Experts Say These 6 Common Work Habits May Actually Be Signs Of ADHD In Adults

O’Shea said it can help to first get a sense if how people see you at work is in line with how you are viewing yourself.

You can do this without directly disclosing that you think you have ADHD. Ask a trusted colleague: “How do you see my behaviors in the office? Am I having any trouble with getting things done, with meeting the deadlines that were laid out? Do other people in the office have the same kinds of problems? Like, is everyone under stress?” she said.

That way, you can gauge how you are doing, compared to the productivity and stress levels of others on your team. 

If you do think you have ADHD, a good starting point is consulting with your primary care provider or a clinical psychologist specializing in adult ADHD, said Neff.  

“Online ADHD screeners can be an initial step, but it’s important to keep in mind that these are just single data points, and high scores could be due to various reasons,” Neff said. “For some, medication might be beneficial, but this requires an official diagnosis and consultation with a health care professional. Starting the conversation with your primary care physician is often the best first step towards an assessment.”

After that, you can get started on a treatment plan. 

“Adult ADHD can respond well to both behavioral and pharmacological interventions. Effective treatment can significantly improve quality of life and functioning, not just in the workplace, but also personally and socially,” Anbarasan said. 

For adults with ADHD, a treatment plan may also include asking your company for workplace accommodations. Abraham gave the example of moving to a desk with fewer distractions, using project management software for better organization, and providing written instructions instead of spoken instructions as a few examples of what those adjustments could look like.

“You should highlight that the accommodations will help you provide the best results for your company and allow you to take advantage of your skills and abilities,” Abraham said. 

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.