Adults with ADD / ADHD - what is your experience with "disclosing" it at work?

Question

I think I made a political mistake by disclosing to my co-workers and boss that I have ADD. I take meds for it and actively work with a coach to help me and my intention re: disclosing the ADD was to help educate them and hopefully make it easier for us all to work together. I haven't asked for any special considerations, working conditions, etc... All I've done is make checklists and reference forms for myself so I can be sure that I've done everything I need to do to complete my paperwork, etc... and I tend to write up summary notes/emails after meetings so I can reference them later (since my memory isn't always great) but I don't always share the emails with other attendees (unless someone asks for them) because I don't want to seem like a "freak". I have shared my checklists with new hires when I'm supposed to train them - just so they could have something to reference, but I get the feeling that co-workers think I'm being "extreme". I don't talk about the ADD much... I just think telling everyone up front and helping them to see the good & not-so-good sides of it will help make ADD "seem normal" and reduce the stigma of the label.

I think I made a mistake (in terms of future promotion) by disclosing the ADD and by sharing my checklists/reference tools - but I think it's silly to "hide them away" because I'm ashamed that I need them.

Anyone have experience with this?

Answer 1

i dont think its a problem as long as you get your work done and you work well with others.... i work with a lot of people and i dont like them all and they are normal... you are "different" because of your ADD so just get your work done and dont be a suck-up and you shuold be just fine..  you sound like you are trying to take care of your reputation with these checklists... i think everyone needs checklists to get orders/paperwork done correctly and efficiently....  just remember its only a job and there are millions of others out there.