"I've got ADD," Daniel told me, when he called to talk about his career. "I need help, but I've got ADD," he repeated. He must have told me ten times. He's not the only one. There was Janice and Jane and Mark and others. And they insist they have problems in their careers because of their condition.

Odds are, they're right. They are referring to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), a developmental condition that affects brain functioning and causes problems with attention, impulsivity and hyperactivity, explains Eve Smukler, a Los Angeles-based psychotherapist and coach with a focus on ADHD.

In other words, people with the disorder might be tardy a lot. Miss deadlines and meetings. Get distracted and have trouble getting started on a task or switching to a different one or making decisions. They might have problems with co-workers and bosses--speaking before thinking. The types of things that can make or break a career.

They are often told they are lazy, under achieving or not trying hard enough. "But the sad part is they usually are trying very hard but not getting the results that they intend," says Smukler. Many times these workers are put on probation or lose their jobs.

Although at times we all may have trouble concentrating, get impatient, forget things or feel distracted, the person with ADHD is significantly impacted by these problems "most of the time, if not, daily," she adds. Some of these people who have been successful in their careers say they feel as though they have to work harder than their peers to get the same results.

While there is no cure for the disorder, if you're diagnosed with ADHD, there is help.

Successful business owners Smukler has worked with develop strategies that help them compensate using technology and executive assistants. There are medications, cognitive behavioral therapy and coaching to create routines, structure and systems to help with time management and organizational problems.

"Coaching provides someone who, without judgment or negative consequence, keeps them accountable" and is there to bounce situations off of, such as problems with co-workers.

I once had a client with severe symptoms. Since ADHD qualifies as a disability, she was provided with accommodations to help her do her job--someone who took notes for her in meetings.

Becoming proficient at using a personal organizer, organizing software, timers on cell phones digital voice recorders, PDAs can all help. There is even a watch with a timer that reminds you of a deadline and vibrates to keep you on task, says Smukler. There are helpful Web sites with forums such as addconsults.com.

I am often asked if certain careers are better than others for people with ADHD. But since the same variables that make for career satisfaction apply to someone with ADHD, my short answer is no.

Smukler agrees. Labeling one career or another "ADHD friendly" is inaccurate, she says. "Not all people with ADHD look alike, have the same interests, talents or background." You may thrive in a fast-paced environment like emergency services while another person performs best in a more solitary structured environment, she adds. But if you bore easily, a job requiring repetitive, detail-oriented work would be a disaster.

Most important is to find interesting work that holds your attention and fits your education and skills, she says. "The successful people have found the right ways to compensate for the problems that the ADHD creates"--which might be a job that goes with the flow of the symptoms, has flexible hours or allows you to delegate, use assistants or choose projects.

But first focus on what matters most--discovering the type of work you would enjoy.

© by Andrea Kay