Telling Your Boss About Your ADHD..

[NotAChevy]

Here’s the issue I see discussed on Linkedin all the time- do you, or don't you, tell your boss about your ADHD diagnosis?

I see both sides. Telling your boss could lead to his/her discrimination. He/she could use that info to prove your inability to do your job, or he/she could hold onto the info, and give up new projects to someone else, bc he/she doesn't believe in you.

Or, your boss could give you a few basic accommodations, and help you to be more successful. I've never had the prior boss, but they do exist- or so I'm told…

I struggle with this daily. Please help me out.

What's been your experience? What are your thoughts on this?

[STEM_Dad]

Since my ADHD diagnosis a few years ago, I've chosen to be open about my ADHD.I work at a different facility than my current boss, and I don't remember if I've told him directly about having ADHD. I have been open with my colleagues at the facility I work at, including telling my informal supervisor here (the facility COO).

I work in IT, and my observation from a previous organization seems to hold true here as well that at least 30% of people I know working in Information Technology seem to be neurodivergent (having regularly noticeable ADHD, ASD, or OCD traits, if not an open diagnosis). [It might just be confirmation bias, but I feel like I notice a lot more people in my career field with neurodiversity than in most other career fields that I come in contact with.]

[Mamamichl in reply to STEM_Dad]

I think that’s because IT plays so our strengths in many ways. It’s ok to be quirky in that field.

[Mamamichl]

my rsd has me crying at all of our meetings. I don’t know if she knows about my adhd, but she was scolding me and said I need to be an adult and advocate for myself. It was very discriminatory. I’m working t on getting out of there.

[V1olet in reply to Mamamichl]

I feel your pain. Every time my boss gives me feedback, I get emotional (sad, angry, frustrated, etc) and start crying. My prescriber started me on guanfacine to help with emotional regulation. My therapist is helping me learn how to advocate for myself, which has been helping a lot. Please know you are not alone in the crying at work thing. 🤗

[Mamamichl in reply to V1olet]

Omg thank you! I thought people just somehow mask when I can’t mask those feelings. I’ve learned for me, quick immediate redirection works well for me (my rsd doesn’t happen), but when I’m pulled to the side for a specific meeting, I get super escalated. As for advocating for myself, I find it easier to request things through email. It helps me separate my emotions and be businesslike.

My family has had bad experiences with Guanfacine. My partner got light headed and my stepkid actually feinted. We then learned Guanfacine lowers blood pressure. It works by keeping our bodies from escalating with heightened emotions.

Again, thank you for letting me know I’m not the only one. I just did an interview and was straightforward about my rsd. I hope they are still interested in me because I think I would be a good fit.