r/MadeMeSmile • u/meepsthrowaway123 • Jul 21 '21
I have ADHD and have always had a hard time through school, especially being online. Now, I can proudly say that I am an upper-division nursing student! Personal Win
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u/hullaballooloo Jul 21 '21
Congratulations! I work with ADHD kids and just know that so many of them would be motivated by your journey and choice of career ❤️
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u/SeniorMaKK Jul 21 '21
Even for a 21 yo dude that's struggling and passed into 3rd year of college, this is a great confidence and gives hope I can accomplish things too
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u/rideordiegemini Jul 21 '21
You absolutely can finish college and will achieve several other goals in your life!
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u/ncmisse Jul 21 '21
You look so happy!
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u/meepsthrowaway123 Jul 21 '21
Hearing that I made the cutoff was truly the best moment of my life! I never thought I would make it into college, and I’m happy I can make my mom proud. 😁
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u/FibonacciVR Jul 21 '21
Fellow adhd guy here..congratulations!! :) and good luck with your career! You chose a Great Field to be working in. Helping people. Good luck great human. :)
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u/meepsthrowaway123 Jul 21 '21
Thank you!
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u/tundar Jul 21 '21
Fellow ADHD-er here as well, I’m so so happy for you!
Having just graduated one program In January and graduating from another in a month myself, I know exactly how hard post-secondary school can be for people like us. Internet stranger, I am so proud of you!
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u/your_average_entity Jul 21 '21
Do you have any tips for people like me who have ADHD and are having a tough time with school, work, and life in general?
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u/tundar Jul 21 '21
If you can afford it, get on some medication and into cognitive behavioural therapy. There’s a lot of self-help out there if you look up ADHD CBT.
This article from the National Institute of Health has some great info on CBT to get you started.
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u/AdmiralBlackcock Jul 21 '21 edited Jul 21 '21
I be avin tha same problem lass, tis why I chose piracy and a life on tha sea. So I be congratulating ye lass, and if ye ever get tired of tha land, we always be needin a medical professionals down in tha ole r/piratehole aye we do.
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u/captaindicksforhands Jul 21 '21
I think I’m in love with you, Admiral Blackcock
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u/AdmiralBlackcock Jul 21 '21
Well thank ye lad. Any Captain with a name such as yer lineage be more than welcome in arr ports.
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u/No-Pirate7682 Jul 21 '21
As a parent myself I can tell you regardless of you getting into school or how it turns out- your mom is already proud of you.
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u/michaelseverson Jul 21 '21
You made the Internet proud too, and every patient you meet will know how dedicated you are. I hope you carry that day with you always.
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u/ncmisse Jul 21 '21
I'm happy that you are proud of yourself! We all deserve a little pride when we do well!
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u/iWentRogue Jul 21 '21
Infectiously happy. Good for OP
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u/meepsthrowaway123 Jul 21 '21
😁😁❤️
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u/anelson6746 Jul 21 '21
Upper-division?
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u/meepsthrowaway123 Jul 21 '21
Yes! It’s when you can finally start to go to hospitals!
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u/Rhoms17 Jul 21 '21
Upper division is an academic term that means junior and senior classes. At my university, it meant classes denoted as 300 (junior), and 400 (senior classes). Similar to English 101. The 1xx denotes freshman classes. OP, are you a junior now (3rd year)? Presumably, that is when your clinicals begin.
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u/Hrafnagar Jul 21 '21
I have ADHD and I gotta tell you, what you've accomplished is pretty damn amazing!
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u/TorrenceMightingale Jul 21 '21
Nurse practitioner here with lifelong ADHD. Let me know if you ever want to chat!
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u/meepsthrowaway123 Jul 21 '21
Thank you so much! I appreciate it! I will definitely reach out to you this semester, because it’ll only get harder from here!😂
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u/TorrenceMightingale Jul 21 '21
Believe it or not, the masters was WAY easier. If you want it go get it!
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u/scrantonsquad Jul 21 '21
I feel like RN nursing school was trying to weed you out really hard in its program.
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u/Cado7 Jul 21 '21
Omg I’m applying for my masters in nursing next month and I suspect I have ADHD. School is SO hard for me. I get good grades, but even when I got straight As last semester I just broke down crying when it was over from stress!
