[sqeng69]

Hi there, I am a new member here because I need advice from "normal" people instead of all the websites with confusing information....

I am writing this from my computer at my 8th job in 8 years. I make a really good living, but I always end up at a job about a year, continuing to screw up, and then quit and find a new one before I can be fired. Although that has happened twice. A little background...

I made it through college, although I switched colleges/majors 3 times. Couldn't concentrate, assignments always late, etc.
I landed a job in the automotive industry, which for the specialty I have is in very high demand. I'm always able to find a job, so that hasn't been a problem. The problem is I've moved my wife and 4 perfect kids around the country chasing the next job, always thinking the next one will be different and all I have to do is "concentrate and try harder" . I'm not dumb, I just can't focus.

So now here I am at my new job. i love the area, the company is cool, and for the first month I did pretty good. Now I'm back to the old routine of staring out the window and not doing a damn thing. By the way, they are paying me around 80K a year for this..

I am certain I have ADD, but my wife is not so convinced...when I concentrate I do really well (like during interviews..LOL), but I can't seem to get rolling. I am in meetings a lot and can't remember a damn thing that was said. Sound familiar?

My question is: Do you have any advice? Who do I see? We have a local psychologist that specializes in ADD, but can he prescribe meds, or is that just a psychiatrist? I really don't want to have to convince a doc I have it. I just know I need help, or I will be moving again and taking my family with me, just as they are settling in. Plus my resume is getting a little crowded..LOL....thanks...

[kimmydawn]

hey, sq, and welcome!

only psychiartrists or md's can prescribe the meds for you. however, if there's a psychologist in the area who specializes in ADD/ADHD, go for it please! you deserve it after all this time! he could point you the way to a good dr or psychiatrist who can prescribe the meds you need, plus give you life skills training there to help on that end...if, of course, you're dealing with ADD.

it's great that you're accepting of getting good help. go once and talk to the therapist and decide then. you and wife don't have to make up your minds until you've talked a couple of times to get a couple of answers maybe.

i wish you the best of luck and keep us updated! i do hope that you see the therapist you seem to have heard about first hand. i think you'll come out of it having a renewed hope for yourself!

again, welcome!

kd

[sqeng69]

Thanks KD. I know I have to do something. Even the littlest distraction takes me away from what I am doing...*sigh*...by the way, it says you are from Ohio. One of my many jobs was in Cincinnati. I love Ohio...

[kimmydawn]

i'm about 40 miles north of cinci...great area i'm at thanks!

please don't let this one jump out the window on you, ok? scheduling the appt and seeing the specialist, doesn't mean you have to do one thing that you don't want to, and it just might be a wonderful experience for you...ultimately your family.

i wish you more than well!

kd

[JustBen]

Wow, you really lucked out finding a local psychologist who specializes in ADD -- still a pretty rare thing. Go for it, and good luck.

[sqeng69]

KD: Thanks again. I still get out to Ohio a lot for work. i will be in Dayton next week, I kind of wish I still lived there, but at least I am back home in Maine.

I will try my best to follow through, but it is tough for me. I've been telling myself for years if I just buckle down and work hard, it will solve all my problems, so there is a certain level of embarrassment there. Plus my wife isn't real supportive of it. Anyways, I have to do something...

sqeng69,

First-- Welcome to PsychCentral.

I hope you don't take offense to what I'm about to say-- it's just that you sound a lot like how I am. I've been through about 12 jobs in 10 years! I didn't even finish college-- and rarely see a project all the way to the end. After having been to 3 therapists -- which involved about 2 years total - in therapy-- I have found that my biggest obstacle is how I feel about myself!! I'm a hard worker and dependable-- but after a short time I get nervous-- then sometimes start making mistakes-- it's usually not long after that -- I quit, thinking to myself that it's best to quit before I get fired.

Well, through some therapy I've discovered I am a bit OC- obsessive compulsive-- about my performance. I have to be perfect or I can't work there! I wonder-- does this sound like anything that goes on in your mind?? Not meaning any offense to you at all.

I do have a son diagnosed with ADD- so I am somewhat familiar with it. And considering all your accomplishments-- it sounds a bit different than ADD-- but that's just my take on it.

I think it would be very helpful to see a therapist and then you will have a better understanding of yourself.
Good luck to you and your family.

mandy