ADHD can influence and impact emotions, leading to partitioned emotions and a lack of understanding and control.
Recognizing ADHD as a factor in emotional regulation can help challenge and reframe common emotional narratives.
Deep dives
Understanding ADHD and Emotional Autopilot
The podcast episode explores the concept of emotional autopilot in individuals with ADHD. It highlights how people with ADHD tend to partition their emotions, resulting in a lack of understanding and control over their emotional experiences. The episode delves into the reasons behind this tendency, discussing how ADHD can influence and impact emotions. It emphasizes the importance of recognizing ADHD as a factor in emotional regulation, shedding light on three common emotional scenarios: feeling inadequate, being a pleaser or avoider, and feeling misunderstood. The episode highlights the role of executive functions in these scenarios and emphasizes the need to develop awareness to challenge and reframe these emotional narratives.
Challenging the Narrative of Inadequacy and Overdoing
One of the emotional scenarios discussed is feeling inadequate and feeling the need to constantly do more. The episode explores how ADHD affects decision-making and the ability to say 'no,' emphasizing that executive functioning challenges can contribute to this narrative. By recognizing the influence of ADHD on this mindset, individuals can start to question and reframe their belief in their inadequacy. The importance of exploring strengths and successes, despite challenges, is highlighted as a way to counteract the negative self-perception and establish a more balanced narrative around personal accomplishments.
The Pleaser-Avoider Dynamic and Understanding Agency
Another emotional scenario discussed is being a pleaser or avoider, where individuals prioritize others' needs over their own. The episode explores how ADHD can hinder decision-making and expressing opinions due to executive function deficits. It highlights the importance of distinguishing between going with the flow by choice versus avoiding agency and asserting oneself. By developing awareness of these tendencies and understanding one's own role in interpersonal dynamics, individuals can make more informed choices and actively participate in decision-making, relationships, and personal growth.
Navigating the Feeling of Being Misunderstood
The podcast episode addresses the feeling of being misunderstood and its impact on individuals with ADHD. It distinguishes between a lack of awareness and understanding in oneself and others, emphasizing the importance of self-reflection and empathy. While acknowledging that people with ADHD are often genuinely misunderstood, the episode highlights the need for critical awareness and introspection. By recognizing the role of ADHD in communication and dynamics, individuals can work towards embracing their unique perspectives while also seeking understanding and connection with others.
Following up on last week’s episode of emotional autopilot, Ash and Cam explore some of the motivations for this behavior. We do what we need to to get through our days, and emotional autopilot is a coping mechanism for managing strong emotions and the limiting stories that can accompany them.
Cam shares three specific examples of limiting stories and how we can uncover the ADHD that is operating in the background. When we explore causation, we can start to poke holes in our stories that don't serve us. Cam specifically points to 'One Down' or 'I am not enough.' The conflict avoider and the misunderstood rebel. Ash points out distinctions where awareness, agency and choice can completely change the dynamic for the better.