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u/angeredpremed Jul 21 '21
Have you considered seeking a formal diagnosis to pursue treatment? I have to say it really helped me
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u/tiffspinscircles Jul 21 '21
I was just diagnosed and I’m trying to learn more about how I can best manage. I’m 34. Can I chat with you too?
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u/North_Pollution_5119 Jul 21 '21
Please teach us how you coped and worked through it if you can
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u/NewgroundsTankman Jul 21 '21
I happy for you I’m going to join you one day soon. Im happy for all of my neurodivergent people being successful in life
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u/Neon_44 Jul 21 '21
You know what? I have adhd as well. And i as well answer to every comment on my posts.
Do you think there‘s a link between that? XD
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u/Anonstigram Jul 22 '21
Hooray! My 10 year old daughter has ADHD, and I love showing her pictures of successful and inspiring people she has a connection with. Thank you for sharing, and go get em!
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u/BijinRising Jul 21 '21
GIRL YES! Lifelong ADHD sufferer here (although it was just called "behavioral problems" until I became an adult and learned to advocate for myself). With meds and therapy I've published 7 books in 3 years because ADHD brains are beautiful!! You'll be an even better nurse than the other neurotypicals because your fabulous neural network was built for this!
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u/Flyingfurryofdeath Jul 21 '21
I'm the Registered Manager of a mine, Never passed a class in school other than fitness/PE. We may have to work harder but we can achieve anything. You should be so proud of yourself, only you know what it takes
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u/piyushdev12 Jul 21 '21
My nephew who I dearly dearly love is showing early symptoms of ADHD as well. What do you suggest we should do to make things better for him. To help him in any way possible.
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u/HealthOverall965 Jul 21 '21
As someone who didn’t get diagnosed until after I stopped college, my recommendation is to take them to a doctor for testing . Medication works for me, but the saying is “pills don’t teach skills” and I wholeheartedly agree with that. Many people with ADHD need to be supported and taught skills that help them deal with and overcome the issues that show up in personal and professional life. Mainly, understand them, ask them how they feel about things. Let them know it’s ok to need the help. That there is a difference in their attention, not a “deficit.”
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u/meepsthrowaway123 Jul 21 '21
I take concerta and it has made a world of a difference! I also have learning accommodations that have saved my butt😂
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u/HealthOverall965 Jul 21 '21
What kind of accommodations do you have? I always felt ashamed to ask for anything like that but now that I’m going back to school I understand it’s normal and not something to feel that way over.
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u/meepsthrowaway123 Jul 21 '21
I have a 504 (where you can take your exam in a different room) and an IEP (where you get extra time and a half on exams)!
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u/Carlsincharge__ Jul 21 '21 edited Jul 22 '21
Also ADHD, 28, I can't stress what this guy's saying enough. Pills won't do anything without the skills. Teach organization, planning, and scheduling young. Reiterate, and stay on top of it with them. Don't just say oh write it in a planner. Baby step them, show them how to be supremely organized and things that can be visually seen. For me that's Wall calenders, goal boards, (for online school) creating specific PC folders for each semester, than a separate subset folder for each individual class. ADHD really just comes down to fleeting thoughts and it's a big struggle to keep track of things. If they try to do it all in their head it will be nothing but issues. So teach them early that it's ok, and how to work with it by developing and reinforcing organization and scheduling
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u/HealthOverall965 Jul 21 '21
I find the medication allows you to actually enact the skills but it does not teach you them.
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u/HellooWorlddd Jul 21 '21
What if I love doing all that but have still failed miserably. I love the idea of making a schedule, I've done it when was in Uni. Ex. 4 - 7 pm : Study physics, 8 - 10pm : study linear, etc. But I never stuck with it. That is my problem, IDK what I should do, it's so hard for me to just sit and do something.
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u/DangerSnake1 Jul 21 '21
Hi, I have ADHD and didn't get diagnosed until 5 months ago. As a kid who had it unmedicated, here's some things I wish people had done for me:
Pushed for teachers to be accommodating. If you get him diagnosed, this will be a lot easier. Lots of teachers don't understand that sometimes we need to fiddle to pay attention, so please let them know. Also, please (if he's diagnosed) make sure to tell every teacher he gets that he has ADHD and, if he needs them, to give him exam concessions. If they don't know, he might be put at a disadvantage because of his coping mechanisms.
