ADD and ADHD and a new theory

I sympathize with your being unable to find stability in your work.
I've had the same problem. I've worked at the following jobs since
the age of 15:

1. babysitter for various people (PA)

2. food concession worker (PA)

3. waitress at a restaurant (PA)

4. waitress at a truckstop (NV)

5. waitress/cashier in a donut shop (PA)

6. nurse's aide in a nursing home (PA)

7. nurse's aide in a terminal and/or recovery center (PA)

8. nurse's aide on surgical floor of a hospital where
sex change operations were performed (CO)

9. temp nurse's aide in hospitals (PA)

10. private duty live-in nurse's aide (twice) (WY)

11. potato planter on co-op farm (PA)

12. dietary aide in a nursing home (CO)

13. live-in amusement park game worker (PA)

14. hostess/cashier in (2) restaurants (PA)

15. maid at (3) motels (PA, MT, WY)

16. live-in housekeeper/cashier at a ski resort (NV)

17. childcare technician (cottage parent) at state school for
mentally handicapped children (WY)

18. ad salesperson for a newspaper (WY)

19. janitoress at a hospital (WY)

12. recruiter's assistant (Army, PA)

13. speechwriter/clerk typist (Army, CO)

14. air compressor & generator repairperson (Army, CO)

15. carpenter's helper on an all-woman crew framing houses (WY)

16. autobody repair helper (FL, NM)

17. plant nursery/greenhouse laborer (FL, LA)

18. sheetrock/ceiling texture/painting laborer (WY)

19. geophysical technician (seismograph laborer), truckdriver
and surveyor's assistant (all oil exploration) (WY, LA, UT,
NE, ID, MT)

20. roofer's helper (WY)

21. lumper (unloading semi-trucks) (FL)

22. window-washer in trailer parks (FL)

23. fundraising telemarketer (WY)

24. machinist's apprentice (FL)

25. engineering secretary (PA)

26. legal asssitant/legal secretary (9 law firms) (LA, AZ)

27. medical clerk typist (PA)

28. medical transcriptionist (AZ)

29. administrative assistant at a school (AZ)

30. licensed massage therapist (solo practice & at a spa) (LA)

31. landscaping laborer (LA)

32. wordprocessing clerk at a soil/air/water testing laboratory (WY)

33. harvester on grape, strawberry and tomato farms (PA)

34. temporary legal secretary (LA)

35. construction laborer (WY, FL)

36. secretary to educational consultant (AZ)

37. secretary at a probation/parole office (AZ)

38. my own mail-order handwriting analysis business (WY)

I would also like to try the following occupations:

beekeeping

harvesting serum from bees, wasps, etc. to sell to laboratories
for preparing antidotes

wildcrafting

worm farming

consulting

private investigation

mushroom farming

I speed-read numerous non-fiction books and perform internet
research for the sole purpose of self-education, and usually am
reading 3-5 books simultaneously.

I can be hyperfocused on tasks or things that interest me yet
am able to perform mundane tasks for hours on end as I find
it frees up my mind to think about other things.

I've moved numerous times in my life--over 100 at least.

There is a word that describes someone with a nomadic urge
that causes him to travel and change jobs frequently, but I
can't recall what it is.

Like you, I've never married and desire it, along with stability
above all things.

My son has ADD without hyperactivity and I believe his father
had it as well. I was never diagnosed with anything but
had dysgraphia (handwriting troubles) in the second grade,
was a free thinker as early as the first grade, bumped heads
with various teachers and other students because I stood up
for my principles, and was accused and punished various times
as a child for things I was not guilty of.

I was bored, bored, bored in school from early on, and the only
education I've enjoyed is college because it finally presented some
mental challenge and the profs were fairly intelligent.

One reason I don't remain in relationships with men long is because
I am very independent and many I believe dislike that about a woman.
I am also freedom-loving and avoid conflict and get bored often with
the lack of mental stimulation I've found in relationships.

well that's my 2 cents. don't feel alone!

