When were you diagnose with ADHD? I was diagnosed with ADD when I was in elementary school here in the US. I was around 10-13 years old when I was diagnosed.
What, if any, impact do you think it has on your career or daily work activities?
I got my diagnosis at 30, when we were expecting our first kid. I like to differ between ADHD diagnosis and my ADHD personality. The reason for the diagnosis is to make my interaction with the world easier. It gives me access to meds that help me and is a good way to bring up how a workplace can adapt to get as much out of me as possible. My ADHD personality, on the other hand, is a big cause for frustration as well as a big source of joy. I would not be as creative as I am without my ADHD. I wouldn't have jumped down every rabbit hole I've found, building a broad knowledge and understanding in the process, had it not been for my personality. It makes me an explorer, a problem solver, an accelerator and a force for momentum. At the same time, it takes a lot of work to keep me going in the right direction, to keep me going steady over time and to slow me down so I can focus on the details.
ADHD is a big topic and I've been lecturing about it for a decade now, so I might write an article about that as well if there is interest.
Reading your story is comforting. I started coding only six months ago and have been in an 'internship' for 3 months now and looking for the next step on the ladder. It's been a tough process to stay focused as I have also just been diagnosed with ADHD (I'm going on 34 soon), I also suffer from depression.
Hearing that you have been able to break down the barriers and get on with things and find work in the field has given me some more hope.
I can add that I also carry a depression that takes work to keep at bay. I've been lucky to have a wife and a best friend who I can talk very openly about this with. Thanks for sharing back. =)
Some of the techniques that help me. Is being in touch with my emotions and my body. If I am staying still for a bit, then maybe I just need to get up, get something to eat/drink or use it as an opportunity to talk to a co-worker about something.
Stretching and moving my body while I am sitting also helps with that.
Another thing that helped me was snacking or chewing gum. Having something for my mouth to do really helps. I connect it with when I would tap my foot or pencil at my desk in school. I just need something to do that is repetitive, but doesn't require my attention so my mind can focus on what I am working on.
And lastly, having a routine. Whenever it is. For me the first thing I do is walk the dog, take some medicine and vitamins, and then give him food/water.
Likewise at work, I'll check emails, issues I am assigned or that may impact my work. Essentially, I have a checklist that I do when I am work usually updated based on my progress. Then I go to lunch and go back with mini-breaks in-between (see the first paragraph).
It's all about paying attention to what works for you and what doesn't and learning from others.
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When were you diagnose with ADHD? I was diagnosed with ADD when I was in elementary school here in the US. I was around 10-13 years old when I was diagnosed.
What, if any, impact do you think it has on your career or daily work activities?
I got my diagnosis at 30, when we were expecting our first kid. I like to differ between ADHD diagnosis and my ADHD personality. The reason for the diagnosis is to make my interaction with the world easier. It gives me access to meds that help me and is a good way to bring up how a workplace can adapt to get as much out of me as possible. My ADHD personality, on the other hand, is a big cause for frustration as well as a big source of joy. I would not be as creative as I am without my ADHD. I wouldn't have jumped down every rabbit hole I've found, building a broad knowledge and understanding in the process, had it not been for my personality. It makes me an explorer, a problem solver, an accelerator and a force for momentum. At the same time, it takes a lot of work to keep me going in the right direction, to keep me going steady over time and to slow me down so I can focus on the details.
ADHD is a big topic and I've been lecturing about it for a decade now, so I might write an article about that as well if there is interest.
Reading your story is comforting. I started coding only six months ago and have been in an 'internship' for 3 months now and looking for the next step on the ladder. It's been a tough process to stay focused as I have also just been diagnosed with ADHD (I'm going on 34 soon), I also suffer from depression.
Hearing that you have been able to break down the barriers and get on with things and find work in the field has given me some more hope.
Thank you for sharing your story
I can add that I also carry a depression that takes work to keep at bay. I've been lucky to have a wife and a best friend who I can talk very openly about this with. Thanks for sharing back. =)
Some of the techniques that help me. Is being in touch with my emotions and my body. If I am staying still for a bit, then maybe I just need to get up, get something to eat/drink or use it as an opportunity to talk to a co-worker about something.
Stretching and moving my body while I am sitting also helps with that.
Another thing that helped me was snacking or chewing gum. Having something for my mouth to do really helps. I connect it with when I would tap my foot or pencil at my desk in school. I just need something to do that is repetitive, but doesn't require my attention so my mind can focus on what I am working on.
And lastly, having a routine. Whenever it is. For me the first thing I do is walk the dog, take some medicine and vitamins, and then give him food/water.
Likewise at work, I'll check emails, issues I am assigned or that may impact my work. Essentially, I have a checklist that I do when I am work usually updated based on my progress. Then I go to lunch and go back with mini-breaks in-between (see the first paragraph).
It's all about paying attention to what works for you and what doesn't and learning from others.