Is ADHD Interfering With Your Career?

[HighFunctioning]

http://www.careerjournal.com/myc/sur...625-lavan.html

		Is ADHD Interfering With Your Career?
		By Helen LaVan

What did Albert Einstein, Mozart, the Wright Brothers, Walt Disney, John Lennon, John F. Kennedy and Werner von Braun have in common? They all had attention-deficit or learning disabilities, which they overcame before going on to make significant contributions to society.

If you’ve been struggling with your career or unable to land a new position for no apparent reason, it’s possible that similar disabilities are hindering your efforts. Common behaviors often thought to be part of the emotional anxiety of losing a job may actually indicate you have an often misdiagnosed or underdiagnosed psychological problem--Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

ADHD is characterized by distractibility, impulsivity and hyperactivity. Often called attention deficit disorder, or ADD, this disability is sometimes viewed as only a childhood condition. Recently, however, it’s been recognized as an adult disability. From one-half to two-thirds of children with ADHD will continue to have significant problems with ADHD symptoms and behaviors in adulthood. Moreover, ADHD adults tend to have other problems, such as alcoholism, that impede job hunting and long-term career success unless they can be arrested and treated.

As many as 40% of ADHD sufferers have only inattentive type ADHD, a related condition. In these cases, sufferers have less hyperactivity and are more impulsive and inattentive.

Signs of ADHD

It’s not surprising that untreated adults with ADHD may have trouble job hunting. Many of the behaviors associated with the disorder can hinder career success and certainly make interviewing difficult, if not impossible. These include a short attention span, disorganization, difficulty concentrating, low tolerance for frustration and a quick temper. Untreated ADHD sufferers frequently interrupt others, seek conflict and resist authority figures. Their resumes may reveal a history of job changes and relocation, underachievement and poor time-management skills.

ADHD adults also may struggle with organizational and financial management problems. They get stuck in the syndrome known as, "The harder I try, the worse it gets," because they take on too many projects and then can’t complete them. Because they’re impulsive, they may make major decisions without planning for them appropriately.

Sufferers are easily distracted, restless and unable to get started and follow through. They tend to change their minds often, have writing or fine motor coordination difficulties, sleeping difficulties, low energy and sensitivity to noise or touch.

Social skills and emotional control also are difficult for ADHD adults. Unable to maintain long-term relationships, they may divorce and remarry often. Prone to depression, ADHD adults may have a pattern of substance abuse.

A Success Story

Many professionals with ADHD can have successful careers once they seek help and learn to channel their energy productively. Consider a 32-year-old insurance-claims examiner who was on probation because of his work style and problems with co-workers.

He had trouble concentrating, meeting deadlines, even sitting at his desk for a short period of time. He didn’t get along well with his boss or colleagues because he couldn’t tolerate frustration, frequently interrupted others and had a quick temper and trouble with authority. He was so fearful of losing his job that he became stressed and depressed.

He sought help and was diagnosed with ADHD and referred to a psychiatrist for medication. With new insight about his behavior, he decided to seek a job that would better suit his short attention span and allow him to transfer his skills.

He began networking with insurance-industry contacts at companies that fit his ideal profile. He set goals concerning the type and number of contacts to make weekly. After about two months, he accepted a job as an insurance adjuster which required him to be out of the office about 80% of the time.

Recognizing the Symptoms

The sidebar lists some of the most prevalent symptoms of ADHD. Although you may recognize certain signs or characteristics of ADHD in yourself, don’t try to self-diagnose your condition.

Seek a medical opinion from a psychiatrist or psychologist. Remember, though, that there’s no "adult onset" to ADHD. You must have had symptoms in childhood, even though they may have changed as you aged.

Realize, too, that since the illness has only recently been recognized in adults, you may have been misdiagnosed previously. For instance, some adults with ADHD have been labeled depressed or as having an antisocial personality or character disorder.

Impeding the Search

ADHD can affect your ability to find and keep the right job for these reasons:

• Inability to derive satisfaction from your career.

This is because of ADHD adults’ constant need for stimulation and inability to concentrate. The consequence often is poor performance ratings, which may cause them to impulsively quit jobs. This leads to low self-esteem that can affect a future job hunt.

