How does ADHD impact women’s emotions and relationships. What are the unique symptoms of ADHD in women. How can women with ADHD build successful careers. What strategies help women manage ADHD symptoms.

Understanding ADHD in Women: Breaking the Stereotypes

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in women often goes undiagnosed or misunderstood due to persistent stereotypes and misconceptions. While ADHD is commonly associated with hyperactive young boys, the reality is that it affects millions of girls and women, often manifesting differently than in males.

Why does ADHD in women frequently go undetected? Many women with ADHD appear withdrawn, inattentive, or overwhelmed rather than hyperactive. This can lead to misdiagnosis or dismissal of symptoms as character flaws, resulting in years of struggle and self-doubt.

Common Misconceptions About Women with ADHD

• They’re just lazy or unmotivated
• They lack willpower or discipline
• They’re too emotional or sensitive
• They’re simply disorganized or scatterbrained

These harmful stereotypes can prevent women from seeking diagnosis and treatment, exacerbating the challenges they face in their personal and professional lives.

The Emotional Rollercoaster of ADHD Diagnosis in Adulthood

Receiving an ADHD diagnosis as an adult woman can trigger a whirlwind of emotions. Many women describe feeling a mix of relief, anger, confusion, and determination. Understanding these emotions is crucial for processing the diagnosis and moving forward.

Common Emotional Responses to Adult ADHD Diagnosis

1. Relief: Finally having an explanation for lifelong struggles
2. Anger: Frustration over years of misdiagnosis or dismissal
3. Resentment: Feeling wrongly labeled as lazy or incompetent
4. Confusion: Uncertainty about what the diagnosis means for the future
5. Resolve: Determination to learn more and take control of one’s life

How can women cope with these complex emotions? The key is to seek knowledge and support. Understanding ADHD and its impact on various aspects of life can help women make sense of their experiences and develop effective strategies for managing symptoms.

ADHD Symptoms in Women: Recognizing the Signs

ADHD symptoms in women can differ significantly from those typically associated with the disorder in men or children. Recognizing these unique manifestations is crucial for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Key ADHD Symptoms in Adult Women

• Difficulty with organization and time management
• Procrastination and trouble completing tasks
• Forgetfulness and losing important items
• Emotional sensitivity and mood swings
• Trouble focusing, especially on tedious tasks
• Impulsivity in decision-making or spending
• Feeling overwhelmed by daily responsibilities

How do these symptoms impact daily life? Women with ADHD may struggle to meet societal expectations, leading to feelings of inadequacy and underachievement. They might experience challenges in maintaining organized homes, excelling in careers, or managing personal relationships.

Navigating Relationships with ADHD: Challenges and Strategies

ADHD can significantly impact personal relationships, including friendships, romantic partnerships, and family dynamics. Understanding these challenges is the first step toward developing healthier, more fulfilling connections.

Common Relationship Challenges for Women with ADHD

• Difficulty maintaining long-term friendships
• Struggles with active listening and remembering important details
• Impulsivity leading to conflicts or misunderstandings
• Trouble balancing personal needs with those of partners or children
• Feelings of overwhelm in social situations

What strategies can help women with ADHD improve their relationships? Open communication about ADHD symptoms and needs is crucial. Setting reminders for important dates or conversations, practicing active listening techniques, and seeking support from understanding friends and partners can make a significant difference.

Building Successful Careers: ADHD as a Potential Strength

While ADHD presents challenges in the workplace, it can also be a source of unique strengths and abilities. Many women with ADHD have found success in careers that harness their creativity, energy, and ability to think outside the box.

Career Strengths Associated with ADHD

• Creativity and innovative thinking
• Ability to hyperfocus on engaging tasks
• High energy and enthusiasm
• Adaptability and quick problem-solving skills
• Empathy and emotional intelligence

How can women with ADHD leverage these strengths in their careers? Finding roles that align with natural interests and abilities is key. Careers in fields such as entrepreneurship, creative arts, healthcare, education, or technology often provide the stimulation and flexibility that can benefit individuals with ADHD.

Strategies for Workplace Success

1. Implement organizational systems tailored to individual needs
2. Use technology to set reminders and manage tasks
3. Break large projects into smaller, manageable steps
4. Communicate openly with supervisors about accommodations
5. Seek roles that offer variety and align with personal strengths

Essential Resources for Women with ADHD

Knowledge is power when it comes to managing ADHD. A wealth of resources is available to help women understand their diagnosis, develop coping strategies, and connect with others who share similar experiences.

Recommended Books for Women with ADHD

• “Women with Attention Deficit Disorder” by Sari Solden
• “You Mean I’m Not Lazy, Stupid or Crazy?!” by Kate Kelly and Peggy Ramundo
• “The Queen of Distraction” by Terry Matlen
• “Organizing Solutions for People with Attention Deficit Disorder” by Susan Pinsky
• “ADD-Friendly Ways to Organize Your Life” by Judith Kolberg and Kathleen Nadeau

Why are these books particularly helpful for women with ADHD? They offer insights into the unique experiences of women with ADHD, provide practical strategies for managing symptoms, and offer validation and support. Many are written by women who have ADHD themselves, offering a relatable perspective.

