Alex Jafarzadeh on LinkedIn: October is ADHD Awareness Month, and over the next few weeks, I'm going to… | 12 comments (2024)

Alex Jafarzadeh

Account director at Red Lorry Yellow Lorry

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October is ADHD Awareness Month, and over the next few weeks, I'm going to deviate a little from my usual semi-regular posts here to share how this often misunderstood condition impacts millions in the workplace. Including me. Like so many of my fellow ADHDers, I didn't get 'official' confirmation until I was well into my thirties. I was only diagnosed in March of this year. Although ADHD is a label that we've been tossing around for most of the 21st century, the awareness of its existence hasn't brought much understanding of its impacts beyond those who live with the condition. Since I was a teenager, it was assumed that I had ADHD, but that just meant I had a hard time concentrating and was prone to hyperactivity. I thought I'd always be this way and would have to power through wherever I could to overcome those characteristics. After I was diagnosed in March, though, that changed. The provider who diagnosed me began to explain the depth and breadth of impacts and impairments that ADHD brings, the comorbid conditions that can result, and the tried-and-tested paths available for me to do better, be better and feel better. I read books, joined communities, embraced new strategies, and, most of all took a new view of how ADHD affects so much of what I do and who I am. Many in the ADHD community talk about having a "user manual" for your brain, and that's what I've been figuring out in 2024. I've spent the last six months feeling joy and relief at the changes I've gone through, reaping the benefits at work and connecting with friends and peers who are themselves at various stages of their ADHD journeys. But I've also reckoned with grief and regret over the last twenty years, which I muddled through without that user manual. It's hard not to question where you might have been if you had known sooner, and that's why I'm choosing to be open and honest about my experience as it relates to work. One of the reasons I've been able to figure out this condition is that so many fellow ADHDers have shared their lived experiences in support groups, subreddits, books and podcasts. Over the next month, I plan on sharing a few thoughts about specific ways ADHD impacted me in the workplace. Whether you take away tips for yourself, get inspired to seek a diagnosis and help, or learn new ways to support your ADHD colleagues/employees, I hope to contribute in some small way to improving our collective understanding of this condition. Also, while I'm choosing to be public with my condition, I understand and respect that only some feel comfortable doing so. These posts and the comment feeds will be public, but my DMs are open if you want to contact me privately. Finally, my posts are based on personal experience only. I am not a medical professional, and my comments should not be taken as medical advice. #adhd #adhdawareness #mentalhealth

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Rebecca Miles

Enterprise IT external comms specialist

1w

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It's great to see you talking about this Alex! For what it's worth - I've always felt that neuro-divergence in the workplace is a real power keg! In fact, I remember reading a study around working teams success rates being much higher when they include at least one dyslexic member, due to the fact they often see things in a way that others don't! While this difference in what dyslexic individuals perceive applies to seeing extra letters in a word, or missing words from a sentence, it applies equally to uncovering ideas in a creative session or viewing a problem from a completely different angle! I thought it was astounding at the time and this discovery completely rewired my preconceptions around dyslexia in the workplace. I am sure the same could likely be said for ADHD.At least we do know that for both ADHD and dyslexia there's a real misconception that some of the more common surface-level characteristics are what define them... a little research goes a long way into unravelling that way of thinking and finding the power that exists within neuro-divergencies in the workplace. I'm hopeful that many workplaces now recognise the need to make space for neuro-divergent working habits in order to harness this power!

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Bertine Bönner

Content and PR Manager at Red Lorry Yellow Lorry

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Thanks for this post, Alex! Well said! I recently read a great article by someone with ADHD who said that she felt other people's brains were like Excel spreadsheets, whereas hers worked more like a mirror ball, throwing colourful lights on many different things at once. I loved that image. And I think diversity is key. We need both Excel sheets and mirror balls ✨

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Guy Walsingham

1w

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Well reasoned and well written Alex. From a work point of view, whatever the strategies and paths you've figured out to feel better are clearly working. We've had great feedback during your time at the lorries from both clients and the team. So, thanks for landing with us and we're looking forward to a bright future.

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Sarah Alonze

Director of Strategy at Red Lorry Yellow Lorry

1w

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Wonderfully written, as usual, and refreshingly honest. Thank you for sharing your story. I hope it encourages others with a similar story to do the same, and for workplaces to embrace the range of differences that employees can bring. You are seen, heard and hugely valued! ❤️

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Faith Bailey

Digital Marketing Specialist

1w

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I love this. ADHD impacted my mental health for so long until I got a handle on it. I can’t wait to read your future posts on this subject, I’m always looking to learn more about how to work with, not against, my brain. Thanks for sharing, Alex! 🫶🏻

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Phil Hayes

Director of sales Cognitopia

1w

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Well said Alex. It is an important subject. The more others understand about it, the better we are as a society. I’ll be looking forward to your future posts.

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Jacob Bentzen

Senior content manager @ RLYL ✏️ > 🗡

1w

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Well said, Alex!

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  • Lance Burdett

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    What is having ADHD like for you?I always had in the back of my mind a feeling that I was different to others, but could never quite work out what it was. Initially, I thought it was a selfish personality, then a lack of social skills, an inability to control anger, and maybe it was being an introvert.Having a diagnosis can be positive and negative. It can bring comfort by knowing what the challenge is which allows us to focus on finding a solution, conversely, there can be many solutions or no solution whatsoever.As I researched my book on anxiety the topic of ADHD kept appearing, so I took an online test. Wow, it showed a high degree of sensitivity and specificity for adult ADHD with a score of 22. Over 14 is a strong indicator.What the online diagnosis confirmed is what I had always suspected. When telling those close to me about the diagnosis, “I think I have ADHD”, all have immediately replied, “You think!”I choose not to have a formal diagnosis, at my age I have managed it for many (many) years and learned to use it to my advantage. The ability to think differently to find a solution is extremely helpful in business.Divergent thinkers are a gift for any organisation and should be utilised more often, as diverse thinkers see things others cannot. Looking at issues from various angles, i.e. thinking outside of the box, is all they have ever known. That's how we get through life.With my ADHD comes several traits – OCD, a strong inner critic, perfectionism, and a large amount of imposter syndrome - which makes for a very busy brain struggling to harness the overthinking.Recently I was the closing keynote speaker at a large conference and the organisers had a graphic illustrator construct a cartoon of the hour-long address.My immediate thought when first viewing the cartoon - this is exactly what it looks like inside of my head, all of the time 😊. There is a lot going on at any single moment.Having learned to harness the energy has taken a lifetime, yet it need not take you as long. If you suspect you have ADHD, then go to a reputable website and complete the survey.If confirmed, then you have a unique talent and you can learn to harness that talent in your life. None of us are made from the same mould, for we are all unique. If you are a divergent thinker, then know that you are unique and very much a treasure.Let's talk!#mindhealth #mentalhealth #neurodiverse #adhd #neurodiversity #workplacewellbeing #diversity #inclusivity #personalgrowth #personaldevelopment

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