How to Manage ADHD in the Workplace (and Why It’s a Superpower)

[@Theanxiousdogmom]

Knowing this has made it extremely difficult on me to even be in the office, I hear the whispering, I hear the tones, I’m being treated differently. And now I just don’t feel secure at work anymore. I don’t even really know what to do at this point or how to advocate for myself because I feel like they’ve turned me into this “problem coworker” or something and I just wish there was the same level of empathy and understanding. I’m so tired. I’ve been running on fumes for months and in a major depressive episode which I’ve also tried to be open as I can about (without making people feel uncomfortable or oversharing)

[@Theanxiousdogmom]

I have tried to be open with my work workers about my struggles, they are new to the company and now, months down the line I know they are frustrated with my production level and not getting things done quick enough

[@Tidybow]

Really useful information, thank you.

[@silkhelix]

You’re welcome, I’m glad it was helpful!

[@Peace-d6r]

It’s not a super power for everyone I’m tired of hearing this I want to give up often on everything

[@EvenPlayingField]

💯

[@Dancestar1981]

I hate those who dismiss our experiences I e even had therapists dismiss my personal work experiences too

[@songindarkness]

I agree it’s so hard to see the good points about ADHD when life is such a daily struggle. I hate when people say it’s a superpower. You are stronger than you think. Hang in there.

[@Peace-d6r]

I will watch your video tomorrow as I only read the super power bit and felt ta knee jerk reaction willw arch and give a chance im sure its a great video

[@silkhelix]

Please do have a watch. I’m not a fan of the superpower idea either, I can find it very dismissive of the challenges. I make videos aimed at employers and I want them to see that it’s worth providing the support for challenges and that there are also strengths that come with ADHD. That’s why the word is in the title, but, I do also hear your point about the impact of that word.

[@samanthastjohn2327]

Thank you for these tips...I potentially have an interview coming up and was wondering about the reasonable adjustments to recommend 😀

[@JosuaNeil-q4x]

There are unfortunately no ADHD specifically friendly jobs other than possibly creative type work which, by nature, is sporadic. Listing that I have a disability such as ADHD on an application is a sure way for me to not be hired (without them giving that as the reason). It simply is not fair to expect everyone else adapt to you I have been a creative, but, regular income-wise, work I am better at repetative "boring" tasks. Currently I feel sorry for my manager to have me as his employee. I am ok just doing the lab/clinical work but have absolutely zero aspiration to move up because it's more pressure, more admin work, more meetings, etc which the money is not worth it for me to do, let alone be good at it

[@Theanxiousdogmom]

I feel like an idiot and I’m sorry if this is a dumb question, but are these things also available in the US? Is the grant available? I have a hard time sitting in my chair at work, and I have extreme sensory issues sometimes but I don’t want to ask my workplace to spend $500 on an ADHd friendly chair.

[@mrandisg]

I'm pretty sure they're not, sadly. Otherwise we'd be hearing a lot more about it because there are so many more people being diagnosed nowadays thanks to better research and information being available. I hate to say it, but most workplaces in the US operate under neurotypical rules and are pretty ableist. Even the ones that are more aware of neurodivergence can only do so much about it. For example, I work at a technical college as a tutor. They're willing to accommodate me as a person with ADHD, I think partly because we have so many students who need accommodations as well. But those accommodations are more along the lines of being more forgiving of lateness due to time blindness, providing a quiet place to work, pretty much the same types of accommodations that are extended to students such as extended time on assignments and test readers. Nothing that requires spending money because we're a small college with a limited budget, but at least they do acknowledge that ADHD exists and try to accommodate when and where they can. As far as the chair goes, you may have to get creative. Maybe you can get some cushions to make it more comfortable, or maybe you can get permission to stand up and move around more often. I wish I had a better answer for that. I hope everything works out for you.

[@katarinalawergren3280]

This video is great

[@silkhelix]

Thank you, glad you enjoyed it.

[@sophiemoconnell]

I know some comments gave said about ADHD not being a superpower. I've had my difficulties and I am still waiting to get a diagnosis. But I just wanted to say thank you for having so much empathy for the difficulties and the strengths if ADHD. I've found that in some environments I've really felt completely debilitated... but in the right role I ADHD does feel like a superpower. Right now I am starting my first business and while I have found some things are a struggle, the framework of wearing multiple hats in your own business actually leans naturally into how my brain works. In the side jobs I had to keep me supported while I set everything up? I felt the complete opposite and completely out of sorts. I would love to see a video on self-employment and another on the strengths you can lean into with ADHD. It doesn’t hurt to show the positive aspects, as the more support and awareness there is the better we can come up with strategies not just to survive, but thrive.

[@Wilczurrr]

Something so serios as to warrant being called a disability is not a superpower, just like not having legs is not a superpower even though you will have very strong arms etc. It's a debilitating, alienating disability.

[@silkhelix]

You make a good point. I’ll do a future video looking more into this. People with the condition certainly have varied views on this and I can see why.

[@wendyribeau2736]

what about blue collard jobs, sales, im a pawn broker.

[@silkhelix]

Thank you, I’m going to look at this for future videos.

[@vickylewis7238]

Why is the advice always about office settings, not everyone works in an office. I work in a residential care home and none of the help is any good to me at all.

[@silkhelix]

Thank you, I’m definitely going to be looking at future videos with different industry focus.

[@bobmack4524]

please - slow down. I wanted to listen to this video but you spoke so fast that I had trouble following

[@carlajoinz9929]

you can change the playback speed in the settings of the video 😊 Kinda ironic especially ADHDers often hear that they are talking too fast xD. I don't blame you for it :)

[@chrismills9620]

I pretty much listen to all KZbin podcasts on 0.75x speed, sometimes it sounds a bit weird slowed down but generally it has made me able to absorb what people are saying