Additional Support Resources

• ADHD coaches specializing in women’s issues
• Online support groups and forums
• Podcasts focusing on ADHD in women
• Professional organizations like CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder)

Practical Strategies for Managing ADHD Symptoms

Developing effective strategies to manage ADHD symptoms is crucial for success in personal and professional life. While medication can be helpful for many, lifestyle changes and organizational techniques can also make a significant difference.

Organization and Time Management Tips

1. Use visual aids like calendars, planners, or apps to track tasks and appointments
2. Implement the “rule of three” – focus on completing three main tasks each day
3. Create designated spaces for important items like keys, phones, and wallets
4. Break large tasks into smaller, manageable steps
5. Use timers to stay focused and avoid hyperfocus on single tasks

How can women tailor these strategies to their individual needs? Experimentation is key. What works for one person may not work for another, so it’s important to try different approaches and adapt them as needed.

Self-Care and Emotional Regulation

• Practice mindfulness or meditation to improve focus and reduce anxiety
• Engage in regular physical exercise to boost mood and concentration
• Establish consistent sleep routines to improve overall functioning
• Seek therapy or counseling to develop coping strategies for emotional challenges
• Connect with other women who have ADHD for support and understanding

Why is self-care particularly important for women with ADHD? The emotional intensity often associated with ADHD can lead to burnout and overwhelm. Prioritizing self-care can help manage symptoms and improve overall well-being.

Embracing Your ADHD: From Challenge to Strength

While ADHD presents unique challenges, many women have found ways to harness their ADHD traits as strengths. Reframing ADHD as a different way of thinking rather than a deficit can lead to increased self-acceptance and success.

Positive Aspects of ADHD

• Creativity and out-of-the-box thinking
• High energy and enthusiasm
• Ability to hyperfocus on engaging tasks
• Empathy and emotional sensitivity
• Adaptability and resilience

How can women leverage these traits for success? Identifying personal strengths and seeking environments that value these qualities can lead to increased job satisfaction and personal fulfillment. Many women with ADHD excel in fields that require creativity, quick thinking, and the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.

Cultivating Self-Acceptance

1. Recognize that ADHD is a neurological difference, not a character flaw
2. Celebrate personal strengths and accomplishments
3. Surround yourself with supportive, understanding people
4. Practice self-compassion when facing challenges
5. Educate others about ADHD to combat stigma and misconceptions

Why is self-acceptance crucial for women with ADHD? Embracing one’s ADHD can lead to improved self-esteem, reduced anxiety, and a more positive outlook on life. It allows women to focus on leveraging their strengths rather than constantly battling perceived weaknesses.

In conclusion, while ADHD presents unique challenges for women, it also offers opportunities for growth, creativity, and success. By understanding the nuances of ADHD in women, developing effective management strategies, and embracing personal strengths, women with ADHD can navigate successful careers, build fulfilling relationships, and lead rich, rewarding lives. The journey may not always be easy, but with the right support, resources, and mindset, women with ADHD can thrive in all aspects of life.

Emotions, Relationships, Symptoms and More

photo by Annie Spratt
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Terror. Relief. Anger. Resentment. Confusion. Resolve.

The range of emotions following a mid-life attention deficit disorder (ADHD or ADD) diagnosis are nothing short of dizzying. The realization that you aren’t somehow character-deficient, morally wrong, or lazy is balanced by the sheer rage at being called those things wrongfully your whole life.

Whatever your dominant post-diagnosis emotions, the best antidote is knowledge. To move forward, you must get all the information about your condition that you can. But where to go and who to trust? To help answer that we’ve compiled this must-read list of reader-recommended books for every newly diagnosed woman with ADHD. Use these to help you feel more informed, more confident, and more in control — maybe a little less alone, too.

Women with Attention Deficit Disorder is a great book for people who have been recently diagnosed with ADHD
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“Women with Attention Deficit Disorder”

Women with Attention Deficit Disorder: Embrace Your Differences and Transform Your Life (#CommissionsEarned)
by Sari Solden
$9. 99, Kindle
BUY NOW (#CommissionsEarned)

Written by a psychotherapist, this book explains how millions of girls and women go undiagnosed because they look withdrawn, inattentive, and overwhelmed instead of hyperactive. It discusses treatment, uses real-life case histories that draw vivid parallels to your own experiences, and examines the real-world consequences faced by women with ADHD, like not meeting societal expectations — and “depression, disorganization, anxiety, and underachievement.” There’s also a brand-new chapter on friendship challenges, which many women with ADHD know all too well but rarely discuss.

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“You Mean I’m Not Lazy, Stupid or Crazy?!”

