Workplace Conflict
"I Know I'm Capable, So Why Do I Keep Getting Into Trouble at Work?"
One of the most common challenges experienced by adults with ADHD is difficulty in the workplace.
Many people with ADHD are intelligent, capable, and highly skilled, yet still find themselves struggling with managers, colleagues, performance reviews, or ongoing feelings of insecurity about their work.
This can be incredibly frustrating and even frightening.
They may know they are capable, yet continue finding themselves in the same sticky situations at work. Small mistakes keep happening. Deadlines get missed. Important tasks are forgotten. Administrative work piles up. They begin questioning themselves and wondering why work seems harder than it should be.
Over time, this can lead to anxiety, self-criticism, and a loss of confidence.
Why Does This Happen?
ADHD impacts attention, focus, motivation, and task completion.
Whilst this can affect all types of work, it often creates particular difficulties in jobs that involve repetitive tasks, administration, routine processes, or a high level of attention to detail.
Managers are often perplexed that their capable and intelligent employee continues making the same small mistakes on tasks that others seem able to complete with ease.
At the same time, that very same employee may be able to breeze through complex problems or high-pressure situations that others find difficult.
This can be confusing and frustrating for everyone involved.
The person with ADHD often feels misunderstood, whilst managers and colleagues may struggle to make sense of the inconsistency.
Understanding the ADHD Brain
What drives this pattern is the complex way the ADHD brain regulates dopamine.
Dopamine plays an important role in starting and completing tasks and influences motivation, focus, and drive.
It was previously thought that the ADHD brain simply had less dopamine. Current thinking suggests it may be more accurate to say that the ADHD brain has the same ‘fuel tank’ or amount of dopamine as everyone else, but burns through that fuel more quickly, particularly when engaged in stimulating or highly interesting tasks.
This unique state is often referred to as hyper-focus.
Think of the ADHD brain as a Ferrari engine.
It can hold the same amount of fuel or focus as any other car, but its powerful V8 engine burns through that fuel much faster.
Now add another challenge.
Alongside the powerful engine, the ADHD brain often has bicycle grade brakes.
This makes it more prone to the skidding around and crashes that we see in everyday life as impulsivity, distraction, saying the wrong thing at the wrong time, interrupting people whilst they are speaking, panic and hyperactivity.
Learning to Work With Your Brain
Much of ADHD therapy focuses on building up the brakes in your brain.
The goal is not to get rid of the Ferrari engine. Many people with ADHD are creative, innovative, energetic, and capable of performing exceptionally well when their strengths are understood and used effectively.
Instead, therapy focuses on helping people better regulate their attention, manage impulsivity, improve consistency, and develop practical strategies that work with their brain rather than constantly fighting against it.
With the right understanding and support, it is possible to reduce workplace conflict, improve confidence, and build a career that better reflects your actual abilities and potential.