Unleashing my ADD | ADHD Information

Almost a year ago I was diagnosed with adult ADD. Looking back, I have had it my whole life.

I started taking Straterra, but the side effects were too much to handle.

I switched to Adderall XR and each time the dosage was increased, it would eventually stop working. I maxed out at 20 MG day and after 6 mths seemed lethargic and started having some of the same side effects as when I took the straterra. However, this time I would have headaches, joint pain, and sinus issues. My BP would sometime spike and if I stood up too fast I would almost pass out.

Last month I lost my job. it was actually a Godsend since I hated it anyway and was only half-assed looking for a new one.

while planning my search, I noticed how I was unfocused and simply lethargic. My prescription was about out so I decided not to refill it and see what happens. My main question was wondering if my hate for my job was excasperating the ADD ot out of control dimensions.

After feeling REALLY tired for a few days, I had a day where I literally slept for 20 out of 24 hours. After that, I have been fine. In fact, I need my ADD right now becuase I have soooooo many balls in the air I need to multi-task like a madman.
I remembered the very first question my doctor asked me was if my occupation was helped/enhanced by my ADD. At the time, I had changed from a project mgr to a regular analyst and my answer was no. However, now that I am looking for a new position and career, I am thinkng about choosing an occupation that will be enhanced by my ADD. Being a manic project mgr was a joy and I am planning on stopping the meds and just unleashing my ADD into a new position.

I am confident this will work becuase since I now know the difference in behaviors, I can identify the damaging aspects and overcome them. for example, I caught myslef the other day half-finishing a household project. Since I recognized it, I was able to finsih the job - and man! did it feel great.

the adderall is completely out of my system now (its been a week). I can tell as my leg twiitching and insonia have returned. However, my point is rather than treating the ADD, I am planning on embracing it and unleashing it as a positive characteristic, rather than a negative.

Has anyone else successfully used your ADD to your advantage rather than trying to control it?

Been there my friend!

Bad jobs would always bring out anxiety - which can do horrible things to your body if you can't run from it.  Anxiety produces adrenaline - and the "fight or flight" reflex.  If you can't fight and can't run then your body gets poisoned from the adrenaline.  You get headaches, stomachaches, sleeplessness, body pain, all sorts of bad stuff.

Even meds don't remove anxiety - they just help you cope and work with it.  If it made you upset and anxious even with the meds then it's the same loop all over.

As to the loss of usefulness in Adderal - I found that with dexedrine after 9 months.  Went up the med strength then it stopped working at full strength.

Here's what I found - and what the manufacturer and the MD said - you have to take "drug vacations" - time off of the meds so your body can flush the dexedrine.  It's an amphetamine - and no matter how good it works for us it tends to build up and become tolerated.  It takes up to 30 days to work it out of your system - then when you start again it's like when you first took it!  I just got back on after my first vacation off it and it's wonderful!  From now on I drop it on weekends (unless something special is planned) and am going to go off it every three months so I can come back feeling better!

The best part is that the first while I was off the meds were still in my blood so I kind of "coasted" - and it was ok until week two then I got kind of tired and moody.  I got happier though after that - so the meds have changed me fundamentally.  Great stuff!

Hope you find what works for you my friend.

 

- Glen

I definitely believe that hating your job (or any aspect of your life) can make your ADD symptoms worse.  It adds stress to us and many times this just creates disaster for us.  Pressure situations can help us hyperfocus but bad stress where you hate what you're doing is not the same thing.

I'm being treated for my anxiety and not my ADD.  I'm playing with the idea of not going with meds and like you - working with my ADD.  If I see what I'm doing, I also can stop myself.  If I notice that I'm procrastinating, I can force myself to do what I need to do.  Or if I notice a distraction, I can force myself to continue finishing the task I'm on.

I feel that I really need to get a pocket sized notebook so I can write down my list of to-dos as I'm working on something.  I won't let myself get distracted but then I forget what the distractions were - that seemed SO important at that time.  That stresses me that I forgot something "so important".

 

I cant retain a job that I do not enjoy as my ADD makes it impossible to perform in any way.

When I enjoy the company and job duties I am considered the best at what I do. No arrogance, just the simple fact that when I work in situations that allow the positive aspects of my ADD to shine there are very few people who can come close to the level of skill and discipline that I possess and am able to maintain.

After 10 jobs, with an average 12 months per role, I have finally broken the cycle by getting some medication and some coaching, as the job I have right now is perfect - from environmental, cultural and technological perspectives, as well as the opportunities that are presented to me.