The Forums › Forums › The Workplace › Struggling › Firefigher with ADD, ADD and work › Re: Firefigher with ADD, ADD and work
911- I’ve been at it 20+ years with a lot of ups and downs. I’ve been on the plus side for awhile now. Early on things were good. Had some rough clashes with the brothers from time to time. I always seemed to find conflict. I moved around- 5 different stations in the first 15yrs, twice was for promotion. 5 years ago I moved into a Fire Inspector job. A year later a couple of people retired and I got the Lead Fire Inspector job (equivalent to Captain). As the promo approched I asked my Dr. about meds. Tried Strattera, it did not work for me. We then tried Adderall XR. It worked wonders on most levels. I still had clashes with the people under me until the fire inspectors and asst fire chief took me off-site and really let me have it (like an intervention) This helped me turn it around. I’ve become a good leader and really appreciate those who work with/for me. I can retire but enjoy the job so much I’ll keep going till it changes, or when the rip the uniform off my back- whichever comes first. I do, however have a lot of contempt for the firefighters in the stations. The seem to have an entitlement mentality- way different attitudes, some of it really gets to me. I stay away from the stations to avoid getting P.O.’d. Maybe its just part of the “old me” that I can’t shake where I always need something to be disagreeable with or diagreeable about.
It sounds like you have some good ways of coping. Sounds like your not too far off from finding your equalibrium. However I think I’d be foggy too if I was still in riding the firetruck- I find the daily task oriented nature in my particular management position help me. Sorry mgt. did not work for you. You had it down- save the things that made you give it up. If I was a Captain I’d be retired already because l’d be insane from the attitudes. I’m succeding now because I have a position that fits, have 3 people working with me that do a fine job and we work as a team. I’m really lucky.
Sorry meds did not do for you what they did for me. Keep trying- this site may provide some input or new ideas- Stay safe bro
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