A.D.D. really blows?

Question

I was diagnosed with ADD a few years ago and I have a really difficult time with it. I know I'm intelligent and people will tell me the same. However I'm 25 and I've had a countless number of jobs already. My jobs are always well below my ability level and I work along side idiots. I confuse the hell out of my employers and co-workers because I come across as intelligent, but than my wandering brain inevitably causes me to do something boneheaded. I'm depressed because I'm always painfully aware that I am not living up to my potential. If you have ADD, how are you coping with it? Have you found ways to succeed at your career or school?

Answer 1

Hello, I just took a self test for add, I am going to the doctor to have a full analysis. Please don't loose hope, I feel for you. I am now understanding why I do the things I do, it must be this condition. Keep your head up! :)

Answer 2

I'm in the same boat. It's a double edged sword for me. When I'm off my usual medication(adderal) I am more jovial and friendly, but I know that I'm not doing my best at school. I used to take medicine for it, which allowed me to get very focused, but at the cost of being irritable and not that fun to be around. I have chosen the social side, as this is who I'd rather be. I've slowly taught myself to still be moderately responsible off of my medicine, but also to not let myself get carried away.

There are plenty of drugs and diet guru's with claims to help this. I've been on three or four in the 14 years since I was diagnosed. I found a light dosage of adderall to work fairly well for me. There is also a non-stimulant, Strattera, which supposedly works but without the stern-ness that I found with adderal, but, seeing as it takes a long time and the effects are gradual, I had a hard time noticing any signifigant change (anything more than a possible placebo effect). Ultimately, I get off a little easy. I still do well in school without the aid of drugs.

As far as helping to deal with it, I would first decide how you define potential. I had to choose between an educational potential and a social potential. I'm still not satisfied with where I am intellectually, but I think it's part of what being smart is like. I try not to fall back on A.D.D. as an excuse for my shortcomings. Maybe I am just a different case than you, but I think having a peaceful attitude towards everything has helped me tremendously. So, I can't offer much in the way of structural suggestion or orgizational know-how.

Also, though may see this as coping out, just not thinking of yourself as a person with A.D.D. will also help with your frustration with yourself. As far as frustraion with co-workers, that's something we all have to deal with.

Good luck in all of your endeavors.

God Bless,


~ SoulinVerse

Answer 3

Yes I understand. I was never labeled A.D.D.
My greatest disappoint is that I have all the right answers.
I know exactly what needs to be done and I know how to get the task done, but when it comes time to present my thoughts,
I have difficulties. I cannot keep my thought process in my mind long enough to say it out loud. No problem in saying to myself.
I can knock-em dead. but in public I am dead.I become extremely obtuse. Very embarrassing. Like you say very hard to cope with.
What am i doing to over come this dilemma? Just try to relax.
make it less business and see it as sharing my ideas rather than
telling it like it is. Be more social about it. try it. Good Luck

Answer 4

I try to concentrate as best as possible, but when the mind starts wandering especially at school or when studying I take a small break, if that doesn't work then I will take the meds as a last resort.

Answer 5

That first answer was rude,
However have you tried to find about treatment for behavior change.
We have an add on the radio for The Drake Institute, it claims to have non medication ways of treating ADDand helping people function better.
Good luck

Answer 6

my husband has a.d.d and he say: you have to find a job doing something you enjoy or interested in ,so you can stay focused on the work he likes cars ,so he is a mechnic and he likes designing thimgs so he has an associates degree in drafting and designs house plans on the side. he said ask your doctor about strattera it has helped him greatly his friends,family and supervisor noticed a major difference in him and they didnt even know he was taking the medication!

Answer 7

I would love to have ADD, then I would get free scripts of Adderall :)