Damn, I can imagine that I may very well end up having that same lenghty lis of jobs and interests in about 5-7 years. But moving over a 100 times seems, maybe a little far fetched. The financial burden of moving that much is greater than the cost of living. Unlikely?

But if what you say is true, then yet again I say Damn.

-ADHDsux4me

I would have been diagnosed ADHD had the medical community an an inkling about it at the time. I was just "hyper." The thing is it's genetic, prepare your kids for it. I have 2 on Ritalin, 1 not, not my choice, you can only learn to deal with it if you HAVE to. Ritalin is a short term solution, put forth by schools. Let the kids grow up to control their own bodies. It will happen, just takes time. You keep pushing Ritalin, the kids will NEVER learn how to control their bodies.

I have a question. Why is add and ADHD suddenly everywhere? where did it come from? im thinking maybe its something in the air or water that the new generation is being exposed to?

I tried ignoring this thread and keeping my mouth shut, but I just can't do it anymore. So many of you have no clue what ADD and ADHD is about. It is so much more than not keeping a job and feeling like you're "tuned to different channels" (crap, in my oppinion). It's not just being hyper. It's a complex set of symptoms that touch EVERY PART of your life for those who have been legitimately diagnosed. People love to say "ohh I can't concentrate in class - I must be ADHD!" and oh how that makes me angry.

Some issues I have:

1) ADD and ADHD is horribly overdiagnosed by careless family doctors and self diagnosis. Just being hyper or difficult does not ADD/ADHD make. People are so quick to medicate to control kids to serve themselves. However, there are times when the child can greatly benefit from medication, and it can be a life changing decision. It can save a family, a marraige, and a life.

2) Many things are often misdiagnosed as ADHD/ADD - primarily depression. Symptoms in children can be identical to ADD/ADHD

3) Ok so you can't concentrate sometimes. BIG F**king DEAL. Concentration is usually the least of the issues ADD/ADHD people suffer from. Impulse control, learning disabilities like dyslexia, sleep problems, extreme social dysfunction, few friends, being "obnoxious", self doubt, self hatred, suicidal feelings, feelings of worthlessness, criminal behavior (impulse control again), inability to keep friends, inability to manage money, weight, food, and life in general.

4) The idea that this is an alll negative thing makes me angry, too. ADD/ADHD peeps are usually exceptionally bright with above average intelligence, and when controlled ADD/ADHD individuals are capable of much more than the average person (my oppinion on the last one). Creativity is simply impulsivity gone right. ADD/ADHD people can handle chaos beautifully and thrive in high stress situations. I think ADHD people, who have that creativity combined with high intelligence, are the people who come up with many breakthroughs and advancements. ADD/ADHD folks can also become semi-obsessed with topics or hobbys and blow away their competition.

5) Foods and parenting can only do so much. I have yet to read conclusive studies on diet helping TRUE ADD/ADHD patients, but may help other disorders that mask as ADD/ADHD. If you're child is truly suffering, get them HELP and medications are not necessarily bad if they are warranted and correctly and appropriately perscribed. If you or your child feels stoned or wiped, its not the drug for you, or you're taking way too much. Parent's cause true ADD/ADHD? No way, and it's offensive to even suggest it. It is hereditary, and can cause parents to lose their minds, if anything and as a RESULT of ADD/ADHD not become as good a parent as they would have hoped.

6) This isn't any more common than it was 50 years ago, there is just research on it, there is a name for the symptoms, and people are grossly overdiagnosed with ADHD/ADD in huge numbers. People 50 years ago just went to jail. What do we know now that we didn't before? It's a frontal lobe condition. It can be assisted with the administration of amphetamines and like chemicals that speed up the fuction in the brain to allow ADD/ADHD individuals to have up-to-speed control. That's why stimulants work.

7) Those new drug ads are doing a huge disservice. The pitch of "do you ever feel like you can't tune into a channel?" as the tip off for ADD/ADHD is potentially dangerous when real problems like depression are overlooked. Go to a neurologist - not your family doctor. The drugs are becoming easier to perscribe, and if you're not truly ADD/ADHD you might as well go buy some speed to boost your performance.