You Mean I’m Not Lazy, Stupid or Crazy?!: The Classic Self-Help Book for Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder (#CommissionsEarned)
by Kate Kelly and Peggy Ramundo
$15.64 paperback
BUY NOW (#CommissionsEarned)

This book has sold more than a quarter of a million copies — with good reason. It’s one of the most popular guides to ADHD. It was the first book on ADHD written specifically for adults. And it deals with unique adult experiences, offers moral support, and explains practical how-tos.

The new edition also deals with new medications, ADHD and sexuality, and the differences between male and female ADD. Like previous editions, it still offers advice on how to get along with friends and family, how to minimize stress and discord, how to get organized and improve memory, and more. Of this book, our readers said, “It was nice to have an outlook on myself and my wiring that wasn’t so negative.” Another added, “Sooooo validating. It was the first one I read and just the title helped me.”

[Self-Test: ADHD Symptoms in Women and Girls]

queen of distraction adhd book
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“The Queen of Distraction”

The Queen of Distraction: How Women with ADHD Can Conquer Chaos, Find Focus, and Get It All Done (#CommissionsEarned)
by Terry Matlen
$9. 99, Kindle
BUY NOW (#CommissionsEarned)

Written by a psychologist, this book delves into the practical aspects of being a woman living with ADHD. It’s meant to help women achieve “focus and balance” in all their areas of life, including “home, work, and relationships,” with practical tips on meal-planning, relationships, parenting, hormones, and more. The book aims to help you thrive, not just survive, with your ADHD.

Our readers say that, “I love this book because it’s written by an adult woman with ADHD, and… that is not an easy book to come by.” It’s also got an introduction by well-known and respected psychologist Sari Solden.

Organizing solutions for people with adhd
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“Organizing Solutions for People with Attention Deficit Disorder”

Organizing Solutions for People With Attention Deficit Disorder: Tips and Tools to Help You Take Charge of Your Life and Get Organized (#CommissionsEarned)
by Susan Pinsky
$13.59, paperback
BUY NOW (#CommissionsEarned)

If you’re a woman with ADHD, chances are you lose your keys, eyeglasses, and/or phone on a daily basis — and that really stresses you out. This book, written by ADDitude organization expert Susan Pinsky, offers concrete ways to get yourself on track. Written in an ADHD-friendly manner with colorful graphics, sidebars, testimonials from people with ADHD, it offers tips in several areas of life: work, home, kids, and you.

All the tips, from how to organize your kids’ closets to how to pay your bills on time, are the type of concrete, actionable ideas you need to take control of your life. It also helps with things like task completion and pack-rat tendencies.

add friendly ways to organize your life
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“ADD-Friendly Ways to Organize Your Life”

ADD-Friendly Ways to Organize Your Life: Strategies that Work from an Acclaimed Professional Organizer and a Renowned ADD Clinician (#CommissionsEarned)
by Judith Kolberg and Kathleen G. Nadeau, Ph.D
$16.96, paperback
BUY NOW (#CommissionsEarned)

This updated edition from professional organizer Kolberg and ADHD clinical psychologist Nadeau is a classic collaboration that offers some of the best — and most sustainable — organization solutions for adults with ADHD. There’s a lot of content here about digital distractions, organizing finances, and “coping with the ‘black hole’ of the Internet.” It offers several layers of intervention and treatment ideas, from things you can do yourself to areas in which you may need professional help.

adhd effect on marriage book
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“The ADHD Effect on Marriage”

The ADHD Effect on Marriage: Understand and Rebuild Your Relationship in Six Steps (#CommissionsEarned)
by Melissa Orlov
$16.95 paperback
BUY NOW (#CommissionsEarned)

If you’re in a committed relationship — or even hope to find one at some point in the future — this book is a must-read. It examines the fault lines and fissures ADHD can cause in a relationship, which traditional marriage counseling can ignore, plus ways in which to work around them. The author illustrates problems like “nagging, intimacy problems, sudden anger, and memory issues” through the use of real-life couples and their solutions. It encourages both the partner with ADHD and the neurotypical partner to have equal stakes in the reconciliation of the relationship, discusses how to have hard conversations, and more.

[Free Webinar Replay: The Happiness Project for Women with ADHD]

Taking Charge of Adult ADHD is a great book for people who have been recently diagnosed with ADHD
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“Taking Charge of Adult ADHD”

Taking Charge of Adult ADHD (#CommissionsEarned)
By Russell A. Barkley. Ph.D.
$12.30 paperback
BUY NOW (#CommissionsEarned)

This book contains “step-by-step strategies for managing symptoms and reducing their harmful impact.” It includes assessment tools and skills-building exercises, and sections that address frequently asked questions and give frank answers about medications and other treatments. Moreover, Barkley offers specific how-tos to help in different areas of life, from work, finances, relationships, and more. One reader advises, “I’ve got both the ebook and audio-book of Taking Charge of Adult ADHD… I find this helps me pay CLOSE attention whilst reading it, and shut out distractions!”

