Is There Anyone Else In The World Going Through What I Am??????

[katie79]

I recently self-diagnosed myself with adult ADD.

The biggest problem is, it greatly effects me in the workplace.

For example, my boss could tell me a memo he wants me to write for him on my way to my desk, and when I tell him "let me grab my notebook and write this down", he tells me I "should be able to remember this and not have to write this down."

Needless to say, by the time I get back to my desk, everything he told me to write has disappeared in my head completly...then I have to go back, ask him again, and watch him huff & puff.

Other things happen too...

I reverse things... mainly numbers (and no, I'm not dilexic)

I can't follow instructions no matter how hard I concentrate/

blah, blah, blah, blh...you get the picture.

Basically, I am a comedy of errors. I finally landed a job in a field I like, and already, they are discovering what a moron I am.

Is there ANYONE else in the world going through what I am?

[Samantha2005]

he tells me I "should be able to remember this and not have to write this down."

 

Firstly, I think this happens to alot of people on the job. Everything's so complex now and the STRESS ALONE can affect you this way. If you really suspect you might have a problem though, three things I can suggest:

 

 

1. CALL your Dr's office immediately and tell them you want to be evaluated for AADD. Try to get them to line you up with the appropriate provider of service without having to go in to see your doctor first. If they diagnose you with AADD, then they can start you on the appropriate medication.

 

2. If I had a dime for everytime I read instructions (or listened) and got confused I would be a rich woman so I devised a strategy. Read the instructions sentence by sentence with paper and pad at your side. As you read each sentence, number and then write each step (per each sentence) in a way that YOU can understand it.

 

MANY OF US do this very same thing at work. Just ask us if we care what anybody thinks about it and we'll tell you NO !! We re-write instructions, then keep them at our desks to follow the next time the task arises. What has this strategy done for me? Well, over the years, it's taught me to listen (to listen ) and begin the strategy of "step numbering" in my mind which makes me reach for paper and pencil IMMEDIATELY.

 

 

3. In meetings, carry a recorder with you (make sure you have a change of batteries and plenty of tapes) slip it in your briefcase or in the pocket of your jacket or sweater and then turn it on. When you get home that night, transcribe it.

 

Recorders, meticulous note taking then revising (so that I COULD UNDERSTAND the information) got me through university too. So many of my class mates thought they were so smart hardly taking notes, no recorder... they'd look at you like you had a problem, but usually the ones who have these study skills make the highest scores on exams.

 

4. The next time your boss tells you to do something and you're not comfortable that you can remember it, DON'T tell him you're going to get the paper and pen, just GO GET IT then come back, sit down, look him straight in the face and tell him, " now, could you repeat that please so I can be sure I've got this right". (Not a question but more of a friendly and respectful command.)

 

My boss (female) can be equally as intimidating, but she knows now that I'm going to do it this way, and so does my closest collegue !!

 

I hope this helps you out some. Good luck !

[HokeyReligions]

Originally posted by katie79

I recently self-diagnosed myself with adult ADD.

The biggest problem is, it greatly effects me in the workplace.

For example, my boss could tell me a memo he wants me to write for him on my way to my desk, and when I tell him "let me grab my notebook and write this down", he tells me I "should be able to remember this and not have to write this down."

Needless to say, by the time I get back to my desk, everything he told me to write has disappeared in my head completly...then I have to go back, ask him again, and watch him huff & puff.

Other things happen too...

I reverse things... mainly numbers (and no, I'm not dilexic)

I can't follow instructions no matter how hard I concentrate/

blah, blah, blah, blh...you get the picture.

Basically, I am a comedy of errors. I finally landed a job in a field I like, and already, they are discovering what a moron I am.

Is there ANYONE else in the world going through what I am?

 

YES!

 

Do not despair.

 

I know what you are saying because I can have full understanding of something and take three steps, while repeating it to myself, and forget it by the time I've taken the 4th step.

 

I had thought about it being ADD also, but I saw a doctor and it was not - it is a chemical imbalance related to a form of depression--which surprised me because I didn't 'feel' depressed. I also had a series of small strokes which erased some of my memories (my marriage proposal is one!) and the more I tried the more I would forget and the more confidence I would lose, which made the mistakes and the inability to retain information worse because I was stressed about it, which made it appear worse and compounded the loss of confidence and the circle keeps going around.

 

You need to see a doctor and get a proper diagnosis and treatment plan. Tell your boss that you think you may have a chemical imbalance or something that is causing you to not be able to retain as much as you should and that you are taking steps to improve your health and your job performance. Tell him that you appreciate his patience with you and ALWAYS carry a notebook and pen with you -- even if you get up to walk to the bathroom because someone may stop you to talk. This will help you boost your own confidence.

