5 Surprises About AD/HD in the Workplace

Do any of these statements apply to you?

• "I know what I want to say but I can't get the words out."
• "I have trouble getting the little things done each day."
• "I get really frustrated when I have to wait in line." 
• "People accuse me of lying but I'm don't lie." 
• "Crowds and noisy places bug me." 
• "My teachers didn't like me in school." 

The above statements are what adults I have diagnosed with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD) have said to me as I interviewed them during my evaluation. I was recently interviewed by D Magazine for an article called "AD/HD in the Workplace."

Approximately 5% of the adult population is estimated to have AD/HD. It wasn't long ago that AD/HD was seen as a childhood disorder where symptoms were thought to disappear with the onset of puberty. Clear scientific evidence shows that AD/HD continues into adulthood. While most adults were diagnosed as children, there are many adults who are undiagnosed.

Symptoms of AD/HD that you probably already know are:

• Difficulty concentrating and paying attention to details.
• Trouble sitting still for long periods of time.
• Short fuse.
• Putting things off.
• Tardiness.
• Forgetfulness in daily activities.
• Getting criticized for interrupting people.
• Being disorganized and having a messy car, home or office.
• Starting projects without thinking through the steps.
• Failing to finish tasks.
• Click here for a longer checklist.

Adults with AD/HD are more likely to:

• Buy on impulse and have trouble saving money.
• Receive speeding tickets.
• Be involved in car crashes where they are at fault.
• Smoke and/or use drugs.
• Exhibit road rage and aggressive driving when angered.
• Get fired or quit a job out of boredom.
• Be disciplined on the job by a manager or supervisor.
• Have higher marital dissatisfaction although not a higher divorce rate.

Here are 5 surprises about AD/HD:

1. AD/HD does exist and is not a conspiracy by scientists to medicate people. It is a real medical condition that is biologically based.
2. AD/HD is not simply a lack of willpower.
3. Bad parenting does not cause AD/HD. However, studies show a genetic predisposition for AD/HD within families.
4. Adults with AD/HD are not stupid or lazy. Recent studies reveal that people with AD/HD actually tend to have above average intelligence but it does not show because of the AD/HD.
5. AD/HD can be treated without medication. New research indicates that you can improve brain functioning with direct, deliberate practice. This is called neuroplasticity. Relaxation, concentration and other self management exercises can improve the ability to sustain attention in some people.

Before starting any medication you should be properly diagnosed. Anxiety, depression or learning disabilities can be disguised as AD/HD. In my clinical practice I use the Quotient/ADHD System to assess for AD/HD in children, adolescents and adults.

To stay in the Smart Zone learn more about AD/HD. If you think you might have it, get tested by a qualified professional. It could help you refocus your career and personal life.

All assessments for AD/HD should be comprehensive and also assess for emotional factors and the influence of present stressors. Your quality of life, your effectiveness at work and home, and your relationships can benefit from knowing if you truly have the disorder.

Could You Have ADHD?

What do Albert Einstein, Pablo Picasso, John Lennon and Elvis Presley have in common? They all had ADHD (Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder). I believe ADHD in adults, who don't manage it well, affects our work environment and keeps people out of the Smart Zone.

I am really excited about an innovative test we have available in my office. Recently, my office became the only psychological practice in Texas to offer an objective computer test for ADHD for children, adolescents and adults. Click here to watch a news segment Channel 33 filmed about it in my office here in Plano.

Developed by physicians at Harvard, the Quotient/ADHD™ System is the first test to objectively measure all 3 core symptoms of ADHD. The test takes 15 minutes for kids under 13 or 20 minutes for adolescents and adults. Click here to watch the footage about the test on FOX News Channel.

Approximately 5% of the adult population is estimated to have ADHD. It wasn't long ago that ADHD was seen as a childhood disorder where symptoms were thought to disappear with the onset of puberty. Clear scientific evidence shows that ADHD continues into adulthood. While most adults were diagnosed as children, there are many adults who are undiagnosed.

