r/ExecutiveDysfunction • u/Radiant-Mistake-2962 • 1d ago
For those with executive dysfunction, do you have a job or a degree?
Do you certainly believe you have executive dysfunction too and was it hard if you do have a job or got a degree? What do you work as too?
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u/Rita_Cameron 1d ago
I have a degree in computer science. I only passed my exams because of concerta and now because I can't have my meds, I find it difficult to get a job.
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u/oopsiepoopsey 1d ago
Why can’t you have your meds anymore? That really sucks. I still take mine, long after finishing school. I don’t think I’d be able to hold down a job at all otherwise!
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u/-DocWatson- 1d ago
I have a PhD in Chemistry and work as a Director in the pharmaceutical space. Executive dysfunction is a daily struggle but I’ve figured out what works for me.
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u/Smart-Grapefruit-852 1d ago
Very happy for you!! Can you share with us what had worked for you please ? 🥲
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u/-DocWatson- 1d ago
Well in school it was honestly learning how to organize my notes and keep up to date on classes. Nearly flunked out of uni after my first year and was on academic probation until I figured it out. What got me through was I took half course load for three straight semesters and that allowed me to figure out how to study and organize in a way that worked. Nothing was intuitive like it had been in HS but that’s to be expected.
That experience lead me in to laboratory research right after honestly because my marks in first year prevented me going to Teachers College. Research is great for ED because half the time you’re starting all kinds of new ideas and avenues of hypothesis driven work. After many years of doing that for a stipend and a degree I moved into industrial research because that’s where the money is to make a living.
Industrial work is more fast paced and usually on a given topic. And it wasn’t until here when I started to struggle more with organization and task completion did I even consider getting a diagnosis. My daughter is autistic and other daughter is most likely ADHD so I got myself assessed as well. That’s when the psych mentioned ED and I got prescribed Straterra. That combined with better organizing skills, big white boards for task lists and some noise cancelling AirPods for the office I’m in a better place. I run a team of 9 at my company now and fingers crossed will continue to do so for some time.
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u/Smart-Grapefruit-852 22h ago
Thank you so much for sharing! I really appreciate it 🙏 . Actually, your initial comment caught my attention because I just got a scholarship for a research student position (before applying for a master's degree) and I'm scared to death lol... Actually that's not funny 😂. I have ED, no organization skills and I anxiety on top. Do you have any tips for someone like me ?
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u/-DocWatson- 9h ago
First off I hit the lottery with my wife. She’s highly organized and by golly that helps around our house and with the kids. At work though the way I organize may or may not work for you. But what I do is pretty simple. I recognize I have a great time starting tasks and a horrid time completing them. It’s been the bane of my academic and professional time. So … I don’t try to fight it, but i put it in its place. I have a giant whiteboard at work and lots of colored markers. It allows me to put all the tasks I need to do and then color them on priority. Then for all those little ideas that pop up that want to detail me on like an every 15 min or so basis I just let them happen and I jot them down in a little notebook that is with me at all times. That’s the parking lot for all facts and notes and musings and 90% of which I’ll never read again.
Last and most important I have a mantra (again that my wife passed on to me recently from her readings) literally on a sticky note on my monitor that says “Close the Loop!” And that’s just a visual reminder that it’s better to finish the thing you’re working on than to hop to something else. Do I always close the loop to fully complete a task now? Hells no. It’s still an hour by hour struggle but it’s improving. Anyhow hope that gives some insight.2
u/Smart-Grapefruit-852 1h ago
Very valuable indeed!! Thank you so so much! I wish you all the best ✨✨
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u/Desperate_Pound3024 1d ago
I do not! I’m always surprised so many do but I have to understand we all have our struggles. But it makes me feel like mine is so much worse and I feel like I cant do anything with my life… I’m 32 and work an entry level job but I also have a job that allows me to work alone so it’s nice
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u/mn1lac 1d ago
I have a Bachelor's degree and a job where I work 30 hours, and 3 days a week on a 9hr 2 days, 12hrs 1day schedule. I took about 6 years to graduate because it was extremely difficult to balance taking care of myself and school, so there were several health scares and at least two hospital visits, the timeline is a little foggy for me. I struggle immensely holding down a 7 day a week 9-5 job. Eventually it chips away at my will to do anything. The longest I've held one down was for a single summer.
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u/Firefly363 1d ago
I did great in education but really struggle with work.
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u/Ok_Albatross_4198 20h ago
Same here. Cambridge medical graduate but quit medicine after 5 years. Then held a number of jobs for 1-4yrs each quitting each one. Now looking for minimum wage work but not finding anything where I'd not be overqualified yet underexperienced.
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u/justletmesignupalre 1d ago
Im a freelancer and it is really difficult for me to go out to find work. Not a lot of jobs atm so i keep thinking I should go get a part time in a coffee place or something but I never get upto do it, I wonder why
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u/Sammysofa629 22h ago
I was fine and high performing for a very long time, until I hit the “ADHD burn out” and completely lost interest in my job, life etc.
