Whether you're recently diagnosed or are looking to switch jobs, should you disclose you have ADHD? We explore the pros and cons

Getting an ADHD diagnosis as an adult can feel like an impossibly long slog if you haven’t got the cash to go private. NHS waiting times for adults can vary from 12 weeks to over 10 years, although the NHS Right to Choose scheme may now be able to help you access shorter wait times than those available through your GP. 

It’s no surprise that, once you have finally received your diagnosis, there is a sense of relief and elation. Sharing that good news only seems natural, doesn’t it? Yet, when it comes to sharing your good news with your employer, it might be worth taking a moment to step back and consider the pros and cons first.  

According to The Chartered Institute of Personnel Development (CIPD), one in five neurodivergent employees have experienced harassment or discrimination at work because of their neurodivergence. Research reveals that only half of neurodivergent employees feel like their organisation has an open and supportive climate where people can talk about neurodiversity. It’s no wonder that 31% of neurodivergent employees chose not to tell their line manager or HR about their neurodivergence, with a third saying they are concerned about people making assumptions about them based on stereotypes, and 29% expressing concern that disclosing may impact their career, and 18% who thought their organisation would not be understanding or offer support. 

So, how can you know if opening up is right for you, right now? Here are some of the pros and cons of disclosing to your employer.

What are the pros and cons of disclosing that you have ADHD?

Opening up might have a positive impact on your mental wellbeing
For some people, opening up about their diagnosis can have a positive impact on their mental health and wellbeing. Speaking openly can be one way to find support, help reduce misconceptions, misunderstandings, and stigma around ADHD, as well as to connect with others with similar experiences. 

If you have been feeling particularly worried, stressed, anxious, or on edge about opening up about your diagnosis, speaking with someone and talking through your options could be worth consideration. This could be a friend, loved one, a trusted colleague, or a therapist. 

Your workplace might provide access to ADHD coaching or counselling
Some workplaces provide employee assistance programmes (EAPs) as a benefit for staff to lower the cost or provide free online, telephone, or face-to-face counselling or ADHD coaching sessions for employees to support their health and wellbeing. Not every company has them, but speaking with someone in your company’s HR or management teams can help you find out if there is an EAP you can access. If your company does have an EAP, it should be completely confidential, and you don’t have to discuss with your employer the reasons why you want to access it. 

Not everyone is knowledgeable about ADHD
Dispelling myths around ADHD can feel exhausting. There are many misconceptions about ADHD that can make the thought of opening up feel more daunting. Common misconceptions around ADHD include that it is something that only affects children or that you grow out of, that it only affects men and boys, or that people with ADHD are lazy, unable to focus, or just need to ‘try harder’. 

Trying to hide (mask) symptoms can lead to feeling exhausted and, over time, burnout
Also known as impression management or camouflaging, it’s thought that around a third of people with ADHD try and mask symptoms. This can mean trying to be quiet or careful about what you say, reacting to situations or conversations in a way that you feel is expected rather than how you really feel, suppressing stims like tapping pencils or bouncing your leg, obsessively checking your things to make sure you don’t lose them, copying others in social situations, or developing perfectionist tendencies. 

Masking at work can cause you to feel exhausted, overwhelmed and, over time, you may be more likely to experience burnout. It can also make it more difficult to open up to others when you do feel ready, as they may not realise you have been struggling and may not recognise symptoms you have tried to hide. Learning how to deal with your emotions, finding healthy coping strategies, and speaking with others who have had similar experiences can all help you to feel more connected, comfortable, and less alone. Disclosing to your employer may help you to feel more comfortable expressing yourself at work and may help you to feel more comfortable unmasking. 

You might help inspire change
Not all workplaces realise that around 15-20% of the population in the UK is neurodivergent. That’s around 13 million people, with an estimated 3-4% of adults in the UK having ADHD. Having neuroinclusive policies in place doesn’t just help one individual; it can help everyone to feel more supported and able to speak up if there is something that is causing them extra stress, strain, or worry. 

By disclosing to your employer, you may be able to help them focus on new ways that they can help create a more neuro-inclusive workspace to help everyone perform their best and access reasonable adjustments without having to ask for individual adjustments. Under the UK Equality Act 2010, you are entitled to reasonable adjustments in your workplace.

Reasonable adjustments could be something as simple as allowing you to use headphones to help them focus, creating office quiet zones, replacing harsh lightbulbs with ones that simulate natural light, or embracing more flexible working by allowing people to have flexible start and finish times or to work remotely or in the office. 

You don’t have to disclose to inspire change. You can still make suggestions without divulging personal information, or you could consider utilising any anonymous feedback systems at work if you aren’t comfortable bringing it up with your manager. 

Ultimately, only you can decide if you feel comfortable disclosing your ADHD diagnosis to your employer. While celebrating neurodiversity is always a good thing, speaking about your own experiences can feel overwhelming. There is no rush to disclose; you can always take things at your own pace and wait to speak up when the time feels right for you.