ADHD in the workplace
Absent, distracted, annoying, can't sit still, constantly fidgeting, arrogant, loud, interrupts people, forgetful, overly emotional, impulsive, ... Sounds familiar? If you've been labeled as such over and over again throughout your life, chances are you might be an ADHD neurodivergent person (not medical advice though, consult a specialist for a diagnosis).
Having ADHD myself, I can relate to what it feels like having to endure a constant influx of negativity from people who fail to understand what it means to be a neurodivergent individual. It can consume one's self-confidence, and the negativity often gets amplified by others emphasising what they perceive as your positive side: "you're intelligent, creative, analytical, innovative, passionate, motivated", followed by "why can't you be like that all the time?" or "you're not trying hard enough!"
Unfortunately, ADHD is not a choice, nor is it something that suddenly goes away. The good news is that it can be channeled and used to benefit yourself and others.
Sub-standard Dopamine Levels
ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder) affects millions of people around the world, making it one of the most pervasive neurodevelopment "disorders" (I hate it when it's called a disorder, I believe "condition" might be a more appropriate word). People with ADHD may experience symptoms such as difficulty focusing, impulsivity, and hyperactivity.
It’s often difficult to pinpoint why some people suffer from ADHD and others don’t; however, most evidence suggests that it has something to do with the production or distribution of dopamine in the brain. A dopamine imbalance can lead to behaviours typical of ADHD, such as distraction and impulsivity.
Some examples of negative traits in people with ADHD
Although ADHD can be a source of frustration in many areas of life, sometimes resulting in diagnoses such as depression, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder, it’s important to remember that neurodivergent individuals also have many benefits associated with their condition.
Here are a some positive traits of people with ADHD
ADHD for Life
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a condition that often gets associated with children, however it is actually a condition that affects individuals of all ages and can stay with them for the entirety of their life. While symptoms of ADHD may appear in childhood and change as someone grows, the deficits in executive functions that stem from ADHD remain with many people as they age and enter adulthood.
An individual diagnosed with ADHD at a young age will not grow out of this condition; rather, it becomes something that must be managed through behavioural interventions throughout their entire life. The predominant symptoms of ADHD – hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattentiveness – can all manifest differently in adults compared to children.
This can make identifying and diagnosing the condition more difficult in adults; however, research has identified several signs and developments that suggest a person may be living with ADHD into adulthood. By understanding what symptoms may look like, individuals who have accumulated a lifetime of coping with undiagnosed ADHD can look for treatment options, helping them lead healthy, successful and rewarding lives.
Hyperfocus - The Neurodivergent Superpower!
One of the most interesting characteristics of people with ADHD is their ability to ‘hyperfocus’ – a state of mind that allows them to focus exceedingly well on certain tasks, while ignoring inputs from their environment. This ability can be both positive and negative, depending on the specific task.
While it might be beneficial to hyperfocus on a project that requires intense concentration, it can be detrimental when it leads to people not seeing other important tasks. Therefore, working in teams or with colleagues who can direct focus to the appropriate tasks can be very helpful in using the (super)power of hyperfocus.
Don't let ADHD control your life
1. Establish a daily routine
Routines help establish expectations and provide structure throughout the day, so dedicate some time each morning to setting goals and preparing for the day. Also, build some consistency into your everyday life by setting specific times for meals, breaks, studying, errands, and bedtime.
2. Prioritise tasks
ADHD can make you feel overwhelmed and scattered. To alleviate stress, create a to-do list and prioritise tasks based on importance and urgency. Break large tasks into manageable pieces and focus on the most important ones first.
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3. Stay organised
Getting organised can increase focus and reduce stress. Create an organised work environment free from distractions and noise. Make sure you have all the necessary supplies before starting an assignment and create folders or use electronic reminder systems for important assignments and due dates.
4. Focus on your health
Schedule activities that focus on mental and physical health: incorporate activities such as exercising and meditation as these will help with concentration and relaxation. Make sure to schedule time for your workouts, get adequate sleep and follow a healthy diet. Taking a holistic approach to living with ADHD is important for your overall wellbeing.
Tip for employers!
It’s crucial to recognise the potential advantages of neurodivergent employees and to create an environment in which everyone can thrive. While there can be difficulties associated with ADHD and other forms of neurodiversity, there are also many positive traits and resources.
By leveraging these benefits and creating spaces that support neurodivergent individuals, it is possible to take advantage of the potential of those with ADHD and other neurodivergent conditions.
Famous people with ADHD
Here's a list of famous people who allegedly have ADHD:
Websites about ADHD
ADDitude Magazine: https://www.additudemag.com/
CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/index.html
CHADD: https://chadd.org/
Understood: https://www.understood.org/
ADHD Family: https://www.patreon.com/adhdfamily (Tip: this guy is funny!)
A bit surprising, but one of the best sources about ADHD I found is Instagram. There are lots of creators, psychologists, and other enthousiasts who share interesting content about the subject on the platform.
About the author
Gianni Brisson (called G. by friends and colleagues) is a digital product designer, business analyst, and technology blogger with a passion for disruptive technology such as blockchain, artificial intelligence, big data, and cloud computing.
G. was born in Flanders, Belgium and currently lives in Gibraltar with his family where he's active as product lead for Hugs, a Web3 startup creating a prediction market infrastructure layer for global collaborative working.
Disclaimer
My articles are a combination of my own knowledge, expertise, and experience, combined with results from online (re)search and AI engines. Tools and platforms I typically use to gather information and produce content are DuckDuckGo, various wiki sites (including Wikipedia), Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, OpenAI (ChatGPT), Writesonic, YouExec, Google Translate, Unsplash, Midjourney, Medium, Reddit, Substack, Patreon, Discord, Amazon Audible, and various blogs and informative websites (depending on the subject). Have you spotted an error or do you think there's a reference link missing in one of my articles, please reach out to me with the missing information and I'd be happy to update the copy.
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