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“The Disorganized Mind”

The Disorganized Mind: Coaching Your ADHD Brain to Take Control of Your Time, Tasks, and Talents (#CommissionsEarned)
by Nancy A. Ratey, Ed.M., M.C.C., S.C.A.C.
$15.12, paperback
BUY NOW (#CommissionsEarned)

Tackling disorganization from a psychological perspective, this book aims to help you change your brain patterns and your habits. The author is a professional ADHD coach; she teaches people how to imagine that things can be different, how to make choices, and how to put those choices into action to make change. She uses strategies that have worked for her clients to help you get on track, get organized, and move past your challenges into a new life without the same disorder and turmoil you’ve become used to.

The Mindfulness Prescription for Adult ADHD is a great book for people who have been recently diagnosed with ADHD
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“The Mindfulness Prescription for Adult ADHD”

The Mindfulness Prescription for Adult ADHD: An 8-Step Program for Strengthening Attention, Managing Emotions, and Achieving Your Goals (#CommissionsEarned)
by Lidia Zylowska
$16.10
BUY NOW (#CommissionsEarned)

A physician-researcher, the author has created an 8-step process for using mindfulness, or “attention and awareness training,” to overcome the distractibility, the disorganization, the strong emotions, and the self-doubt caused by ADHD. It includes practices such as “sitting meditation, body awareness, thoughtful speaking and listening, development of self-acceptance, mindful self-coaching, cultivation of a balanced view of thoughts and emotions, and more.” It also discusses how this approach can combine with more traditional therapies, such as medication, for maximal success. Readers say this book has been “super helpful,” and many of them use mindfulness to help them regulate their ADHD in other ways.

power of different book
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“The Power of Different”

The Power of Different: The Link Between Disorder and Genius (#CommissionsEarned)
by Gail Saltz, MD
$14.44 paperback
BUY NOW (#CommissionsEarned)

Many books focus on neurological difference as a detriment. The Power of Different presupposes, instead, that being non-neurotypical can be associated with great talent. These brain differences include “learning disabilities, ADD, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and autism. ”

But author Saltz doesn’t just stick to the Edisons and Einsteins; she uses examples of everyday people who have “leaned in” to their brain differences and flourished not in spite of them, but because of them. She also offers advice on how you, too, can harness your special ADHD powers for good and how your unique brain can be a source of strength rather than a focus point of weakness.

[“That Explains Everything!” Discovering My ADHD in Adulthood]

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As an Amazon Associate, ADDitude earns a commission from qualifying purchases made by ADDitude readers on the affiliate links we share. However, all products linked in the ADDitude Store have been independently selected by our editors and/or recommended by our readers. Prices are accurate and items in stock as of time of publication.

Panic, PTSD, Social Anxiety, Phobias, More

Woman with ADHD has anxiety and looks out the window.
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Identifying Anxiety

It’s normal to feel anxious once in a while. Anxiety and fear aren’t in themselves bad things — they’re appropriate responses to certain situations. But if your anxiety feels like it’s taking over your life, you may be suffering from a type of anxiety disorder. Read about the different types of anxiety disorders here — if any of them seem familiar, consider talking to your doctor about treatments for anxiety.

A phobia, like being scared of dogs, is a common type of anxiety.
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1. Phobia

A phobia is one of the most common types of anxiety. It’s a fear of something very specific — a fear you usually don’t notice until it’s challenged. If you have a phobia of dogs, for example, in most cases, it won’t always be on your mind. But when a dog suddenly comes near you, you may have a sudden episode of anxiety.

A man conquers his phobia of dogs by spending time with a dog.
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Treatments for Phobias

If you avoid certain places or situations due to your phobia, you may want to consider treatment, either professional or “self-help. ” Professionals often recommend ”exposure therapy,” where the patient is gradually introduced to their phobia over time. Relaxation techniques, like breathing exercises, are good to have on hand, too, as they help you calm down when confronted with your phobia.

[Self-Test: Generalized Anxiety Disorder in Adults]

A woman experiences social anxiety at a party.
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2. Social Anxiety Disorder

Also called a “social phobia,” social anxiety disorder is just what it sounds like — extreme fear and anxiety related to social situations. Experts once thought it was limited to a fear of public speaking, but now it’s known that social anxiety disorder can occur in any situation where you are encountering unfamiliar people. Extreme social anxiety can stop people from interacting with the world around them — fearing routine tasks like ordering food — and can lead to them becoming withdrawn.

A girl speaks with a therapist to overcome her social anxiety disorder.
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Treatments for Social Anxiety Disorders

Social anxiety disorder is often treated with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT guides patients away from distorted thinking patterns — like assuming that everyone is judging them or dislikes them — and works to help patients stop avoiding situations that cause social anxiety. Medication can also be used to calm the physical symptoms of anxiety, but it is most effective in conjunction with CBT.

A stressed ADHD woman has a panic attack
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3. Panic Disorder

Panic disorder is characterized by “panic attacks,” which are sudden onsets of acute fear that something terrible is going to happen. Symptoms include rapid heartbeat, dizziness, and hyperventilation, and may be mistaken for a more serious ailment, like a heart attack. Panic attacks usually don’t last longer than 20 minutes, but their damage can stretch beyond the attack itself. Anxiety about it happening again — in many cases, triggering more panic attacks — is categorized as panic disorder.

