Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), formerly known as ADD
Though some of my clients were previously diagnosed or had ADHD mentioned to them as a possibility when they’re younger, a lot of my clients might not realize they have ADHD or only come to realize it late in life, due to not always fitting the stereotypical profile, such as outward signs of hyperactivity, disruptiveness, or extreme forgetfulness. Girls and women, in particular, have been grossly overlooked in this area.
Sometimes, clients’ autistic traits, giftedness, socialization to mask their difficulties, building systems to cope, hard work, and/or vigilance can contribute to ADHD being harder to see. A lot of times these systems or effort are so ingrained, a client might not realize they’re even doing them. It can be surprising to hear or believe that not everyone is having to work so hard for the same outcome.
ADHD might be part of the explanation for a client’s changing interests/hobbies/jobs, interest in novelty or intense stimulation such as concerts/parties/dancing/travel, fast and nonlinear thoughts, and difficulty being on time or completing tasks without using a lot of systems or effort.
ADHDers tend to have deep shame and internalized ableism from the messages they’ve gotten their whole lives for being “lazy,” “not living up to their potential,” “not applying themselves,” “not caring,” “just making excuses,” or any of the other judgments they’ve heard countless times from others who aren’t understanding the root cause. Most of the advice for ADHD can be incredibly simplistic like to try harder, getting planners/calendars, using timers, and setting reminders, which can be so frustrating or demoralizing. My approach draws from much deeper theory and current research on what works for ADHDers, in addition to tailoring the treatment to your unique profile and manifestation of ADHD, rather than a “one size fits all” approach.