Impact of ADHD

At Work

• Missed deadlines, struggling with the completion of projects, easily getting bored with projects, seeking novel tasks, giving up, and poor time management. 
• Exhaustion post-meetings, feeling overwhelmed after meetings, impatience, and urgency with outcomes. 

For some people, structured environments and a sense of accountability can increase the pressure to exert mental effort to perform. The fear of failing and the fear of rejection also make one perform. 

WebMD – ADHD & Work

In Relationships

• Forgetfulness, distractions, and miscommunications can strain connections.
• Some people with ADHD are susceptible to rejection. 
• Inattentiveness during small talk and being misunderstood to be “absent” in conversations.
  HelpGuide – ADHD & Relationships

On Self-Worth

• Shame, harsh self-criticism, fear of judgment, or feeling like you must prove yourself constantly.
• Core beliefs like being an imposter, flawed, broken, or defective are common too. 

Targeted supports—such as workplace adjustments, practical resources, therapy, and medication if required—can reduce these challenges, and life can become more manageable.

Types (Presentations) of ADHD

According to the NIMH, ADHD can present in three ways:

• Inattentive (Predominantly Inattentive)
  A “quieter” presentation—challenges with focus, organization, and sustaining attention; often underrecognized, especially in women. MedlinePlus – Inattentive ADHD
• Hyperactive-Impulsive (Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive)
  Restlessness, excessive talking, acting quickly, and trouble waiting for one’s turn.
• Combined Presentation
  Features of both inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity. This is frequently seen in adults. APA – ADHD types

Note: An individual’s presentation may shift over time. Diagnosis should consider historical and current symptom patterns across settings.

Impact of ADHD

At Work

• Missed deadlines, issues with timekeeping, incomplete projects, easily feeling bored after the initial excitement of projects, and losing track of time.
• Over time, some people struggle to stay in longer meetings without feeling overwhelmed by the incoming information.
• The effort of planning, organizing, and switching between tasks can lead to stress and burnout.

Note: Some people with ADHD may add more mental effort due to a strong sense of responsibility towards their employers. However, in unstructured environments, such as their home or on weekends, they let go and become chaotic and disorganized. 

WebMD – ADHD & Work

In Relationships

• Forgetfulness, distractions, and miscommunications can strain the connection.
• People with ADHD are susceptible to small rejections (rejection dysphoria)

HelpGuide – ADHD & Relationships

On Self-Worth

• Shame, harsh self-criticism, fear of judgment, or feeling like you must prove yourself constantly.
• Feeling different, flawed, or broken is a common belief that brings depression and anxiety.

The correct diagnosis, explanation, education, and therapeutic support help with developing more Self-compassion. 

Getting Diagnosed with ADHD 

Assessment uses—

• Getting to know you—it is easy to put a label from single assessments. However, getting to know the person with structured questions helps greatly with informing the diagnosis.
• DIVA-5 (Diagnostic Interview for ADHD in Adults) as the central, structured diagnostic tool. DIVA Foundation – official site

What the DIVA-5 Interview Covers

• Evaluation of ADHD symptoms in childhood and adulthood (inattention, hyperactivity, impulsivity) DIVA — overview & structure
• Assessment of how these symptoms affect functioning in daily life, work, relationships, etc. Guide to DIVA-5 assessment
• Onset timing and impairment across multiple life domains

What Happens During the Assessment

A trained clinician conducts a semi-structured interview. Collateral input (from partners and family) is encouraged to enrich retrospective reporting. DIVA-5 is designed to map directly to DSM-5 criteria for ADHD. DIVA-5 psychometric study

After the Interview

Based on the DIVA-5 results, the clinician determines whether the person meets criteria for ADHD, including subtype and severity, and discusses next steps (treatment, supports, referrals).

After the Diagnosis: Your Care Plan

Medication

Use of stimulant or non-stimulant medications, tailored to your needs. The benefits, risks, and monitoring plan are explained transparently. AAFP – Adult ADHD Treatment & Management Monitoring ADHD Medication (NICE / review)

Therapy

IFS therapy (Internal Family Systems) can help with shame, rejection sensitivity, and cultivating Self-leadership. It’s a way to work with your “parts” and build internal compassion. IFS & ADHD – parts & neurodiversity perspective Navigating ADHD with IFS Therapy Therapy also includes skills for focus, emotional regulation, and relational challenges.

Coaching & Lifestyle

Goal-oriented coaching and lifestyle strategies:

• Time management, organization, prioritizing tasks
• Sleep habits, exercise, mindfulness, nutrition routines

This plan is integrative: medication (if used), therapy, and lifestyle supports all work together. Your clinician will personalize each area based on your profile, preferences, and response over time.