Adult ADHD in the Workplace
Adult ADHD in the Workplace – If you’re dealing with ADHD at work, you’re probably looking for ways to stay focused and on task. Check out this video to learn how to manage adult ADHD in the workplace.
Expert: Peter Dabrowski, MD, P.C.
Transcript
If you have ADHD, you CAN be a star employee-but you need to find techniques to MINIMIZE the impact of your symptoms.
First, look for occupations that WON’T aggravate your ADHD. For example, if you get BORED very easily, choose a career with a WIDE range of responsibilities instead of REPETITIVE duties.
Once you’re established at your job, it’s time to ADJUST your environment and habits so that ADHD DOESN’T interfere with your duties. Wear HEADPHONES and face the wall to minimize distractions. Let your phone go to VOICEMAIL and check it a few times daily. Ask for a more isolated workspace-maybe you can even work from home part-time.
If your ADHD allows you to qualify for disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act, your company has to be flexible, within reason, in allowing you to adapt your working environment.
Many adults with ADHD have trouble staying ORGANIZED. Write TO-DO lists and prioritize each item. Keep a calendar for meetings and deadlines. Set aside time each night to clear your desk of clutter.
RESTLESSNESS and hyperactivity are ADHD symptoms that CAN slow down your productivity. To avoid their effects, take walks during lunch. Get up for a drink of water, a photocopy job or a trip to the bathroom. Do simple leg exercises while working. Take notes during meetings.
Succeeding at your job often means succeeding in personal communication, as well. But, inattentiveness and impulsivity make conversations a BIT more difficult to conduct. Try to ACTIVELY listen by maintaining eye contact and mentally repeating what the other person has just said. Before responding to your co-worker, remember to wait a beat and think about what you want to say. Unfortunately, almost half of all adults with ADHD report they have quit a job because their symptoms made it too difficult to continue. But you can do a lot to make sure that when it comes to leaving a job, it’s your choice and a step UP, not away, from success.
Last Modified: 2012-11-17
Category: Health and Nutrition, Videos