Don't berate him for not sticking to things. I used to go through a hobby every month - I'd hyperfixate on one thing and then lose interest so fast. Our brains do that, please don't make him feel bad like my parents did.
Get him therapy. It's hard to navigate in a world where you constantly feel "behind" or "different" because of the way your mind works - a therapist could help him deal with that.
PS: It's amazing that you're asking this and trying to make his life easier. Let me know if you have any other questions. You're doing great <3
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u/NO4AH Jul 21 '21
How did you relaize it yourself?
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u/DangerSnake1 Jul 21 '21
My ex boyfriend who has it told me to get checked as he said I have a lot of symptoms. It's very under-diagnosed in girls.
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u/NO4AH Jul 21 '21
Can i ask what those symptoms where?
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u/DangerSnake1 Jul 21 '21 edited Jul 21 '21
Of course! I had trouble sitting still without fidgeting, I made rushed and irresponsible decisions. I couldn't do something if it didn't interest me because I couldn't focus. I rarely stuck to plans. My mind jumped to different things a lot (if I did housework, I'd have several tasks on the go at once, as I couldn't do just one thing). That's some of them.
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u/Kilrov Jul 21 '21
So I believe my girlfriend of 3 years has ADHD, or something similar. She has all these symptoms you described. She's 30 and has her masters. I brought it up this year because I started living with her and it's become so noticeable. When I mentioned it to her she broke down crying and doesn't want to think she is "broken" in her head. Her reaction made it clear to me that she has thought she has ADHD in the past but never saw someone for it.
I do not care if she has adhd, but I would love for her life to potentially improve if she gets an assessment, is diagnosed, and goes through treatment. It's been 2 months since our talk and I'm afraid to bring it up again. But seeing this thread is really reminding me of her. Do you have advice for me?
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u/DangerSnake1 Jul 21 '21
Well first of all I'd like to state that I'm not a therapist or a psychiatrist and that everyone's experience with ADHD is different, so please take my advice with a pinch of salt.
First of all, be understanding. Make sure that you validate her issues as opposed to trying to fix them. For example, if she says "I had a rough time doing the dishes today, I couldn't focus on them at all!" try responding with "that's okay, I understand. Can I help?" as opposed to just taking over or making her problems seem like less than they are ("you're overreacting, just do it!"). People taking over things I've been trying to do, in my experience, has only decreased my self-worth, making me feel "broken".
Try and make her feel like she can express her feelings, if she doesn't feel that way already. Ask her how her day has been, whether she's struggled at all, things like that. It'll help her feel less overwhelmed.
Although you don't care if she has ADHD or not, she doesn't know that. Little things to you like her fidgeting, if she does, might seem like huge things to her. I worry all the time about whether what I'm doing is annoying people, and when very few other people do those things (like needing to fidget to sit still) because they don't have ADHD, it's easy to blow up the significance of them in my head.
And also, if she gets to the stage where you think you could bring it up, maybe get her to check out r/adhdmemes and r/adhdwomen. ADHD presents differently in men and women, so r/adhdwomen may be more relatable. I've found them very helpful, personally.
Good on you for asking :)
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u/kymess_jr Jul 21 '21
To add to the other commenter, as a female with ADHD, our symptoms are often more "internal" than those of males which is why it goes unnoticed more often. Boys tend to get diagnosed because they are loud and disruptive with their "bouncing off the walls" energy and girls get overlooked because their symptoms get more and more internalized as they get older while they try to conform to the societal expectations of being quiet and polite.
So our symptoms tend to be things like racing or jumbled thoughts, lots of daydreaming, and the typical issues with focus. But also things like being overwhelmed by places like shopping malls because of all the extra stimuli (I could never understand why I hated window-shopping as a teen unlike all my other girlfriends), or having terrible time-management skills that affect "keeping house" and managing childcare. Procrastination can become a big one, and tends to really affect us in later school years where we feel pressured to do well academically but can't understand why we have issues studying or completing things on time and then this often leads to depression. Also, "ADHD paralysis" where there's so many things we want to do at once that we end up doing nothing at all - leading to the common label of "lazy" for most ADHDers. And I also fidget when sitting, but because girls are raised to be "more polite", my fidgeting was always less pronounced than boys' by doing things like twiddling my thumbs or tapping my fingers or pen.
