There are a lot of misconceptions out there about ADHD, and the brilliant minds orchestrating ADHD Awareness Month are on a mission to bust these harmful myths and misconceptions! With their mission centred upon their belief that ‘Awareness is Key,’ they’ve dedicated the month of October to educating others by spreading more accurate, scientific information on the topic. This way, more and more people will be able to embrace, support, and uplift neurodivergent minds and create a more inclusive society. If that’s not a worthwhile cause, we don’t know what is!
According to the National Institutes of Health, ADHD occurs in approximately 6-10% of Australian children and adolescents, so it’s by no means a rare disorder. However, the stigma surrounding ADHD persists. This is why it’s so important to increase public education via events such as ADHD Awareness Month; we’re all interacting with people who have ADHD more than we realise, so we want to make sure we’re accommodating alternative ways of thinking and removing any obstacles for neurodivergent people!
What is ADHD?
ADHD, otherwise known as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, is a mental disorder that impairs one’s ability to keep focus. While it’s considered a chronic and debilitating disorder, receiving an ADHD diagnosis doesn’t mean you aren’t destined for success. Sure, academic and professional pursuits will require added effort and focus, but excelling is absolutely possible (especially if you have a great support system)!
ADHD Symptoms
There isn’t a one-size-fits-all set of symptoms that suggest that someone may have ADHD. After all, there are multiple variations of the disorder (inattentive, hyperactive/impulsive, and combined), and it presents differently in women than it does to men. However, if you’re thinking of scheduling an assessment, these are some things to look out for and share with your doctor:
- Has problems staying focused on tasks or activities
- Finds it difficult to follow through on instructions for schoolwork, chores or job duties
- Struggles with time management
- voids or dislikes tasks that require sustained mental effort (such as homework, forms and other time-consuming tasks)
- Finds it difficult to stay seated
- Fidgets often
- Has difficulty waiting for his or her turn
- Interrupts others
If you relate to these symptoms, it might be time to get a professional opinion. And remember, seeking support isn’t a sign of weakness: ADHD is hard to live with, so you may as well give yourself a leg up by accepting all the help you can get!
ADHD in Women
It wasn’t until 1999 that one of the first real attempts to understand how ADHD appeared in young girls was published, and at that stage, the world still thought of it as a ‘boy’s disorder.’ Unfortunately, this doesn’t come as a surprise: after all, the overwhelming majority of research on ADHD was based on the symptoms of boys and men.
Kathleen Nadeau, the author of Understanding Girls with ADHD, argues that young girls work harder to hide their symptoms and are often very high achievers, but that it comes at a price. She states that:
“They have to put in at least twice the effort of other people if they’re determined to do well.”
However, there has been a big change recently, as more and more young women are receiving ADHD diagnoses. With platforms like TikTok and Instagram becoming super popular, women with ADHD are starting to share their own experiences with their diagnosis and helping others realise that they have the same symptoms.
Basically, what we’re trying to say is that you don’t experience the traditional symptoms, but still think that there’s a possibility you have ADHD, it’s worth getting checked out!
ADHD vs ADD: What’s the Difference?
In short, there isn’t a difference between ADHD (attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder) and ADD (attention-deficit disorder). In 1994, doctors decided that all forms of the disorder would fall under the umbrella term ADHD, so ADD is essentially just an outdated term.
How ADHD Affects Work
ADHD symptoms can create issues in the workplace (just like they create issues for those in school), however, that doesn’t mean that they can’t be overcome! Because the disorder presents differently in different people, there isn’t a single set of issues that fits everyone with ADHD. That’s why we’ve listed some of the most common complications for those dealing with ADHD in the workplace, and how to combat them. Simply look for the ones that apply to you and go from there!
Distractibility
It’s no secret that those ADHD aren’t the best at staying focused, and when they’re spending 9-5 around the office yapper, it’s easy to lose track of time and leave tasks unfinished. Instead of just letting this happen, try:
- Requesting a private office or cubicle
- Working in a conference room when it isn’t in use
- Put your phone on ‘Do Not Disturb’ during office hours
- Perform one task at a time: don’t try to multitask
Poor Memory
Memory problems are another common ADHD symptom that can impact performance in the workplace. However, there are a tonne of super easy fixes that’ll have you working at full capacity in no time:
- Investing in a yearly planner and writing down all deadlines
- Writing checklists for complicated tasks
- Keeping a bulletin board in your workspace
- Write notes on sticky pads and place them in a highly visible place
Impulsivity
When working with others, there will no doubt come a time when you end up feeling frustrated with one of your coworkers. Because a common ADHD symptom is impulsivity, you’ll want to be prepared to manage your emotions when these situations arise. A few ways to do so are:
- Anticipate regular problems and develop coping routines
- Try mindfulness (yes, we’re asking you to be very mindful, very demure)
- Ask for regular feedback so that you can avoid future issues
- Use self-talk to monitor impulsive actions and thoughts
Procrastination
All of us a guilty of a little bit of procrastination from time to time. However, for neurodivergent individuals, it can be much more difficult to break out of (check out ADHD paralysis for more information on why this is). To break out of an unproductive lull, try to:
- Break the task down into smaller parts
- Reward yourself for completing your to-do list
- Ask for assignees to set deadlines for tasks
- Utilise software like Asana or Notion to keep track of what needs to be done
Hyperactivity
Those with the hyperactive variation of ADHD usually do super well in jobs requiring lots of movement and variation, but office jobs can present some issues. Try the following strategies to feel more centred in your sedentary position:
- Take intermittent breaks to stand up and walk around
- Take notes in meetings to avoid feelings of restlessness
- Try using your lunch break for an outside walk
- Offer to do a coffee run if you’re feeling particularly cooped up
Boredom
Individuals with ADHD have a super strong need for constant stimulation. In fact, the feeling of being bored can be almost intolerable. To avoid becoming bored at work, try to:
- Find a role that incorporates your interests
- Break up tasks into smaller ones and celebrate each bit you get done
- Set timers to stay on task
- Turn off your phone and use website blockers to avoid distractions
Thrive in the Workplace
Remember, managing symptoms isn’t all that needs to be done for a happy work life: we also need to be proactive about our mental health and wellbeing! To check out even more ways to thrive in the workplace, head to our wellbeing blog today!
