Podcast Summary
Emotional health of people with ADHD: Repressed emotions and shame in people with ADHD can lead to detrimental mental and physical health issues, making it crucial for healthcare professionals to approach assessments with sensitivity and provide a supportive environment for processing emotions.
People's dislike for us does not equate to our unlikability. Repressed emotions, a common issue for many, including those with ADHD, can have detrimental effects on both mental and physical health if not addressed. Emotions are meant to be processed, not repressed. Unmanaged ADHD traits, particularly emotional dysregulation, can lead to significant problems. Shame, a common emotion for those dealing with ADHD, can be especially challenging due to the rejection sensitivity often present. Repressed emotions and shame can manifest in physical symptoms, such as migraines, dermatological issues, or gastrointestinal problems. When working with new patients suspected of having ADHD, healthcare professionals should approach the assessment with sensitivity and care, as shame can prevent individuals from sharing their struggles. By addressing these underlying emotions and providing a safe and supportive environment, individuals can begin to process their feelings and improve their overall well-being.
Emotional Dysregulation in ADHD: People with ADHD, especially those with emotional dysregulation, may experience intense reactions leading to shutdown or overreactions. Understanding triggers, identifying early signs, and practicing self-regulation techniques can help manage these emotions.
People, especially those with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), may experience intense emotional reactions, including fear of rejection and shame, which can lead to emotional dysregulation. This dysregulation can manifest as either extreme overreactions or complete shutdown. Boys and girls deal with these emotions differently, with boys often exhibiting externalized behaviors and girls internalizing their emotions. Understanding one's triggers and learning to identify the early signs of emotional dysregulation can help manage these intense emotions. Additionally, individuals with ADHD may experience emotional dysregulation in positive situations, leading to an inability to bring the emotional experience to an end. Awareness of these patterns and practicing self-regulation techniques can be beneficial in managing emotional dysregulation.
Factors triggering emotional dysregulation in ADHD: Interpersonal issues, feelings of being unheard, bullying, disorganization, planning difficulties, interpersonal issues, and perfectionism can trigger emotional dysregulation in individuals with ADHD, particularly girls during pre-pubescence, adolescence, and young adulthood. A diagnosis of ADHD can provide a valuable framework for understanding and coping with these experiences.
Emotional dysregulation can be triggered by various factors including interpersonal issues, feelings of being unheard, and bullying. For individuals with ADHD, particularly girls, the struggles during pre-pubescence, adolescence, and young adulthood can involve disorganization, planning difficulties, interpersonal issues, and perfectionism. A diagnosis of ADHD can provide a valuable framework for understanding the individual's experiences and help them feel less misunderstood. The concept of neurodiversity, recognizing that brains function differently, may become a more common way to describe and discuss these differences in the future.
Managing emotions in adults with late-life ADHD: Help adults with late-life ADHD process feelings of anger and sadness, while recognizing and managing overthinking through context awareness and distraction techniques.
When working with adults diagnosed later in life with ADHD, it's crucial to help them process feelings of anger and sadness. Anger may stem from a sense of frustration over undiagnosed symptoms and missed opportunities, while sadness may come from reflecting on a life that could have been different. Overthinking, a common trait in people with ADHD, can be both a gift and a challenge. It can lead to anxiety and excessive worry when focused on unimportant matters, but it can also provide unique perspectives and creative problem-solving abilities. Managing overthinking involves recognizing the context and the underlying emotions driving it, and using distraction techniques to refocus the mind. Overthinking's benefits and drawbacks are influenced by societal pressures and the role of technology in our lives.
ADHD and Sleep: People with ADHD may struggle to sleep due to lack of stimulation and constant craving for device use. Creating a calm environment, practicing mindfulness, and avoiding devices before bed can help.
