Mum of three, Jannine Perryman-Harris spent her entire school and professional career working and learning differently to those around her. Amazingly, it wasn’t until aged 41 Jannine was diagnosed with ADHD and everything began to make sense.
I asked Jannine how living with ADHD affects her working life and if she has any tips for those with ADHD when approaching their work life. Should you make employers aware? Are there any tips (including supplements) to help concentration in meetings and with projects/tasks at work?
Do you have any tips for someone with ADHD when it comes to their working life?
“Be honest with yourself. You are NOT going to remember that appointment or to leave early to put fuel in your car. Do it now, or set reminders.
Externalising your executive function (these are the things that most people do naturally, but people with ADHD struggle with) by creating visuals and setting alarms. You may well be time-blind and this will show up in your time keeping, prioritising, getting lost in a task once focussed, and diary management (or the lack of). Most people can feel the passing of time with reasonable accuracy and estimate how long things will take. This is one of the core challenges associated with ADHD in the workplace and will need to be accommodated to some extent, and strategised around otherwise.
And be compassionate with yourself. distractions are going to happen - fact! You can minimise distractions, but you can’t avoid them entirely. The trick then, is to work out how to return to task without recrimination - which takes us straight back to the need to externalise our executive function with diaries, visuals and timers. Electronic diaries and to-do lists are fantastic and work really well, but… ADHD brains love novelty so be ready and willing to switch between electronic and paper resources. Sometimes I resort to my giant whiteboard. It doesn't matter, as long as it works and for as long as it works. Such things become part of your toolkit that means that you have a variety of things you might use as and when.”
Should people with ADHD make employers aware?
“I’d like to be able to say categorically, yes. But whether we like it or not, prejudice and stigma are a thing and it's a tough call. I would say that disclosing at interview worked out well for me when I applied for and SEN teacher role. I’d had a rough time with my previous employer and had decided that any job I took on after that, would accept me as I am or not take me. I’d rather risk not getting the job than risk having another bad experience. As I say, it worked out very well. It's a risk and a very individual choice. The law offers protection, but that’s the theory. In practice, the risk is real.”
Are there tips to help concentration in meetings, with project work?
Supplements
“A well-rested, fed, oiled and hydrated brain is the ideal for everyone, but very hard to achieve. I discovered Equazen* when my autistic and ADHD Foundation daughter was 8. She is now 28 and still takes them. I suddenly feel very old!
I started taking them when I saw the difference they made to her. I was a degree student and a single mum at the time and found it hard to study. They helped! I now understand that this is because they support brain function as they coat the synapses, meaning communication across the brain, and therefore, functioning is improved. I’d say it’s impossible to get sufficient and balanced omegas into your system without a supplement and the majority of people I know who have tried them have found they make a difference.”
Exercise
“Also, get your trainers on and get out and walk, jog or run. The difference that makes to your ability to regulate your attention, energy, time and emotions can change your life.
Lastly, although it can be difficult to find the time or prioritise it, meditation and/or mindfulness is your best friend as it helps to calm the nervous system and reduce stress - which in turn, promotes dopamine production in the brain. Dopamine is brain chemical, or neurotransmitter, and ADHD brains tens to have less of it. So yes. A well rested, fed, oiled, and hydrated brain is the best way for anyone to live, but particularly for those of us who are already at a disadvantage because we are neurodiverse.”
**(a supplement that supports brain function and is a combination of Omega 3, and Omega 6 fatty acids)
Help with ADHD: - https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorderadhd/living-with/