Have you ever felt overwhelming stress that doesn’t seem to go away at work? One recent study found that over 1 in 5 Canadians felt overwhelmed by stress at work.
Stress leave is an increasingly common avenue people are taking in response.
Sources of stress vary, from finances and relationships. But heavy workload tops the list, according to Statistics Canada.
But no matter the source of stress, its symptoms will have particularly profound effects on people with ADHD.
We’ll cover details of stress leave, why it’s worth considering if you’ve been diagnosed with ADHD, and ways to move forward.
What is Stress Leave?
Stress leave is a type of medical leave that an employee can take from their work if they’re struggling with severe effects of a mental health condition like depression or anxiety, or intense stress.
People who take stress leave are unable to complete their work properly until they address the stress.
The purpose of a stress leave is to give you enough time to heal so you can return to work with improved physical and mental health.
What Symptoms Might Lead to a Stress Leave
The stress someone experiences before considering a stress leave doesn’t happen overnight.. Most people experience symptoms for days, months, or even years before realizing they need time away from work to recover.
Here are some signs to look for:
- Insomnia
- Over or undereating
- Trouble concentrating on work tasks
- Missing deadlines
- Feelings of dread before going to work
- Drinking more alcohol or becoming reliant on it
- Smoking
- Increased irritability or anger
- Constant worrying
How Long is a Stress Leave?
The length of time someone might take for a stress leave varies. For example, someone living in British Columbia is eligible for up to five paid days for injury or illness leave (which includes stress leave), as well as three unpaid days of leave.
However, certain employees may take longer to recover from their symptoms of stress.
In this case, they’re eligible to apply for an extended medical leave that, while often unpaid, offers job protection so that they can return to work once their symptoms have improved.
Keep in mind that different employers have different medical benefits and insurance plans. This means you might be eligible for longer periods of paid stress leave, depending on the contract.
How Does Stress Appear in People with ADHD?
Overall, ADHD is a stressor that can exacerbate other stressors in a person’s life, like relationships, death in the family, financial issues, and mental health conditions.
One study of higher-income, highly educated people with ADHD shows that ADHD can exacerbate other life stressors. Furthermore, people with ADHD might struggle with emotional dysregulation, which makes it harder to manage stress.
A mix of studies generally indicates that people with ADHD take more sick days than those without ADHD. However, one medical expert shares that limited studies have been conducted on what it’s like to work with ADHD.
Stress makes it hard enough to focus. It’s hard to crunch numbers, deliver papers, or talk to customers when you have emotional problems weighing on you.
But what if you pair that with ADHD’s common symptoms like trouble concentrating, easy distraction, and hyperactivity? No wonder stress management is that much more crucial for people with ADHD.
Stress Management Tips for People with ADHD
Here are some strategies you can use to manage stress while living with ADHD:
- Ask for accommodations: Your employer should offer various forms of accommodations for people with ADHD. This might include assistive technology or software, frequent breaks, adjusted work hours, and even emotional support animals.
- List your tasks: Create a daily to-do list to help you stay on track with your work obligations.
- Gain clarity: If you’re unsure of what’s expected of you at work, find time with your boss to identify your required tasks each day. You might even ask them to prioritize the tasks in order of importance to help you manage your time.
- Embrace work-life balance: Work overload is the most common source of stress in employees. Protect your time off work and schedule activities that bring you joy.
- Talk to a mental health practitioner: If your strategies aren’t working, talk to an experienced professional. It will be even more beneficial if stress and ADHD are included in their areas of expertise.
What to Do on a Stress Leave
It might be tempting to keep tabs on your professional life during a stress leave. But the whole point of a stress leave is to feel better.
Take this time to:
- Maintain regular appointments with your doctor
- Prioritize sleep
- Practice mindfulness
- Create a routine
- Exercise
- Learn something new
What to Do If You’re Considering a Stress Leave
Here’s a quick list of steps to take when considering a stress leave.
- Read your employment contract: This will help you understand whether your employer will cover additional paid time off, general timelines for stress leave, and the documents required to approve a stress leave.
- Talk to a doctor or health practitioner: Discuss your symptoms with one or more doctors to get well-rounded opinions about your treatment.
- Get a note: If your doctor or health practitioner thinks you need a stress leave, you’ll need a doctor’s note to approve it.
- Tell your employer: You’ve done your due diligence and might be ready to talk to an employer about your options.
- Collect reasonable documentation: Your employer may request documentation from your doctor, including details about visits, to support your request for stress leave. Make sure you ask your doctor about their requirements as soon as possible.
Our nurse and mental health practitioners guide people like you through the stress leave process with care and compassion. Take an ADHD assessment to learn more.
Considering Stress Leave?
You deserve to rest, reset, and heal. A stress leave could be an excellent option for you.
If you’re struggling with ADHD and stress, we’re here to help.
The team of mental health practitioners here at West Coast Adult ADHD helps patients by offering ADHD assessments and strategies to identify triggers and overcome them.