A man breathes into a paper bag to help stop a panic attack.
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Treatments for Panic Disorder

Panic disorder is most effectively treated with psychotherapy, particularly CBT — more than 70 percent of patients report being panic-free after CBT treatment. A common method is “interoceptive therapy,” which simulates the symptoms of a panic attack. Since fear of recurring panic attacks (and their often-terrifying symptoms) is a big part of panic disorder, interoceptive therapy lets patients act out symptoms in a controlled environment where they feel safe.

[Self-Test: Does My Child Have an Anxiety Disorder?]

A person with OCD may have obsessions, like repeatedly washing his hands.
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4. OCD

Obsessive compulsive disorder is an anxiety disorder characterized by “obsessions” (obtrusive unwelcome thoughts) and “compulsions” (repetitive behaviors). A repeated unwanted violent fantasy is a common example of an obsession. Compulsions — like repeatedly washing hands — are sometimes created in response to obsessions, but often they take on a life of their own — and cause more anxiety when they’re not carried out.

Knowing the definition of obsession is the first step to treating obsessive compulsive disorder.
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Treatments for OCD

OCD is treated with a type of therapy known as “exposure and response prevention” (ERP), which gradually teaches the patient to tolerate the anxiety-causing stimulus — without resorting to the compulsion. If someone has obsessive thoughts about germs (and compulsively washes their hands as a result), ERP would slowly expose them to “dirty” objects without allowing them to resort to hand washing. Medications like SSRIs are often used in conjunction with ERP.

A soldier with PTSD, a form of anxiety disorder, leans against a building.
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5. PTSD

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, used to be known as “combat fatigue,” due to its prevalence in soldiers returning from war. Now, however, mental health professionals recognize that PTSD can affect anyone who has lived through a severe accident or traumatic situation. Even though the trauma has passed, the person still feels like they’re in danger. Symptoms can include frightening flashbacks, low mood, and constant feelings of being “on-edge” and ready for an attack.

A group therapy session for PTSD, an anxiety disorder
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Treatments for PTSD

The most powerful treatment for PTSD is good old-fashioned “talk therapy,” either individual or as part of a group. Talk therapy can help patients understand where their fear is coming from, deal with any residual guilt or shame related to the event, and learn relaxation and anger control techniques. Research shows that support from family and friends during this time is especially crucial to someone suffering from PTSD.

Concerned, young girl sitting on a floor and thinking in her room
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6. General Anxiety Disorder

If you have generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), you worry about everything — whether or not it’s necessary. GAD means anxiety that is nearly constant and disproportionate to the causes. It usually starts in early adulthood, and affects as many as 6.8 million adults in the United States. Most people with GAD are able to function socially and hold down a job, but the constant worry can greatly impact quality of life and can even cause physical symptoms like headaches.

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Treatments for GAD

Anti-anxiety medications and anti-depressants are effective in treating GAD, usually in conjunction with talk therapy or CBT. Anti-anxiety medications are powerful and often start working right away, but many cannot be taken for long periods of time. Anti-depressants can generally control anxiety without uncomfortable side effects, but they can take several weeks to start working. Talk to your doctor about what’s right for you.

[Free Resource: Rein In Intense Emotions]

5 Unsightly Traits of Successful Businessmen

With 50 new tech start-ups opening every day in Beijing alone, it’s natural to want to jump on the bandwagon. Business accelerators, incubators and venture capital funds are giving away so much money that the number of start-ups worth at least a million dollars is no longer countable. And at the time of writing, about a hundred projects were valued at a billion dollars.

Related: 50 companies that will be worth more than a billion dollars

Seeing how much capital is spinning in this area, of course, you are absolutely sure that your idea will be able to attract a good amount of investment. That same idea of ​​yours from the series: “Create an application that will iron shirts by itself.” And you can immediately name all your stellar predecessors – Jobs, Musk, Armstrong. And of course, you have read the original book by Guy Kawasaki “Startup” from cover to cover. And do you think that’s enough?

You are mistaken. There’s a reason why 90% of all startups fail. And before we make grandiose plans for the development of billions of dollars in venture capital investments, let’s take a step back and reflect. Having worked side by side with many startup founders for about 20 years and having my own experience building a business, I can say that I am extremely disappointed with many of the “helpful tips” from entrepreneurs. Of course, any successful businessman must be both an experienced leader and a talented negotiator who deftly solves any problems, and just a very smart person. To run a business, you need to have patience, perseverance, focus on results, luck – the list goes on.

