Have you ever wondered if the challenges your child is experiencing are ever going to improve?

So many people, adults and children alike, assume there is something wrong with them when they aren’t able to keep up with the demands put on them in school, at work, at home, in parenting, and more. It is quite common for Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD, to look like a "discipline problem" in kids and teens, or a lack of caring in adults, but that could not be further from the true reality. Despite this, trying to function in a world with demands meant for neurotypical people (meaning, people without ADHD or other neurodivergence) can make you feel like you’re falling short all the time. 

ADHD is a type of neurodivergence, meaning a difference in the way the brain functions. While the ADHD brain also has many strengths, it is common to see its limitations when you’re dealing with it in your own life. There are also true deficits which can make standard expectations difficult to achieve, leading to low self-esteem, negative thought patterns, low motivation, and more procrastination. Being stuck in this cycle can feel like it’s never-ending.

ADHD is not simply “inattention,” difficulty getting things done, or poor behavior - it includes impulsivity, hyperactivity, emotional reactivity, and executive function challenges. It can dramatically impact life at home, school or work, with friends, daily routines, and more. ADHD looks different in every person: some are loud and energetic; others daydream and miss details. ADHD is a form of neurodivergence, or a difference in how the brain processes information and functions.

Most people with ADHD consider themselves to be lazy or procrastinators, and feel they are helpless to end these cycles. It often becomes a part of your identity, which feels impossible to shift. The patterns that have emerged to help you cope with the world become your norm, even when they are not working for you. Often, people stop trying to change, which can have devastating impacts on success, confidence, self-worth, and more. 

More and more, we are seeing ADHD which has gone undiagnosed for years. It has been masked by coping strategies or mislabeled as anxiety or laziness, but the deficits are real. Adults can often trace the start of these problems back to childhood, and note a constant struggle to keep up with expectations throughout their lifetime.

Adult ADHD often includes difficulties with time management, task initiation, emotional dysregulation, disorganization, and more. Do you find that you procrastinate difficult tasks but can easily focus and perhaps even hyperfixate on something else? That is another hallmark of adult ADHD. Just because it was not diagnosed in childhood does not mean it doesn’t exist. Years of wanting to meet expectations that were not achievable often leads to low confidence, high self-doubt, and often is associated with anxiety and depression. 

CBT for adults focuses on:

• Creating external systems (reminders, routines) to support your daily functions

• Managing overwhelm and procrastination with specific strategies

• Reframing negative self-talk, which may have deep roots if these difficulties have been around for many years

Let’s connect to get started. Reach out via email or schedule a screening call today.