Arrgh.. people make me crazy with this ADD/ADHD stuff. I wouldn't trade it for the world.

Sign me: adhdROCKS4me

I agree with you, I just have a hard time seeing the upswings of it, when my poor impusle control, inabilty to maintain a healthy weight and obsession with random topics, keeps me from moving ahead in my life.

My ADD, is a blessing what I know, I know in more depth than than the casual interest, history, trivia, Obscure Movie References, ability to concoct stories and concepts from my own imagination with ease, but unable to follow through on details.

The one thing I do well is write poetry, it's short, it's worded in the manner of Elizabethan times, and it flows onto the paper as if I'm only putting there and it was there all along.

Send Me back to a time where toil, and industry, didn't drive our economy. Take me to a time of the great thinkers of the world.

But The downs are overwhelming, and the meds the amphetamines, made me paranoid and even more socially social malfunctioned.

Cheers Mate,

ADHDsux4me

Great post RedBalloon! Glad to see someone giving ADHDsux4me some sensible advice. After all he has asked for help on this thread not for comments from kids who have done no research on the subject.

Originally posted by RedBalloon
7) Those new drug ads are doing a huge disservice. The pitch of "do you ever feel like you can't tune into a channel?" as the tip off for ADD/ADHD is potentially dangerous when real problems like depression are overlooked. Go to a neurologist - not your family doctor. The drugs are becoming easier to perscribe, and if you're not truly ADD/ADHD you might as well go buy some speed to boost your performance.

Arrgh.. people make me crazy with this ADD/ADHD stuff. I wouldn't trade it for the world.

Sign me: adhdROCKS4me

There's a new one on the horizon, Aspergers. Similar yet different. I'm with you on this RB, I learned how to control my body, ritalin is only staving off the inevitable. I'm glad I didn't have this drug, I took control of my body. Yes I've got 2 on Ritalin.

Originally posted by ADHDsux4me
But The downs are overwhelming, and the meds the amphetamines, made me paranoid and even more socially social malfunctioned.

Not all the meds are amphetamines these days. There are many many drugs out now used to treat ADHD, and one of them worked for me. The rest left me extremely rageful, depressed, able to be keenly interested in the carpet for a few hours, not able to finish sentences, etc. I tried them, and found the one that worked for me. Find a good Neurologist, and try them out. If it's been two weeks and a drug isn't making a huge improvement in your life, then move on and try another. Drugs out for ADHD these days include: Ritalin, Dexedrine, Concerta, Stratera, Adderall - many with extended release thatlast for 9 hours or more. Sometimes, antidepressants can have a positive effect such as Paxil, and Welbutrin. Medication should help you control your body, and not be a fix-all and a mind numbing silencer. The right medication should make you more you, only better, and help with controling the things you want to control but were not able to. You should not feel drugged or deadened, and if no drugs work, revisit the idea that you may not be ADHD and take a hard look at how you were diagnosed and by whom.

As for not finding success at work, perhaps you should focus on finding the right job for you. Active, chaotic jobs are great for ADHD peeps and can change it up often enough to keep your mind working and be challenging enough to be worthy of the intelligence many ADHD suffers have. Without finding the right fit, its frustrating and depressing and your soul will ache for feeling undervalued, unworthy, and incompetent.

Turn that obsession of random topics into something that matters - any one topic in particular you can't shake? Get into it.. poetry your thing? Keep it going. When you do have times when you're more in control, keep it handy to go back and fill in the details you mentioned missing.

