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When Will This Stop?

I often fantasize of a workplace where ADD and creativity are rewarded. Then maybe the anxiety and depression wouldn't be a problem.
Adult ADHD Blog | Friday June 20th - 11:55am | More June 2008 Blogs
 

I wish the ideas would stop. I feel like that kid in dodgeball, who has all of the balls thrown at her at once, and there's no way to fend off the barrage, except to duck. In the end, the ideas are non-existent anyway, because they are, as the father says, simply ideas: illusions, delusions, and not real, because rarely are they executed. How shitty can a person be made to feel? I feel pretty shitty.

Today, as part of the perfect storm, I came up with the idea of a pullout section in the magazine called Dress and Undress the CEO. Heck, it might be good entertainment for the ladies who pick up the magazine. Naked cutouts of men with Ken-doll physiques and cut-out ties, underwear, suspenders, and shoes. If I shared the idea with the editor, she'd think I was insane, or maybe had too much to drink.

I often fantasize about a career where ADD or creativity would be rewarded. Rather, I feel ashamed most of the time, stuffing the ideas away into the dozens of notebooks that are scattered all over the desk at work.

A more immediate problem is the anxiety and depression that comes along with what is already a handicap. Last night, I noticed a new mole under the arm, painful, red, and definitely there after the long 3.5 hour swimming race last weekend. I Googled "sudden mole and skin cancer," freaking myself out. I'm so good at that.

I've been tempted to jack up the Adderall dosage because at times I feel like the medication isn’t working. I have heart and passion and am well intentioned—but I end up angry and impulsive, and put up all of these guards so that people won't see the ADD me.

I think I obliterated yet another one of my first-date men yesterday. He looked at me funny after I'd simply said, "I couldn't even recognize you. You look nothing like you do in your photos," when I first met him. He didn't seem to have a sense of humor and took offense at that. We sat in silence for 30 minutes and then he asked me if I had any questions for him. No, what was this, a job interview? He said I was like the seventh woman he'd met from online dating. I sat there thinking that at least I'd gotten a $15 glass of wine out of this. I knew I'd never hear from him again. Jerk alert.

The only thing that made me feel awesome the other day was that I had a nice chat with the replacement roommate, whose hobby I discovered is carving cakes. I was totally intrigued that she makes cakes shaped like boots, handbags, and animals. It made me realize that I wasn't the only creative soul trapped in a suit and briefcase.

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3 Comments:

  • Posted by cmpkmum - Jul 24 2008 @ 3:59 PM
    Have you thought seriously about changing your job?
    If you have creative ideas there are many kinds of jobs which not only welcome but require creative thoughts and ideas. You like to write,so that could be a way to begin to look for something new you could do free-lance articles which you can do while still working at the job you are in until you have a writing portfolio once you have one you could look for writing jobs in local magazines or newspapers. Or maybe you could volunteer at your local black box or community theater? People are always needed to help build sets, paint, design posters etc. Or maybe you could take all of those note book ideas and make a book out of them? Even if you don't get it to a publisher you could publish it yourself and sell it on the internet. Don't give up keep on trying to find ways to express yourself, there is no such thing as too late until we are late ourselves (if you know what I mean). Ann
  • Posted by bunny - Jul 24 2008 @ 2:17 PM
    Its like you're in my head
    Hi Jane-- I am absolutely amazed at how many feelings/thoughts in your blog entry I can relate to. Its like you've put into words all the frustrations I can go through each day.

    I've googled "adhd career" a few times (and now dont remember what the results were) but I'm pretty sure there was no clear answer- and I soo wish there were!

    I think about talking to my doc about jacking up the adderall dosage but have found an "in-between" solution. I've been taking it for 2 years now and I remember after the first year I felt like it wasn't as effective as it used to be. I guess the body gets used to it? I was afraid that raising dosages would just lead to a vicious cycle, so my doc and I worked out "adderall vacations". We'll plan a week off every few months, or even taking weekends off- and when I come back to it, it feels better and seems to work like brand new.

    Granted, during those weekends and weeks off- I'll sometimes find myself in frustrating situations with my oh-so-charming ADD self, but I think its worth it to give the adderall a restart once I go back to it.

    Just a thought :)

    As far as anxiety and depression- I bet the things that you find frustrating about yourself, are things that your fam and friends see as charming. I sure do! Your entry made me smile.

    Good luck to you!

  • Posted by Stuck - Jun 26 2008 @ 3:10 PM
    Feel your pain
    Hi Jane, I enjoy reading your blog and I relate to a lot of the situations you mention about your life. Although I have been able to stay employed for a long time in a few companies, I am now looking for a job and it's not been easy. I feel like I have so many talents and ideas but I don't seem to be able to put them in practice. I feel like I need someone monitoring my life, even though I am 10 years older than you. I wonder how so many people that I know are also ADDers (even though they don't realize it or don't want to admit it) can be successful professionally and in their relationships while I am always struggling in those areas.

    Anyways, I wanted to ask you to mention in one of your blogs how do you think Aderall has helped your ADD symptoms. I know someone who says it has changed his life and I often think I should be on meds (even though I am very scared of the side effects). You seem to be still having a lot of ADD issues, so I would appreciate your insights on pros and cons. One device that helps me a lot with daily activities, avoiding to be late and lists of things to do is my I-Phone. I think it is a perfect ADD accessory and I highly recommend it to you and any other person suffering with ADD problems. And no, I am not related to Apple, in fact I got it as a gift but now cannot live without it. Thanks for sharing your stories with us, Jane, and good luck to you!

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