In 2024 ADHD awareness month theme is 'Awareness is key'. Below I explore 5 key reflections on awareness to what supports those whom have a diagnosis, or gravitate to the diagnosis of ADHD; which I have been considerate of over recent years, as I have noticed that a high proportion of clients whom work with me identify as neurodivergent.
Label Awareness: Removing stigma, while recognising challenge
The Terminology of ADHD does not do the diagnosis- or individuals that identify with the symptom cluster/spectrum- justice. Naming a 'deficit' fails to illustrate the core challenge of a difference in attentional regulation. Individuals with ADHD can have their attention pulled in multiple directions or find themselves in 'hyperfocus' with unwavering attention toward a subject of interest for hours on end. While the experience can be debilitating, individuals can be apparently high functioning, and the severity of challenge is not recognised as someone appears to be working well on the surface. The confusion around the label challenges ultimately as many individuals fall into a trap of stigma felt towards a wrongly labelled experience, and subsequently may also minimise the degree of debilitation they themselves face for the cultural portrayal of the experience not matching.
Emotional Awareness: Regulation as focus
Reframing the underlying root of ADHD to be one of regulation, considering regulation of emotion is a first priority; as attention gets moved in various ways, emotions can also feel a mirroring rollercoaster. Underlying physiology points to a shift in dopamine meaning that individuals are more often hijacked in the reward of activities. Mood can manoeuvre quickly from high to low, and to support this any activities that help regulation support individuals- this can expand from breathwork to mindfulness - and centre on all the basic building blocks to centred wellbeing, including basics often forgotten of sleep and diet.
Treatment Awareness: Caution to self medication
Treatment starts with regulation in mind- however there can be definite need for medication, and in link to stigma experienced (not to mention year + long wait lists for assessment) many individuals do not reach out for this support. It is important to recognise that many other options can be picked up to 'self medicate' from use of alcohol, caffeine and other substances, often unknowingly. Awareness of the pattern of recreational substance use to maintain emotion and attention- and the damage this can cause- is important to try to redirect to other treatment choices/ raise awareness to the need for wider support around an individuals mental health.
Relational Awareness: Conflict and Carer roles
Two keen observations supporting couples where one, or both, individuals have ADHD, is the assessment of conflict and the wider dynamic.
Conflict is challenging on multiple dimensions with couples being more likely to enter into conflict through miscommunication, not listening, and earlier emotional dysregulation- and remain in conflict, as the experience can be intoxicating (literally and figuratively) with added drive to experience the soothing effects after a conflict has taken place/ due to the impact on physiology. Recognising patterns again supports moving consciously away from conflict, while building regulation and communication skills lessens the impact.
In respect of the wider dynamic a particular pattern to be aware is that of 'the victim and rescuer'- often the individual with ADHD may be supported by a partner in an area they find challenging, but this is not necessarily approached in the most helpful way as the non ADHD partner (or less affected for a particular task partner) takes on tasks in a way that is directive or parenting over their partner. Over time this can lead to resentment across the partnership. A shift to recognise and name activities that are challenging, and work together to new joint solutions of how to manage is key. (sometimes with some added grace to flexibility)
Strength Focus Awareness: Moving toward skill
To end I wanted to note the importance of viewing things as a whole- something the ADHD brain often does. While I am mindful to not in any way downplay the challenges of ADHD- with the right regulation in place there can also be great benefit to brains mapped in a different format. It is said that often we fall out of love with someone for the same reasons we fell in love with them- while we can fall out of love with many of the parts of ADHD -it is important that we also recognise those same parts are deserving or respect and there needs a recognition of the wider skill set present. Creativity, openness to experience, empathy and a fairness in approach to name a few- there really are many parts to love.
Further reading - 'How to thrive with adult ADHD' by Dr James Kustow.
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