ADHD at work

Adults with ADHD face various challenges at work that can make it hard for them to succeed and feel good about their jobs. One major issue is staying focused on tasks. Many people with ADHD struggle to concentrate on boring or long assignments and can be easily distracted by sounds, movements, or their own thoughts. This can lead to lower productivity and missed deadlines, which can cause stress and anxiety.

Another common problem is staying organised. Adults with ADHD might find it hard to figure out which tasks are the most important, leading to confusion about what to do first. They may forget important deadlines or have trouble keeping track of important papers, resulting in a messy work environment. This chaos can be very frustrating and can make them feel inadequate, impacting their job performance.

Time management is often linked to these issues. Many adults with ADHD find it tough to judge how long tasks will take, which can result in procrastination or rushing to finish work at the last minute. This unpredictability can make it difficult for them to meet expectations and create more stress.

Their work relationships can also suffer due to ADHD. Impulsiveness might lead them to interrupt coworkers during meetings or conversations, which can be seen as disrespectful. These actions can strain relationships with colleagues and lead to misunderstandings, making teamwork harder.

Moreover, adults with ADHD may be more sensitive to criticism, which can hurt their self-esteem. This sensitivity might lead them to avoid difficult tasks or pull back from group activities, making them feel even more isolated at work.

In summary, the combination of trouble focusing, disorganisation, poor time management, impulsivity, and sensitivity to criticism can create a challenging environment for adults with ADHD. To overcome these obstacles, it’s important to have a supportive workplace, resources, and strategies that meet their specific needs, helping them make the most of their strengths and succeed in their careers. 

An assessment of workplace needs may be helpful to inform reasonable adjustments at work. Further information can be gained from the government website pages for reasonable adjustments and access to work for disabled workers.

We recommend reading the ADHD-UK guide to ADHD and work for both employers and employees.

There is also a helpful employers guide (PDF) at the ADHD Foundation.

Any further reasonable adjustments may need to be considered in consultation with employers or any other educational institutional Disability Services.

To talk to our clinicians about occupational concerns and ADHD, you can book a consultation.