Podcast Summary
Managing Stresses of Modern Life with Natural Supplements for ADHD Women: Natural supplements with adaptogens and functional mushrooms support a calmer, focused lifestyle for ADHD women, while self-compassion is essential for managing emotional and mental challenges.
ADHD women face unique challenges in managing the stresses of modern life, and natural supplements formulated with adaptogens and functional mushrooms, like those offered by The Herb Tender, can help support a healthier, calmer, and more focused lifestyle. These supplements, which include the Focus and Clarity and Calm and Collected formulas, can help regulate physiological function and restore metabolic balance, making them valuable tools for managing the symptoms of ADHD. Additionally, self-compassion is an essential aspect of well-being for women with ADHD. Alex Campbell, an ADHD specialist, psychotherapist, coach, and mental health first aid trainer, emphasized the importance of self-compassion in managing the emotional and mental challenges of living with ADHD. By practicing self-compassion, women with ADHD can build resilience and improve their overall well-being.
Personal journey of a therapist diagnosed with ADHD in the 1990s: Being diagnosed with ADHD in the 1990s presented challenges, but the lack of social integration was a significant issue. Embracing neurodiversity and recognizing the resourcefulness of individuals in managing their symptoms is crucial.
The speaker, who is a therapist and coach specializing in ADHD, shared her personal experience of being diagnosed with ADHD in the 1990s and the challenges she faced during that time. She expressed gratitude for being one of the first diagnosed individuals but noted that the lack of social integration was a significant issue. She also discussed her own journey of denial and eventual acceptance of her neurodiversity. Throughout her career, she has worked with late-diagnosed adults and marvels at their resourcefulness in managing their symptoms without a formal diagnosis. Despite her own awareness of her ADHD since childhood, she has identified with the experiences of those who have had to find their own ways to cope. Overall, her message emphasizes the importance of understanding and embracing neurodiversity, and the resilience and creativity of individuals in finding solutions to their unique challenges.
ADHD and Career Challenges: People with ADHD face unique challenges in their careers, including feelings of failure and isolation, and it's essential to understand and address the various ways ADHD can impact individuals to provide comprehensive support.
People with ADHD may face unique challenges in various aspects of their lives, including their careers. The speaker started with a dream of becoming a stuntman but eventually moved on to Steadicam operating and then producing films. However, despite his successes, he hit a wall and felt lost, leading to a period of intense work and isolation. He felt a deep sense of shame when he couldn't see his name in the film credits, leading to a visceral reaction when he tried to watch a movie. The speaker's brother, who was diagnosed with ADHD at a young age, faced similar struggles with education and social acceptance. The speaker's story highlights how ADHD can manifest differently throughout one's life and how the stigma surrounding it can lead to feelings of failure and isolation. It also underscores the importance of understanding and addressing the various ways ADHD can impact individuals and the need for more comprehensive approaches to supporting those with ADHD.
Acceptance is key for personal growth with ADHD: Recognizing and accepting the unique traits of ADHD can lead to personal growth, self-esteem, and success. Education and compassionate understanding are essential for overcoming the toxic narrative of being flawed or defective.
Recognizing and accepting the grit and resilience of living with ADHD, rather than feeling shame and embarrassment, is crucial for personal growth. The inner world of not knowing, where individuals with ADHD may not recognize their own brilliance or understand their differences, can be normalized through education and acceptance. This acceptance is a compassionate act that allows individuals to see themselves in a new light and move away from the toxic narrative of being flawed or defective. The diagnosis of ADHD can provide a glimmer of hope that challenges long-held beliefs about oneself. By reframing the narrative and focusing on trying different approaches instead of trying harder, individuals can build self-esteem and find success. Through courses like ADHD for All, individuals can learn to understand and normalize their experiences, leading to acceptance and compassion.
Embracing the journey of self-discovery and acceptance: Recognizing and celebrating personal achievements, seeking support when needed, and understanding that medication can be a valuable tool for managing neurodivergence.
The journey of self-discovery and acceptance, especially when it comes to neurodivergence like ADHD, can be transformative. The speaker shared her experience of denial and resistance to getting re-diagnosed, but eventually, the validation and access to medication helped her unlock her potential. The realization of her accomplishments, despite the challenges, is an essential reminder for those struggling with imposter syndrome. Medication is not a magic solution, but it can be a valuable tool when used in conjunction with existing skills and resources. The speaker's story emphasizes the importance of recognizing and celebrating personal achievements, as well as seeking support when needed.
Supporting Individuals with ADHD through Coaching: Coaching offers a supportive environment for individuals with ADHD to understand themselves better, release limiting beliefs, and tap into their unique potential, leading to a more fulfilling life.
