Medication and work-Are they working for you?

[aaa-alison]

I find that my medication is a god-send when it comes to my work life. I can focus much better. But I still get very rammy sometimes. ( My husband just told me to say, "Hi, I have ADHD and I am sitting at the computer with my jacket and hat. Help me please." He is so funny. )
I need to take a lot of breaks, but I try to do it in such a way that my hubby doesn't get pissed. We are DJ/entertainers. I need to work out a lot to get rid of hyper focus tension. Teaching dances and dancing with our crowds helps. How do you feel in your work world?

[LitlBaa]

Hubby is doing much better with Ritalin. Strattera was awful for all of us, it just depressed him. Right now Hubby's a full time student, and the college is aware of his ADD. He'll graduate in May 2005 and is looking for an internship, but isn't sure how much he should say about the ADD.

[aaa-alison]

I think it is important for your husband to tell any company he works in-especially his manager that he has ADD. Before he starts his internship maybe you can sit down with him and make a list for him of his work strengths and weaknesses. And a list of his good social traites and ones to avoid. Maybe this could be placed in his wallet for him to look at whenever he needs your guidance but can't get you on the phone.

I have a lot of friends with ADHD and what helps them most are guide books. I know this may sound nuts, but it isn't. With ADD and the high stim atmosphere of the working world, it is easy to go blank and get lost. I have two friends who work in 911 services and they both have ADD. Before the phone rings they have their 'protocol bibles' out right in front of them. Actually, because of their ADD they are exceptional at their jobs because they know they are imperfect and they take every precaution and every piece of advice they recieve to be better.

What helps me is being able to explain my ADHD, being funny, not being super hard on myself, and learning how to do 'socially acceptable' high stimulous stuff when I get bored.

If he feels trapped at work-maybe a swift run during lunch would help. If he feels unbelievably overwhelmed-tell him to break down the tasks into a million baby steps and take them one at a time and not think of the other steps.

I always repeat information back to people. This is a good sales technique too-it makes people feel special and really heard. I get numbers and letter mixed up often, so repeating instructions/information back is a god send and helps me get return business.


Good luck to him and you,


Alison