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(December 10, 2006) - - At every job, there are employees who procrastinate to the last possible moment, have impulsive behavior and never fully complete a task. Those employees may also have difficulty managing their workload, staying organized, concentrating on work, and remaining engaged. While these individuals may appear inefficient and low performing, it is more likely that they are struggling with a serious neurobiological disorder called Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
I am participating in national workplace wellness seminar program to increase employee and employer awareness and understanding of adult ADHD in the workplace. For many adults who have untreated ADHD, going to work every day is a constant struggle and workplace wellness seminars can help these individuals learn more about the condition and how to seek treatment. Awareness of ADHD among both employees and employers is a positive step towards not only helping those in need find treatment, but also improving overall productivity in the workplace.
By the most conservative estimates, ADHD affects approximately nine million adults and 4.4 million children in the United States and though ADHD was once considered a childhood condition, at least two-out-of-three children with ADHD maintain symptoms such as inattention, impulsivity and hyperactivity into adulthood.
Adults with ADHD often struggle with symptoms of inattention and can experience organizational challenges because of a lack of structure in their lives. Additionally, these adults often have difficulty controlling impulsive behavior, and they can also talk excessively and react inappropriately in social and professional settings. As a result, adults with untreated ADHD are less likely to be currently employed.
A recent study showed that adults with untreated ADHD are less likely to express complete satisfaction with their professional life and 43 percent report leaving one or more jobs because of untreated ADHD symptoms.
The workplace wellness seminars are intended to highlight the impact of ADHD in the workplace and educate employees about proper evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of ADHD.
The first stop on the “Workplace Wellness” tour was in October 2006 at John Deere Headquarters in Moline, IL and employees found the seminar informative and useful. One employee appreciatively noted because she lives in a small community with limited resources, it can be difficult to get mental help, and this workplace wellness seminar offered resources she may not have had access to otherwise.
Less than 10 percent of adults with ADHD are actually treated for the disorder, yet today there are many safe and effective treatment options available. As a practicing psychiatrist, I believe the first-line treatment for ADHD is stimulant medications and with the availability of once-a-day stimulant medications, such as Adderall XR, it has become very convenient for adults to manage their ADHD symptoms throughout the workday.
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Medical treatments are often combined with educational approaches plus psychological and behavioral therapies, which are effective in teaching individuals with ADHD coping methods to guide them through common challenges in professional and social settings.
The next workplace wellness seminar is scheduled for Wednesday, December 13, 2006 at Citgo headquarters in Houston, TX. For more information on ADHD and related mental health topics, visit www.ADHDSupport.com or www.nmha.org.
By: William Dodson, M.D., Director of the ADHD Treatment Center, Denver, CO
Dr. William Dodson is a psychiatrist in private practice at the ADHD Treatment Center in Denver, Colorado. He specializes in adult attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). In addition to clinical work, he has participated in clinical research and writing on how the basic science of ADHD can be applied to everyday clinical practice. Formerly, Dr. Dodson served on the faculties of Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland and the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center in Denver, Colorado. Dr. Dodson is a member of several medical organizations including the American Medical Association and the American Psychiatric Association.
Last updated 12/06
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