Firefighters with ADHD: do you recommend this job?
**I would not state I have adhd if I ever applied anywhere, but I want to know generally how it is working with ADHD in the job. Which is why im using an anonymous account and asking reddit lol**
Hi,
I have ADHD. I want to know, what is it like to have adhd as a fire fighter? And how does life as a firefighter compare to any other job or occupation you had in your life? While ADHD is labeled a disability, its ultimately only a disability in structures solely built for neurotypical people. Based on everything I learned, this is one job, where I believe my ADHD would be an absolute benefit, along with how I am built. But I rather ask the experts, rather than jump right to that conclusion.
Also, what is the culture like as a firefighter? How is working on a team as a fire fighter? Is there strong camaraderie? This is very important to me as well.
!!! I wrote more about my situation below, however, you do not have to read it, you can just answer the question above. Also, please be kind, I'm naïve to the field, but would love some guidance.
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About me: I have been navigating the past year getting mental health help, learning more about myself, and overall, learning what I need to do to make life worth living. I used to be a dedicated hardcore athlete, I was a top rower, I did it for 8 years. On top of that, I was able to hold both school and a part-time job. I took a 2 year break to focus on school, and just finished my bachelors degree at a top university. However, within those 2 years, mental health issues arose-- as the do in the early 20s-- and it set my life trajectory sideways.
I already had ADHD, but its like I hit a second puberty in my early 20s that just made it more extreme. Life doesn't slow down if you have a "disability", and exiting college, I found out from the program I was at, this shit was going to be a monster of an obstacle... I got diagnosed with BPD which I was not excited about due to the very finite healthcare around it. At the least, itd take a year or more to maybe get back out of crisis and on my feet-- I had to be better faster though. I wasn't able to go home, but my Dad was willing to help me. Finding a doctor and program was a pain in the butt because some places out right scammed people... I had to learn that the hardway :( I worked my fucking ass off with the opportunity I had though(support from my dad) to get better, to get treatment, and to figure it all out. I have ADHD, Bpd, depression, basically a not so great combo of things, however, I worked incredibly hard, read a lot of books, and got as much info as I could over the past year, everyday. It was hard, but when fear came back to my senses about 6 months in, I used that fear as fuel to work harder-- thats when I started to get into reading psychology books and therapies.
I learned from previous jobs, how my ADHD can be a blessing and a curse. Its less of a disability and more of a different way of functioning. But, that functionality doesn't always work in every structure, leading to issues, and thats when depression comes up. BPD is more relationship based, connection is important. I believe its a disorder that just shows how important connection is for humans in health and survival. That being said, I have been searching for what to do that makes life worth living, and possibly what job I could do. While I have some passions and skills that do this, with my disorders they just aren't great as my go to jobs, especially with how difficult it is to get healthcare incase I lose my job. Plus, community and a close nit team I see while working, is very important. Im sensitive, which can be beneficial to building a team, being there for my team and community, but also makes me sensitive to environmental vibes and people (ie if people do not care about each other at a company job, and are dull, hopeless, then ya that can effect me whether I want it to or not... and for a long term job thats just not sustainable). When it comes to emergencies and life threatening situations for others, I found I will jump straight into helping, rather than flee. And I know this does take practice to really develop, as the situations firefighters go into are way more extreme and dangerous than anything I have faced- as well as lifeguards, I was a jr guard in middle school. So I know this takes time to develop as well- I want to be able to save a life if the situation comes. I can solve a problem for a friend within a few minutes, with a lack of materials. I can help someone in need even if they are in crisis. I know how to make someone smile even if I am dieing inside, because that is important. I'm good at communication in high stress situations. So I do not believe my disorders could be obstacles, however, feel free to let me know what you think. I 100% would not say I have these issues, but I also, would make sure these issues do not threaten saving a life-- which is why I am doing research.
What I also learned and accepted, is I really do care about the well being of others and people's lives. While I struggled with mine, and saw the obstacles I had to face, I recognized I was only lucky that my Dad was willing to help, otherwise, I'd be homeless. I talk with homeless people, I try to donate, and make mental health education resources available to anyone. That gives me vitality. From being in hell and coming back, just a smile can save a life, talking can help a lot, and being there for a friend does wonders-- I try to tell people at least, when they want to help someone but are scared. Helping others and treating people with kindness and open mindedness is one of my values I have had since birth. But in this world, I learned you survive better when you are more selfish, but I am stubborn, and when I try that, I get sick in the head. I am just not built that way. So that is one reason, I'd like to pursue firefighting. I would put my life on the line, to save another life and I ain't just saying that. I been through crisis, and I chose fighting for another's life no matter where I'm at. I learned taking care of myself, allows me to be there for others as well. Thats also why, with what disorders I have, I would still be able to do my job and get it done well, cause I do not fuck around when it means someone is in danger and needs help. That has never made life easy, and I got no expectations for doing so, but its just a value I had since birth.
I live by integrity, honor, open mindness, connection, loyalty, and kindness/love: problem though is most jobs do not align with this, especially due to the increase use in Ai.
As I found out through this whole process, along with following my values of caring about the lives of living beings... with ADHD I need to be moving. I need to workout often to be stable, and have a reason for doing so. And on top of that, if I have a team, I can work even harder, push through pain, and do anything (because I trained myself to do so). A team for me is like family, so I work hard to support my team. When I left rowing, over my time away, I realized that a team is an important aspect I want in my life. About 4 months ago, I started training at a gym as a fighter-- it brought me the urgency to find work/ start working athletically AND outside the gym. I don't know how to describe it, but I think if you are a fire fighter you may know what I mean. It's just tough to juggle physical activity with sit down jobs and most jobs, theres almost no time for it. I'm less of a competitive "care about victory" person and more of a I will work as hard as possible to the best of my ability to complete what I need to or help my team succeed. Its less about glory and more about honor and health when it comes to training to execute a competition. Thats why training to save someone, with a team, sounds like something I could do long term. With firefighting I would have to stay fit I believe? Do you guys work out with each other?
I was unemployed out of college, struggling mentally (kept it to myself) and people saw me differently, but I also met people who didn't judge me because of that. Those people I met at a gym specifically a muay thai/boxing gym. I have ADHD and stuff, but I am also me, and want to live a life worth living, help others, and find a job I can do long term. With these disorders, while they are hard...when i have a team, a job that follows my values, and friends, I can beat it no problem at all. Problem is: I have been struggling to find the right job where I can live a life worth living.
Firefighting has been on my mind for the last 2 months now. I am 23, F, I live in California, but have been interested in going to the east coast then coming back to California.