My Undiagnosed ADHD

As the creator of Once Upon A Tech Recruiter I’m always on the lookout for inspirational stories to encourage you all to chase your dreams.

Last week I came across this one of bravery and courage that stopped me in my tracks.

After being diagnosed with ADHD, Roisin has found a working environment that will set her and her talents up for success.

This is Roisin’s story, in her own words.

Background:

“I worked in public sector ever since I graduated – with the same company for seven of those eight years – and always in big, open plan offices which were busy, noisy and fairly high-pressure. When Covid hit I had to start working from home for the first time in my life, and I hated it. My hours went up, productivity went down, my mental health suffered, it was just generally an awful time.

Then Roisin read this article in The Guardian.

“It was a woman my age writing about her own experience, the article talked about why so many professional women are hitting burn-out in their thirties and went on to explain that an increasing number were discovering that it was due to undiagnosed ADHD, including the journalist herself.

It resonated with me so much that I began the process to seek assessment for my own diagnosis. I had been working so many extra hours to make up for what I felt was my own lack of self-discipline and it was beginning to impact my health, my social life, everything really.”

Diagnosed with ADHD

Fast forward to March 2021 and I got an official diagnosis of ADHD, which as it’s a neurodivergence (as opposed to a mental health or behavioural issue) meant I’d unknowingly had it all my life. This explained a lot of problems I’d had in school, university and more recently in work.

I got an Occupational Health referral through my then-employer, and using the report worked with my manager to try and implement some of the recommended reasonable adjustments.

But I was still struggling.

My conclusion was that the company didn’t seem to have established protocol for how to support neurodivergent employees and for me it was just time to get out.

I had also felt a bit stuck in the role, the set career pathway was to become a project manager and I didn’t feel like that was definitely what I wanted but I couldn’t see another obvious path open to me.

It was also becoming clear that the pay constraints on public sector pay weren’t going to change anytime soon, and with the cost of living increasing that was becoming another source of stress.”

Now:

“My new job is in a tiny wee office with only about four or five other people. It’s a really small, quiet team but within a large, busy and well-established organisation.

So far everyone has been lovely, really welcoming, encouraging and supportive. There’s a huge emphasis on development, training and career progression so even though I’ve only done four days I’ve already discussed a lot of the different training on offer to me alongside my role (and already started one course on Lean Ways of Working) which is great.

I feel really motivated and inspired to consider my options going forward and am genuinely excited by all the opportunities open to me!

6 month contract:

“The role is only a six-month fixed term contract, so it was a risk to leave the security of my old job but the first week has definitely reassured me that it was the right move and I feel like I’ll definitely be able to get something just as good or better at the end of the six months.”

Neurodivergence Training

“I am also amazed how relaxed the whole team is. They seem to have a really great dynamic and though everyone works hard, it doesn’t feel like a high-pressure environment at all!

I wasn’t sure about how, when or even if to bring up my ADHD, but my manager was so nice and reassuring. I actually spoke to her about it on the first day. She was great about it and even said she’d done some neurodivergence training recently. She’s going to do whatever I need to support me right away.

I now also have an appointment with the Staff Disability Adviser who is going to meet with me to discuss my situation, and provide advice and support on how to manage and work with, rather than against my ADHD.”

Making sense of other things

“My diagnosis has allowed me to make sense of other things now too. I failed most of my Highers in school after doing done so well in my Standard Grades. The disappointment was difficult to come to terms with.

I worked for a year then made myself go to college to re-sit them all, moved to Glasgow and came out with an A and two Bs that got me into university, where I achieved a joint-honours in French and Linguistics.”

I feel lighter

“I feel so much better in general since starting my new role, I’m much calmer – I feel lighter, even. I have more spare time because the hours are shorter, I’m not stressed about what I haven’t done.

I’m meeting new people and feel like I’ve more opportunities than I have had in years.

I’m happy I took the risk and I’m excited to see what I’ll end up going on to do in six months!”

I’m so grateful to Roisin for allowing me to share this story. If you find yourself in a situation where your employer is not setting you up for success, don’t stay. You do have choices and you deserve better.