Work life for me is also a struggle. Basic tasks that seem so easy for others call for a concentrated effort to absorb and remember details on my part. And even then, I still forget things. In my 3 month evaluation, I received a "Fair, but needs improvement" score and remembering and passing on information is one of my weak points. Also, I am "lacking initiative". But, I started taking Strattera 6 days ago and I'm already noticing some improvement. There is hope, we just need to take all the help that's available.

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And anything that would normally be taken just as feedback by some people can ruin our day! Try to remember that its not personal. Talking to your boss about what they can do to help you is a great idea. I just asked my doctor to submit a letter detailing suggestions on accomodations that my company could provide for me. Tomorrow I start getting to work from home two days a week. Start patting yourself on the back more and noting what you're good at. I've heard carrying a notecard with 5 positive attributes about yourself can be helpful, too.

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Oh, I can definitely relate to that. The toughest things for me are being compassionate with my own self and feeling ashamed that I "can't even get simple stuff done." At this moment, I'm supposed to be working and I'm on the verge of tears because it's so tough to get started. It really hurts to feel this stuck, especially when I know I can do the work. Fortunately, I'm blessed with a compassionate boss (although she didn't start out that way).

I'm going to find an ADD buddy/coach to help me be accountable, remind me of my strengths and help me re-focus on the next thing I have to do.

I also know that part of my issue is that I don't have a passion for my job. My focus improves sharply when my heart is in what I'm doing. So I'm looking for another job now.

I hope things get better for you and for all of us.

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I have developed a day planner which is recommended by ADD coaches and which has helped many people. It's guaranteed for 6 months, so there's very little to lose. Visit www.deltaplanner.com for more info.

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Goodness, when I read the posts to my "Work is Such a Struggle" subject; I felt that people really do understand what I am going through.

I, too, got a less than stellar work review (before I started on Adderall). I was devastated and I started crying during the review. Now that was embarrassing. I did not know I had ADD at that time.

I am so thankful that my p-doc diagnosed me because I felt that I was losing control of my work life.

Things have improved for me (nothing is perfect - I know). I have GOOD days and some NOT_SO_GOOD!

Hang in there, everyone.

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RoseJPark said: I work in an office and have many tasks and job duties I need to accomplish. I was on vacation for a week and I came back to work today. I took my Adderall XR 15 mg - but I felt so stressed and I did not know where to begin.

I have to respond to the bosses emails about things I did wrong that she catches. And I have to write procedures. I feel so overwhelmed and inadequate at work. I actually feel stupid and a failure.

I am thinking about meeting with the boss and going over everything I have to do and see if she can help me prioritize what should be done first. She knows I have ADHD.

I do well at church where I play and musical instrument and help serve food for the church and the homeless.

Why do I feel so dumb at work? It is like I am afraid that they will fire me.

Help!

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This workbook is so helpful I strongly recommend to all of us with the "Gift"

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I also find work inside an organisation immensely stressful. The biggest thing that has worked for me was to find work that lined up with the way ADD presents itself in me. That way ADD is nothing but a gift. Working in a job where you have to be everything that ADD is not (e.g organised, deadline driven, detailed) is always going to be tough no matter how hard you try. For me, it was not so much changing what I did but HOW I did it because the most important thing for me was to work alone. I am now self employed - still doing HR - but working on projects that are lined up with my skills and interests. If this is not a possibility for you, you could try asking your boss to assist you to prioritise your work. Thid might mean that you meet every morning for 10 minutes just to go through what you need to do for that day and to find a routine that will work for you both. I hope this helps. Lizzie

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First post here. I was recently diagnosed with ADHD and I'm finding it quite a challenge. I have a big job with a lot of responsibility and have a new boss... who is a serious micro manager. To say that I feel paralyzed is an under-statement. I just can't manage to get any work done. My previous boss was great. He let me do my thing and although the role hasn't changed, I was motivated to work the insane (70+ hours a week) hours to get it all done. I received outstanding reviews. To spin it in a positive way, this new boss prompted me to seek answers and this has resulted in my diagnosis. I have always been a high performer at work but would stay in a job for 9 months before being promoted to another area so no one really had the chance to watch me too closely and see how inefficient I am and my role was more operational than it is in my current position.

It's been obvious that I haven't been happy at work and my boss has been on my case. I finally told her about my diagnosis. I guess that gives my employer a duty to accomodate (I live in Canada) as long as I'm seeking help. It was a tough discussion and I unfortunately broke down in tears.

I haven't been able to receive a prescription yet but have two appointments this week and hope that I can finally get help after that. I have been diagnosed with ADHD by two specialists.