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u/Photonic_Resonance Jul 21 '21
An important thing to note about ADHD is that it turns more "inward" as you go from child to adult. What may be physica restlessness and impulsiveness as a kid turns manifests itself as mental/emotional restlessness and impulsiveness as an adult.
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u/Eric8928 Jul 21 '21
I agree with seeking treatment.
My ADHD was not diagnosed until I was in college, and despite always being complemented on my intellect as a kid, My GPA was horrible in high school because of my inability to pay attention.
Both of my brothers likely have undiagnosed ADHD and neither graduated high school, so take that for what you will.
Better to be the ADHD kid who got a degree than the drop out who struggles finding decent paying work.
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u/Obligatory_Burner Jul 21 '21
Routine and structure. Boy oh boy, I can accomplish anything with some structure. On my own, free and wild, I shit post on Reddit, snoozing the fourth snooze reminder to take my medicine lol.
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u/freudsfaintingcouch Jul 21 '21
Working from home and then going back to school mid zoom-university thanks to the pandemmy has been a nightmare. I can’t manage my time for shit. When I leave the house, have work at one place then sit in a desk in school at another place, I’m totally fine. Hyper efficient.
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u/totallychillside Jul 21 '21
Test his blood levels - histamine, copper/zinc ratio, homocysteine, vit D, metabolic chemistry panel, complete blood count, & pyrroles (urine test)
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u/Ilignus Jul 21 '21 edited Jul 21 '21
I've been diagnosed since I was a kid with OCD/ADD. I don't take any meds. Not against it, I just don't. For me, taking time to relax, and more importantly having healthy sleep hygiene helps. That can be hard a lot of the time in the world we live in, and I fail a lot. :p But, when I'm feeling at peace, my symptoms fade.
I'm pushing 30 though, I'm married, I've graduated college twice, and have a pretty decent job. So, the condition isn't the end of the world. It's hard for myself rather than anyone around me.
Oh, and therapy. It took me until just recently to actually understand that my quirks are rarely noticed, or fly completely under the radar. It's my own brain that has been a major trap for me in my life.
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u/DwarfTheMike Jul 21 '21
Teach time management skills and tools at an early age. Show them how to complete a task and don’t get mad if they get distracted and start something else. Teach them to focus.
Do not stop them from being curious. Omg just don’t.
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u/Nautis Jul 21 '21
I took ritalin when I was growing up, and I'd absolutely recommend it.
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u/5K1TZ81TCH Jul 21 '21
This gives me hope for my eldest daughter she also has adhd and struggles with school work as well, but she is so smart and she tries so hard, you should be super proud of yourself you have done an amazing job 🥰
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u/letmelogin_3091 Jul 21 '21
Your smile warms our heart
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u/meepsthrowaway123 Jul 21 '21
:) thank you! I’ll tell my orthodontist he did a good job😌
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u/letmelogin_3091 Jul 21 '21
You're giving too much credit to your orthodontist. It's you 😉
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u/wise_owl68 Jul 21 '21
Love the purple scrubs. Such great inspiration...maybe consider working with local high schools for recruitment efforts and share your own story of triumph over adversity.
You can obviously do amazing things.
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u/meepsthrowaway123 Jul 21 '21
Thank you so much! Purple is my school color, and I feel like Barney 😂 I hope that someday I can help kids, as I want to be a PICU RN!
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u/SeniorMaKK Jul 21 '21
I have ADHD too , you ,people like you give me hope that I can deal with it and accomplish great things ,You rock ,congratulations , I'm very happy for your achievement , good good job -^ !!
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u/Luckyidiot1 Jul 21 '21
Congrats! I hope you continue to thrive in nursing. You never know if some day you will be taking care of me in my old age. Good luck. : )
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u/BelleAriel Jul 21 '21
This isfantastic news. My 12 year old has AHD as well as ASD, so this post gives me hope. Thank you for sharing. ♥️
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u/glorious_reptile Jul 21 '21
I’ve been watching this video for 10 minutes and you seem like a really calm and unfidgetty person
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u/BBkad Jul 21 '21
Serious question…. Do you suffer from any sleep issues? Heard a report yesterday all about the two. Congrats!!!