Some employers label ADHD sufferers as lazy, irresponsible or insubordinate, says David E. Drehmer, a licensed clinical psychologist and executive director of the Performance Enhancement Institute in Clarendon Hills, Ill. This prejudice also damages self-esteem and confidence.

• Inability to develop a career objective.

While some ADHD adults make impulsive and poor career choices, others are working in the right fields but under the wrong conditions. However, they erroneously believe that they’re to blame for their lack of success, not their job environment.

Many seek counseling because they lack focus and feel their talents aren’t sufficiently utilized, says Rose Ann Pastor, a consultant with Clarke, Poynton and Associates, a Chicago outplacement and career development firm. Their inability to focus makes them unhappy and unproductive at work and interferes with their job-search efforts, she says.

• Inability to complete a resume.

ADHD candidates have trouble focusing and making decisions, which drags out the resume-writing process. One professional, in fact, worked on his resume for a year.

• Inability to set realistic job goals.

ADHD adults may present themselves as under- or over-qualified for available positions, possibly because they have difficulty securing information about the jobs or have low self-esteem due to previous job experiences.

• Inability to network.

The majority of jobs are secured through networking, but ADHD adults have poor relationship skills which make it difficult for them to work effectively with contacts. They have low frustration and energy levels and poor follow through. They may even forget to keep appointments. Some also spend too much time on information interviews or with the wrong networking contacts merely for the stimulation.

"Many clients have been involved in significant, unproductive networking," says Ms. Pastor. "They also haven’t been able to put closure on their resume and have made impulsive decisions."

• Inability to organize follow-up calls.

Following up with employers is essential, especially when you’ve applied for an actual opening. But ADHD makes many adults too disorganized to do so effectively.

• Low tolerance for criticism or feedback.

ADHD adults may have difficulty accepting advice from others, even a counselor they’re paying for assistance.

• Inability to pay attention in interviews.

Most candidates overestimate their interview performance. Only after seeing themselves on a videotape do they realize they didn’t answer questions effectively.

• Inability to review want ads.

ADHD adults may have trouble understanding what employers want because of problems with concentration.

Help Is Available

Adults can learn to control ADHD through counseling to learn coping skills and medication to control chemical aspects of the disorder. Many professionals disagree about the effectiveness of medications for adults and those who agree on treating ADHD with medication may disagree on which medicines are best.

Psycho-stimulant medications can help some ADHD adults, while antidepressants may help with substance abuse and depression, or when phobia, panic, anxiety or obsessive compulsive disorders are present.

If you think you suffer from ADHD, seek a medical diagnosis, and if medication is appropriate, make sure you take it as prescribed.

Helpful Steps

The following tips can help you to put your job search back on track:

1. Find a job-search buddy who can listen, offer ideas and provide support and inspiration when your energy flags.

2. Create a to-do list each day. Plan your activities and check them off as you accomplish them. Make a log of people to call and set aside time for this activity daily.

3. Seek a job-search coach or career counselor with good credentials and a problem-solving or developmental, not a directive, approach. A counselor can help you work through the psychological issues caused by ADHD and assess your personality, career interests, skills and values. I use the Strong Interest and Skills Confidence Survey, the Campbell Interest and Skills Survey, the Myers Briggs Type Indicator analysis and other instruments to evaluate professional and managerial candidates.

4. Join a job-search support group, where you can vent feelings of anger and frustration, gain support to keep you on track and network.

5. Create a good resume. Write an effective document to use when responding to ads or writing marketing letters to employers. Set goals for how many to mail each week--20 is a realistic number.

Use a resume objective to describe the type of position you’re seeking, followed by a summary of qualifications--six or seven bulleted statements about why you’re qualified. These items might include an overall summary statement, specific knowledge and experience, an important accomplishment, awards or commendations, education, computer skills, international experience, industry familiarity, continuing professional development or special personal skills that qualify you.

When mailing resumes, play "60-cent roulette," meaning that it only costs you 60 cents to send each resume, so when in doubt, send it out.

5. Use your resume as a "cheat sheet" to stay on track when answering questions during interviews. Wear a special accessory, such as a ring, to remind you not to veer off the subject.

