Maybe it used to be “that loud kid” from our childhood (maybe ourselves) that represented someone with Attention Deficit Disorder, but things are changing. Teachers and parents who saw this diagnosis as a prediction of struggle with traditional schooling or even limited career choices are recognizing the complexity and even strengths it can bring. With an estimated 10% of the population with an Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) label, you can be sure that there are teachers, lawyers, and doctors who also manage and thrive within the neurodiversity that is ADHD.
While neuroimaging and the world of science still don’t know what ’causes’ ADHD, reviews of professions correlated with high numbers of individuals with ADHD show us some interesting patterns. Jobs needing willingness to take risk, build unique connections with ideas and with teams may offer a career home for those with ADHD neurodiversity.
It is oversimplifying these characteristics as “superpowers” as they can often still create stress and challenges for individuals with ADHD, but stigma is changing to recognize the hidden strengths that ADHD may offer.
1) Intensity: The hyper-focus and drive that comes from ADHD on-fire can be powerful. If placed in an area of interest, neuro-divergence can create passionate leaders and high performers, putting in hours of intense work that others might not even find possible.
2) Risk: Areas of investment, start-up and other areas of bust-boom often draw on the independent nature of ADHD. ADHD brings unique perspectives and can push teams to consider new ideas and change they might not have considered. The ability to tolerate and even enjoy change makes ADHD a valuable asset where staying current and leading change is valued.
3) Perspective: The unique way that the ADHD brain collects and connects ideas can be a rich pool to draw from. If you’ve ever had a friend that always has a unique take on things, something that you would never consider, they may have this unique ADHD ability. This leads to side-splitting comedy, a strange ironic clarity about life and even poetic lyrics for songs.
Why emphasize these potential strengths, you ask? Because we all do better with a focus on our strengths. ADHD is highly connected with rates of depression and anxiety, often because the daily burden of ADHD feels much more real than the benefits. Reducing that stigma and helping individuals discover their unique strengths makes us stronger together.
If you are struggling with ADHD symptoms that cause you to feel less capable or valuable, you may benefit from talking to a counselor who can support daily living skills as well as depression and anxiety support.
