engineer/concrete machinery mechanic (first ever real job)

Age 18 - Bouncer (still doing this one age 25:cool:)

Age 19 - An electrical apprentice to an electrical engineer

Age 20 - A production line worker (lasted half an hour at that... took longer to drive there...)

Age 21/22 - A Vocational Trainer & Assessor for Mechanical Engineering (best job I've had, was taken off medication for a 'trial' and I impulsively left for pastures new on my unmedicated rampage - I'm such an idiot for doing that, especially considering what happened with the job I went to)

Age 23/24 - A Diesel Mechanic (got pushed out after company was bought out by a rival and new HR team had 'issues' about my medication:()

Age 25 (present day) - Still working the doors which has turned out to be my most consistent and reliable form of employment, I've gone back to university 'just for something to do' (studying Psychology), don't actually know what I'm going to do with the qualification when I get it though... havn't thought that far ahead.

So whether by my hand or not, I'd say my condition has had some sort of influence over any job I've ever had.

Logic

It was and still is for me. I had a decade which I termed as my lost years and this was not that long ago. I was in my early 20's and I was totally lost after college. I was very depressed and my anxiety level was always high. Life was pretty much hell at that time. I obtained a degree but the drive to find a better job was totally absent. There was a point where life was not worth living anymore. It was averted by the desire to keep on living.

My life changed for the better when I married my wife a decade ago. I also took the route of medication and therapy. Unfortunately, it took another few years before I was correctly diagnosed with ADD. I wish I have known about ADD when I was in my 20's. Life would have been better and a better career. While the others are having careers in their 20's, I am still struggling at 39. Even with medication, therapy, and support groups, life is still difficult. The economy took my confidence away and currently working in a job that I used to do 7 years ago. Financially, it's devastating as I make 25% less than I was making.

Making much less and a career going nowhere, I am reduced to a person that is much less than what I envisioned myself to be at this point of my life. I am a bright person but I think I burned a lot of bridges during my 20 years of work. I want a decent career and it might still happen for me. I try as much as possible to stay positive and be consistent with my medication. Financially, it is difficult to maintain the combination of medication and therapy. Saddled with debt and very little money for bills, I feel helpless sometimes.

I obtained my master's last year and it gave me a good jolt of confidence but the sour economy sucked it out. I lost my job after graduation and it was really painful. I settled for a job after 4 months of unemployment. I really had not choice but to take the job as my savings was drying up and could no longer rely on others for assistance. Forward 6 months, I'm medicated again and my confidence is starting to improve. I am networking again and will soon start job searching again. This is a good start. I just need to do a much better job in building up my confidence and talk to the right persons in obtaining a better career direction.

Thanks for the great article. One of the people that helped me during grad school was a person that assists the disabled in their academics. The person was very helpful and I credit in part for my master's degree. I wish to work in that capacity in the future.

This is new - I started using it rather than fighting it.
I have to "multitask" (this office vocab annoys me by the way) but I would try and do things in a certain order. Now, I do the urgent priorities and then whatever comes to mind, I usually have 4 things going on at once.

Good thread OP!

In the past my ADHD ways have interfered with my Career(s) :)

I would get bored with the mundane duties and lack of stimuli.
Short lived were those jobs. oy!

Now, I have Career, where my ADHD is tolerated. My co-workers and Directors work with me instead of against me.

They understand, if I need to "walk around" or step outside..or put my head phones on and listen to music..etc... To break up the day.

Two things have helped: One I mentioned above. The acceptance of my co-workers. The other, Adderall. Adderall has help with my focusing.

I still have issues with being impulsive.

There are times, I can see in my co-workers faces, when like tigger, I bounce into their office and interrupt them.

At first they didnt know how to handle this. After a while, they have come to know me...and they understand I'm learning to cope (restrained) this impulse..

Before I "bounce" about, I think to myself.."Bry Stop..can this wait..for a more appropriate time?" This thought process is still underconstruction ha!

Perhaps, if I wasnt doing a dang good job, and found a field I really like...this story might have another ending.....

Well---ADHD is interfering with my son's aspirations in joining the Coast Guard. Apparently, one has to be free of their diagnosis of ADHD and be OFF medications for a year in order to apply and seek enlistment per the recruiter. Wow---was that a slam!!! Any insight on this matter or info on if a medical waiver is even possible -would be appreciated. All comments, advice, and any help feel free to send my way...

