Rescue Your Relationship: Unlocking the Power of Communication in ADHD and Beyond
Oct 30, 2024
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Mika Ross, a therapist and relationship coach, specializes in navigating communication dynamics shaped by ADHD. She shares insightful strategies for enhancing relationships, including her unique 'scales' for emotional clarity. Mika highlights the importance of understanding non-verbal cues and the challenges of rejection sensitivity. With personal anecdotes, she elucidates how empathy and active listening can foster deeper connections, while also addressing the risks of resentment and people-pleasing. Her practical tips inspire couples to embrace big emotions and pursue effective compromises.
Utilizing tools like 'scales' helps partners convey their feelings more clearly, reducing miscommunication and emotional confusion.
Personal childhood experiences can significantly influence relationship dynamics, offering insights into fostering healthier connections amidst ADHD challenges.
Deep dives
Effective Communication Through Scales
Using scales can significantly enhance communication between partners, especially when expressing feelings. Misinterpretations often arise from nonverbal cues, as individuals may have different expressive styles. For instance, one partner might express enthusiasm overtly, while another uses a more subdued tone, leading to confusion about their emotional state. By asking for a specific rating, such as on a scale from zero to ten, individuals can clarify their feelings more accurately, helping to bridge the communication gap.
Impact of Background on Relationship Expertise
Personal experiences, particularly those from childhood, can shape one's approach to relationships and counseling. Having grown up in a family where divorce was common can provide unique insights into what constitutes a healthy relationship. This background can foster a deeper understanding of relationship dynamics, as individuals learn what to avoid and what to embrace in their own partnerships. As a therapist and relationship coach, these experiences often translate into more effective strategies for helping couples navigate their challenges.
Understanding Sensitivity and Perception
Many individuals, especially those with heightened sensitivity, often take others' emotions personally, leading to misunderstandings. This phenomenon can result in unnecessary conflict, as one partner assumes the other’s mood is directed at them without clarity. By recognizing that their partner's anxiety or frustration may not actually involve them, individuals can foster healthier interactions. This awareness allows communication to be rooted in empathy rather than paranoia, leading to more constructive dialogues.
The Importance of Paraphrasing in Communication
Paraphrasing is a valuable skill in ensuring both partners feel heard and understood in a conversation. When one partner expresses a concern or sentiment, accurately reflecting that back helps to clarify their feelings and intentions. This practice not only affirms the speaker’s emotions but can also reveal misunderstandings before they escalate into larger conflicts. By postponing attempts to persuade until both sides are fully acknowledged, partners can engage in a more meaningful and productive conversation.
In this episode, I sit down with the incredible Mika Ross, therapist, relationship coach, and all-around relatable expert on navigating the messiness of relationships, especially when ADHD dynamics come into play. Mika shares her journey from aspiring child therapist to becoming a relationship expert, all while unpacking her own family experiences. We unravel the nuances of communication, understanding, and empathy, especially in relationships affected by ADHD and rejection sensitivity. Mika offers unique tools like her trusty "scales" for gauging feelings, strategies for paraphrasing to enhance active listening, and tips for avoiding the dreaded resentment that can creep into any relationship. Mika’s wisdom will inspire you to embrace those "big feelings," communicate effectively, and find those win-win solutions that make relationships thrive.
Episode Highlights: [1:29] - Meet Mika Ross, the relatable therapist who’s real about the ups and downs of relationship dynamics. [2:42] - Mika shares her journey from child therapy to relationship coaching, driven by personal experiences and a late-in-life ADHD connection. [5:33] - The "ADHD detector" moments: how Mika notices the signs and patterns of ADHD within couples. [12:08] - Unpacking non-verbal communication and why assumptions often lead to misinterpretations. [15:44] - Mika’s go-to strategy: using "scales" to bring clarity and eliminate guesswork in emotional exchanges. [20:21] - Tools for the highly sensitive: using scales and structured communication to reduce misunderstandings. [25:19] - The power of paraphrasing: How Mika learned to listen actively and avoid surface-level conversations. [34:31] - Postpone persuasion! Mika’s "five P’s" strategy for truly understanding your partner before jumping to conclusions. [35:38] - Win-win solutions vs. compromise: finding what feels good for both sides without resentment.
Thank you for tuning into "SuccessFULL with ADHD." If this episode has impacted you, remember to rate, follow, share, and review our podcast. Your support helps us reach and help more individuals navigating their journeys with ADHD.
Are you a high-achieving adult who still struggles with the chaos of your ADHD, wants a hard reset to create structures and routines that stick, to ultimately build greater confidence?
Check out our 12-week signature process, small group for adults with ADHD or suspected ADHD, 3C Activation: starting Thurs, Dec 19 @ 10am EST ▶ https://www.coachingwithbrooke.com/3cactivation
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