ADHD: More than just inattention
Looking for Strategies?
… And it’s more than not being able to sit still
If you’ve been struggling with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, you probably already know that ADHD is more than just inattention or being “hyper.” It can affect everything from not meeting deadlines at work or school to procrastination, to being extra-sensitive to rejection by others.
If you ever wonder if you have ADHD, these experiences might sound familiar:
Feeling like you’re always late for something
Losing focus or having trouble concentrating on boring tasks
Losing time- getting lost in a game, videos, or just zoning out.
Putting things off until “the last minute”
Constantly feeling like you’ve disappointed someone (or yourself)
Hyper-focusing on interesting things
Trouble making decisions
Feeling extra-sensitive to rejection
Interrupting others
Frequent mood changes
Relationship or work troubles
If you are struggling with ADHD, we have the tools to help you sort out what your strengths and struggles are. Through conversation and testing, we can assess and diagnose ADHD and other issues.
Then, together, we can help you with understanding yourself as an ADHDer. That might mean learning how to be kinder to yourself. It might also mean that you’ll learn strategies for working with your unique areas of need. It might mean understanding the ways we label and criticize ourselves and how that can backfire when we have ADHD.
All along the way, you’ll feel supported and welcome as we do the work of helping you live your fullest and most authentic life.
Reaching out and taking that first step can be scary. Please know that therapy is a judgement-free zone. As a person with ADHD, I know how hard it is to reach out. So, text me if it feels easier for you… We’ll go from there.
Many of us with ADHD struggle with procrastination. Next time, try this:
1. Commit to 10 minutes ONLY. Tell yourself that you’ll get started on it and work for 10 minutes ONLY. You can do anything for 10 minutes, right?
2. Set your phone timer for 10 minutes (or use the microwave or another timer if the phone is too distracting).
3. Start. Start the task and work on it until you hear your alarm.
4. When time’s up, ask yourself: “Am I in the zone? Can I continue? Or do I really want to stop now?”
5. If you’re in the zone, KEEP GOING ! If not, give yourself permission to stop. Do something else, and come back to the task later.
But it’s not just strategies.
It’s life with ADHD.
And sometimes it sucks.
I’m not gonna lie. Being ADHD can suck. Because of the struggles we have lived with (you know them— procrastination, losing track of time, trouble staying with just about anything, emotional outbursts, feeling hyper-sensitive and more) we are at greater risk for depression and anxiety or just feeling like crap about ourselves most of the time.
The good news is that when we’re able to understand ourselves as neurodivergent people, complete with our own needs, strengths, beauty and we engage in appropriate self care, we CAN live powerful lives! That’s where therapy comes in.