But what about the less obvious—and often less noble—features required of a startup founder? Successful entrepreneurs are often former losers, obsessive weirdos. The qualities that helped so many of them succeed are normally considered flaws — restlessness, workaholism, stubbornness…

Let’s take a look at the five most unsightly traits that can be found in famous startup founders.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Many people think that most business people have high self-esteem and signs of narcissism. In fact, the psychological disorder common to many startup founders is called ADHD – Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. The symptoms of ADHD are often viewed as a disease that needs to be treated. However, many people with ADHD show extraordinary ability to come up with original problem solving, multitasking, and free association. They are often very creative people with non-trivial thinking, who also have the ability to quickly forget – or rethink – their failures and move on in search of new opportunities. To create a startup business, the abilities of people with ADHD are perfectly suited.

A recent genetic study at the University of California, Irvine found that ADHD is “closely linked” to a person’s ability to be entrepreneurial. It is therefore not surprising that businessmen with ADHD, such as Sir Richard Branson (British entrepreneur, founder of the Virgin Group Corporation) and David Nealman (Brazilian-American entrepreneur, founder of three commercial airlines, including JetBlue), are taking advantage of their diagnosis. But you don’t have to be certified by a psychiatrist to successfully enjoy the benefits of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

“You only have to live a day in your life to understand what startup founders are going through,” says Adam Singolda, founder and CEO of Taboola, one of the largest content recommendation platforms recently valued at $1 billion. “Executives have to constantly balance between investors, board members, employees, department heads, clients, and journalists while still doing their job. In order not to go crazy with all this, you need to accept the fact that not everything will go as planned.

Shamelessness

For those who are worried about the opinions of outsiders, it is better not to go into business, but to choose another job that is less stressful and less noticeable. The head of the company must interact daily with employees, investors, customers, journalists, partners, suppliers and competitors. In the case of startups, early-stage success is more self-hypnosis than reality, and those (unscrupulous) braggarts who understand this are more likely than others to get a return in the form of an influx of investments. A few years ago, Jan Koum, using self-promotion, was able to sell Facebook the WhatsApp application he created for 19billion dollars.

Many entrepreneurs who have this trait say that they are not unscrupulous, but rather stubborn, and they are not disingenuous. It is not easy to convince investors to invest in a project, buyers to use a product, and journalists to write about it. Often you have to insist, bother, putting aside your modesty for a while in order to achieve a better result in the end. This does not mean that every businessman should become like Evan Spiegel, but it is worth remembering that, thanks to his scandalous fame, investors recently valued the SnapChat project at $15 billion.

Evan Spiegel. Photo: www.adweek.com

Addiction

It’s not substance abuse, except coffee and energy drinks. It’s about addiction, which is closely related to professional success. Paul Graham, founder of Y Combinator, a start-up funder, writes about this addiction. She is also the subject of a study in the Journal of Business Venturing. The essence of addiction is that those small victories that litter the path of a startup — raising an additional $100,000 in investments, closing another lucrative deal, a flattering publication in the media — clog the dopamine receptors of the brain, so that he wants more and more success.

Related: You need 25 recommendations to get into Y Combinator

Such a businessman eventually becomes addicted to his job, which literally brings him emotional satisfaction, stimulating him to achieve success again and again. Solving big problems and building a business from scratch is a very exciting experience, and for good reason. It is important to direct the workaholic’s energy in a useful direction, although this is not always possible if most decisions in the company depend on this workaholic.

“Everything should be in moderation, right? But this rule is very difficult to follow when the fate of an entire startup project depends on you, says David Hirsch, founder and general partner of the New York-based venture capital firm Metamorphic Ventures. “In my 20+ years of leadership experience and working with other executives, I have learned that curbing my addiction and building a healthy work attitude is essential to achieving the bottom line. ”

Ben Horowitz, an American investor and blogger, once said about this: “As a founder of a startup, I slept like a baby: I woke up every two hours and screamed.” So it’s worth learning not only to enjoy work, but sometimes to relax.

Related: 5 non-standard rules for successful business from the creator of Basecamp

Napoleon complex

Contrary to popular belief, this complex has nothing to do with growth – Napoleon himself was of average height by the standards of his era. In modern times, the concept of the Napoleon complex refers to those who make superhuman efforts to achieve success, starting from an actual inflicted – or, more often, fictional – insult. From celebrity investor Mark Cuban to The Muse founder Katherine Minshew, many business people have carved their way to prosperity driven by determination, envy, revenge, and righteous anger. Paraphrasing the famous line of the English classic, we can say that “the fury in hell is nothing compared to the offended start-up. ”

However, it is not at all necessary to harbor a grudge against a former employer in order to get the same motivation as the owner of the Napoleon complex. Most likely, it will be enough to look at the list of your competitors – both large multinational companies and small local firms – to understand that your startup is doomed to failure if you do not put in a little more effort and healthy anger.

Stubbornness

Many innovations are the result of a simple and often condemned human quality – stubbornness. Many people have brilliant business ideas, but most of them are dismissed by common sense and conventional wisdom. In the end, people decide that nothing will come of their ideas. And that’s okay. Startups, on the contrary, are looking for ways to implement their ideas.

