Lawyers with ADHD

I’m in big law, considering a move to a federal agency. Those of you who have done both, was one a better fit than the other?

Feeling so defeated. I have little kids and a demanding job, and I think I’m just zapped. For the last 4 years, I’ve either been working or taking care of kids, almost every day, around the clock an… more

Has anyone else noticed your symptoms are worse when you’re sick? Any thoughts on why this is and how to power through? Trying to power through a migraine and fatigue rn

Is it normal for us to get like super irritable and upset when we’re being forced to do an activity we really don’t want to do, like something at work requiring you to be very organized? I find myself… more

Any tips and tricks you’ve found that help you keep your inbox organized and easy on your ADHD? Work and/or personal. Thanks!

Does anyone else also suffer from formatting issues? I have dysgraphia (clinically bad handwriting along with bad spatial sense) in addition to ADHD, which you think would be irrelevant in the age of … more

2.5 years in transactional practice and hating it. Peppered with emails for immediate clerical tasks and cannot focus. Mentally exhausted from switching around and frequently freeze with overwhelm, ev… more

How do you get started on work you’re dreading?

Does anyone talk openly about meds with their colleagues? I feel like it's taboo, but could help break down some stigma.

We are such a collaborative bunch, so this may have been answered previously. I do not want to search for the previous responses in the thread because it is a slippery slope down the rabbit hole of doom scrolling… more

Why are Fridays especially hard? Not me posting here to avoid working 😭

Ever beat yourself up for procrastinating, knowing it's not about laziness but your brain just refuses to cooperate?

I missed something while taking notes in a really large meeting and got chewed out by a partner who asked if I just “got bored”. I mean, yes, but I know that’s not the answer he wanted.

What do you all listen too when doing deep work to get in/stay in a flow state? What about when doing boring tasks?

Anyone else trying to master the "Oh well" method? Something gets messed up? Instead of panicking, a quick "Oh well" and then I move on. Frees up tons of mental space.

Ever stare at a case file for an hour, know you read everything, but have zero clue what you just absorbed? That guilt of wasted billable time is the worst. Anyone find ways to stay present?

I get SO distracted by office noise. I finally asked to move desks and it's been life-changing. Why did I wait so long?? Any small changes that made a big difference for you?

I’m 33 female and I’ve become fairly confident that I have ADHD & am masking. I have an eval in a month. It’s a 1 hour consultation, 4 hour testing and 1 hour diagnosis/results meeting. Has anyone… more

Does anyone get into moods particularly on a good day when things are going well and your ADD meds are working as they’re supposed to (for once which is so rare these days) that you kinda over commit … more

The crash and burn after a busy period is real. I’ve been busy nonstop for the last week and a half until around mid afternoon today and now I can’t focus on anything except a nap. Now I’m scared I’… more

How do you avoid revenge bedtime procrastination? I often work until 11 pm or later, and even when I don’t, I’m sort of on call until probably like 11 pm. So because I never feel like I have any time … more

How do you all plan your meals and eat healthy during intense weeks? One of my biggest issues is forgetting to prep a meal or forgetting to eat entirely, which means I end up scarfing McDonalds at 11p… more

So here’s my conundrum: I thrive in chaos/business, but chaos/business makes me physically anxious and stressed (neck/leg pain, headaches). But when I’m not extremely busy, I can’t task initiate or get stuck in … more

What apps/tools have really helped you manage your time and your tasks? I really need to get a grasp on this, as things are seriously spiraling out of control now that I'm at a big firm with a big… more

Has anyone successfully asked for accommodations at work? I'll probably need them in the future, but fear it'll make me look less capable/unprofessional. Tips?

Maybe we're not mistakes. In "Outlive" by Peter Attia, a book about maximizing your health, a theme is humans aren't wired for modern diet/life, we're built for traveling long di… more

I had 5 hours of research yesterday and it was unnecessarily stressful bc I could not focus for the life of me! I know I need to (and want to!) read the entire case, dissent, concurrence, etc. but I … more

Anyone else struggle with sensory overload at work? How do you handle it? I'm pretty comfortable in my office where I have more control over the environment, but being in the court room and out me… more

Currently a big law commercial litigator in my 6th month practicing and hating it. I hate overcoming my paralysis to start drafting discovery requests and motions for matters I don’t care about, and … more

How do you do deep-thought work for over 7 hours a day? I have found that at roughly the 6.5-7 hour mark, my focus, task initiation, etc massively declines and I am useless. But I am really busy and… more

Anyone take meds in law school but stopped once they started practicing? If so how did you handle the transition?

I know we talk a lot about overcoming things tied to our ADHD, but do you ever find that you're succeeding in this field because of it and not despite it? Just pulled an all-nighter fueled by hype… more

Anyone have solutions for insomnia caused by stimulant meds? My Vyvanse makes me amazing today, then I lay awake half the night tonight, and am useless tomorrow…

I’ve always been a high achiever and am 5 years out of law school. However, lately a laziness, extreme fatigue and apathy has really set in. I just am not interested in my job and hate my firm but can… more

I’m so tired of having ADHD. No one in my life understands how fundamentally exhausted I am from masking all week, pivoting between multiple clients during the day, managing my workload and the people… more

I am extremely dysregulated today and ended up talking over not one, but two partners during different meetings. I really try to be compassionate with myself in these situations bc hey it happens, bu… more

Any else feel as if they’re always playing catch up at work? From day one. Or that you’re not given enough time to fully understand a case at your own pace? I feel as if I’m always behind - and I hav… more

People, I’ve got a second interview for a job as a county attorney in a rural area. It’s a criminal prosecutor position. Any other ADHDers work as prosecutors? Will I survive?

What are some ways you make work fun when you can’t stay focused? I have about 5 hours of work to do today but am unnecessarily dreading it. It’s not hard work, but I just sit at my desk to start, t… more