The silent struggles of workers with ADHD

The silent struggles of workers with ADHD Getty Images Unlike their neurotypical counterparts, workers with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder often find themselves left behind. Some people, says Winter, only tend to do what they’re interested in – “what lights up our brains” – which causes them to de-prioritise other urgent tasks. “It’s almost like minimising your own identity to conform with social norms … It’s uncomfortable, and it’s exhausting, and if you do it enough, you can lose track of who is behind the mask.” Getty Images Some workers with ADHD choose to keep their diagnoses and struggles secret for fear of judgement, which means they can't get the accommodations they need For workers who do come forward about their diagnoses, however, the conversation can be risky. People would observe me and think ‘oh, she’s not really cut out for this industry’ – Kim To Even for high performers, some bosses may question the need to provide accommodations, says Winter: “If don't see where the challenges are, why would they do anything to address them?” But, in many cases, she says a worker’s strong performance may come from masking to ultimately detrimental effects. And giving people choice means better outcomes.” In the meantime, however, workers with ADHD may be on the back foot, especially if they’re not in an environment with supportive management.