Anyway, I guess this is more of a venting post than a question or a comment. I'm just struggling right now and feel that I can't do anything right at work (after doing everything right for so long). I'm so glad that there is somewhere I can go to learn more and to know that I'm not the only person with these challenges.

Thanks for "listening".

Mary

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Trouble at work is part of what prompted me to see a psychologist and ultimately get my diagnosis. I found that after about 6 months in a new job in a new career, I felt completely out of control. I would spend days on blogs instead of working. At first, the preassure to impress and succeed was the motivation I needed. The newness of the subject matter also helped. Now I am feeling stagnant. I am also struggling with balancing responsibilities and priorities without deadlines, so I can really relate.

One of my biggest problems, though, is feeling dread about going to work and feeling uncomfortable just being here in my office all day. There are days when I just want to jump out of my skin at every noise, person, and buzzing from my lights. I feel i would often work better from home where I can control my environment, but the attorney I do work for feels very strongly about talking face to face and not communicating through e mail. I also worry about asking for too much accomodation.

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I'm so sorry-- I don't mean to be "oppositional", but I'm going to use the ADHD excuse. ;) I really don't think you should tell your boss unless you have an employment contract. I live in a state with an "at-will" employer who can fire you for what they deem to be just cause. I told my boss about being diagnosed with ADHD. I was fired two weeks later. Now... do I feel it's the sole reason? Absolutely not. But I felt it was a catalyst, as the reason that he used was "lame" at best, and did not hold any water. I actually deserved to be fired for my poor attendance, but I asked him a few times during my final interview if he was certain that there wasn't any other reason for which I was being fired and he assured me that there was not.

What I want to know from you all is this: How do you get up for work everyday?? When I'm at work, I can assure you, there is absolutely nobody that works more quickly and efficiently than I do. I am the master problem solver, fastest typist, best multi-tasker OF ALL TIME! ;P But shortly after I've started any job, the tasks become so incredibly mundane, I can't even bring myself to get out of bed until I darned well feel like it. After the first reprimand, I'll "shape up" and do more in a week or two than most people can do in several months. But not long after, after I've received the necessary accolades for a job well done, I'm calling off sick again. School has gone the same way, thus I've only attained my high school diploma. My senior year of high school, I missed THIRTY days of school and still at least received average grades. I guess it's a reflection of my ability to buckle down when necessary. But back to my original question since I can't seem to focus: HOW DO YOU ALL GET UP FOR WORK EVERYDAY FOR A JOB AT WHICH YOU KNOW YOU'LL BE BORED??!!! =.(.... I truly wish I knew. I swear... I'm not lazy.... it's a puzzle I just can't seem to solve.

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Me in a office is like asking a bull to stand in a crystal shop... Nope I know my limits and being brought up by a good old bat of a grandma, it caught my eye working with the elderly.. Old people have a long life of routines and rituals and they like stuff done the same way day in and out. Suddenly I found my shelf in life.. I can get myself to work on time, and people appreciate I am there spot on time (I have a internal ring clock that drives me crazy OCD almost).. I can do the boring stuff without thinking because it is easy making food and drink to people. There is more time to talk and be social with the elderly listening to their worries sorrows of reality and helping them look on the bright side when scrubbing them in the bath.. They are actually touched by my happy chatter and when I sing out in the kitchen. Even really mentally ill people accept me and my co-worker hate visiting, I have grown up in a chaos dirty house, so such home never worry me. My co-workers say ewww! I say would they need help if their home was clean? Reality check woman lol.. I am a hand on type of gal, and feel I have found responsiblity and if need be can phone 911 if I find someone ill too.. I can get extra time if need be and quiet days go home early from time I save up on extra busy days. My employer is also very mindful to get me free when my son has to go to medication control for ritilin, I just have to tell them in good time so they can plan how many people have to be at work. Working with people forced me to learn empathy, listening skills and forcing myself to sit quietly and keeping eye contact. Therapy has given me mastering skills to avoid confrontations with work mates, I still say stuff at the wrong times, but my co-workers are understanding since I open up about how life is at home... Many applaud me for having the strength to juggle 2 ADHD'er kids in my life and a job..

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I find myself agreeing with #11 don't tell your boss. I did, now I am not getting the same training opportunities as others in my group. I asked H.R. for a workplace accomodation on the attendance policy (Im bipolar too), had a letter from my doctor, and she said she would have to talk to him. That was a year ago......I too struggle with getting out of bed, I work 12 hours a day 4 days a week in hot dirty demanding job. The only saving grace is I get freedom to leave my work station regularly. I try to look at the positive, it's a union job they would have a hard time firing me. I have a job, in this economy that's a blessing and I get paid good money. It's all mental. A constant struggle.

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