Hi, I work at a grocery store as a cashier and I've been diagnosed with ADD. I'm wondering if my ADD is the reason I can hardly stand my job. I get so angry at the customers that come through my cash for no reason.

For example, if I say hello to someone and they don't say it back or just smile, that makes me really mad all of the sudden and I just feel like taking their groceries and throwing them at the wall. I also get mini panic attacks when I see that I have a big line up, I feel as though I'm not gonna be able to last that long and time is going too slow.

It sucks because I need money for college, but when I go to work I feel like I'm torturing myself on purpose. Do you think I should try to switch jobs or get them to cut back on my shifts. I started taking medication yesterday but it wears off before I start working. What should I do??

My suggestion is to talk to the dr who prescribed the meds. Then you can talk to the manager about your job.

Any way to take your medications at a time when they will still be working when you go to work??

Personally I would rather have my teeth drilled by a dentist than be a cashier - to much standing in one place for me

switch to a more "add-friendly" job. it's not your fault - the job just isn't right for you.
(I couldn't do it, I would get flustered and panic. my few experiences with cash registers of any kind were disastrous).

Switch jobs to bagger....

You get to vent your displeasure at certain customers by the way you choose to bag their items

You get to hyperfocus on the packing arrangement inside the bags (works better with the paper bags and not the plastic ones)

You move both hands while concentrating on the objects being sent your way by the cashier... more like playing video games

You get to run around the parking lot retrieving the shopping carts

You get a change of pace and scenery by helping folks out to their cars with their groceries

:D;)


Seriously though, I agree with the other comments here.
Are you going to school currently or just saving up for it?
If you are going to school, I'd also check with your counselor to see if they had a line on any student jobs you qualify for.

We get people waiting in our waiting rooms and the pressure is on to get them all seen within 12 minutes (why 12 minutes? I still don't know after 6 years:rolleyes:).
I just understand that they are outpatients and are not waiting on us because of an emergency, so if we take more than 12 minutes to get them into the lab... that's life.
I do take a moment when things are really moving slow to go and at least let them know we are hard at work and haven't forgotten them.
This seems to help, but I don't think that would work in your situation.

One of the things I hate about the grocery stores is this idea that the customers have to be pushed through at lightening speed!

The poor cashier (although sometimes I think it's just their own personality and not what their boss instructs them to do) barely gets done with one customer and starts immediately on the next.
I don't like to crowd out the person in front of me.
I can wait a few more seconds while they gather their replace their money into their pocketbook, gather up their bags, and walk away.
I don't need to be on top of them just because the cashier has already handed them their receipt.

I find people in general to be too pushy and impatient when standing in lines at checkout... which is why I like shopping after work... midnight tends to be a less rushed time.:D

Sorry to hear about your situation.
You really shouldn't have to be so stressed... it's not healthy, I believe.

Thanks for the replies!

Switch jobs to bagger....


Where I live they don't have baggers, so I have to scan the items plus bag them!

Are you going to school currently or just saving up for it?


I'm saving up for it, but I'm also getting a loan, I'd just rather have some money saved up.


switch to a more "add-friendly" job. it's not your fault - the job just isn't right for you.



I agree with you there, I don't think even medication would make this any less stressful, I'm going to ask if I can be transfered over to parcel pickup, which is putting away carts and helping customers take out their groceries.

Thanks
--Cody