Since we don’t have as much dopmaine floating around in our brain as non ADDers, and are consequently understimulated, ADD adults seek out jobs that will give them extra stimulation either consciously or unconsciously. If they don’t find a highly stimulating job, they risk self medicating in unhealthy ways to boost their levels of dopamine, i.e., through tobacco, alcohol, drugs, gambling, impulsive spending which all raise dopamine levels in the brain.
This
gives an example of what might be the perfect job for many understimulated ADD Adults.
Can you think of a more stimulating job for an ADD adult?
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
I could see myself doing a job like that if I didn’t have a family at home.
Currently my work is no where near as dangerous but it does help me to cope. I work as a field operator in a high pressure sour gas field, which both gives me risky situations to deal with and the flexibility to do my routine work when I am able to. This is also compounded with the fact that I was a software developer before and I have no related experience in this type of work so there is a lot that is new to me.
I know at some point I will not be able to do this work anymore once it does become too routine, but for now I’m very happy with it.
yes, that kind of job would be a hard to sell to the wife. Risk and flexibility are definitely good things to have for someone with ADD.
One thing to consider, if a job becomes to routine, try and change up the routine to reduce boredom.
Well, you know. A job like that would be great for about a month… maybe 6 months at MOST. After that it would get boring. “eh, another day on the hotwire”. And that would be a job that you WOULDN’T wanna get sloppy on, else you would end up, quite literally, sloppy. Or maybe toasty.
I think, as someone who has coped with ADD for 37 years, that we do best with jobs that change weekly. A job where you gradually master the requirements. Maybe someone who is account executive at an ad agency. Sure they have some things that they do time and time again, but every client has their own dynamic; their own requirements. You might have to learn about audio recording, video production, print techniques, font choices, the latest color pallets, media outlets, how to handle good clients, how to handle bad ones. You could probably go years before you finally got bored with it.
I remember once I had to work on a technical project involving IVR hardwear and troubleshooting. That one project required me to bounce between learning more about computer power supply requirements, POTS lines, digital and analog phone switches not to mention everything else between the clients handset and our system. It was an ADD Geeks dream job! (until I found the solution… then I quit and got a job somewhere else).
I must be the only add guy that does not like thrills, on the job or off. I am no adreneline junky, but when it comes to jobs, the least amount of structure the better. I find it very diffecult to work for anybody else.When I had my own business, I could create my own schedule and projects,not at someone elses pace and expectation. I need to get back to my basic nature of working for myself.It has been very hard for my family,my wife is ready to call it quits,we are always broke.I feel like such a failure when it comes to money. I honestly believe that if we hit the lottery tomorrow,we could make it. I have had 7or8 jobs inthe last 2 years. I am tired of having to learn new things every few months.I have been running from my true self for to long. Will meds help?
winning the lottery is not really a great strategy to rely on. Meds can help but you also need to develop self awareness and skills and pills don’t teach skills. but they can make it easier to learn the skills.
so use meds as part of the solution but you need other parts as well perhaps coaching, professional organizer, financial planner etc
i am with you B. Goldhagen. i don’t like risk. i have a hard time going up ladder. i don’t like hieghts.
i like both feet on the ground. But i do get bored quickly. i have been in the trucking business most of my life. Traveling was nice at first. New places,a nd sights. But then not being able to be home when you wanted sucked. i have always like playing music. i have played guitar for years off and on. i have written some songs and recorded some. Not finished with the CD yet though. i try to do that but keep putting it off. Even that will get boring. Everything ends up making me ask what is the meaning in this. What real value is there. It all winds up seeming usless, and worth nothing.
I have to agree with thearticle I started out my career in emergency medical services due to the adrenaline rush. Following that career I transferred into the law enforcement field. As I was approaching my 30’s I realized I should take a safer route so now I’m an entreprenuer, consultant, and soon to be doctor and author. But in my mind I still miss the public safety field it was extremely exiting not knowing what was going to happen.
Josuhua
well as an entrepreneur I can say you won’t always know what’s going to happen next. Some ADDers are serial entrepreneurs and that helps keep them from being bored:)