6. Job search on the Internet. Visit career sites with job listings. These are presented in a different, more lively format than print ads and may be easier to read. By setting parameters, you can limit the number of listings you receive. For example, by listing certain criteria, a marketing candidate who used CareerPath reduced the listings he received to 40 from 135.

7. Don’t take rejection personally. You’ll be turned down for openings 99% of the time, so don’t get discouraged if your initial response rate is low.

8. Network effectively. This technique works if you set priorities and manage your time effectively. In an excellent job market, though, responding to available openings, talking with headhunters in your industry or function and completing targeted mass mailings may be more effective.

9. Seek a position in an environment that suits your work style and ability. Consider jobs that allow you to leave the office but still require periodic reporting and accountability. Tell yourself that the difference between being a superstar and a marginal contributor may be finding the right environment, not a lack of ability.

A 44-year-old automobile financing specialist couldn’t keep a job securing financing for dealership customers. After losing five positions in 10 years, he would frantically seek another job even after just accepting one. Incorrectly diagnosed as manic depressive, his symptoms were eventually recognized as fitting ADHD and he received medication and counseling.

Knowing the real reason for his problems, he decided to seek a new kind of job. To channel his creative, problem solving, networking and financial skills, he was encouraged to find work securing venture capital funding for entrepreneurs. He has kept this position for four years and is very satisfied with his ability to help start-up businesses.

Besides being appropriately diagnosed and provided with medication, he benefited from a job-search strategy that required setting goals and deadlines and being accountable for them to a career counselor. He also learned coping skills so that he wouldn’t blow his job-hunting frustrations out of proportion.

With an adequate understanding of their illness, proper medication and coping skills, ADHD adults can job hunt successfully and enjoy satisfying careers.

-- Dr. LaVan is assistant director of M.B.A. and alumni career services at DePaul University in Chicago.

Email your comments to cjeditor@dowjones.com.

[Larry]

I think that the "Helpful Steps" part of this article is really useful. I have used some of these approaches myself with success. One particular point of validity seems to underlie the message: what it really takes to succeed.

I had alot of trouble speaking in public so I joined Toastmasters International. (This was one of the best moves I have ever made). I marvelled at Toastmaster members who were always prepared, always on top of it, and never showed any fear or hesitation. I was discouraged because I lacked all of these abilities. Whenever I stould up to speak, everything I had in my head would run out between my toes. I was reduced to a quiverring bowl of jello.

Then I complemented one of our best speakers on his ability to speak impromptu, with so much aplomb and conviction. He had just delivered a fantastic speech. I complemented him on his great natural ability and his ability to do it with so little effort.

He laughed at me and said that his impromptu speech had taken him about a week to prepare. He said that he planned, and practiced, and practiced, and practiced. He thought in advance of all the questions we might asked and he preplanned the responses he might give. And then he practiced somemore.

Once, he confided, I was just like you, but I figured out what was really going on. I had an wise old Toastmaster share with me his secrets. "Preparation, preparation, preparation." You plan, organize and execute. You find the little tricks that work for you and keep you on track and in control. You know your weaknesses, but you also know your stengths. In the end, extensive practice is the true key to instant success.

Do any of you have concrete suggestions on how to play and win in the game of business, from an ADHD perspective?

Larry

[*~ §EEK ~*]

Good Article!!

Thx

[*~ §EEK ~*]

I still really like this Article you posted Highfunctioning!

I have yet to see one that's better!

[Wish]

Interesting question.

ADHD isn't directly interfering with my career. Luckily, I was diagnosed at age 12. I am now 26. So, I've had enough time to find the right meds. I even managed to pass the bar the first time I took it (without an accomodation thanks to the wonderful colorado board of bar examiners). So, it doesn't directly affect my performance at work or my ability to make deadlines and get along with my co-workers.

ADHD affects my career indirectly because I can only take jobs that provide good insurance coverage for ADHD. Because of how expensive ADHD drugs (adderall xr and wellbutrin) and psychiatrist visits are, I need a plan that provides decent coverage for my ADHD related expenses.

There have been some jobs that I was interested in, but did not accept because the salary they were offering was not high enough to make up for the amount of out of pocket expenses I would have had to incur on the insurance plans they offered.

