People with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are three times more likely to start their own businesses. Many folks with ADHD find a traditional 9-to-5 to be difficult. This leads many to become their own boss and create their own workflow. There are many benefits to being your own boss with ADHD. However, there are also some downsides. ADHD makes doing what you want to do much easier than the things you don’t want to do. However, many individuals find that they start getting lost in the details. The things they don’t like to do start to stack up, stopping them from growing––and even enjoying––being a freelancer in the first place. However, like most things ADHD, understanding your own unique ADHD brain helps improve success.
The ADHD Brain
The prefrontal cortex is structured differently in ADHD brains. What it boils down to is an inconsistent ability for the brain’s executive functions to come online. Because of variations in how dopamine is utilized in the brain, an ADHD person is constantly craving novelty. Once an area of interest is found, the ADHD brain is able to focus more clearly. However, when not engaged, an ADHD person might struggle with:
- Planning ahead
- Organization
- Prioritizing
- Procrastination Filtering out distractions in the moment
- Impulse control
- Working memory
Your Unique ADHD Brain
No two people experience ADHD the same way. This is because ADHD impacts how a person thinks and feels in relation to their situation and life experience. This means that while one ADHD person might avoid paperwork, another might avoid calling someone back on the phone, for example.
Overlooked Reasons for Getting Lost in the Details
Boundaries
While many ADHD people benefit from a flexible schedule, many are just as overloaded and overscheduled as if they had a structured job. Sometimes, this can be due to poor boundaries between work and professional life. It isn’t long after starting a business that many ADHD entrepreneurs feel disconnected from their personal lives. This can lead to depression, anxiety, and burnout.
An Unstructured Environment
Just because you can work outside of a busy office, doesn’t mean wherever you are working is distraction-free. Many ADHD entrepreneurs don’t establish a lower-distraction environment. This makes it easy to get off task pretty quickly. While no environment is perfect, it’s important to figure out where you tend to work best and lean into creating a workspace that works.
Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD)
Did you know that ADHD individuals often experience a hypersensitivity to being rejected? This can cause a lot of issues for entrepreneurs, who often need to network or speak with strangers. What tends to follow anxiety is avoidance, which leads to distractions. Suddenly, you are left with a to-do list longer than your tax return.
The ADHD Mood Cycle
ADHD people are prone to feeling sad or depressed after success. There is an incredible build-up when an ADHD entrepreneur is preparing for a new project. However, once it’s over, the dopamine surge has worn off, and despair quickly follows. These highs and lows make it especially difficult for an individual with ADHD struggling to focus on the more mundane day-to-day tasks of everyday life.
Start reducing overwhelm with ADHD treatment in Columbus, OH
You don’t have to live your life feeling lost in the details. ADHD treatment that uses psychologically proven strategies will help you find real understanding and real solutions. Our Columbus OH-based counseling practice has caring adult ADHD specialists. To start your journey with one of our adult ADHD specialists, follow these simple steps:
- Fill out the contact form to schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation.
- Meet with one of our adult ADHD specialists.
- Stop feeling stressed from the details. Start finding your focus.
Other ADHD Services Offered at Focused Mind ADHD Counseling
We offer a variety of mental health services that go beyond adult ADHD treatment at our Columbus, OH counseling practice. As an adult with ADHD, Focused Mind ADHD Counseling understands you may also benefit from anxiety treatment for ADHD, counseling for men with ADHD, adult ADHD testing, or depression counseling for ADHD. You can also view our blog for more resources and helpful info. We look forward to connecting with you!
