Adults with ADD/ADHD - Would you "tell"?

I am a 25 year old woman recently diagnosed with ADD (inattentive type) and a nonverbal learning disability. I work in an administative assistant type of position for a very busy attorney, and needless to say, I'm pretty unsuited to the work! I work VERY hard on keeping up a "front", I work late, and I worry all the time about my productivity. As a result of my hard work keeping a front up, I do well at my job and so far as I know, people are pleased with my work. However, I am struggling and buckling under the stress and weight of everything I am assigned to do.

If you have ADD, did you or would you tell your employer? I am afraid to because people can be ignorant and think it is a measure of my intelligence. Also, I *appear* to be doing fine, and for the most part getting things done. I don't want to sound like a slacker and I can';t walz in with an "All About ADD" book for my employer to read! I need this job for the (amazing) pay and benefits.

What would you do?

Well, you're either going to have to be honest with your employer and keep struggling or you'll have to look for another job.

The cold hard fact is that no matter how much your employer likes you they expect you to do your job no matter how difficult it is for you. They know if you can't hack it someone else can.

So, while it may be a good idea to be honest with your boss, don't expect your boss to be sympathetic towards you.

If it were me, I'd take a look at the job and decide if it were something I'd want to keep doing or if there were another job out there more suited to me.

I do not have ADD, but I have had in the past a medical condition and have been discriminated against in the workplace.

Do not give out ANY medical information. They may find a way to fire you (for another reason) because any disability can raise their insurance rates.

I have adult ADD and I did not tell my employer. That's up to you. There are a lot of misconceptions with ADD, and as I too work an administrative type position, I didn't want to be judged by that. I am on medicine though (strattera) that has really helped me. If the job is too much for you though, maybe you should find something else.

If your boss thinks your doing a good job then stop stressing yourself about the work you are doing until it becomes a problem. It sounds like you are causing yourself to stress out about your job. Don't worry so much about how you are doing; if your productivity begins to slip your boss will let you know and then you can tell him and maybe he will be able to help you lighten up the load.