Where's the limit? Work and Stress

It's amazing how work affects our lives, how it provides security and consistency, yet can also bring its own stress and issues. When it's going well, things are fine, but when work's issues spill over into the rest of our lives then we have to take stock and assess what's going on and why.

Recently I have started working with a new client, which has presented its own challenges in terms of behaviours and attitudes that trigger stress and anxiety in me. With ADHD we have to be careful about such triggers and try to work out where the boundaries lie - it's something I'm not great at and need a lot more practice in, so I hope that the few ideas below are going to help me as much as they  might help anyone else. If you have other good ideas, please share them below.

When you have ADHD it's really important to ensure we look after our stress levels and exposure to stressors. When stress gets too high, our symptoms get worse and we can enter vicious circles of thought and increase our risk of burnout. Luckily there are some red flags we can look out for.

Here are some warning signs I researched that may give us an idea of when things are starting to get too much:

Increased forgetfulness or difficulty with memory: Individuals with ADHD may find it challenging to remember important deadlines or keep track of tasks, which can be a warning sign of work-related stress. Forgetfulness or memory lapses may become more frequent, leading to missed deadlines or incomplete tasks.

1. Decreased productivity: Work-related stress in people with ADHD may result in decreased productivity. Difficulty staying focused, completing tasks, or meeting deadlines consistently may indicate that stress levels are becoming overwhelming in the workplace.
2. Difficulty managing time effectively: Poor time management skills, chronic lateness, or struggles with prioritization may be warning signs of work-related stress in people with ADHD. Time management challenges may lead to increased stress as deadlines approach or tasks pile up.
3. Increased irritability or mood swings: Work-related stress may appear as changes in behavior or mood, such as increased irritability or mood swings. Heightened stress levels may impact emotions and reactions in the workplace, potentially affecting relationships with colleagues or job performance.
4. Physical symptoms: Some people may experience physical symptoms, such as headaches, sleep disturbances, or changes in appetite, as warning signs of work-related stress. These physical symptoms may be indicators that stress is taking a toll on both mental and physical well-being.
5. Decline in job satisfaction or loss of interest in work: Work-related stress in  may also result in a decline in job satisfaction or loss of interest in work. Feeling overwhelmed by stress may lead to reduced motivation or enjoyment in one's job, which can impact overall job satisfaction and engagement.

It's clear to see what the dangers are, next time we can look at strategies to cope.

If you've experienced work stress affecting your ADHD, please share with us below so we can all learn.