Are you ME? I don't know what age you are, but I'm nearing 60. I learned I had ADD about 20 years ago, when I started taking my son to a therapist for attentional difficulties. I was amazed that all the things I had dealt with all my life, like: an 'A' one month and a 'D' the next, notes telling my parents that I could be at the top of my class if I would "apply" myself, college hell with usually rock bottom barely hanging on grades, and resentment from important people because I was impatient and distracted, and virtually no developed friendships. After a while, I read everything I could find, and I've come to acknowledge my incredible strengths. ADD makes me different and now I realize that the difference can be exhilarating and just plain fun. People don't always get my humor-their loss. I can do a dozen things at the same time, and finish most. I can come up with more possibilities for a solution to a problem than anyone I've ever met. Now I know, I'm okay. Different is okay. I dont make excuses for my inadequacies, I just say, "I'm sorry. It'll probably happen again." Good luck. Love who you are!

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I'm feeling the same way at the moment. I'm trying to get my Associate of Arts degree at a local 2 year college. I'm totally overwhelmed! I have the same issues with the reading material as you described. What I do is take lots of notes. I write down the things I think are important, then I type them up in the Word Processor in outline format. Between writing and typing the information I can retain some of the information. I also use note cards for short statistical stuff.

Sometimes this method works for me and sometimes it doesn't. It depends on how high my anxiety is and how overwhelmed I am. I hope this helps you. Just know you aren't alone. :)

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Hi, thanks for the post. I am certain that the problem that u are undergoing can be cured with a combination of cognitive and behavioral intervention, please log on to www.etcs.in regards, Ramachandran Mani

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I with you, my issues sometimes include having to read anything somewhat complicated multiple times. My issue is remembering or incorporating new material, skills, knowledge in the brain. For as long as I can remember, it seems I have to do or learn or read or repeat something many many times in order for it to click or stick. Not everything, but new somewhat complex things. I also have problems with strings of instructions in sequence, remembering them.

I too am looking for tools and techniques to help me in my work.

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I really relate to many of your experiences.

Midway through finally attaining my law degree by the skin of my nose, I found out I have learning disabilities and ADHD that greatly impair my reading, writing and processing (esp. affecting speech, speed, and short-term information retention). Though I was very happy to eventually graduate from law school, the anxiety I experienced in participating in class and small group discussions took a huge toll on the confidence and self-esteem I brought into the world beyond.

Trying to find a place in the workforce is the current challenge. It's been a slow process to figure out which jobs I should pursue and which to avoid. My decision to focus my search beyond the field of law was fairly easy to make, for many personal reasons. What is more difficult is realizing that areas I formerly thought were strengths are actually areas I should probably avoid. For instance, many office jobs focusing on speed and concise/straightforward communication seem to be a special trap for me.

I believe in my intelligence, honor my work ethic in having achieved several dreams, but want to honor myself in finding internal peace first and eventual job satisfaction. I believe this is all worth the struggle and wish many blessings to everyone!

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