October is ADHD Awareness Month, and as we get to the end of the month, I had some thoughts to share. Across this month, there have been lots of posts and events celebrating ADHD as a superpower. I feel quite conflicted about this position because those who live with ADHD can find it really hard at times. It can have a huge impact on how we manage everyday tasks, regulate our emotions, maintain relationships and how we feel about ourselves.
It can also look like being able to respond quickly in an emergency, think flexibly, be curious and creative, offer oodles of empathy and understanding about other people’s challenges, have lots of energy and ideas, notice things others miss and be able to think creatively when solving problems.
My clinical approach is positive and strength-based, and I believe that every single person has their own strengths and challenges. I also know that some of the biggest difficulties for people with ADHD arise when the people around them don’t understand how ADHD affects their daily lives, wellbeing and behaviour.
Many people associate ADHD with being distracted, forgetful, struggling with motivation, procrastination and difficulties with emotional regulation. But ADHD can look different for everyone, and there is often a lot happening beneath the surface that other people don’t see. ADHD can affect work, home life, confidence and relationships. Understanding it won’t make every challenge disappear, but it can help you make sense of your experiences, be kinder to yourself and work out what support you might need to move forward with more positivity and greater self-acceptance. It can also help you build confidence in your strengths while putting the right support in place for the things you might find harder to manage.
Engaging with a neuroaffirming counsellor means you don’t have to explain or justify your experiences. I bring both clinical knowledge and lived experience to my work. I don’t assume all people with ADHD are the same or that we experience the same difficulties. I can help you explore patterns of behaviour, interpersonal dynamics and how your sense of self affects your responses, plans, confidence and overall wellbeing.
To find out more about ADHD Awareness Month, take a look at: https://www.adhdawarenessmonth.org/
