Does your work life feel like it is more overwhelming and stressful for you than those around you?
Maybe you see it in the form of intense worry when your boss emails you after hours. Or anger at yourself when you can’t find the motivation to get started on your tasks. Or the excessive guilt when things aren’t getting done. There are many ways that Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and emotional regulation impact work. Whether it’s the boss who overlooks your unique ADHD strengths or feeling stuck in your career, emotions can have a powerful impact on an ADHDer’s work life and career in general. And since up to 70% of ADHDers experience emotional dysregulation, let’s discuss some of the many ways ADHD and emotional regulation can interfere with your success.
Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria
Many individuals with ADHD experience Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD), or a fear of rejection or negative feedback. And since ADHD causes struggles with emotional dysregulation, the fear can feel…intense. ADHDers often get criticized for mistakes they didn’t do intentionally. Running late for a meeting or not being available when needed. It starts to add up and makes them hypervigilant to others misunderstanding them or rejecting them entirely.
Impulsivity
When we think of impulsivity, we often think of speeding or going to Europe on a moment’s notice. However, if someone has the hyperactive brand of ADHD…it causes them to have self-regulation struggles, no matter how big or how small. In some instances, impulsivity could show up as overreacting. It’s as if there is no stopgap between emotion and response. What happens next? Saying things you might not mean to people you really wish you hadn’t said them to (cue the late nights replaying what you said over…and over…and over…).
Shame and Guilt Spirals
Some jobs build you up, others drag you down. ADHDers really need the ones that build you up. The more an ADHDer experiences the ones that drag you down, the more they might start to internalize a lack of support and success. The absence of positivity at work can lead to feeling stuck, which can lead to shame spirals (cue the hours of discussions with your friends about a toxic job that never changes no matter how much overtime you pull).
Overworking
Big emotions like fear and guilt can lead to overdoing it. Many ADHDers feel bad for what they forgot to do, so they compensate by doing more (and then doing seven other things they weren’t assigned). The result? Burnout and a loss of work-life balance.
Managing ADHD and Emotional Regulation in the Workplace
- Get the Right Diagnosis
- Many ADHD individuals struggle with emotional regulation for years because they have not yet been diagnosed with ADHD. Getting the most accurate diagnosis possible with ADHD testing is key to finding ways to regulate it.
- ADHD-Specific Therapies
- Getting ADHD-focused therapy from an ADHD specialist is the next step. An ADHD-focused therapist can help you learn the right tools to manage ADHD
- Identify Triggers
Begin Adult ADHD Testing and ADHD Treatment in Columbus, Ohio
Looking for more individualized support? You don’t have to feel out of control. ADHD-focused therapy that centers around managing life in a way that works for you can help you feel good about yourself in and outside of work. Our ADHD counseling practice in Columbus, Ohio has caring therapists who specialize in ADHD testing and ADHD treatment. To start your counseling journey, follow these simple steps:
- Fill out the contact form to schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation.
- Meet with one of our caring therapists.
- Stop feeling dysregulation. Start finding calm.
Other ADHD Services Offered at Focused Mind ADHD Counseling
Adult ADHD treatment is not the only service we offer at our Columbus, OH counseling practice. At Focused Mind ADHD Counseling, we offer a variety of mental health services, including ADHD testing. As an adult with ADHD, we know you may also benefit from anxiety treatment for ADHD, counseling for men with ADHD, or depression counseling for ADHD. You can also view our blog for more resources and helpful info!