Potential challenges faced by employees with ADHD and how to overcome them

Today’s workplace is highly diverse, reflecting a wide range of talents and abilities but for those with ADHD, the workplace can bring its own set of unique challenges, often resulting in overwhelm and frustration. Worrying about keeping up with your peers and decisions around disclosing your ADHD at work can exacerbate your ADHD symptoms further.

It’s important to remember that ADHD also brings with it a list of “superpowers”. The ability to hyperfocus can bring businesses enormous benefits, especially if it aligns with their interests. At Beyond, a private ADHD clinic in Manchester, we work closely with many individuals who are struggling with their symptoms at work, which is why we have created this article with tips on how you can overcome them.

ADHD Challenges in the Workplace and How to Manage Them

Every person with ADHD has their own set of unique symptoms and will be impacted differently, however, there are some common struggles within the workplace, including:

Organisation and Planning.

Organisation, planning, and prioritising tasks are commonly difficult for those with ADHD in the workplace. An overwhelm with tasks, an inability to complete work as expected, or being unable to properly execute a project are symptoms of ADHD that can be difficult to hide from peers.

Top Tip – some simple organisational systems to help maintain order in the workplace are, colour coding folders, to-do lists, and project management tools such as Trello can be excellent at breaking tasks down into smaller, more manageable tasks and help increase productivity.

Time Management. People with ADHD can be particularly bad at estimating how long it takes to complete a task, which can often lead to late delivery and feelings of overwhelm. It is common for those with ADHD to be late for work which can make it difficult to make a good impression and move up the career ladder.

Top Tip – utilising phones for alarms and reminders can help as well as digital calendars and task management apps to help structure and organise the workday. These tools can help to establish routines which can, in turn, lead to improvements in time management.

Concentration and Confidence. Struggling to concentrate in long meetings or needing to sustain attention can be difficult for those with ADHD, as well as concentrating on what others are saying. This can make it hard to form connections with colleagues and could lead to poor performance measures being put in place when you are trying your hardest. Confidence issues and frustration can arise, discouragment, and even wanting to quit their jobs.

Top Tip – if you have to regularly attend long meetings, practicing mindfulness and breathing techniques can help with lack of attention, it can also help you use a fidget pen, as doing something mindless with your hands can help your brain to focus on what’s being said.

Distraction and Focus. Individuals with ADHD are prone to distraction, especially if the task is boring and repetitive. It’s common for those with ADHD to start a task but quickly get distracted by something more interesting. Maintaining focus is also difficult for those with ADHD, especially in a busy and dynamic work environment.

Top Tip – asking to sit in a quieter space can help minimise distraction and maintain focus, as well as using noise-canceling headphones, fidget spinners, and white noise machines. Using the Pomodoro technique can be helpful too, which involves short, focused bursts with small breaks in between to improve concentration and productivity.

Communication and Collaboration.

Effective communication is crucial in any workplace, unfortunately, some symptoms can knock the confidence of those with ADHD, leading to difficulty in communication. Feeling insecure about workplace communication can hinder your ability to collaborate and grow within your chosen field.

Top Tip – improve communication by being proactive and transparent about workplace needs. This may include informing colleagues and supervisors about preferred communication styles, setting expectations for feedback, and utilising written communication tools to ensure clarity. Regular check-ins and updates can also help maintain open lines of communication, which in turn can lead to a greater chance of collaboration and growth.

Should you Disclose your ADHD at Work? Help from Beyond, a Private ADHD in Manchester

It’s important to weigh the pros and cons of disclosing your ADHD at work and whether telling your employer could help or hinder your situation. For some, disclosing their ADHD at work can take the pressure off, but for others in highly competitive areas of work, telling your employer could hinder your progress.

At Beyond, we’re experienced in helping people with ADHD overcome the obstacles they face at work. We can educate and support you in how to speak about your ADHD with strength and clarity, in both your personal life and in the workplace. 

If you would like to speak to a private ADHD clinic in Manchester, contact Beyond’s friendly and approachable team today to see how we can help.

  Sources- https://www.adhdcentre.co.uk/how-adhd-is-affecting-my-work-performance/