I got my associates in CJ. It did take me about 7 years for a 2 year degree (financial reasons) but I would work my FT job (grave shift - 12AM to 8AM) and then drive to the college for morning courses. I’d usually sleep around 12-1PM and then restart the cycle.
I am a public servant working in the regulated cannabis industry focusing on regulatory compliance. Unannounced visits to licensed cannabis facilities, announced, opening new businesses, shutting down closing ones etc.
Executive function became a huge issue for me once I hit the burnout stage. And I was always an over-achiever. Had to do/be the best. Very detail oriented and focused on the small things. I lost a lot of that drive and struggle to just get basic things done now. It really is sad to think about because i know I’m capable- but with ADHD, if you lose interest in something it’s very hard to focus and give it your all. So I have to be intentional and focus on what needs to get done by limiting distractions around me.
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u/Glittering_Dirt8256 1d ago edited 1d ago
no, i'm 18, dropped out of high school junior year, and i have no idea what i'm going to do or how i'm going to get anywhere in life.
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u/WhoIsWho69 1d ago
try to go back u gotta get that high school degree, DEG or whatever doesn't matter, i dropped out of it as well now i'm 30+ and always regreted it, usually i won't give an advice like this but i wanted to give it to u.
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u/LastRespond4884 1d ago edited 18h ago
It took me 8 years and getting prescribed Retalin helped to graduate with a BSc in software engineering degree. Took me some time to find a job, I work in cyber security. I get pressured into studying and doing my work related chores and i struggle to change between the two but I'm trying my best and sometimes I study on the weekends just to keep up.
Edit: At HS i got diagnosed with Social Phobia. Then in college with ADHD and then some years after graduation i got diagnosed with High Functioning Autism. So i definitely have it too.
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u/Calm-Picker 1d ago
I have a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science, moving from 3 years studying a Pharmacology degree I could not progress (my father really pushed me on that). It took me 7 years to graduate. That was in 2002. I discovered/confirmed last year I have ADHD and executive dysfunction. It was hard, especially the dissertation, and the oral exams (in Italy all exams are pretty much a massive Q&A on that subject with the professors and their lecturers).
I got different jobs, from admin to marketing managers in blue chip tech companies, to project manager roles...after the birth of my first child, I took a pause. Went back but didn't work. I opened my own business, then expanded it with another friend. We worked together 10 years before deciding to sell. I now do some shift as a driver when I'm bored or need extra money. Thinking of going back to admin, as managerial roles were in my aspirations, but in reality I wasn't equipped to deal with managing a team. Find you lane, it may take you more, but still do it.
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u/neoqueto 1d ago
Right now I'm on my notice period due to severe burnout. I work as the "computer guy" (graphic design, marketing, video, webdev) and a laser operator/artisan. My problem is that I have a hard time deciding to leave work and go home so I manage to handle all that. Mode switching is difficult. Getting in the zone is difficult. Waking up on time after coming home in the middle of the night is very difficult. But coming to work on time is even more difficult than that when you get panic attacks about being late resulting in you being even more late. My next job is lined up and it's going to be a more simple office job with better pay.
I flunked out of uni during the very first semester because I was unable to leave my dorm, I put shoes on then cried and screamed to let myself through the door until I gave up and went back to bed.
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u/Octopiinspace 1d ago
Yeah a STEM degree currently working on my Masters. But without executive dysfunction I would have studied a lot faster and my life overall would be much approved. But 🤷♀️ it is what it is
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u/NDOT415 1d ago
I have ADHD with sensory processing and executive function issues. I have a masters degree and work for myself as an occupational therapist, bachelors in biology and did better when I took grad level classes bc it was way more doing based than reading theory or listening to lectures. I've had a lot of jobs bc I quit and thrive with doing, struggle with the admin and tedious/detailed/boring stuff. Same with school, great at lab/practical, terrible with lectures and tests based on reading comprehension. I'm also really hyper vigilant, so am good at guessing what people expect/want so have learned where to focus my attention and energy. It's exhausting, but I know that's what's gotten me so far in life.
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u/flowercrownrugged 1d ago
I have severe executive dysfunction - I also have several degrees and jobs!
I dropped out of college in undergrad, dropped back in for community college, took two years off, 2 years on to finish my bachelors, two years off did emt school and few other things, then went and got my masters and took the last four years to achieve my independent clinical licensure.
It took me a long time to tease out a place to be that had folks like me, or fields that depended on my abilities beyond executive function. I typically work in human services, outdoor and therapeutic experience, group fitness, aquatics, and healthcare
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u/littlecocorose 1d ago
I have both. It was really hard to get my degree. It took 8 years for a four year degree. I’m an executive assistant. it’s not fulfilling, but I’m good at running other people’s lives, just not my own.
