Welcome to the forum here!

I have a couple questions for you:

Do you have ADD/ADHD? (Have you been diagnosed by a professional?)

Are you being treated or coached at all?

Are you taking any medications?

Are you getting help dealing with your other mental health issues?

Do you work?

I'm sure there has to be something out there for you to enjoy doing, and that you can do well--it's just a matter of finding it! :) My first thoughts are that if you're spending most of your time online taking tests, perhaps you're hyperfocusing on that activity? The computer and online activity can GOBBLE UP your available time that you could use more productively elsewhere.

Getting offline and getting out and talking to people who have careers that you think might be interesting would probably be a good place to start. That way, you could ask questions and hear what their experiences are with what they do. Also, maybe you would be able to go to work with them for a day--or just a couple hours--to see, first-hand, what it's like to be in their line of work.

In some ways I can relate; I'm an RN, but I've been home with kids for a few years, and I have no desire to go back to the nursing field. All the different job situations I've had so far have been either WAY too intense, overwhelming, and overstimulating...or, boring, just mind-numbingly BORING. I can't imagine spending the next 25 years (I'm 33) doing something like that... I KNOW there HAS to be some kind of in-between place, where I'm not too stressed-out, but stimulated enough by adequate personal conversation that's interesting; I just have to keep at it and find that happy medium.

With some guidance and a direction, I'm sure you can find something that interests you and that you will enjoy doing. You've found the right place to find others who can relate, btw. Welcome!

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Hello:

Amy asks a lot of important questions above, and she may be on to something with the hyperfocus insight. It might also be that you're destined for a career in computers or web technology since you're drawn to working online for hours on end. Is there a community college nearby where you could take a few web development or programming courses? Usually, the cost-per-credit is low enough that you could take a few classes just to see how you like them without risking too much cash if it doesn't work out.

Also, I would suggest reading through some of ADDitude's best articles on the subject of finding a career that fits...

Career Advice for Finding the Right Work with ADHD

Helping ADHD Adults Find Their Dream Work

Another thought: What about signing up with a temp agency that will place you with different companies in different positions every few weeks? That way, you can sample lots of different work environments and see what gels best with you.

Hope this helps!

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Hi. Thanks for the welcome. I'll try to answer those questions.

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Amy Alison said: Welcome to the forum here!

I have a couple questions for you:

Do you have ADD/ADHD? (Have you been diagnosed by a professional?)

[B] I'm pretty sure I have it, but no formal diagnosis.[/B]

Are you being treated or coached at all?

[b]No treatment or coaching. :( [/b]

Are you taking any medications?

[b] Anti-depressants for the obsessions. (I also have ocd).[/b]

Are you getting help dealing with your other mental health issues?

[b] Sort of. I'm on medication, but it doesnt help with the impulsivity and obssesive behaviour.[/b]

Do you work?

[b] Not at the moment, no.[/b]

I'm sure there has to be something out there for you to enjoy doing, and that you can do well--it's just a matter of finding it! :) My first thoughts are that if you're spending most of your time online taking tests, perhaps you're hyperfocusing on that activity? The computer and online activity can GOBBLE UP your available time that you could use more productively elsewhere.

[b] The hyper focus thing is insane. I can spend 3 or fours hours straight researching. Till my eyes ache and migraine. [/b]

Getting offline and getting out and talking to people who have careers that you think might be interesting would probably be a good place to start. That way, you could ask questions and hear what their experiences are with what they do. Also, maybe you would be able to go to work with them for a day--or just a couple hours--to see, first-hand, what it's like to be in their line of work.

In some ways I can relate; I'm an RN, but I've been home with kids for a few years, and I have no desire to go back to the nursing field. All the different job situations I've had so far have been either WAY too intense, overwhelming, and overstimulating...or, boring, just mind-numbingly BORING. I can't imagine spending the next 25 years (I'm 33) doing something like that... I KNOW there HAS to be some kind of in-between place, where I'm not too stressed-out, but stimulated enough by adequate personal conversation that's interesting; I just have to keep at it and find that happy medium.