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u/DickDiesel82 Jul 21 '21
My kid does too. Online school was really hard for her. Kudos to you ! Great work
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u/Peanutmonkey272 Jul 21 '21
Omg congratulations!!! Just out of curiosity (and u don’t have to answer this) but what are ur symptoms of ADHD?
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u/Enjolraw Jul 21 '21 edited Jul 21 '21
That's awesome! Well done! I have ADD and was always awful at school until I got in to EMT and later Paramedic school- makes a world of difference to study something you love. Nice to hear about a similar experience. Congratulations and here's to a fulfilling future career! Stay safe :-)
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u/SteeemedBeef Jul 21 '21
My wife suffer from ADHD and she is trying her hardest to get her board exams finished so she can finally be a funeral director. I tell her just keep taking it until you pass. She has the hardest time with tests. But if they were to ask her in person she would know every single answer. It’s frustrating. But congrats to you! Well done on your accomplishments!
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u/Individual-Tank-9597 Jul 21 '21
From a fellow ADHD sufferer, I'm proud of you. Not an easy thing to accomplish.😘 YAY
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u/Amseriah Jul 21 '21
Go you!!! I am late diagnosed and finished my BA at 42. It is hard but so worth it!!! You are rocking this!
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u/Dannycar01 Jul 21 '21
WOW! Congratulations. This is awesome to hear. I’m super glad you got where you are today! Life gets better!
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u/spicymonm Jul 21 '21
God bless! Congrats to you girl! I got diagnosed with ADHD when i was around 10 aswell and im starting studies in october. Super nervous about it but this gives me more confidence, you did it and so can I (hopefully) <3
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u/oxycodonmoron Jul 21 '21
Yeah! Go for it! As a registered diabetics nurse with add, dropped school at 17, and started again at 33, you can do it! Go get em girl!
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u/Horror-Consequence15 Jul 21 '21
Congrats! Fellow ADHD student here. Super proud of my ADHD comrades :)
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u/CaregiverLong2563 Jul 21 '21
Way to go! I'm in a similar situation and one of the things I've learned along the way is that it is important (actually, I would say that it is vital) for you to acknowledge this accomplishment and be proud of what you've done. Other folks may not understand what you've gone through or the kind of effort it takes...but you do...and you deserve to feel great about your hard work. And I don't know if this matters or not, but I don't even know you and I'm proud of you.
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u/ChrisZorn Jul 21 '21
I have ADHD as well and have been a nurse since 2008. You can definitely crush everything you set your sights on, congratulations!!
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u/psiprez Jul 21 '21
I have ADHD and am an RN, and I will tell you this is the perfect for someone with ADHD. First, you need a ton of empathy, and we certainly know what its like to feel stressed and not functional. Second, you need to focus on 50 different things at once, and not drop any balls, or bad stuff happens. ADHDers are totally used to being pulled in multiple directions, we have no choice. Last, when that emergency situation does occur, while everyone else is panicking your hyperfocus will turn you onto a superhero. You got this, and this stranger is proud of you!
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u/waaz16 Jul 21 '21
You look like a fun and kind person. That’s amazing!
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u/meepsthrowaway123 Jul 21 '21
Thank you so much! I’m going to tell my brothers that, because they think otherwise LOL!
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u/orangeconman-aphobe Jul 21 '21
You have a very Happy look about you. Congrats on attaining such high marks!
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u/grilledcheesegiraffe Jul 21 '21
Congratulations!! Weird question, but are you in the Sydney Squad? If not, you have a doppelgänger!
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u/TheFidgetSpinner922 Jul 21 '21
I’m proud of you and I don’t even know who you are, so I can only imagine how happy your mother is, congratulations.. hope the future brings more happiness for you
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u/Calmbat Jul 21 '21
You look a disturbing amount like one of my friends who isn't a nurse and doesn't have ADHD. Like I am about to ask her if she has a sister she never talks about amount of similarity xD
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u/RomulusKhan Jul 21 '21
Life before and after a proper ADHD diagnosis is night and day.