Economic Reality and ADHD

[addprogrammer]

Boys and girls,

I may not be around as much because of a new job that will not keep me in front of a computer 24/7. Who cares, you say? I know. I have gotten far more from this board than I put in. There are a lot of other boards ... their MO is "I'm screwed up, you're screwed up, let's be happy." Baloney ... I have always wanted one thing ... how do I fix this "demon" before it kills me. This board is where to go to kill "demons."

Onward.

Jennita, you have no idea how much we are alike ... besides being half whiskey-drinking, half hot-blooded-spaghetti-benders, I agree ... Ritalin and amphetamine class meds SUCK. They are no damn good for me or anyone else. What gives? Economic reality --- that's what.

I honestly believe the only real difference between us is I am the primary bread winner. If I am wrong, tell me and I will gravel for forgiveness.

Which brings me to the point: You parents with ADHD kids, as far as I am concerned there is only one issue. Your ADHD kids MUST LEARN A MARKETABLE SKILL or you will provide for them or they will live in poverty flipping burgers at my favorite "restaurant" McDonalds. You decide their fate.

Jennita, actually I wanted to give you something for your boy since he too is a "nerd." The tech industry has a lot of facets. The facet I am in ... C/C++ independent developer ... is DEAD. C++ programmers are in heavy demand in the corporate world. For me, there is only one way to do "corporate" --- take the damn speed.

You mentioned your boy wants to teach. I think that is a do. But be fore-warned - this stuff is NOT simple. It is demanding - as in it takes a heck of a lot of "focus" which we are a "little" short on.

My take on college and ADHD: Most ADHDer's aren't going to do college without speed. I know, there are a few exceptions - but they are few and far between. Too me, college is more for getting a well rounded knowledge of the world around us. Beats ignorance. As far as "marketable skills" -- of course -- there are some fields your aren't going to get any other way. In the tech world - a BS in Computer Science is just that -- B.S. Certification rules. The exception is teaching. If you want to teach Computer Science, you got to have degrees (plural) in computer science. This "computer science" stuff is NOT simple. I am sure your boy got the brains but if he also has ADHD, brains don't count - ask JaneWhite - 100 and freaking 40 something IQ and couldn't do college without speed. Tell you what, if I had the speed back in 1970, I could of done college with my paltry 120 IQ - easily.

So, many words to say something simple: Drugs SUCK. Economic reality may dictate "do drugs" or "do poverty."

Bob

[index.html]

I may not be around as much because of a new job that will not keep me in front of a computer 24/7. Who cares, you say?

Who Cares?!?

I CARE!!!!!!!!!!

Please say that you'll keep coming here even if it's only once per day! You will be sorely missed!!!

Good luck with your new job. Keep us posted on how it's going. Wishing you all the best in the new year!

Index

[rheanna]

Bob,

I hope your new job provides a lot of walls and a big budget for paper and printer-toner. And I hope that you get to work with some cool, relatively sane people. Definitely keep us posted on how things go in the job -- it should be fodder for a post or two, as I recall from my working days!

Gracious -- this sounds like a going-away thread -- noooo! don't go away! We need your input -- even if some of us highjack your threads and run amok with them and cause you to have to wrestle them back and set us straight. Ahem.

--Rheanna

[LondonE]

Hi,
I'm very new to this board, but have read a lot of posts
that have been extremely helpful and educational to me.
Bob, you have given so much, please stay and continue your posts whenever you can!

As for me, I'm struggling with the realization that I'm most likely ADD - not formally diagnosed yet - but on meds that my PCP (or GP as we call them in Canada) prescibed for me. Amazing difference in small , but very significant doses. Dexetrine has given me energy, motivation and this, oh so welcome, relief from anxiety!
Still, have an appointment with a psychiarist to get to the bottom of things. Amazingly , only 3 months wait, lol!

Bob, your posts have been very helpfulf to me, and I want to thank you for sharing your experieces and feelings - it really was and is enlightening!!! Hope your new job gives you all the satisfaction and fullfilment that the rest of us dream to have! Please keep posting whenever you can!
All the best

Annabelle

[addprogrammer]

Annabelle, Index, and Rheanna ...

Thank you for your kind words.

I feel I got a good handle on the "beast" but wanna know what? I hate taking drugs and drugs is the only way I can function somewhere near "normal" whatever that is. I had to downgrade my goal from ADHD control without speed to ADHD control with it.

I can't do it without dope. I hate that. It frustrates me and makes me crazy---er. Like "they" been telling me all along - "it's all in my head." Since I was once addicted I can't get it out of my head that my need for "a little of what bit me" is not a character flaw nor addiction - "no different than a diabetic taking insulin" - I tell myself. None of my rationalizations work on any meaningful level. It still bothers me - to no end.

So much of this crazy-control stuff is the ability to destigmatize it. MUCH easier said than done.

Love you all.

Bob