Ash and Cam discuss the importance of awareness in managing ADHD, including the challenges of reaching new awareness, facade building and masking, denial about ADHD impact, new information and resistance, appreciating strengths and challenges, and ADHD and developing identity.
Awareness is the first barrier to overcome in dealing with ADHD, and clients often seek coaching after recently becoming aware of their diagnosis.
The process of developing awareness for individuals with ADHD is complex and involves moving from denial and facades to curiosity, self-compassion, and an understanding of their own strengths and challenges.
Deep dives
Awareness is the First Barrier
The podcast discusses how awareness is the first barrier to overcome in dealing with ADHD. Clients often come to coaching after recently becoming aware of their ADHD diagnosis. They may have had a moment of realization, like a peer pointing out their ADHD behaviors, which burst their fantasy bubble. However, between the discovery of ADHD and seeking coaching, there is a period of hyper fixation and searching for tips, tricks, and strategies. This can be unhelpful as there is a lot of useless information out there about ADHD that focuses on symptoms rather than understanding the underlying causes. It takes time for clients to move from hyper fixation to curiosity and self-compassion, acknowledging the nuances of ADHD, and recognizing their own strengths and challenges.
The Complexity of Awareness
The podcast acknowledges that awareness is a complex process for individuals with ADHD. It is not a linear journey, but rather a series of barriers and hazards. Many clients begin by trying to out-organize their ADHD or deny its impact. They may build facades or masks to pass as neurotypical. However, the true opportunity lies in curiosity and self-compassion, being comfortable with the gap between what is known and unknown. It is essential to sit with the new information, listen without emotional defensiveness or downplaying, and recognize that ADHD is a piece of the puzzle, not the entire picture. Appreciating one's strengths and challenges equally helps initiate the change process.
Ownership and Self-Understanding
The podcast emphasizes the importance of awareness work in coaching for clients to develop ownership and self-understanding. It is about distinguishing the challenges and strengths associated with ADHD rather than solely focusing on the negative aspects. Clients often tell stories of their journey as if success happened to them, discounting their role and agency. Through coaching, they are encouraged to retell these stories, recognizing their choices, strengths, and resources. The goal is to see the whole picture of themselves and appreciate their unique strengths alongside their challenges. This shift in perspective allows clients to take action from a place of curiosity, self-compassion, and an understanding of their own strengths and resources.
In this episode of Translating ADHD, Ash and Cam discuss the importance of awareness in managing ADHD. They explore how difficult it can be for individuals with ADHD to reach a new level of awareness, which is crucial for initiating any kind of change. They also highlight that many clients who seek coaching have recently become aware of their ADHD diagnosis, whether it's a new realization or a revisiting of a childhood diagnosis.
Listeners will recall past episodes discussing the three barriers of ADHD. Awareness is the first barrier and also the first stage of coaching. Tune in to learn more about the role of awareness in the coaching process and how it can lead to positive change for those with ADHD.
[00:01:36] Becoming aware of ADHD.
[00:07:27] Facade building and masking.
[00:08:37] Denial about ADHD impact.
[00:12:26] New information and resistance.
[00:19:11] Appreciating strengths and challenges.
[00:23:38] ADHD and developing identity.