Coaching for individuals with ADHD can be a game-changer. Coaches can provide empathetic listening, attunement, and a sense of understanding. They celebrate workarounds and offer hope, especially for those who didn't have strong support systems earlier in life. While medication can be helpful for some, it's not for everyone. Coaches can also help individuals tap into their unfulfilled potential and guide them through limiting beliefs and old stories that have been holding them back. Through deep, powerful work, coaches can help individuals release and manifest their desires, leading to a more fulfilling life. This can apply to various aspects of life, including career and lifestyle. The coach's role is to provide accountability and practical steps towards achieving goals. In summary, coaching offers a supportive environment for individuals with ADHD to understand themselves better, release limiting beliefs, and tap into their unique potential.
Finding hope and compassion through self-compassion: Self-compassion is crucial for ADHDers, transforming responses to life's challenges, being present and mindful, and a continuous journey.
The book "Fuck It: Releasing Yourself from Perfectionism and the Need to Be Right" by John O'Leary has had a profound impact on the speaker's perspective towards ADHD. The author's captivating and inspiring approach resonated deeply with her and helped her find hope and compassion for herself and her clients. Self-compassion, as the speaker emphasizes, is crucial for ADHDers, who often discount positive things due to a strong negativity bias. Self-compassion goes beyond learning techniques to manage ADHD symptoms, it's about transforming the way we respond to life, especially during challenging times. Being present and mindful, even in small moments, is a compassionate act that can help us be here now, despite the difficulties ADHD presents. The speaker encourages everyone to find their unique way to practice self-compassion and normalize the process, as it's a continuous journey rather than a destination.
Incorporating pauses for self-compassion and preventing burnout: Recognize the need for pauses, experiment with different methods, and practice self-compassion to prevent burnout and improve overall well-being
Incorporating systematic pauses into our daily lives is essential for self-compassion and preventing burnout. These pauses can take various forms, from habitual practices like yoga or meditation to in-the-moment interventions like taking a deep breath when feeling overwhelmed. The compassionate aspect of this practice involves allowing ourselves permission to pause and experiment with different methods. We are like sprinters in a marathon runner world, with powerful brains that require special attention and care. By recognizing this and implementing systematic pauses, we can improve our overall well-being and prevent the negative consequences of living life on fast forward.
Accommodating the ADHD brain for productivity and well-being: Recognizing the importance of pauses, self-awareness, self-compassion, and effective transitions can help individuals with ADHD manage energy drain and increase productivity. Personalized habits and a supportive environment are crucial for success.
Understanding and accommodating the unique needs of an ADHD brain can lead to increased productivity and better overall well-being. The speaker shares his personal experience of recognizing the importance of pauses and compassionate acts in his day to help manage the energy drain from hyperfocus. He emphasizes the need to listen to our bodies and minds, and to create habits that allow for effective transitions between tasks. The speaker also highlights the potential for individuals with ADHD to excel in their fields despite the challenges they face, as seen in the example of a successful sales director with ADHD, autism, and bipolar who only works half the year but outperforms her peers. Overall, the discussion underscores the importance of self-awareness, self-compassion, and creating a supportive environment for those with ADHD to thrive.
Recognizing the value of a fast-working brain: Embrace your fast-working brain, reduce societal pressure, create accommodating work environments, prioritize mental health, and focus on unique contributions.
Having a fast-working brain, like ADHD, can be a powerful asset if we learn to manage it effectively. However, many of us with such brains have internalized the belief that we're not working hard enough or producing enough due to societal expectations. This mindset can lead to burnout and decreased productivity. Instead, we should recognize the value of our brains and create work environments that accommodate our unique abilities. This may involve reducing the number of back-to-back meetings and prioritizing mental health. Additionally, we should avoid comparing ourselves to others and instead focus on the unique contributions we make. By embracing our speedy brains and challenging limiting beliefs, we can thrive in our work and personal lives.
Limited Working Memory in ADHD doesn't hinder quick processing: People with ADHD have smaller working memory, but they process information quickly in the right conditions. Goldmine Institute offers a flexible training program for those interested in becoming an ADHD coach.
Our brains function like a working memory with limited capacity, and people with ADHD have smaller working memory size compared to those without it. This limitation, however, doesn't hinder our ability to process information quickly when the conditions are right. In fact, we excel in crisis situations due to our fast working memories. For those interested in becoming an ADHD coach or learning more about ADHD, Goldmine Institute offers a flexible and modular training program accredited by the International Coaching Federation. The program consists of three modules: the foundational 8-week module, the 8-week ADHD Empowered module, and the 25-week coaching module. Additionally, there is a self-compassion resource available at adhdselfcompassion.com.
Empowering ADHD learning experience: Join a small-group program to understand ADHD better, gain confidence, and become a coach or apply new knowledge in personal/professional life.
The ADHD for All training offers an empowering online learning experience for individuals with ADHD, regardless of their goals. This small-group program, held via Zoom, enables participants to understand their ADHD better, gain confidence, and choose to become coaches or apply their newfound knowledge in their personal and professional lives. The training is open to anyone, and the host encourages listeners to explore the opportunity further by joining her monthly membership, the ADHD Women's Well-being Collective, for ongoing support, resources, and community.
