Struggling at Work? If It's ADHD, There's Help
The author of "Driven to Distraction" suggests educating yourself, considering medication, and getting exercise and enough sleep
If the news that adults with ADHD lose 22 days' worth of productivity at work each year because of the disorder sounds all too familiar, a chat with Edward Hallowell might cheer you up. Ned, a psychiatrist with ADHD, which typically has symptoms such as impulsivity and inability to focus, says this seemingly scary finding may actually help more people identify a condition that's making them miserable and get help. Hallowell, author of Driven to Distraction and CrazyBusy, talked to U.S. News about the disorder in adults. Excerpts:
About 3.5 percent of adults have ADHD, according to this study of workers in 10 countries, including the United States. Those people say that they have 22 more days of lost work time that do similar people who don't have ADHD. Does that number surprise you?
I think it's probably low. We don't have a precise way of diagnosing ADHD or ADD, and the screening tools used in this study err on the side of being conservative. The main point to stress is that this is good news. This is a condition, like nearsightedness, that we can really help. There are a lot of people underachieving out there in the workplace who could really do much better.
It's amazing to see that people around the world have ADHD, with the highest numbers in France, the United States, and the Netherlands, and the lowest in Spain.
We've known for quite a while that ADHD occurs around the globe. These people tend to be creative and original and think outside the box. They tend to have great resilience and tenacity. Getting the right kind of help can make all the difference.
If I think I may have adult ADHD, what should be my first step?
Find a doctor who knows about adult ADHD or ADD. That can be difficult. You have to stress adult, because a lot of people treat ADD in children, not adults. If you don't see someone who understands that, you'll probably just get a pill. And that's not enough.
What else would I need?
Right at the top of the list is education—learning about this so you don't think that you're just a dingbat. Learning that you have talents and that it's a different way of being wired. If you have problems with being organized, maybe a coach can help you. You want to make sure you're in a job that pulls for your talents. Don't beat your head against a wall.
Anything else I can do right away?
Physical exercise helps a lot of people with ADD. So does getting enough sleep. A lot of time people stay up too late on the computer. I call it screen sucking; you just can't log off. It combines structure and stimulation and novelty (which are particularly seductive to people with ADHD).
The most common treatment for kids is stimulant drugs such as Ritalin or Adderall. What about using those?
Adult medications are exactly the same; the same doses of the same medication. Now there's a warning that you should have an electrocardiogram (EKG) before taking these drugs, and also make sure your blood pressure is OK. Stimulant drugs have been around for about 70 years. If used under proper supervision, they're safe.
How about nonmedical treatments?
Some people recommend omega 3 fatty acids, others recommend super blue green algae. There's also low-energy neurofeedback and cerebellar stimulation exercise. These are all anecdotal, though. We need more studies to validate these.
I'm convinced that the most effective treatment is love—though there's no double-blind study on that. I'm just finishing up writing a book for parents of children with ADD, and the ones who do best have the parents who hang in there. I'd say the same is true for adults. What an adult needs more than anything is what a child needs; someone who believes in him or her.
What's been most helpful for you in dealing with ADHD?
Marry the right person, find the right job. I really see my ADD now as an asset in my life. The curiosity, the energy, the imagination is an advantage for me. I wouldn't trade it for the world.
Reader Comments
ADD
I was diagnose ADD very early, but no one ever told me or if they did I didn't notice. It was a nightmare through school but with effort and patience from my family I learned how to live being this way and have never taken a single pill... I too love the way mi mind works, I'd never trade it for a little more efficiency at work.
No need for drugs, just love and will.
Help Deal - and succeed!
All my life I've had what my parents finally admitted ADHD. My mind is constantly racing and I have a difficult time staying still or focused on one particular thing. Because my mind goes so quickly, I've taught myself to multitask and type at 85wpm. Doing things quickly while still paying attention to detail is my secret to success. My employers are constantly impressed at my work productivity, and because I've become so efficient i've had plenty of time to learn to just be as well. Because let's face it - running 100mph all day I'm bound to get tired. I guess I'd consider myself lucky because I was never diagnosed until I was in college, so I learned to cope without being inhibited by drugs. But hey that's just me... What I've found is ADHD is a dire need to multitask and be efficient in everything you do.
ADD
I've been on meds since 6th grade or so. ADD can definitely be an advantage in certain situations! Often times in class (right through college) i'd just sit there with my eyes closed, reading something else or doing homework for another class whilst still paying enough attention to the teacher to get the general concepts and whatnot (rule of thumb if the professor writes it on the board you'd best write it yourself!). That doesn't work so well with classes like Chemistry, where everything is about details and not surprisingly I always had a tough time with that subject (just for ref, i grad'd with a BA in Bio so I was good at science and complex material...just not particluarly with chemistry!) My advice for those looking into getting into a career...go with something that has many facets to it and/or you goto different locations. Even if there's a set routine its so nice not to be in the same place doing the same thing day in and day out. When you have many facets to a job you can pick and choose a bit so when you get bored with something move on to something else and then go back! I'm an Environmental Scientist and it allows me to do hands on work as well as data analysis/entry, figure drawing, and I get to goto various job sites around the state! Wouldn't have it any other way! Most of all go with something your interested in! Hope this helps Peace!
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