I'm 23. I've just started my first real job (well, it's been 9 months or so since I secured the internship).

I was diagnosed ADHD when I was 7. Never had a problem with anything in regards to the disorder. Didn't mind it. Never worried about what people thought. Brain worked differently, that's all.

But now I have this job thing. First time I'm in an environment where the people surrounding me don't know. In school it's different, when people see you getting extended time on tests, they know something's up.

I've not told anyone because I don't want that to be the focus if I make a mistake or do something wrong. "Did you take your medicine?" is my least favorite question in the world. I work in radio, so if I make a mistake, thousands of people know about it and there is no undo feature.

Unfortunately, scheduling is all over the place, so I don't always know how long my shift will end up being, meaning I have to take my medication at work most days. When they've asked, I've just said it was allergy medicine.

I'm afraid to tell them what it really is. I've never been afraid. I talk openly about it with anyone who asks. Having ADHD doesn't bother me. I've learned to not only accept it, but embrace it. I like it. I'm glad I've gone through compensating for it. Stronger for it. But now...

Has anyone else gone through this? Any advice?

It is rude for people to ask you what you are taking and what it is for. I take two doses of regular Ritalin during my work day. I have a small, decorative pill box I keep in my pocket and I always have a water bottle. I often take my meds in a room full of people and no one has ever asked me what I was taking even though they are looking right at me and do notice what I'm doing. I open my pill box and the lid blocks the view of what pills are inside. I palm the pill, pop it into my mouth and drink water. Works for me.

For the record: I am obviously ADHD to anyone who has a basic knowledge of the disorder. I have never mentioned my ADHD at work and I'm sure several others know, but it has never come up in conversation in the eleven years since my diagnosis. Did I mention how much I love my job and my co-workers? :D

-I guess you could go to the bathroom to take it privately.

-Or use long acting meds.

The long acting Dexedrine is quite good. Lasts 12 hours, i find. (Unlike Adderall XR.)

Concerta is good too..

Helps me out a lot.

It sounds like you've a very positive relationship with your ADD. If you make a mistake remember that everyone makes mistakes, its not an ADD thing.

OK so if you make lots of mistakes and you're on air thats different, and despite the fact that being ADD+ will give you many advantages on live radio then you'll have to decide for yourself whether live radio is for you.

Radio is a vey tough game (in the UK anyway) and saying you're ADD+ if you mess up won't give more chances than the next guy...neither is it likely to be an issue if you're good on air.......

So bring your intuition, linking skills, energy and hyperfocus into the studio when the red light is on and forget about ADD, the listeners won't know.....and they're the ones that matter.

PS.....you'll probably meet the head guy popping pills in the cloakroom......they're for his heart....honest!