Attention Defecit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
More people are being diagnoised with ADHD then ever before, especially adults who will have lived with the condition unknowingly for years. The first treatment offered for almost everyone with ADHD is medication. Whilst medication has it’s place, there are other ways of navigating a world with ADHD.
Although diagnosis is on the increase, ADHD remains very much misunderstood in society, which means people with ADHD remain misunderstood. Typically, ADHD is wrongly associated with naughty school boys taking Ritalin, but in reality ADHD is a very real condition that can affect anyone. Boys, girls and adults. One of the biggest hurdles, or series of hurdles those with ADHD suffer from are emotional issues, which is why more people are now seeking therapy for ADHD.
Defecit of attention, or too much attention?
One problem with ADHD, is that it’s name doesn’t acurately represent the condition. For starters ADHD is rarely a deficit of attention, instead there’s often too much attention so the brain wanders off looking for extra stimulation. One of the leading pioneers in the field of ADHD research is professor of psychiatry, Russell A. Barkley PhD. He says that ADHD isn’t so much a defecit of attention, but rather a delay or defecit in the development of our executive functioning skills. Another reason the name ADHD is misrepresentive, is that a large number of people with ADHD don’t have any outward signs of hyperactivity. Therefore the name also gives other people inaccurate information about the person with ADHD, often leading to an unconscious bias towards them. This in turn can lead to discrimination by parents, friends, teachers, partners, spouses, colleagues, employers, potential employers, landlords, iunsurance companies, therapists, coaches, doctors etc.
ADHD and Emotions
For many, ADHD comes hand in hand with unhealthy negative emotions. Feelings of failure, not being good enough, being defective, letting people down, under-achieving etc. can lead to anger, shame, anxiety, depression, guilt, hurt, jealousy and envy. ADHD and executive function disorders can be thought of as adding a maginifying glass to our emotions. Sometimes emotions can be magnified a little bit, sometimes alot. Another prominent ADHD researcher Tom Brown PhD, talks about one cluster of executive functions that manage frustration and modulate emotions. So you can see how those people with this reduced ability to control or manage their emotions are more likely to have anger outbursts, suffer with anxiety, feel hurt and rejected etc.
ADHD Coaching or ADHD Therapy?
ADHD coaching is becoming more popular as the numbers of people recieving a diagnosis increases. Coaching is great if your emotions are in check but you are seeking help with solutions, planning, organising (having a set place to put your keys etc) or putting other in steps in daily life to keep on top of things or having someone to be accountable to. However, the problem (and also a huge plus side) with us humans is that we have emotions, and the problem with humans with ADHD is that those emotions when viewed through the magifying glass can really set us back in our education, careers, realtionships etc. In a nutshell I would advise those looking for a bit of guidance with everyday tasks and organisational problems to seek a coach, and those struggling day to day with one or more emotional problems to see a therapist.
Therapy or ADHD Therapy
While there is no specific therapy for ADHD, there are of course therapists that understand, and those that don’t understand ADHD. It was while studying for my qualifications in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and understanding how my own brain worked, that I came to the conclusion that I might have had ADHD. I sought out a diagnosis and it was confirmed. I have ADHD, I understand ADHD, I understand emotions and I understand how it affects our emotions, and more importantly how we can keep these emotions in check. I also understand what works for me but also what my clients find useful. Although I don’t profess to be a certified coach, my therapy style is very much geared towards coaching people towards their best life.
In addition to my CBT qualifications, I have a certificate in Understanding ADHD – Current Research and Practice from Kings College London, and I keep up to date with current research in ADHD. As in my general therapy work, I use a framework of Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT) along with other therapies, wherever and whenever they will suit an individual client. These other therapies include Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT), Mindfulness and Hypnotherapy.
Next Steps
If you feel you would benefit from therapy, or you’re just not sure, I offer eveyone a free, informal, no-obligation, 10 minute telephone consultation. This gives me the chance to see if I think therapy would be useful for you, but more importantly, gives you the opportunity to see if you would like to work with me as your therapist. Likewise, after our conversation if I thought coaching would suit your better, I can point you in the direction of a well trusted ADHD coach. Contact me for more information or to book a consultation.
Please also visit my ADHD Therapy website at www.adhd-therapy.co.uk