ADHD Emotions

 What might be holding you back from achieving what you want right now is your frustration about your ADHD challenges. If it is, your thinking might be something along the lines of, “This isn’t fair! I shouldn’t have to deal with this!” So, maybe you neither accept what is or effectively work toward making a change. Rather, you stay stuck in this mindset, wanting things to be different than they are, but unable to move forward. The antidote to this predicament is accepting the mindset of Dr. Edward Hallowell’s adaptation of the Serenity Prayer. God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; The insight to prioritize wisely what I want to change; The patience to resist trying to control everything I…

When helping my clients figure out how to work with their ADHD and create a life that works for them the topic of shame inevitably arises at some point. In fact, shame is common for ADHD adults. I can’t think of another emotion that is as ubiquitous as shame. And, while everybody feels shame, many ADHD adults don’t acknowledge or address it. And, if this is true for you, it is unfortunate. Because it may be holding you back from reaching your goals. While, try as you might, you can’t prevent it from arising on occasion. However, you can become more shame resilient.  Ready to learn how to manage it and minimize its negative impact? The Difference Between Shame and Guilt First, it is important…

  If you already read Part 1, you learned about 3 different types of faulty thinking and different ways your ADHD may be related to these thought patterns. In this continuation of the series we’ll look at the hypothetical case of Amir’s negative thinking traps, as well as methods he can use to address his faulty thinking. As you read about Amir, consider whether you have similar thought patterns. And hopefully, as you become curious about how your thinking about events and situations in your own life can lead you down one path or another, you will choose to manage these thoughts with one or more the suggestions below. Check out Amir’s thinking, first. Overgeneralizing When you overgeneralize you decide one bad event or situation…