[b] That's part of my problem. I can't deal with boredom. It feels like time passes in some sort of vortex and I feel I'm gonna go nuts.[/b]

With some guidance and a direction, I'm sure you can find something that interests you and that you will enjoy doing. You've found the right place to find others who can relate, btw. Welcome!

To be honest I feel like a failure and a loser. I can hardly concentrate on most things, and my family get so upset with me for dropping out of things.

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I just want to tell you you aren't alone. I struggled for years with finding a job, much less a career. My procrastination, avoidance and anxiety made it hard to search for a job. And I've always felt completely unable to deal with "real life." I've read about others with ADD having similar experiences. Just knowing how to find what's out there in terms of jobs felt like having to learn to swim by being dropped in the middle of an ocean. I knew what I liked to do, but I didn't know how to find a job that would pay me to do it.

I really recommend getting outside help if you can. Are you being treated for ADD? Do you have a psychologist you like? He or she might be able to recommend something. Or perhaps a coach can help you organize and conduct your search. If you know what your strengths and passions are, try talking to a career counselor who may know what kinds of careers are out there and how to break into them.

If you're applying for jobs that require resumes, I recommend the investment of having your resume done professionally. It can relieve a huge amount of stress and pressure.

I'm 31 and just last year I started in the paralegal field and have found a job where I get to use most of my strengths. Don't give up hope.

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I guess I just don't know what my true strengths or interests are. Spending time on my computer is really all I do, and since I can't get interested in other subjects, I'm at a loss. I tried some aptitude tests that assess what you are actually good at, but they don't really fit with what I actually like. I am so confused. I'd see a psychologist or coach, but I can't afford it. :(

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I'm ADHD, female, combined type, still fairly severe into adulthood. Few years ago, I worked as a kennel worker in a vet clinic (lots of cleaning, laundry, assisting vet, keeping an eye on the animals, etc). Favorite job I ever had, partially because of the animals, but also because I had to multi-task quite a bit and was very active, moving about the clinic all day long. I later left due to issues with a coworker (Still have issues with people).

It's a matter of figuring out what works for you and learning how to interact with people really, cause that is what screwed up my chances at jobs I had. Also worked as a dishwasher at a nursing home. The old people there LOVED me, but the others in the kitchen.... Not so much. Saw me as flighty, loud, and rude. :(

What sort of things interest you? The starting point is right there, I know I do best in jobs involving animals and hard, physical work. You say you like being on the computer, but what is it that you do on the computer?

If nothing comes to mind, drawin a blank, or hard to think under that pressure, grab a notepad and a pen, and keep it with you at all times. When something comes to mind, immediately write it down before it escapes. (thoughts escape me so quickly sometimes...) Like, next time you're just browsing around the internet, when you research something, write it down. Perhaps make a mark if you find yourself thinking about it for awhile randomly, or if you find yourself researching more at a different time. Either by looking at one item on your list or kinda takin them all in could give you an idea of what you'd like to do.

I'll admit, I've never tried this, but if I had no idea where I was going, feels like it would work for me, which is all I have to go off of :3.

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Hey Ninja, I had a job for a while as an audio/visual technician which included some computer maintenance here in New York City while I was in grad school. It was a fun and interesting job.

First of all, I worked for an agency, much like a temp agency that managed AV technicians. I was assigned to go around New York City and got to work in some corporate headquarters of some of the worlds largest financial institutions. For example, I worked for two weeks on the 35th floor of a building on Wall Street. I got to visit the corporate boardrooms to set up and check on equipment and see where the big deals are made. That was amazing!

What made the job interesting, was that I needed to "run around" the buildings solving technical problems. The whole idea of having something so physical and short assignments kept it interesting. I got to see places where not very many people can ever say they've been (like a trading floor) and met many interesting people.

I'll bet that if you are interested in computers that you may be technically good and like to tinker. That could be a fun job for you.

Good luck! H.B.

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