Disclose ADHD to attendings?

[Dakayus]

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Hi guys I was wondering whether I should disclose to my attendings that I have ADHD. My first rotation very observant and asked me whether I've been diagnosed or not. My 2nd attending also pointed out that I'm spacing out a lot (when I wasn't using adderall). Would it be pertinent to tell the attendings/residents of this, or is this more personal and rather more of a hindrance? I just don't want some sort of strong bias regarding my abilities/knowledge which has happened on my first rotation. The attending assumed that I had bad patient anxiety and some other things which were partially true, but not to the extent that she thought.

 

[peppy]

I would keep it quiet and do what you have to do to try to get things under control. Telling them could backfire if they think you're "making excuses"

 

[bigDinLV]

I would keep it quiet and do what you have to do to try to get things under control. Telling them could backfire if they think you're "making excuses"

I was going to say pretty much the same thing.

You're patients aren't going to excuse it someday, why should your preceptors?

 

[Tekar]

Keep it quiet, most of us are Squirrel watchers. If they catch it, then great, play it like you had no idea. Drink lots of Amp, works as well as Aderral (sp?) and you'll fit right in drinking energy drinks.

You don't have to disclose your medical history and they have no need to know. It doesn't affect your performance, it's not your fault some of the attendings aren't worth your brain's attention.

 

[dozitgetchahi]

Hi guys I was wondering whether I should disclose to my attendings that I have ADHD. My first rotation very observant and asked me whether I've been diagnosed or not. My 2nd attending also pointed out that I'm spacing out a lot (when I wasn't using adderall). Would it be pertinent to tell the attendings/residents of this, or is this more personal and rather more of a hindrance? I just don't want some sort of strong bias regarding my abilities/knowledge which has happened on my first rotation. The attending assumed that I had bad patient anxiety and some other things which were partially true, but not to the extent that she thought.

I'd keep it quiet, but I'm intrigued by your situation with the 2nd attending (i.e., symptoms were noticed when you weren't on Adderall).

If you're prescribed Adderall (and you are, right?), then why aren't you using it consistently when you're on rotations to avoid spacing out? That seems to me to be the best way to "keep it quiet".

 

[InquisitiveGuy]

There are things that can help.

1) How much do you sleep a night?

2) How frequently do you exercise? Intensity?

3) Describe your diet.

4) Things for relaxation?

 

[kopitar]

I'd keep it quiet, but I'm intrigued by your situation with the 2nd attending (i.e., symptoms were noticed when you weren't on Adderall).

If you're prescribed Adderall (and you are, right?), then why aren't you using it consistently when you're on rotations to avoid spacing out? That seems to me to be the best way to "keep it quiet".

Hes right. You don't need to disclose it to your superiors but you have a responsibility to be at the top of your game when treating/interacting with patients. If you are prescribed adderall then you should really be taking it. You don't want a "spacing out" episode to get you in trouble, or worse a patient. Make sure you are getting enough sleep, and contrary to the earlier post; do not drink energy drinks. Those will give you life for a few hours and then you will crash hard and definitely space out. I recommend a cup of coffee every few hours. In my case, all of the extra crap they put in energy drinks gives me heart palpitations; Vitamin B overload or something.

 

[Luv2Cut]

I'd feel this one out. If you have a good working relationship with your attending then it might be a good idea. They might have some suggestions for you or you may run into an attending in the same boat, which then they would become in invaluable resource.