Buckeye Psychiatry, LLC (Dublin, Ohio), the psychiatric practice of Adam Brandemihl, M.D., Board Certified Psychiatrist, offers tips on how to keep your job while battling Adult ADD. He discusses ten ways of coping with adult ADD in the workplace.
Dublin, OH (PRWEB) March 8, 2009 — With the continued recession and struggling economy, keeping your job is a priority. With increasing budget cuts, employee “productivity” has become more important to businesses. The “P” word, or lack of it, is often used to determine which employees are fired or laid off. Many newly unemployed Americans with adult ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) have been forced into jobs they would normally not accept in order to preserve their financial security. Unfortunately, these jobs are often a poor fit for the employee’s strengths and can magnify their weaknesses. Increased demands at current jobs can also “expose” some adults with ADD who were just getting by through extra effort and time.
Dr Brandemihl has noticed an increasing number of adult ADD patients seeking medical treatment for the common disorder. Dr Brandemihl notes that in the past, “many adults with ADD would have been able to find jobs that were a better fit for their unique skill sets. Ideally the patient wants to find a job that plays to their strengths such as the ability to multitask, think outside of the box and expend short bursts of intense energy. However, with the poor economy many of these adult ADD sufferers have been forced into jobs that they are not suited for because of financial desperation. The increasing job stress can lead to unhappiness, depression, anxiety, worsening productivity and ultimately, termination from the job.”
Dr Brandemihl says that the first step in treatment is “getting diagnosed by a mental health professional, preferably a board certified psychiatrist.” Once the diagnosis of ADD is established, medication can be discussed as a possible option and behavioral changes that can help counter ADD can be implemented. Dr Brandemihl offers the following tips for dealing with ADD in the workplace:
1. Make sure any additional psychiatric conditions are being addressed through therapy and/or medication. Anxiety and depression can affect focus, concentration, motivation and energy, mimicking ADD.
2. Utilize an electronic planner or phone to keep a schedule and set alarms to remind you of appointment times, due dates, break times and meetings.
3. Set all of your clocks ten minutes ahead. This way you are at least on time, if not early, for scheduled meetings.
4. Separate large assignments into smaller, more manageable assignments. If possible, give yourself short breaks every fifteen to thirty minutes. Use an egg timer or alarm to remind yourself of “break times” (even if they are only for one to two minutes).
5. Take care of yourself. Get at least eight hours of sleep a night. Eat several small meals a day and try to exercise at least thirty minutes per day. This can make a huge difference in energy, motivation and concentration levels.
6. Make your work environment work for you. You may consider an MP3 player or earplugs to block out noisy distractions.
7. Organize your work area. Labels and folders are your friends. Everything should have its own place. Only have one assignment in front of you at a time.
8. Keep the momentum going at home. Structure, routine and repetition are crucial. Ask family members for help. It is important to utilize and practice your new coping skills both before and after work.
9. Ask your supervisor or boss for feedback. Tell him or her you are aware of the issue and ask for their opinions on your progress.
10. Reward yourself with a special treat for progress. Positive reinforcement is crucial to help encourage any new behaviors.
Buckeye Psychiatry, LLC is located at 5060 Parkcenter Avenue, Suite F in Dublin, Ohio, just north of the Mall at Tuttle Crossing. Psychiatric Appointments may be made by calling 614-766-5205 and are generally available within 1-2 weeks. Additional information can be found on Buckeye Psychiatry’s website at www.BuckeyePsych.com or blog at https://buckeyepsych.wordpress.com.
Buckeye Psychiatry, LLC 