“Descriptions like ‘perseverance’, ‘determination’ and ‘dedication’ and 100-odd similar words are just beautiful definitions of one simple attribute: stubbornness,” says Oren Frank, co-founder of Talkspace, a startup that enables online therapy sessions between patients and doctors. “At our Talkspace project, we welcome and support stubborn innovators who do not back down from their desire to make this world a little better.”

It is worth thinking about these traits inherent in startup founders. Perhaps some of these traits are inherent in you, or you noticed them in the behavior of others. Regardless of how these qualities are used to being treated in society, they can become guides to success. So what’s the deal? The market is waiting!

About the author: Yarden Tadmor is the founder and CEO of Switch, the developer of a job search and posting application. For about 20 years he has been promoting technology startups, including Quigo (acquired by AOL for $370 million), Dapper (acquired by Yahoo for $60 million) and Taboola.

Source.

How to stay productive with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

January 13, 2020

Productivity

Personal experience of a woman who built a successful career despite her tendency to procrastinate and forget everything in the world.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurological disorder that makes it very difficult for people to focus on anything for long periods of time. According to statistics, 4.4% of the total adult population suffers from this disorder. People with this syndrome experience problems with employment, education, more often abuse alcohol and get into traffic accidents.

However, ADHD is not a death sentence. Some manage to adapt to it. For example, Sasha Kollekat.

Sasha Collecutt

Blogger, training specialist at Fusion Sport.

The diagnosis of ADHD had a profound effect on my career. I have lived my whole life in the sincere belief that meeting a deadline is like reaching for the clouds in the sky. That choosing clothes before going to work can take all morning. And that criticism must necessarily be discouraging and frustrating.

I understood that my career experience was not normal. And this understanding helped me: I was able to adapt.

I am now 33 years old and have a job that I love and excel at. Each new day brings me interesting tasks that I can foresee, evaluate and solve in a timely manner. Many of my colleagues believe that I am a very responsible and organized person (which surprises me myself).

Various productivity tips and techniques that are good for other people are usually not effective for me. And so, in order to keep my job and achieve career growth, I set myself the task of finding a system that would help me. ADHD usually has a specific effect on executive functions. In my case, the following abilities were affected:

• Working memory – that is, the ability to retain information in the head for a short period of time. Problems with this characteristic at work make it very difficult to return to your assignment after you have been interrupted or distracted. For the same reason, people with ADHD find it difficult to follow complex instructions.
• Emotional self-regulation – the ability to correctly build one’s behavior depending on the current situation. If you do not have well-developed emotional regulation skills, you will react painfully to criticism and miss out on career opportunities.
• Self-motivation – the ability to act in accordance with one’s desires. Even if you want to improve your life, keeping promises to yourself can be very difficult. And if you do not cope, it will entail sad career and financial consequences.
• Planning – the ability to foresee the future, reasonably estimate time and predict the results of events. Meeting deadlines, being punctual in meetings, and determining the resources needed for a given task are important in any job. But people with ADHD have a hard time even just thinking about time – this strange, often unrecognized symptom has been studied by specialists from Umeå University in Sweden.

Procrastination and forgetfulness – eternal companions of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder – constantly haunted me at work. They just ruined my career, causing a lot of stress and frustration. And I set myself the goal of dealing with them.

How to deal with procrastination

Constant painful procrastination is one of the main symptoms of ADHD in adults. This is a real spiritual torture – depressing, exhausting and … voluntary. And to defeat her, you must make your own choice. I am want to be in the office on time, complete projects on time, achieve success and be a great training manager. I do not want to be a bad or at least an average worker.

I believe that procrastination is just a symptom of my disease.

It’s like realizing that you’re just not prepared for climbing. Yes, it’s a problem (let’s not pretend ADHD is all about rainbows and unicorns). But this is a problem that can be dealt with.

Don’t think about other people’s expectations

I’m very careful about the things I’m given. Instead of thinking that I should do this or that because it is a colleague or client needs , I pull myself together and say to myself: I want to do this because I believe that my tasks are important for I am . I try to fit my tasks into my own plan for the future and not perceive them as being imposed on me.

When I think I should do something because others expect me to do it, I run the risk of becoming indifferent to it. And it allows the procrastination monster to take over my mind. Therefore, I think of the company’s projects as my own initiatives, work schedules as my personal schedule, and so on. I am always looking for ways to motivate myself personally.

Look at the problem differently

If you can’t bring yourself to do something, try a more interesting problem. Do not quit what you started and switch to something completely different, no. Just look at the problem from a different angle.

For example, if you are tired of writing the same e-mails with answers to the same questions of colleagues, write a detailed guide and send them a link to it. Instead of tediously entering data manually using the same template, learn the basics of programming and automate the routine.

Delegate low priority projects to subordinates or interns. Ask for help from colleagues. Most importantly, avoid procrastination.

Do something you haven’t done before

Procrastination is a merciless beast, but it doesn’t adapt well to sudden changes. Take advantage of this. Not working in the office – try doing it in the library, cafe or park with a laptop. Do you usually work in silence? Turn on the music this time.

