INTERVIEWS

There are ways to manage ADHD symptoms on the job

By Anita Bruzzese
Posted on Salt Lake Tribune, Pensacola Business Journal, and Tallahasse Business Matters

Daryl Wizelman was diagnosed at age 6 with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, also known as ADHD, when he couldn't concentrate in class and teachers considered him hyperactive.

His pediatrician put him on medication, which he said was a "real life-changer."

Fast forward a couple of decades. Wizelman starts his own company, but employees say he doesn't seem to listen to them, rushing through meetings and showing little interest in their ideas. Again, his ADHD has come into play, and he struggles to find ways to take a childhood disorder and make it fit into a working world that expects top performers to be focused and organized.

More years pass. Wizelman now says he has learned to be more aware of the appropriate way to behave and even sees the positive aspects of his disorder.

"It gives me a lot of empathy toward other people with whatever struggles they may be facing. It teaches you to treat others how you want to be treated," said Wizelman, a speaker and author from Calabasas, Calif.

Mental-health professionals estimate that 9 million adults in the United States have ADHD. Symptoms of ADHD and attention deficit disorder, also known as inattentive ADHD, include difficulty paying attention, easy distraction, trouble finishing paperwork, fidgeting, talking too much and procrastination.

All these issues can cause workers with the disorder a lot of problems at work, and possibly even get them fired.

Michele Novotni, a psychologist and coach who specializes in workers with ADHD, says the disorder is tremendously undiagnosed in adults because in the past it was viewed as only a childhood disorder.

Any adult not following through on work was simply seen as lazy, she said.

"Some of the criteria for children with the disorder are that they have trouble sitting still. They get up and move around a lot. But with adults, they may learn to sit still, but their brains are in a hyperactive mode."

Novotni said adults in the workplace with ADHD often may not stop to think before they say or do something. They may commit social faux pas and hurt people's feelings, a detriment to their workplace success because social interaction is often critical on the job.

Although many adult ADHD sufferers use medication to help them control their symptoms, learning to cope in the workplace often also takes coaching, Novotni said. "Pills aren't skills."

Novotni and other experts offer some coping skills for workers with ADHD:

Get an assistant » "Workplaces have cut out secretaries and assistants, and that's been deadly for those with ADHD," Novotni said. "Those people provided them with needed structure. I suggest people get someone to help them," even if it's a college student or a virtual assistant.

Understand priorities » Check with your boss to make sure you understand what tasks should be done first. Novotni suggests two white boards: one that serves as a "parking lot" for thoughts and ideas, and a smaller one with only three priority items. Until the three high-priority items are done, you can't move on to other ideas or projects, she said.

Be honest » Wizelman suggests that if you're a boss, let others know about your ADHD. "Being transparent and vulnerable is important. It draws people in, and they get a greater understanding of you, and you become a relatable leader," he said.

Eliminate distractions » Try to sit near the speaker in a meeting or presentation so it's easier to stay focused, and take notes to keep you on track. Getting an agenda beforehand can make it easier to follow along.

Find ways to fidget appropriately » Taking a walk on a break or exercising at a gym during lunch can help you relieve restlessness that you must contain during other parts of your workday. Novotni points out that employers should provide training on ADHD, both for those who suffer from the disorder and those who work with them.

"These people are often great employees. They have so many ideas, so many things going on in their heads," she said.

Contact Anita Bruzzese c/o Gannett ContentOne, 7950 Jones Branch Dr., McLean, Va. 22107.