Working as an Adult with ADHD

ADHD, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, is not just for children or teens. Adults who suffer from ADHD face a daily challenge when it comes to work. Since ADHD revolves around the ability to focus it can be hard to maintain balance in work, family, and other areas of life. Working as an adult with ADHD is not impossible when you understand how to manage the symptoms.

One of the best things to remember when you struggle with ADHD at work is that God did not intend for you to live an anxious or haphazard life. He desires that you live in an abundance of His peace and direction.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:6-9, ESV

ADHD and the workplace.

No matter what path you have chosen as a career you will need to be able to focus, organize, and understand the details. When you suffer from ADHD these tasks can prove to be difficult and sometimes costly. However, it is possible to acquire and maintain a job as an adult with ADHD. The effects of ADHD on your job depend on the severity and whether or not you are able to use executive function abilities.

ADHD is now considered a disability and this will reduce the instances of discrimination based on your diagnosis or medications. When a company hires an adult with ADHD they understand that they are required to accommodate your needs. If you feel like you are comfortable with discussing this with your employer you should research the issue so you can assist with designing a working plan.

Here are a few tips to think about when you are searching for a job when you have ADHD:

• Work with a career counselor.
• Research jobs that match your likes.
• Practice answering interview questions. (You can google interview questions in specific industries)
• Keep your thoughts simple to avoid fear of rejection.
• Make a vision board to help with presenting your “tell me about you” answers.

It is becoming more common to see adults with ADHD starting businesses. This gives them the ability to engage in something they enjoy doing and can be an outlet for the impulsive ideas they want to pursue.

Managing ADHD on the job.

Learning to manage the symptoms can result in a better experience at work as well as give you the confidence you need to perform your daily work tasks. The most important aspect of managing ADHD symptoms is to understand how to be kind to yourself as you learn to understand the new coping techniques.

Here are several techniques you can use to help you manage your symptoms during the workday:

Create routines.

When you have a solid morning routine it makes it easier to avoid distractions as you focus on getting to work on time.

Create space.

For those who struggle with ADHD, it is important to be able to have a workspace with minimal chances of distractions.

Create paper task lists.

Physically writing down a task and checking it off after completion tends to be motivating.

Create conversation time:

Communication and ADHD do not mesh well. When it comes to conversations adults with ADHD tend to lose focus on what is being said or inadvertantly interrupt the conversation. The best way to avoid these mishaps is to schedule one-on-one meetings.

Create a reward system:

It has been proven that when there is a goal and reward people tend to remain motivated to finish the task. If you keep your task list and set a system of reward as you complete them you may find that the challenges are not as intense.

Create balance:

Having a healthy balance of work and life is important for adults with ADHD. When these two get meshed together it can become difficult to distinguish the task that needs focus.

Create time chunks:

Rather than trying to complete major projects in one sitting try breaking them up into manageable chunks of work.

Create visual reminders:

Using acronyms and notes can help combat losing focus. Planners can also be a great way to use visual reminders.

Conclusion.

Having ADHD as an adult can be challenging. It doesn’t have to keep you from obtaining a satisfying job. Through understanding and help from a career counselor, you can find a job that will provide the right workspace for you. If you would like to get a better understanding of how you can secure a job reach out to a local Christian counselor. They can help you create faith-based techniques to help you manage your ADHD symptoms.