[ljsmith13]

Malevalent,

I hear you. I had that kind of issue a few years ago, but as a perimenopausal woman, it was hormonal, and the ADHD just sort of made it worse. I wasn’t diagnosed at that time. Since then, I’ve gained control over the temper (and the desire to “HULK SMASH” things, not people….), and the realization it’s frustration, not actually anger I was feeling. The main inpetus for getting my assessment was the implementation of a zero tolerance for violence in the workplace, where even an angry outburst could jeopardize my job.

Unfortunately, I’ve discovered to my horror after more than a year of non-stop multiple stressors, I’m failing at my job. The stress is causing anxiety, which is causing sleep issues (trying getting a racing mind to stop at 1 am. knowing you’re supposed to be up at 6:30 a.m.), which means my meds aren’t working effectively, and therefore I’m not working effectively, which adds to the stress, which raises the anxiety…. and the wheels have started to fall off the cart.

It actually took the workshop on Feb. 27 for me to realize all of this, and take steps to try to help myself. I’m changing part of my workload for something less demanding (less pressure from clients, and less chance to screw up….). I’m reaching out to a former therapist of mine, who helped me with depression when I was in my 20’s. Luckily, when I was going through the assessment for ADHD, I found out she’s also treating adult ADHD. (BONUS!) so I’m presently trying to get in to see her to try to find a more effective way of dealing with some of the stressors. Other changes I’ve been trying to deal with that were causing stress, I’ve backed off from, just to give myself a break.

There are still times at work I feel like I can’t do anything right, but I do know I’m making the right moves for myself at this time. Hopefully, I’ll get this worked out, soon. I’m exhausted, in so many ways right now, its an effort just trying to get anything done right now.

REPORT ABUSE

[ljsmith13]

The only accommodations I’ve asked for was:

1. When our team was asked to change their hours so everyone was in the office between 10 am and 4 p.m. Monday to Friday. I explained about days when I’d had little or no sleep before, and the fact that I’m just not functional on those days. Sometimes, I need the entire day to just rest, so it would be a sick day. Others, I just need to sleep a few more hours and then I could work, but needed to do so from home. The only concern expressed by our director was “Does this happen often?” and thankfully, I was able to say no. So for now, I have no problems with this.

2. Trying to get exercise in my day without impacting my evening “schedule”. I’m a diabetic, which complicates things. I’ve been told basically, exercise 2 hours after a meal, and at least 2 hours before going to bed. I normally wasn’t getting home until 6:30 in the evening, and having dinner by 7:30/8 p.m. was the norm. However, the doctor treating my ADHD, wanted me in bed and asleep by 11. Do the math – the earliest I could get to bed with my schedule, if I exercised would be almost 1 a.m. Something had to give. What I ended up doing was negotiating an extended break in the afternoon (45 minutes instead of 15) and I take a walk. Before the shift in hours for my team, one of my colleagues would leave earlier (3 p.m.) and I’d walk her down to the train station, and then walk back to work during the 45 minutes. Great exercise. Though, I’m floundering now, because she now leaves at 4, I leave at 5 p.m. and returning to the office for 15 minutes just isn’t appropriate. I’m currenlty trying to get into the office a half hour earlier so I can leave with her at 4 and just go home from the train station. (Not an easy feat for someone with delayed sleep phase syndrome who’s natural bedtime is around 3 a.m.)

REPORT ABUSE

[Author]

Posts