Symptoms of ADHD that you probably already know are:

• Difficulty concentrating and paying attention to details.
• Trouble sitting still for long periods of time.
• Short fuse.
• Putting things off.
• Tardiness.
• Forgetfulness in daily activities.
• Getting criticized for interrupting people.
• Being disorganized and having a messy car, home or office.
• Starting projects without thinking through the steps.
• Failing to finish tasks.
• Click here for a longer checklist.

Adults with ADHD are more likely to:

• Buy on impulse and have trouble saving money.
• Receive speeding tickets.
• Be involved in car crashes where they are at fault.
• Smoke and/or use drugs.
• Exhibit road rage and aggressive driving when angered.
• Get fired or quit a job out of boredom.
• Be disciplined on the job by a manager or supervisor.
• Have higher marital dissatisfaction although not a higher divorce rate.
  

Let me clear up a few misconceptions about ADHD:

• ADHD does exist and is not a conspiracy by scientists to medicate people. It is a real medical condition that is biologically based.
  
• ADHD is not simply a lack of willpower.
  
• Bad parenting does not cause ADHD. However, studies show a genetic predisposition for ADHD within families.
  
• Adults with ADHD are not stupid or lazy. Recent studies reveal that people with ADHD actually tend to have above average intelligence but it does not show because of the ADHD.
  
• ADHD can be treated without medication. New research indicates that you can improve brain functioning with direct, deliberate practice. This is called neuroplasticity. Relaxation, concentration and other self management exercises can improve the ability to sustain attention in some people.
• Before starting any medication you should be properly diagnosed. Anxiety, depression or learning disabilities can be disguised as ADHD.

To stay in the Smart Zone learn more about ADHD. If you think you might have it, get tested by a qualified professional. It could help you refocus your career and personal life. Click here to read my quotes in a Forbes.com article where I talk about refocusing your career.

All assessments for ADHD should be comprehensive and also assess for emotional factors and the influence of present stressors. Your quality of life, your effectiveness at work and home, and your relationships can benefit from knowing if you truly have the disorder.

How to Find a Good Psychologist or Psychiatrist

We are asked a lot for the name of a good psychologist or psychiatrist by people who live outside of our community. While I know people in my profession who have private practices, I don't know one in every major city in the United States. Just this week, I was asked the question again and it occurred to me, that a lot of people would benefit from knowing how to choose. I have a simple strategy that can help you, or someone you care about, avoid wasting time and money on a psychologist or psychiatrist who is not going to be effective.

To review the difference, a psychologist provides therapy and a psychiatrist typically evaluates for medication. It is expected that psychologists and psychiatrists consult with each other to give a team approach for treatment.

First, I do have a bias. I believe anyone wanting a medication evaluation for depression, AD/HD, anxiety, or other difficulties that interfere with their daily living should see a psychiatrist rather than their family physician for a medication evaluation. I do believe there are family physicians who do seek out specialized training and knowledge to be able to prescribe antidepressants or stimulants but they are few. To be on the safe side, go see a psychiatrist for a medication evaluation, especially for a new diagnosis. He or she is the specialist and you deserve to have a professional with the appropriate specialty do the evaluation for difficulties related to mood and attention.

So here is the simple strategy. It is really important to find someone that you trust, whether it is a psychologist (for therapy) or a psychiatrist (for a medication evaluation). One of the best ways is to call a regular MD's office of a person that has a great reputation in his community and just ask the person who answers the phone who their office refers to for psychologists and/or psychiatrists, depending on what you need. Call about 5-6 doctors offices that are respected in your community and ask that question. You don't even have to give your name or say if you are a patient of their office. One psychologist or psychiatrist's name will continue to come up. That is who you should go to.

We know about this strategy because that is how a lot of people get to our office. they have told us that they have gotten our name from their family physician, their OB/GYN, possibly their child's school or from a pediatrician. You know the person is good if the “good people” in the community refer to him or her. They wouldn’t want to risk their own reputation so they refer to the person that they consider the best.

Click here for my handout on Ways to Find a Psychologist Oustide of the Dallas/Ft. Worth area.

We hope this helps those of you who know you would benefit from seeing a psychologist or psychiatrist but didn't know where to start. Now you do.