It's a shame you have trouble seeing the positives. I feel like I always get the joke, I can do anything I want to do and absorb new knowledge and facts quicker than my peers on subjects that interest me, I believe I hear music more intensely as I can tell my brain to seperate out each instrument and hear them all seperately at once, I can watch tv while using the internet and reading a magazine and cleaning my room - any of the one alone would make me nuts and I'd have to do laps, but doing all 4 and letting my mind tune back and forth lets me do all of them at once, I can entertain myself anywhere as long as I have things to fiddle with, draw with, carve, and space to wiggle or walk around... creativity is a HUGE perk of impulsivity. The medication I take helps me control my weight by resisting cravings and overeating, checkbook, credit cards, allows me to physically stay in my seat in classes, and really understand the consequences of my actions. It saved my life, and allowed me to really appreciate the gift that I have been given genetically. Because of ADHD I feel I can handle any situation thrown at me, and adapt faster than anyone else around.

Thinking of yourself as disordered and unable is a great way to offer up excuses and dwell on whats wrong and not what's right - and I do KNOW what it's like, but try hard to see what good ADD/ADHD can add to your life and work towards those things.

I hate people knowing I am ADHD and I do what I can to avoid the topic even among friends. They tend to assume everything I do they don't like is a symptom, and it's not at all. If I don't want to sit and watch a movie at their house, it's ADHD!! Nah - your movie is just boring as hell and your couch sucks Or, people think ADHD is a load of crap and medications are just crutches and I have an "addiction" and they think poorly of me, when I feel quite the opposite about myself. I try and stay out of discussions like this one because I tend to tick off people who truly suffer and have not found their cool selves yet, and the ones that don't have ADD/ADHD never really get it anyway.

Adhd you have problems and adhd isn't one of them. Seek professional help, my .02.

Originally posted by Slick71
Adhd you have problems and adhd isn't one of them. Seek professional help, my .02.

What would you suggest they are, my problems?

Back to Redballoon. You have hit the nail on the head in that last post. I know exactly what you are talking about. I feel I need a chaotic and ever stimulating job, and I too absorb facts quickly on topics that I specifcally find interesting. I also have the same vivsective ability with music, hearing the different melodies and harmonies, and appreciating their intricacy. It must be one reason I love Classical Music, Rock Ballads from the 70's-90's like the Who's Tommy, and These Days Techno, all are like an Orgy for the ears, lol.

RedB what med did you find helpfull for you? I'm leaning to seeing if a non-stimulant will work for me. I don't have hyperactivity anymore, persay. At least not in my body. I grew out of the hyper actions, in my late teens. I still fidget alot though, lol.

I'll tell you, The Concerta I was on did work in the respect it was supposed to, I was able to concentrate much better. I just was aghast at it's side effects, though. It sapped my passion for life.

I think what I have got to do now, is find myself again. I really think you are right, I need to get out of the defeated mindset regarding this, and look at the positives and start making fixes to the parts I see as broken, as opposed to thinking their are none.

-ADHDsux4me

Bi-polar, again though just my .02.

[edit on 27-9-2004 by Slick71]

Originally posted by Slick71
Bi-polar, again though just my .02.

[edit on 27-9-2004 by Slick71]

In your mind, what are the differences between, Bi-Polar and ADHD? And how am I exhibiting Bi-polar? I have no upswings, or manic phases.

I do have a determination to fix whatever it is that ails me, but rapid mood swings are just not me, I've kind of been consistently bummed out about this for awhile now. Most specifically when the Concerta worked but, made me anti-social. I get depressed when I fail, but I don't go bazonkers happy or spastic over little things, or for no apperant reason. I just don't wake up and suddenly I am full of energy, and life is awesome and I have some maniacal quest to fulfill. That's just never been me.

I am somewhat enthusiastic about fixing things though, but I need to find a medium without tedium...hehe

Cheers,

-ADHDsux4me

I'm Bi-Polar. It's kinda like walking through a radioactive area...you get super powers. It's great. My .02

I read a while back that lead exposure as a child contributes to ADD. Eating lead paint, soldering and such. Car exhaust from leaded gas. Just something I read.