People with ADHD may struggle with winding down and getting a good night's sleep due to the lack of stimulation in their environment and the constant craving for stimulation from devices. To help create a calm environment for sleep, it's recommended to avoid using devices, create a comfortable and relaxing bedroom, and use white noise to distract the brain. Intrusive thoughts are a normal part of the mind, but focusing too much on them can keep the brain awake. Practicing mindfulness can help let intrusive thoughts pass without giving them attention and empowering them. Avoiding devices before bed is crucial to prevent the brain from staying stimulated and making it harder to fall asleep.
Intrusive thoughts management: Active management of intrusive thoughts is necessary, acknowledging and depowering them is important but not enough, seeking professional help is an option, perfectionism can lead to avoidance, recognizing and challenging perfectionistic tendencies can reduce self-pressure
Intrusive thoughts can be distressing and may require active management. While acknowledging and depowering them is important, taking a passive approach may not be effective. Seeking professional help is an option for those struggling with frequent or distressing intrusive thoughts. It's crucial to remember that just because we have intrusive thoughts doesn't mean they're real. Perfectionism, a common issue for those who have ADHD, can lead to avoidance due to fear of failure. It's essential to recognize that perfect people don't exist, and nobody expects perfection from us. By recognizing and challenging our perfectionistic tendencies, we can reduce the pressure we put on ourselves and make progress towards our goals.
Personal growth and boundaries: Understanding and accepting unique strengths and weaknesses, setting healthy boundaries, and learning to say no are crucial for personal growth and overall well-being, especially for those with ADHD.
Recognizing and accepting our unique strengths and weaknesses, as well as understanding the importance of setting healthy boundaries, are crucial for personal growth and overall well-being. Perfectionism and people-pleasing tend to hinder our progress, leading to exhaustion and unhealthy relationships. People are not always going to like us, and that's okay. Finding your tribe, or the people who truly understand and support you, is essential. Being a people pleaser, a common issue for those with ADHD, can lead to a loss of agency and the inability to say no. Learning to assertively say no and respecting your own boundaries is essential for maintaining healthy relationships and personal growth. Unmanaged ADHD traits such as emotional dysregulation, impulsivity, and sleep issues can significantly impact one's life, leading to low self-esteem, limited opportunities, and a shrunken world.
Neurodivergent students in schools: Schools that prioritize resources, understanding, and support for neurodivergent students create positive learning environments. Absence of such services may require parental advocacy. Traditional school settings may not cater to all learning styles, and a more inclusive approach can benefit all students.
Not all schools are equally equipped to understand, manage, and support students with ADHD and other neurodivergent conditions. Schools that prioritize resources, effort, and understanding create safe, supportive environments where these students can thrive. However, some schools may label these students as "problems" and prefer to move them along due to disruptions or negative public perception. To better equip teachers in identifying undiagnosed neurodivergent conditions, schools should have dedicated learning support centers with trained professionals and resources. Absence of such services may require parents to advocate for their children's needs. The traditional school setup may not cater to every student's learning style, particularly those with ADHD. Recognizing that not all students learn the same way and adopting a more inclusive, praise-focused approach can help create a more positive educational experience. For those diagnosed late with ADHD and feeling anger and shame, it's essential to acknowledge the validity of these emotions while managing their intensity to prevent destructive behavior. Anger can be a powerful motivator for change, but it's crucial to channel it constructively.
Understanding primary emotions: Identifying primary emotions requires self-awareness and reflection, which can be facilitated through therapy. Anger isn't always the primary emotion, it can be a response to underlying feelings like sadness or frustration.
Dealing with anger, especially after receiving a diagnosis like ADHD, is crucial but it's essential to ensure that anger isn't causing unnecessary harm to oneself or others. Anger can be a secondary emotion masking feelings like disappointment, frustration, or sadness. Identifying primary emotions requires self-awareness and reflection, which can be facilitated through therapy. Confusing feelings can lead to misunderstanding one's emotions, and it's important to remember that anger isn't always the primary emotion. Instead, it can be a response to underlying feelings like sadness or frustration. By understanding the true nature of our emotions, we can learn to respond to them in healthier ways, promoting personal growth and improved relationships.