This may sound stupid but I've had ADD as a kid and now that I have started training at my BB, I'm wondering if this type of disorder really puts you at a disadvantage? I mean I'm smart, hungry and willing to do whatever it takes but now that I have to pick group(s) I am wondering if this should play a part in my decision?
I mean I was thinking LevFin all along but now that I've heard its hard to concentrate in that environment I'm wondering if this could be disastrous? Is anyone out there that could relate to my situation and talk about their experiences in either product vs. industry groups? Any comments/private message's would be greatly appreciated.
addy doesn't work for you?
Concerta with ritalin on the side when working late works. Adderall is overkill.
same here.
I realized in my in´ternshinps that within IB it does not hurt too much. You have more than enough time always to take "breaks" in your mind, double check your work etc.. The only problem is that as ADDler you might find IB as interesting as watching the paint dry because it is too slow and there is no stimulus.
S&T however is faster which helps. Furthermore you might even have an advantage in S&T due to being able absorbing and processing many information at the same time. Nevertheless mistakes ADDler tend to make have worse consequences in S&T.
What I figured for myself is that as long as you have fun, IB with ADD is ok. The only real influence from ADD, at least in my case, was that I had absolutely no fun in IB. I am currently interning in S&T and quite happy about it as the speed, sound etc seems to fit my nature caused by ADD.
Nothing an Rx can't fix
So are ritalin and adderall widely used in investment banking?
What sort of ADD do you have? Do you have an inability to concentrate, or poor regulation of concentration (as in, hyper-focused with some things/difficulty absorbing the rest)?
If the former, I don't know what would help. If the latter, as long as you're in a group you're interested in, you'll be fine. Additionally, if you don't want to take any pills, coffee is a fine remedy. My doctor used coffee in such a manner throughout school, and I did as well.
Smoke a blunt just before going to the office - it will calm your nerves.
I knew I would run into this as I scrolled down, sorry I'm out of silver bananas!
Any bankers have ADD on here? (Originally Posted: 02/27/2007)
Wasup peeps, I was diagnosed with ADD around the 1st grade, I guess. Ever since high school, I have been making around a 3.6. I was just wondering if any other investment bankers, or aspiring bankers, have it. For this reason, I doubt it. A lot of 100+ hours a week, sounds impossible to me. Just wondering if I was the only one going through this, thought I am very smart, which more than makes up for it.
Interesting thread. I want to hear some responses.
I'm pretty sure that I have ADD - was diagnosed when I was younger (around the same time as you) - never taken any meds though. Same thought process - intelligence compensates
4.0 College GPA
I've been working at a boutique for about 9 months now while in college and will be interning this summer at BB. I am interested in seeing how things go.
alot of bankers have ADD, or claim to.
I have ADD too, College GPA is allright but I have a 1520 SAT so I haven't had a problem so far. I have a hard time listening to people and am not very detail oriented though so it might be a problem in Banking.
Yes. And Ritalin totally helps. Especially 12 hours into the day when you get tasked to read through a few 10-Ks, it's a life saver.
ok, i'm about to be 'that guy'...with the exception of one person I've met I really think 'ADD' is a specious diagnosis. Who can concentrate on inane stuff for hours at a time? It's called boring, not ADD.
i take a lot of ADD meds does that count
I used to be a skeptic too, but then I read a good explanation. Apparently, in addition to one's overall cognitive IQ, you can split the IQ into various indices. A number of those indices measure memory capability (from seeing, hearing, writing, etc., as well as short-, med-, and long-term). If there is a big discrepancy between your memory IQ indices and your overall IQ, then that is a sign of ADD. Say, for example, your short-term memory IQ index from hearing is in the Forrest Gump range, like 85. Then your overall IQ is, say 140. Well then you may have ADD. There is an actual chemical imbalance that prevents certain parts of your brain from firing the right way. All I know, is I always underperformed, even through college. Went on Ritalin and it's been a totally different ball game ever since. Or maybe it's just the cocaine, not sure......
Haha
How long have you been taking the ritalin? Any regrets?
A few years. Works for me, at leat when I remember to take it. I've had no issues, but I know a few people who have. So no, no regrets....
I have never been tested, but I have also never met anyone who didn't think I had it...
Diagnosed with low-level ADD. Only have problems when I have to read a ton of drivel-- mind wanders. Excel work doesn't bother me. Never tried ritalin or adderol; was on strattera for awhile, which unquestionably helped concentration but at the expense of initiative and socialability, which killed me during face time. Since dropped all meds, hasn't really been an issue.
"Only have problems when I have to read a ton of drivel-- mind wanders."
this is called being normal, not ADD.
yea could be right, i just zone out in meetings, conference calls, getting comments, etc.
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