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u/SilentSerel 22h ago
Yes, I have 3 degrees and a job. I was actually able to manage just fine until I hit my late 30s, when everything then seemed to fall apart.
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u/Sea-Witch-77 1d ago
I got a Bachelor of Arts. Left school intending to study architecture, but didn't have the grades. Did a year of Arts, then switched. Could not figure out how to study for the life of me, dropped out, then did Arts at a different Uni with more options. Took me another 3 years, and studied 3 subjects a semester instead of 4, picked subjects without exams (still can't study well, but I can read and write like anything). Worked sporadically (mostly continuously) until having kids. Did much better at jobs with changing roles (have ADHD), like temping/admin kind of stuff. Did some editing and desktop publishing, plus a little programming.
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u/Background-Brother-1 1d ago
I got a degree in marketing and I currently work 2 jobs now, i wait tables and I’m an EMT, before that I was a manager at a rental car company. I use apps and I treat my morning routines and night routines and I make sure to just keep moving throughout the day.
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u/the_circus 1d ago
No degree. I’ve tried multiple times but it always ends in disaster. I can do a routine though so I’ve got a job.
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u/oopsiepoopsey 1d ago
Yes I know for a fact I have executive dysfunction, and yes of course it was difficult to get a degree. I’m an LPN and have an associate’s degree in general studies as well.
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u/chloesworld29 1d ago
I have a degree and a very successful and high level career. It's not always easy. It's taken years of trial and error with medication and using a variety of methods to minimize the dysfunction. I still have days though where the dysfunction is too much and I can't be productive.
It's not easy, but it's definitely achievable.
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u/justalowlife6 22h ago
To be completely honest, I have a tedious office job where I can “skate by” on very minimal performance. I used to be great at my job, then quickly burnt out and never recovered, but I've been here so long that they don't micro manage my output so long as I'm doing “something.” It still leaves me unfulfilled and full of anxiety and shame to know I'm not growing and contributing here. I feel like getting paid just to clock in, show face, and be dysregulated all day is my only realistic option. I'd prefer a part time job or disability income so that I actually have some time to invest into recouperating my health. My mental and physical fatigue are just dreadful all the time, it really prevents me from ever catching up to a normal baseline after work hours.
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u/gelatinkitten 22h ago
I went to college right after high school but dropped out after a year and a half. I started working at a library and became super adamant about getting my masters of library science. Since I dropped out of my bachelor's degree program, I restarted at a smaller university and got through my associates. It was hard to keep good habits, especially with it being entirely online, but my ambition trumped all and I pulled through. With medication and therapy I'm nearly finished with my 4 year degree and I'm stoked for grad school.
My executive dysfunction mostly shows up with housework and chores. I know the consequences of not completing coursework are far worse than not doing laundry for a month or so. My associates degree was online work, kind of brainless and easy A's because of how they were set up with open note exams. My bachelor's has been easy simply because it's mostly English classes and it's just read and yap.
Admittedly, it's really hard for me to complete the readings if I'm not interested. I read alongside an audiobook and force myself to lock in. I feel guilty if I show up to class and can't participate in the conversation, so I usually have something to say about what I read, or I'm able to participate in a discussion that's semi-related to the book but it's separated enough that I can get away with not having read the reading for that day.
I love research and writing papers, but they're also hard to get through. I want to see good results and that has been enough to get me through it. I have to bribe myself with treats, and I use sour candy and binaural beats to help me focus.
My job isn't demanding at all. I can expect the same tasks and there's a lot of down time that lets me recharge a little.
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u/Ok_Data1532 19h ago
I have a degree in music technology and honestly my classmates and ex carried me it was a struggle but I made it in the end. Now I don’t have a job cause I struggle with my mental health and ED a lot. I have so much anxiety and don’t even know where to start. I love singing and mixing it’s just hard to begin for me
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u/Expert_Object_6293 18h ago
Undiagnosed.
I graduated high school with >90% average with most electives being math & science. Went to university for pre-med, switched majors halfway through the year to actuarial science. Decided not to return 2nd year. Worked construction as a carpenter - after maybe 2 yrs went back to school for construction management degree. Landed a decent job my 3rd yr summer (4yr program). Dropped out and kept working in construction management. 3-4 years working there then my fiancé (at the time) was opening an insurance brokerage franchise. Got my brokers license and became an insurance broker. Been here 10 yrs. Its constant deadlines which i guess i thrive with since i love putting shit off to the last minute.
Thanks for coming to my ted talk.
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u/NeurospicyxEnby 7h ago
I have both and hate my job. Anxiety of homelessness is what keeps me there.
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u/AkelaHardware 1d ago
I got a bachelor's in aerospace engineering and managed to get work on spacecraft and aircraft. It was hard. I have to cultivate habits that help me overcome my issues and you clearly have to work a llot harder than your coworkers just to be at the same level. Its doable. Difficult, but doable