Originally posted by Lucid Lunacy
I'm Bi-Polar. It's kinda like walking through a radioactive area...you get super powers. It's great. My .02

Hmm, Maybe I want to be Bi-Polar... X-Ray Vision, The ability to fly, turn invisible, and super healing! Imagine the possibilites!

Yeah!

-ADHDsux4me

Badge,
"I have a question. Why is add and ADHD suddenly everywhere? where did it come from?..."

It suddenly came from the pharmaceutical companies to make a sudden dollar =) But seriously isnt it suspicious that everyone relates to the symptoms? We have semi-unique personalities sure, but we are bound to be similar in ways, and it's those similarities the pharmaceutical companies are exploiting. If you really think about it ADD/ADHD isnt a problem per se, rather that it's incompatible with the current society. Just like anything that isnt the norm we label it and slap it on the wrist. Only in this case the ADD/ADHD victim isnt being punished he/she is being encouraged. How many ADD/ADHD people get their dosage increased ever so often? Now how many get it decreased? =) It's a self-fulfilling prophecy. My suggestion: drop the meds and meditate. My .02

[edit on 1-10-2004 by Lucid Lunacy]

Originally posted by Lucid Lunacy
Badge,
"I have a question. Why is add and ADHD suddenly everywhere? where did it come from?..."

It suddenly came from the pharmaceutical companies to make a sudden dollar =) But seriously isnt it suspicious that everyone relates to the symptoms? We have semi-unique personalities sure, but we are bound to be similar in ways, and it's those similarities ADD/ADHD is exploiting. If you really think about it ADD/ADHD isnt a problem per se, rather that it's incompatible with the current society. Just like anything that isnt the norm we label it and slap it on the wrist. Only in this case the ADD/ADHD victim isnt being punished he/she is being encouraged. How many ADD/ADHD people get their dosage increased ever so often? Now how many get it decreased? =) It's a self-fulfilling prophecy. My suggestion: drop the meds and meditate. My .02

It's overdiagnosed in huge numbers. Thats why it's everywhere. As for your self fulfilling prophecy idea - it's CRAP. Your suggestion leads to depression, low self esteem, criminal behavior, drastic weight changes in those that cannot control eating, and families that fall apart with individuals who are truly ADD/ADHD. Do some research and find out what it's truly about before you make such dangerous and infuriating comments like that. It's like telling someone schitzophrenic to meditate and forget the meds, or just pray your way whole from an amputation. As Ive said before, I'm not a victim, I'm grateful for it, and medications are life changing and life saving. (ADHDSux4me: dexedrine) I'm so amazingly angry at your comments above and truly insulted. BTW: I decrease my doasage every now and then and it's encouraged to take drug holidays where you go off the meds. Learn a little before you make such strikingly wrong and offensive generalizations.

Red Balloon,

Ok I am formulating a response to yours...which will come shortly. However, I noticed your "Mood: Lost"...perhaps you should pop another dexedrine pill? Hope I was life saving. I also noticed alot of anger and hostility in your post(s), is that a negative side effect of the medicine?

[edit on 30-9-2004 by Lucid Lunacy]

[edit on 30-9-2004 by Lucid Lunacy]

Originally posted by Lucid Lunacy
Red Balloon,

Ok I am formulating a response to yours...which will come shortly. However, I noticed your "Mood: Lost"...perhaps you should pop another dexedrine pill? Hope I was life saving.

Okay - that was warn worthy. I'm not a "pill popper" and my mood was a reference to a BALLOON - why be so nasty? As for you being life saving - How in the world would one get that from your comments? You're words are insulting and inappropriate. Perhaps you should not be so judgemental of people who are happy, well adjusted, and quite successful and comfortable with themselves. I have not complained about my own ADHD, I have offered suggestions and ways that ADHD can be a great benefit. I do not think the world should be medicated, but if one has a medical issue with a biological cause, then it should be handled appropriately given the symptoms and the individual. Suggesting that it is not a valid thing at all, and saying medical doctors world wide are morons and everyone should meditate does not make your theory very credible.

[edit on 30-9-2004 by RedBalloon]