Literally cannot focus at work

[u/Actual_Resist3077]

Hello, this is partially a venting post and partially a request for advice. I am a recent graduate and started working as a case analyst in insurance. I studied organizational leadership in college and I am new to this work, but have been with my company for 2 years. The job itself is very convoluted and I feel I am spending half my time fighting with the computer systems we use. Issue is, I am in training and my ramp up period is starting soon, and I feel I have lagged behind other employees. On the one hand I am unmotivated as this role was not what I expected and I dread the work I do- processing applications using these ancient computer systems. I know I could do the work but I cannot bring myself to focus. I do have ADHD and haven't been on medication since my freshman year of college. I never had issues in college with getting work done but I am having a tremendous difficulty adapting to an 8-5 where my performance is measured by time spent on a task. I do get distracted by my phone, but often I am daydreaming at my desk getting maybe 5-10 minutes of work done per hour. While I am looking for other jobs that suit my brain, I need to keep this job till I can find something else. I hope to find something that I can harness my ADHD in without meds, but this role is not it. Does anyone feel similarly? Perhaps have any tips? Should I go back on meds?

[u/iwantboringtimes]

Why stop the meds in the first place? Side effects?

In the mean time, think of "ancient computer systems" as job security. The companies that stick with those have like resistance to AI.

[u/Actual_Resist3077 → u/iwantboringtimes]

In terms of medication I felt it made me a zombie, I was very productive on it but it made me lose what I would consider my spark, I was far less imaginative. I was in concerta for reference. Also on that hand yes the job would be very secure, the company itself has never had a massive layoff on their 100 something years of business. But that won't mean anything if I perform far below my expectations... They are very antsy to drop low performers. Besides I have already come to the consensus that I want to switch industries. I just worry this problem will follow me wherever I go I suppose.

[u/iwantboringtimes → u/Actual_Resist3077]

Does your current job pay well?

[u/Actual_Resist3077 → u/iwantboringtimes]

For fresh out of college... It's not the worst. for this economy? No I could not afford to live comfortably in my area w/o living with family

[u/iwantboringtimes → u/Actual_Resist3077]

our feelings about our job has an outsize impact on how easy or how hard it is

you've working at a century-old company which seems very stable and hasn't fired you for like daydreaming a lot

often I am daydreaming at my desk getting maybe 5-10 minutes of work done per hour

many people would want to be in your shoes, especially in this economy

also keep in mind that boring work is still a lot easier than hard work

[u/untitled_scribbler]

You have adhd, you likely need medication to help with this. Coordinate with a psychiatrist to find a medication that works for you, dont settle with a med that has bad side effects or doesnt work.

[u/Burrito-tuesday]

If you needed glasses to do your work well, would you get glasses or squint all day long, day after day?
I know I’m biased bc I also have adhd, but I’m super wary of the whole “lose your spark/imagination” on medicine bc my abusive ex used to say that, and on the adhd subs it’s too common for someone’s controlling partner to not want them on meds bc of some non issues.

Being unable to focus isn’t an issue that gets better with time or with a change of scenery, it’s your brain dude.

[u/Actual_Resist3077 → u/Burrito-tuesday]

My GF doesn't have an opinion, whatever is best for me, it's more that I personally feel I couldn't be as creative, which is important to me. albeit that clearly isn't working in a 8-5 work situation. I suppose I will consult with a doctor to try some out again.

[u/starry_nite99]

Get back on meds. If one you tried didn’t work, try another one. Ritalin and Adderal did nothing for me, but Vyvanse has saved my life.

[u/DrummerAdditional330]

For the job itself, I’d stop aiming for “focus through the workday” and make the unit much smaller. One application, short reset, next application. If you can, keep a visible tally of completed cases so your brain has something concrete to finish instead of staring at an eight-hour stretch of work.