The American Psychiatric Society and US Department of Education recognizes ADHD as a real and legitimate diagnosis that affects over 15 million Americans. It is a neuro-biological disorder, is highly genetic and lasts a lifetime. CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder) maintains that 4% percent of adults experience symptoms and some disability. These individuals are highly susceptible to depression, anxiety and substance abuse. They often experience career difficulties, legal and financial problems as well as troubled personal relationships. They are apt to feel incompetent and lack self-confidence because of all of the negative feedback they have received throughout life.
How can ADHD present? Dr. Thomas Brown, Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at the Yale University School of Medicine, describes six clusters of cognitive problems associated with ADHD. They are problems with organizing, prioritizing and initiating work; difficulties with focusing, sustaining and shifting attention; challenges with sustaining effort; inability to manage emotions; memory issues and complications with self regulating actions.
What are some of the challenges at the workplace? ADHD is on a continuum and presents uniquely in each individual. There could be issues with organizing paperwork, prioritizing tasks, estimating the time it takes to complete tasks and getting started on projects in a suitable manner. It could also impact the ability to sustain and shift attention from one project to another, staying alert, sustaining effort and processing information in a reasonable amount of time, remembering facts while actively processing other information and regulating impulsivity and picking up nonverbal cues from others.
What are some of the strategies that can improve functioning? People have the ability to grow and change. Self-awareness is the first step. Understand your strengths and challenges. Keep a planner, maintain a realistic “to do” list, exercise to relieve stress and provide focus, break up tasks into small manageable chunks, take breaks to regain focus, keep your work space free of distractions, use Post It notes to prompt recall, and maintain a structured, predictable daily routine.
Recent research provides strong evidence that AD/HD is a perplexing condition that extends throughout life. It does not have to be debilitating. Programs to improve self-management skills such as coaching, cognitive behavioral therapy, and meditation have shown to be successful. Approach the process in a positive manner as change is possible.
I urge you to educate yourself about ADHD and executive functions. Check out the CHADD website. Read up to date articles and books by experts in the field such as Russell Barkley, Dr. Tom Brown, Ned Hallowell, and Ari Tuckman. Knowledge is power.