Adult ADHD in the workplace: symptoms, support and care resources
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) used to be commonly considered a childhood illness. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), ADHD is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders of childhood, and it’s on the rise.
Now, however, it is recognized as a condition that lasts well into adulthood, regardless of when it was diagnosed. Over the last decade, there has been an uptick of ADHD diagnoses in adults. According to the latest estimates, over 15.5 million American adults are living with ADHD.
Symptoms of adult ADHD
Despite its increasing prevalence, ADHD is challenging to diagnose — especially in adults — because there is no lab test to identify it. In addition, the diagnostic criteria for ADHD were developed with children in mind.
Adults with ADHD often have other behavioral conditions like depression, anxiety and substance use disorders that mask or mimic symptoms associated with hyperactivity. As a result, many adults may not realize or suspect they have ADHD.
Employees with ADHD often bring unique skills to work. Many are creative, think outside the box, hyperfocus on tasks and may be more willing to take strategic risks. However, some symptoms of ADHD can require more support.
Case management can support employees with ADHD
The Wellmark Case Management team connects your employees to caring and skilled nurses or social workers who are knowledgeable about ADHD and committed to creating a plan to help employees meet their health care goals. Learn more about how case management can support your employees with behavioral health conditions.
There are three different types of ADHD: inattentive, hyperactive/impulsive or combined.
Inattentive type symptoms in the workplace can appear as:
- Difficulty staying focused on tasks and activities like conversations or long reading.
- Appearing to not listen when spoken to.
- Quickly losing focus on tasks after starting them.
- Having challenges with time management and organization.
- Being forgetful when it comes to daily tasks like paying bills or keeping appointments.
- Frequently losing daily items like keys, wallet and cell phone.
Hyperactive type symptoms in the workplace can look like:
- Excessive fidgeting or inability to stay seated.
- Always appearing “on the go.”
- Talking too much (may finish others’ sentences or blurt out answers to questions before they have been finished).
- Difficulty waiting.
- Interrupting frequently, such as cutting into conversations or activities.
To be diagnosed with ADHD, symptoms must frequently occur over a span of six months and cause regular disruption to daily life. Once diagnosed, adults with ADHD can be treated with medication, therapy or a combination of both. Therapy usually helps with developing behavior management strategies, such as ways to minimize distractions and increase structure and organization.
Work accommodations for employees with ADHD
Employees who disclose an ADHD diagnosis are protected from discrimination under the Americans with Disabilities Act, which may require you to provide reasonable accommodations to help them perform essential functions of their job. ADHD may be a mostly invisible condition, but you may notice a change in employees who are offered accommodations.
Though every individual is different, reasonable accommodations for employees with ADHD may include simple adjustments, such as:
- A quiet workspace or noise-blocking headphones to reduce distractions.
- Calendars to keep track of important deadlines.
- Timers to help the individual stay on task.
- Tasks that are divided into smaller, more manageable chunks.
- Short, intermittent breaks.
- Extended deadlines or more time for completing work.
- Altered work hours to accommodate peak periods of focus and attention.
- Written directions, instructions and training materials.
Before you make any assumptions on what an employee may or may not need, ask how you can support them in performing their essential job functions. If their health care provider has offered any specific recommendations, encouraging them to follow those suggestions may also be helpful.
Once accommodations are in place, check in with the employee frequently to make sure their needs are being met. For more information on accommodations for ADHD, review the Job Accommodation Network.
Help your employees find care
When your employees are looking for care, they just want results — quickly! Help them get the care they need and answers to their health-related questions through our member-focused resources on myWellmark®.
Questions? Contact your authorized Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield account representative.