All About Adult ADHD
Sometimes it is hard for someone with adult ADHD to make a good first impression as impulsivity, ADD and other attention deficit disorder symptoms get in the way. First impressions can have an enormous effect on ones personal and professional relationships. You only get one chance to make a First Impression so it is important to
understand how you can do that right.
Making a good adult ADHD impression can sometimes mean the difference of getting that job, that date or making a new friend or not.
Adults with ADHD often have a difficult time with that F\first Impression as their hyperactivity and inattentiveness is sometimes misinterpreted by others as a lack of respect or interest.
When meeting other people for the first time, you usually only have two minutes before they make a judgment about you. Some experts say it actually is only 30 seconds in that first encounter when others decide how they feel about you.
Therefore it is important to do everything you can to get it right the first time. Everyone knows that a firm handshake and eye contact are important but did you know that it has been estimated that one’s appearance counts for more than 90 per cent of the overall impression one makes. The words and adult ADHD speaks count for less than 10 percent.
So it is important to:
Dress carefully. Adult ADHD...Know what others will be wearing and dress accordingly. If you have to check out the work place first before the interview, do so. Go to the office building and see how the employees dress that work there. If most are wearing suits then wear a suit to the interview. In a social situation if you are unsure what to wear don’t be afraid to call and ask.
Don’t be late. Instead always arrive 10 to 15 minutes early. Keeping people waiting is definitely not the way to back a good first impression.
Don’t talk to loudly or too fast. Our style of speaking can effect people more than we think. Aa an adult ADHD, if you are hyperactive you may speak too quickly and loudly or if you have the inattentive form of adult ADHD you may speak to little and too softly. You can try some types of physical prompts like a vibrating watch to help you remember to slow down.
Be sure to listen. Let others finish speaking before you talk. Because of impulsivity and impatience this is hard for most ADDers. A good trick is to press your tongue against the top of your mouth as you listen. Try to use the other person’s name as you speak and be sure to restate what they have said before speaking about yourself. If not sure what to say it is always easy just to say “tell me more.”
Have Something to Say. Even though most people with ADD would rather not waste time with small talk, it is a good to do so to use as a tension-breaker and to build relationships. Talking about the weather, of course, is always easy. Other ways to make small talk is to keep up with current events. You can check the news sites on the Internet for any big stories. These are usually formatted in an easy-to-read way. Also try to know what is going on with any home team sport clubs. Don’t pretend to be a fan if your not but just know how the home team is doing.
Humor is good but don’t over do it. Since you may not know the sensitivities of the people you are meeting, let them led in humor department. As an adult ADHD, try to avoid jokes and funny comments until you know them better.
Overcome a bad first impression. If you do get off on the wrong foot , just acknowledge that your are having difficulty and ask, “Can we begin again.?”
Additional Articles:
One of the hardest things about having ADD ADHD is failure to read other people’s body language correctly.
In social situations, ADD ADHD's often have difficulty reading others...
