How ADHD Can Impact Work Productivity
“People with ADHD have an interest-based nervous system where most people have an importance-based nervous system — the thing is important, so prioritize that and get that thing done. For people with ADHD and other neurodivergent people, because we have this interest-based nervous system, it is super hard to actually do the boring thing.” -Eric Tivers, LCSW
Let’s be real—work can be really stressful. On a good day, it can be tough to make sure that you take a lunch break. Now, on a bad day? Deadlines magically appear out of nowhere and the group chat somehow becomes a political battlefield; add this to the cacophony created by your clients who all want a million and one things right now? Heard you!
Now, imagine showing up to work each day and facing it all with ADHD. On top of the usual chaos, you’re also managing a brain that might be sprinting in six directions before your first coffee. And yet, many people are doing just that—navigating the modern workplace while juggling focus struggles, trouble with motivation, and the occasional urge to rearrange their entire workspace instead of finishing that report.
Understanding what ADHD is, how it manifests, and the challenges it can cause in a work environment is important for increasing awareness and getting the right support you need to thrive.
Keep reading to learn more.
ADHD (Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that is characterized by a persistent pattern of inattentive and/or hyperactive/impulsive symptoms that interfere with functioning in two or more settings in someone’s life. For adults that fit the criteria for this disorder, work is a place where productivity and fulfillment can be negatively impacted by having untreated ADHD.
Common Challenges ADHD Can Cause at Work
Do any of these feel familiar?
Is managing your time a constant struggle?
Issues with time management such as chronic procrastination, or incorrectly estimating how much time a project needs to be completed.
Missing deadlines due to struggles with following a schedule, effectively coordinating with others, or managing social time with coworkers.
Falling behind due to a lack of urgency, and then needing to spend several hours making up for lost time.
Is focusing an ongoing battle (that you often seem to lose)?
Struggling with being productive, either due to hyperfocusing on unproductive tasks, having trouble switching between tasks, or being easily distracted.
Feeling resistant to initiating or sustaining focus with tasks that feel boring or that require lengthy periods of mental effort.
Making careless mistakes due to struggles with paying proper attention, either while receiving new assignments or while executing tasks.
Have feelings of being overwhelmed or stressed out become your norm?
Lack of stress management skills, like knowing healthy methods for relief when feeling overwhelmed.
Struggling with emotional regulation, such as anxiety management, which exacerbates stress.
Poor boundaries, which can lead to bypassing making time for breaks during the workday or over-extending your workload capacity.
There are real consequences of leaving ADHD unmanaged.
Imagine what it could feel like to experience more days at work with less stress and more ease. What if you didn’t have to fight so hard every day just to keep up? What if you didn’t end each week, or even each day, feeling as depleted?
ADHD can be managed, and if reading this has you curious about learning how, just know that you deserve support. Working with a mental health professional can help you identify practical strategies to reduce stress, manage anxiety, and build confidence. Therapy can help you to learn skills for emotional regulation, strategies for increasing productivity, and support as you improve with setting boundaries.
I hope this helps! Leave me a comment if you learned something new!
As Always, Be Well!
Warmly, Jessica Herd, LMHC
Resources:
National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Dial “988”
Text Crisis Line: Text “HELLO” to 741741
