Written by: Daniel Van der Pluym, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
When I started working from home, I never imagined that it would be so difficult to stay focused. The constant distractions of my home environment were really starting to take a toll on my productivity. There were always people talking in the background, the phone ringing, dogs barking, and I even had a neighbour who liked to play loud music. While I realised the challenges of working from home were common, I found that due to the competing distractions I was becoming increasingly exhausted ‒ this eventually leading to chronic tiredness and burnout. This was when I started reading up on the symptoms of ADHD and finally decided to get a referral to a psychiatrist and receive a diagnosis.
This may be a narrative you can relate to if you have recently received an ADHD diagnosis in your later years. ADHD can often go undiagnosed in children, as ADHD symptoms may be attributed to the circumstances and contexts we wish to apply our attention towards. As we become adults and our responsibilities and working environments change, so too do the demands placed on our attention span. The traditional nine-to-five workday in an office is no longer the only option for many people, and this has revealed a change in how we function.
What is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder?
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that is characterized by problems with focus, impulsivity and hyperactivity. ADHD can have a significant impact on daily life and can be very challenging to manage. ADHD is often diagnosed in younger people but also commonly diagnosed in adults. ADHD symptoms in adults can be very different to ADHD symptoms in children. Adults with ADHD may experience problems with focus, organisation, time management and impulsivity. Adults with ADHD may also find it more difficult to cope with stress and can be more prone to anxiety and depression.
Why the recent rise in ADHD Diagnoses?
ADHD diagnoses have been on the rise in recent years, particularly an increase in adults receiving a diagnosis. It seems that this trend is continuing, partly due to the impacts of changing working environments in the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. Many people are now working from home and struggling with the distractions and challenges that come with this adjustment. This can be a challenge when they are working in an environment that is chaotic or distracting. ADHD symptoms can also increase when people are feeling stressed or overwhelmed. The COVID-19 pandemic restrictions have caused a great deal of stress for many people and this may be contributing to the increase in people seeking diagnoses. This article will explore the impacts of working environments on ADHD symptoms and discuss how you can seek help if you are struggling.
How do working Environments have an impact on ADHD?
The ADHD symptoms that are most commonly impacted by working environments are focus, impulsivity and hyperactivity. When people are working in a home environment, there can be a lot of distractions. There are many things that can distract people when they are working from homes, such as the television, the phone, pets and other family members. Homeworking environments can also be even more challenging for people with ADHD because they lack the structure and routine of a typical office setting. There may be more distractions at home, such as people coming and going, television, noise from the street, etc. It can be more difficult to set boundaries when you are working from home and it can be easy to become overwhelmed.
These distractions can make it very difficult to stay focused and to get work done. The ADHD symptoms of impulsivity and hyperactivity can also be exacerbated by distractions. Peer-reviewed studies have shown that working environments can have a significant impact on ADHD symptoms. One study found that adults with ADHD who worked in a quiet environment had fewer ADHD symptoms than those who worked in a noisy or chaotic environment. Another study found that ADHD symptoms were worse in people who worked in an environment with high levels of distractions. These studies suggest that it is important for people with ADHD to work in an environment that is quiet and distraction-free.
Getting help: Interventions to support people with ADHD
If you are struggling with ADHD symptoms in your working environment, it is important to seek help. There are many resources available, including workplace support, changes to the home environment, as well as counselling, coaching, ADHD medication and ADHD support groups.
Home and workplace interventions for people with ADHD
In workplaces, people with ADHD can be supported through ADHD-friendly workplace policies and accommodations. Some ADHD-friendly workplace policies include flexible work hours, regular check-ins with a supervisor, breaks during the day, reduced distractions in the workplace and tasks which keep you engaged and focused. Workplace accommodations for people with ADHD can also include things like standing desks, white noise machines and fidget toys to help further manage distractions.
If you are working from home you can be supported through other interventions in the home environment including ADHD-friendly house rules, regular breaks, scheduled work times, designated workspace and more. Some of the best home environment interventions come through setting up a workspace which is distraction-free, has good lighting, and is comfortable. It is also really important to schedule distraction-free time with others in your household by letting them know when they can expect to engage with you and when you need to work without distractions. It is also important that your home environment is set up to maximise comfort, with a proper ergonomic assessment to ensure that you are not in awkward positions or straining your body whilst working.
Seeing a therapist or coach
Therapists and coaches can provide a number of interventions to help people with ADHD to focus on work. While therapists can help you work through the mental and emotional difficulties associated with your ADHD symptoms, coaches can help you implement practical strategies and solutions to help you manage distractions and optimise your focus. Deeper Potential Coaching is a service that can help you overcome the burden of ADHD and build strategies to optimise your working situation.
ADHD Courses and Programs
ADHD courses and programs can be very helpful in managing ADHD symptoms and distractions in the workplace. These courses provide a variety of strategies and solutions which can be tailored to meet the needs of each individual. Many ADHD courses also offer support from experts who have experience in helping people with ADHD to manage their symptoms and work more effectively. One particular program which has been gathering increased interest recently is ADHD Ambition. ADHD Ambition is a self-paced course covering 6 structured modules, designed to help you implement the systems to optimise your work and reach your big goals.
ADHD medication
ADHD medication can also be a helpful intervention for people with ADHD. Stimulant medications are the most commonly prescribed type of medication for ADHD and they can be very effective in reducing symptoms. Stimulant medications can help people with ADHD to focus on work tasks by reducing symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsivity. This can allow people with ADHD to better manage distractions and stay focused on the task at hand.
Conclusion
It is important to find a support system that works for you and helps you manage your ADHD symptoms. ADHD can be challenging but with the right support, it can be managed. The article discusses how ADHD diagnoses have been on the rise in recent years, and how this may be attributed to the prevalence of working from home. ADHD symptoms such as difficulty paying attention, being easily distracted and having trouble staying focused can be exacerbated when working from home. ADHD-friendly workplace policies and accommodations can help to mitigate some of these. In addition, having extra support through therapy, coaching, ADHD programs/courses and medication can further assist.
About the Author:
Daniel Van der Pluym is the founder of Deeper Potential Coaching and part founder of Create Balance Courses. He is a psychotherapist, certified Life Coach and mindfulness teacher. Through his work, he focuses on helping people overcome their life challenges to create a new story of meaning and fulfilment. His work as a psychotherapist coach and part developer of ADHD Ambition is geared towards helping people overcome self-limiting beliefs about their lives, so they can reach their ultimate potential.
Daniel Van der Pluym, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Daniel Van der Pluym is the founder of Deeper Potential Coaching and part founder of ADHD Ambition. He is a psychotherapist, certified Life Coach and mindfulness teacher. Through his work, he focuses on helping people overcome their life challenges to create a new story of meaning and fulfilment. His work as a psychotherapist coach and part developer of ADHD Ambition is geared towards helping people overcome uncertainty and rumination, so they can reach live with more clarity and fulfillment.