So, ADHD has affected my career opportunities. I have found that most of the employers who offer insurance plans that adequately cover costs of ADHD are large employers. So, I can't work for many small or medium sized employers because of the insurance issue.

[cwbyjohnson]

Originally Posted by Wish

Interesting question.

ADHD isn't directly interfering with my career. Luckily, I was diagnosed at age 12. I am now 26. So, I've had enough time to find the right meds. I even managed to pass the bar the first time I took it (without an accomodation thanks to the wonderful colorado board of bar examiners). So, it doesn't directly affect my performance at work or my ability to make deadlines and get along with my co-workers.

ADHD affects my career indirectly because I can only take jobs that provide good insurance coverage for ADHD. Because of how expensive ADHD drugs (adderall xr and wellbutrin) and psychiatrist visits are, I need a plan that provides decent coverage for my ADHD related expenses.

There have been some jobs that I was interested in, but did not accept because the salary they were offering was not high enough to make up for the amount of out of pocket expenses I would have had to incur on the insurance plans they offered.

So, ADHD has affected my career opportunities. I have found that most of the employers who offer insurance plans that adequately cover costs of ADHD are large employers. So, I can't work for many small or medium sized employers because of the insurance issue.

I too have had to limit my job possibilities because of insurance concerns. I have an excellent plan now with my current employer and can't imagine leaving it.

[Wish]

Do you work for a large employer cwbyjohnson? I currently work for the federal government.

[cwbyjohnson]

No I work for a small company that thankfully has enough money to underwrite their own insurance plan, which I had a major plan in writing.

[Wish]

That's cool. I didn't know that small employers could underwrite their own plan. I thought they had to try to bargain with the insurer and take whatever the insurer offered.

I'm interested in learning more about how small companies can underwrite their own health insurance plans.

[cwbyjohnson]

Well, it's actually more of a reinsurance situation. We draw up the plan and cover an agreed upon amount of claims, and then find an insurance company that will cover anything beyond that. It's still unusual for small companies, but the company I work for has gobs of dough that makes it easy.

[mijahe]

These include a short attention span,YES
disorganization,YES
difficulty concentrating,YES
low tolerance for frustration and YES
a quick temper.YES, but not so much.

One thing I've noticed on these forums, is that the older members have learned how to cope and have developed their own strategies for being functional. This is the same with me. I'm 40, and being oblivous to ADD for that long meant that I've have to figure it all out on my own.

One important lesson that I learned earlier on is to find a job that suited me. It took a while, but eventually I landed a job as a UNIX sysadmin. It's always on the go, projects never last longer than a week. If they do, then I ensure that I only take on projects that REALLY interest me. I've learnt to imagine myself finishing the project and think about how long it'll take and whether I can actually cope with it, before saying yes.

I still get frustrated. I'm still disorganized. I still have the attention span of a fish. I still get frustrated at the fact that I should be further ahead than I should. I still have a tendancy to take on more projects than I should. However, I now have developed methods to control them.

[Calicogirl]

I present myself as over qualified for all the jobs I post for. I am good at pimping myself too much. And I get bored with the tech jobs too quick because there is no -Heather being there would make a difference in this world.

Where do I find a job that being there would make a difference? I have been ASST DIR to IT when I was 27, and found better joy in working at Blockbuster discussing movies and plots with various people.

It is Thursday - My I'm doomed day.

I slept 19 hours already.

[mijahe]

I tend to over-present myself more than under-present. But I'm a male, and I guess males tend to feel inadequate more if they think they should be further ahead than they are.

[Guest1]

it has always and i get tired of my job i quit i drive people crazy ive been told all of them knew i was adhd

[riff.raff]

that would be a YES to the TENTH POWER!

when do you say it is "ADD" and when is it just me/you? I think you have to be responsible for your actions, self control and putting yourself in situations. But "ADD" is its own animal, shows up when it wants too, usually during a critical juncture when it is least welcome, plays with you when it wants to.

I don't think I would want to hire me or be around me. It is a release to be able to say this.

At least it isn't a more cruel disease or disorder. But the headgames never go away. Such Fun!