Buy a new perfume. Eat something unusual for lunch. Rearrange your table. Write with a non-dominant hand. Install another text editor. Change the hours you work. In general, introduce some novelty into the routine, and procrastination will recede. At least for a while.

Fool your procrastination

Sounds silly, but it works. For example, if I can’t get ready for work in the morning, I say to myself: “I’m not going anywhere yet, I’m just packing my things.” Then: “I don’t get into the car yet, but just enjoy the weather outside. ” And then, having come to work: “I haven’t sat down at the table yet, I just drink coffee.”

And finally, starting the tasks: “I’m not working yet, I’m just sketching out a plan.” And by the time the procrastination monster realizes what’s going on, I’m already fully immersed in the work process and redoing a bunch of things.

Praise yourself for accomplishments

Finishing important work at 3 am because you have been putting it off for a long time is very unpleasant. You would probably be glad that the deed is done, but, most likely, you will still be angry with yourself that you have been pulling the cat by the tail for so long.

Anger is a bad weapon against procrastination, while contentment and self-pride, on the contrary, help a lot.

Therefore, do not forget to praise yourself for the seemingly smallest victories.

I enjoy going through my to-do list and having fun checking off completed items. Opening the inbox of your email and finding that all emails have been answered – what could be more beautiful? And watching the company thrive because of my efforts is very motivating. And for self-esteem.

Understand the very nature of procrastination

This will help you be a little more tolerant of yourself as you try to curb it. Procrastination is a kind of attempt to restore your mood. This monster is trying to convince you that the pleasure of doing nothing in the short term outweighs all the problems that you will face later as a result of your inactivity.

How to deal with forgetfulness

Forgetfulness is extremely common among people with ADHD. In fact, this is the most common symptom of this disorder. I was very embarrassed because of my poor memory and was constantly criticized and even scorned by those around me.

I keep forgetting little things. For example, I can suddenly forget what I did yesterday. Or who are my favorite writers. I forget to make regular backups, perform scheduled tasks, and come to appointments and meetings, even if they repeat weekly at the same time.

Dealing with ADHD is hard work, and dealing with forgetfulness requires a lot of effort. Don’t waste your resources trying to deal with your weak memory. Focus on acquiring permanent knowledge.

Observe

Saying “focus your attention” in an article about ADHD is silly, so I won’t tell you that. Observation is much more than just attention.

It requires openness, curiosity, interest and focus on your feelings.

Curiosity is good for people with ADHD. The main thing is that when you observe, do it with the firm intention of understanding and repeating the actions you see yourself.

Read

I read a lot. This is the most efficient way to learn. The more I read, the better I learn. I am not picky in this matter. I read news in the RSS manager, newsletters, media, open access magazines and new books. I borrow, buy and even restore many titles.

Take the time to reread books and absorb, summarize, test and apply the knowledge you gain through reading. Knowledge is of no use if you do not put it into practice.

Write to

Even the process of writing this article is helping me deal with forgetfulness from ADHD. Just like reading an article helps you.

Packing what you know into logical and understandable text is difficult, but doing so reinforces your knowledge.

No wonder students take notes. If you can write by hand instead of typing, even better. As with reading, take the time to reread and rethink what you write down—days, weeks, months, or even years later.

Teach others

Can you explain something of which you are competent to an inexperienced beginner? The ability to share your knowledge is a true sign of professionalism. I teach others to test how deep my knowledge is. This is for me something like a test of my own abilities – how quickly can I pull up a beginner to my personal level.

Enjoy your own learning

Like most people with ADHD, I have an inexorable drive for novelty and surprise. And it’s good for learning. The topics that I master are remembered better if they are relevant to my work.

Therefore, I try to gain knowledge about everything that is even remotely related to my field of activity.

Do your best to constantly learn something new in your field. Strive to master all aspects of your work.

Recognize ephemeral knowledge and get rid of it in time

Ephemeral knowledge is information that is useful only for a short time. You need to remember that your flight is scheduled for 3 p.m. on Tuesday so you know when to pack and go to the airport. But as soon as you find yourself on a plane, this information can be thrown out of your head without any consequences – as no longer necessary.

Ephemeral knowledge can be easily forgotten and restored later. Therefore, do not waste energy on memorizing such information. Research shows that it’s better to remember as Access ephemeral knowledge rather than trying to keep it in your head.

Here are some examples of such information (I don’t even try to remember this information, because I know where to get it if necessary):

• The day my colleague left for work (this is recorded in my calendar).
• Inverse Vincenty Equation (there is a Wikipedia for such things).
• What Nothofagus pollen looks like (see reference book).
• Do I need a visa to travel to a particular country (Google will help here).

I have this information stored in many places at the same time. For example, I enter something in my notebook and at the same time make a note on the calendar with a detailed description. I email a note to myself and then forward it to my messenger so it’s available on all my devices. I even use sketches on scraps of paper.

But if it is possible to save yourself the trouble of remembering things and deal with them right away, do it. For example, if you think you’ll forget to send an email to a client, send it now, without delay.