 

Another thing to do is to repeat back the instructions, but in your own words. That helps reinforce it to you and lets your boss know that you are sincerely listening and trying.

 

It takes a lot of hard work and develop routines that will work for you. See a doctor soon though so you can get diagnosed. Also, your diet has a lot to do with memory and information retention and ability to follow instructions. A healthy diet and a good vitamin/mineral supplement will help - also proper exercise will stimulate the mind and the emotions that go with those frustrated feelings.

 

My husband suffered neural brain damage many years ago -- when he was a child. He cannot read or write very well - at about a 3rd grade level. He cannot follow verbal instructions and can't take notes -- he couldn't get a job as a waiter because he can't take the orders. But you know what? After we were married we both went back to college and worked with a counselor for people with disabilities and we found that he can learn visually and with that in mind he graduated with honors & a 4.0 gpa and he earned it! I helped him with the book-work, but once I knew how to work with him - he learned and understood and has excelled so much in his field and now he knows how to read so that he can comprehend and retain much of what he learns. He still reads and writes at a 3rd grade level, but his vocabulary and understanding of the meanings of words is wonderful. He still gets frustrated because he doesn't always recognize words and he can't spell so he feels he doesn't express himself properly because he uses smaller words and simpler phrases than he would like, but he has worked around that.

 

Don't panic. Don't give up. See a doctor and get a proper treatment plan and get information about your diagnosis and share that with your boss and appropriate HR personnel and co-workers so that they can learn something new and be able to relate to you in a way that does not frustrate any of you.

 

My notebook goes with me everywhere and sometimes I will transcribe my own notes and create my own work or desk reference so that I can easily find information and it helps me to retain the information also. My husband uses one of those audible dictionaries where he can type in a word and it will find the proper spelling and also pronounce it for him -- there are some great technological tools out there now.

 

Once you have a diagnosis and treatment plan, see about taking a 'listening skills' seminar through your job. It may sound silly, but I took one years ago through Skill Path I think it was - you might be able to search the Internet for them or for continuing education credits or business seminars, and it was a fantastic tool. Listening skills are developed -- not everyone is born with them or can develop them on their own -- if they could there would be no need for seminar's for them!

 

If you let your boss know that you are trying and that you want to improve and that you are seeking personal and professional improvement courses he may be less impatient toward you and respect you more. You are not a moron - you have a hurdle to get over and you CAN get over it!

[katie79]

thanks everyone.

your posts were informative and quite helpful.

I'll keep you all posted...

Hopefully the next thread wont say "One Year, No Raise Thanks to ADD" or "Fired from ADD"

lol

[Horse]

Originally posted by katie79

I recently self-diagnosed myself with adult ADD.

The biggest problem is, it greatly effects me in the workplace.

For example, my boss could tell me a memo he wants me to write for him on my way to my desk, and when I tell him "let me grab my notebook and write this down", he tells me I "should be able to remember this and not have to write this down."

Needless to say, by the time I get back to my desk, everything he told me to write has disappeared in my head completly...then I have to go back, ask him again, and watch him huff & puff.

Other things happen too...

I reverse things... mainly numbers (and no, I'm not dilexic)

I can't follow instructions no matter how hard I concentrate/

blah, blah, blah, blh...you get the picture.

Basically, I am a comedy of errors. I finally landed a job in a field I like, and already, they are discovering what a moron I am.

Is there ANYONE else in the world going through what I am?

 

 

I couldn't even make it through your whole post before my attention drifted.

 

I take notes all of the time. For some reason (in my case) note taking impresses people.

 

I even write down the stuff I want to say before I make a phone call, so I don't forget why I called.

 

Fortunately I also have a job (designer) where some flakiness is tolerated.

 

I've thought about going to a doctor to get treatment, but I come up with some of my best ideas when I'm day dreaming. I'm afraid that a good attention span might make me less creative.

[Mr.pos]

I Think you should take some martial arts classes. This will definatley increase your focus. And I would also do some yoga as well. This will help you out alot .

 

 

[Tahretoy]

A great deal of meditation is good. Karate, perhaps sword and Chikung (an internal Chinese art form) would def. improve the situation. good luck.

[mutton]

Oh geez, I'm pretty much dealing with the same problem as you are right now. I'm a full time college student in design working part time in a retail store (talk about a judgemental environment). In additional to being called "slow", I sometimes frustrate my managers by making many,many small to large mistakes that can be avoided with extra attention and focus. But I do try and when I'm not fizzed out, I can be quite efficent. Unfortunately, I can never give consistency in my performance. Thank god this isn't my career path because I'd probably end up more than depressed.

 

I've gone to a professional and have been diagnosed with Adult ADD w/slight social anxiety. Now hopefully things will improve with me as well.