Reply To: A Doctor with ADHD

[Patte Rosebank]

@Vsher, you have definitely come to the right place!

ADHD is a paradox of incredible strengths and incredible weaknesses, caused by a brain that is driven by interest, rather than importance.  It’s not a defect; it’s just a different way of doing things. And, in many ways, it’s actually more attuned to the skills that served humans so well before the Industrial Revolution forced us to conform to man-made time-keeping and machine-based work systems.

There is a very high rate of ADHD in Emergency Services workers such as yourself.  The high levels of excitement and variety are a perfect match for the ADHD brain’s need for stimulation.

The most important thing you can do is to learn as much as you can about ADHD.  There is so much new information about it, especially with the release of the DSM-V.

Your concern about stimulant medications is likely due to all of the fearmongering and biased information that’s out there.  Learn all you can from legitimate sources, and approach the trial period with a scientific perspective.

While it’s true that the effect of stimulant medication only lasts a few hours, the right med and the right dose can help you to function much more effectively during those hours.  Just remember that meds are like training wheels on a bicycle. They’ll help keep you upright, but you still need to learn the necessary skills to keep you going.

I suggest you visit the Videos section (http://totallyadd.com/video).  It includes a series on Medication—which will answer many of your questions with unbiased facts.  There are numerous other videos there, featuring experts in the field of ADHD.  And the “ADDventures With Bill” will give you a laugh when you need it.

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There are some books that helped me a lot, and may help you: “You Mean I’m NOT Lazy, Stupid, or Crazy?” (Kelly & Ramundo),  “The ADHD Effect on Marriage (Orlov), and “Is It You, Me, Or Adult ADD?” (Pera).  As a doctor, you may also benefit from reading “Integrative Treatment For Adult ADHD” (Tuckman) and “Executive Functions” (Barkley)—though they’re too dry and clinical for me.

Some of these books are in the Shop (http://totallyaddshop.com/collections/books), as well as some excellent DVDs (http://totallyaddshop.com/collections/videos)—including downloads of the 3-part DVD set, “A Comprehensive Guide to ADHD”, so region-coding won’t be an issue. I found that DVD set extremely helpful.

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One more reason to learn all you can about ADHD:  It’s highly heritable.  So, it’s possible your little one may have ADHD too.

The better you and your wife can understand and manage your ADHD, together, the better you two will be able to help your family through the challenges.  And the better you’ll be able to celebrate the wonderful things—and there will be many!

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