I'll soon be 48.. at the age of 47 I was diagnosed.. ( thank goodness)( two months or so back) All mylife I figured that I was not as they say normal. ( as some would say). But i always used that to my advantage, i have always been able to work hard and long hours at anything i did. So when I just got tired I would reach down with in my self and pull out more hyperness... and keep going.. alwyas ut worked everyone.. no matter what age they were or are now. BUT when i get home I crash, not good for my now second wife.
But it has got me a lot of stuff in my life and I guess having said that i have lost a lot also. ( been up there and also down there) Does anyone understand when I say crash, also at work now , that I'm older , but can still out work the rest.
My new wife has been a blessing to me ( now with me for five years) She has given the courage and the mind space that I want this to happen I have to get my life together, and since I was diagnosed i have changed and I hope for the better, Way less Chatter in my head, I can now sit in metting , with my head in the room. I know I have a ways to go andso much more to learn about myself and this thing called ADHD, So much more to learn. I state that the ADHD has helped me in my wrk life but I can not so dumb as to think that it has also made me miss out on stuff.

jobs + I don't know if it is the ADHD that helps me learn new jobs and carrers and or hobbies, OR is it the ADHD, that makes ME change so many jobs, Hobbies , carrers. Up till I was about 38 I only had really three or four jobs ( including two own business's), but since about 38 , I've been several things, and had way diff jobs. i have been a Journymen sheet-metalman, Bodyman, Tattoo artist, apprrentisshiped on rebuilding starters and aults, silk screen printer, Warehouse worker,Got into retail, am now a Manager, of sporting goods store, and am wondering what i want to be when I grow up. I give my Wife all the credit for staying around, and putting up with me, she can step back and see me and my mind all over the place, I believe that this thing called ADHD has given me so much and I never ever stop thinking that at moments notice it can take it all away, if I let it go. People who don't have ADHD, can not realize what I ( we) have to go through to just do what they can do so easy. It is so nice now that the drugs can taken away most of the Chatter in my head, so at times now I can realx and realize that the only thing that just went through my mind was about the work I was involved with at that moment. Although it is nice and has always been so nice to think to fast,,, often so fast I finish there thoughts in my head and have already moved onto the next topic in my head.. ( yup your right not always a good thing)

Lost it at work on sept 3 . G0t to so Mad. Not sure why I'm so good for so long then it builds and it builds and I lose it. I go back on sunday sept 6. Gonna be interesting how those around me treat me, as I was mad man. The way I acted I would never talk to myself. Not sure if that out burst will have to be another new start to a new job and career. I have started the first set after 48 years , t get the med's but I know that I still need help and still have a very long journey a head of me. I know I need help from a pro. Someone that can explain to me how I need to react when the whole world seems to close in. The med's also seemed to sooth the inner head Chatter. and the restless leg movement. But I still deep inside thing I haver to do so much extra work and be every thing to everyone. And, And, all that seems to do after time is takes it toll on me and run me down and I get so tired to be every thing to all.. and IT IS NOT there fault at all.. it sems apperrntly to my wife it is all my fault, that is my own fault that I have taught everyone at work that I'm the " to go too guy". They all trust me so much and I seem to step forward and give them my trust, and after a while it builds up and I LOSE it.
This time I lost it on a lady that is pure evel BUT ,, I say " BUT" she did not deserve the way I got mad at her..

I don't don't if I'am more ashammed that this happened again in my life or that if I don't get propper help and talk to someone that it will happen again..........

I have ADD and I am a computer/network support/project manager. I was off of my medicine for about 9 years until recently. Before, I would start working on one machine at my desk and then go get another and start that one and then check the stock market and look at the sports scores, check email, go get coffee eventually get back to the first ticket I started working on earlier that day. I feel like my mind is going a mile a minute at full speed. I found recently that I was unmotivated and felt like I wasn't getting much done and would get easily distracted. That's when I got back on my medicine and in this past week I have noticed a huge difference. I am hoping this will allow me to focus more on certifications and studying for exams as well. None of my coworkers have commented on any of this but it was something that started getting to me.

This is new - I started using it rather than fighting it.
I have to "multitask" (this office vocab annoys me by the way) but I would try and do things in a certain order. Now, I do the urgent priorities and then whatever comes to mind, I usually have 4 things going on at once.

Off topic I apologise..stef, It's been almost a year since we've posted on this thread. Amazing wooohoooo. We've been posting left and right and giving and receiving help...I'm glad we found this community :)

Back on topic: stef how the plan coming along with mulit tasking and setting prioties...This is your one year eval :p lol

Well Until about a year ago i was making money with my entrepreneurial efforts. But now its all washed up. Im at zero, dollars perday. It wasn't functioning but now im taking time to figure out what my problem is or was (it wasn't lack of motivation or self discipline) that caused the disorder that lost me a cushy JV @ 60$ per hour...