What I Wish I Had Known About ADHD When I Was Growing Up

Understanding these three things about ADHD could have helped me have less shame, hurt, and overwhelm.

ADHD affects the mind, body, and spirit and so much is being learned about it. Once you know how ADHD affects you, you'll be able to spot what's happening and give yourself compassion.

Let's Go!

#1: A Body With ADHD Has A Sensitive Nervous System

We tend to react more strongly to smells, sounds, touch, sight, and proprioceptive feedback (how we relate to physical space).

I HATE sitting close to the kitchen door at a restaurant because it keeps on swinging back and forth and I can hear the clanking of the dishes in the kitchen. It's distracting and annoying. So while a restaurant staff may think I am being a diva (which I can not control what they are thinking), I know that I'm going to have a much more enjoyable conversation with my dinner guest.

Respect and ask your body and what it needs.

#2: Hormones Can Create Havoc

Things that normally don't bother you could as your estrogen levels go down.

The later you get in your cycle the more your ADHD symptoms intensify. Instead of fitting the challenges, roll with them. Your brain isn’t processing the information as well.

Give yourself and others a break, and lower your expectations the week before your period.

#3: You're Not Defective

Who wants a disorder? 

Some people with ADHD feel they are less than because they have a disorder. Believe it or not, the term ADHD is much better. It used to be called Limited Brain Function.

The bottom line, you did not choose ADHD, and you do get to choose how you see yourself. You can shame yourself because of ADHD, be ticked off, and/or you can laugh (and cry) when ADHD is creating havoc in your life.

The more you know, the more you have an opportunity to give yourself compassion and learn and apply skills that will help you use ADHD as an asset and not a villain.