Three Signs you are Stuck at the First Barrier of ADHD
Nov 20, 2023
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The hosts discuss being stuck at the first barrier of ADHD and share examples of clients who are unaware of their challenges. They highlight the importance of gaining awareness and recognizing self-criticism. ADHD presents unique challenges and perspectives on it include viewing it as a superpower or a curse. Seeking support and navigating this barrier is crucial.
ADHD goes beyond symptoms and requires a deeper understanding of causation and the impact on relationships and personal well-being.
Addressing self-criticism and seeking support are crucial steps in breaking free from the awareness barrier and fostering personal growth.
Deep dives
Camping Out at the Awareness Barrier
Many individuals with ADHD often find themselves stuck at the awareness barrier, not fully aware of the impact of their ADHD and the options available to them. They might seek tactical support and believe that a specific system or tool is all they need to address their challenges. However, it's important to recognize that ADHD goes beyond just symptoms and requires a deeper understanding of causation. Hyperfocus is often seen as a superpower, but it's crucial to acknowledge its downsides, such as neglecting self-care and experiencing crashes. Another common mindset is viewing ADHD as a curse, hoping for a magical solution to make it go away. It's essential to develop awareness of the context and the impact of ADHD on relationships and personal well-being. Through coaching, individuals can gain a better understanding of their unique experiences and discover more effective ways of managing their ADHD.
The Need for Awareness and Understanding
The awareness barrier often stems from a lack of knowledge about the true impact of ADHD and a focus solely on symptoms. Seeking quick fixes or relying on systems and tools can provide temporary relief, but it's crucial to look beyond symptoms and address the underlying causes. Understanding the complexity of ADHD and its effects on different individuals and contexts is essential for developing empathy and appreciating others' perspectives. It is a matter of exploring various approaches and gaining a deeper understanding of one's own experience and the possibilities of managing ADHD more effectively.
Recognizing Self-Criticism and Seeking Support
A significant aspect of camping out at the awareness barrier is the presence of self-criticism and negative self-talk. Many individuals with ADHD are often unaware of their harsh self-judgment and the impact it has on their well-being. Taking the time to recognize and acknowledge this self-criticism is the first step in breaking free from the cycle. Seeking support from trusted individuals, such as coaches or trusted friends, can provide an outside perspective and help in examining and challenging self-critical thoughts. Creating a space for self-compassion and understanding is crucial in navigating the awareness barrier and fostering personal growth.
In this episode of Translating ADHD, Ash and Cam return to awareness, the first barrier of ADHD, and share a few examples of “You know you are here if..” They explore client scenarios that are a good indication of being stuck at the first barrier. Being at the first barrier is often exemplified by having some sense of a challenge but also not seeing all of the picture. ADHD makes it difficult to get to causation and nowhere is this more evident than the first barrier characterized by the first stage of change, pre-contemplation or “you don’t know what you don’t know”.
There are many examples, but Cam and Ash share three in particular - where individuals coming to coaching may think they need only tactical support, view ADHD as a superpower, or perceive it as a curse. The hosts discuss each example and first steps to moving through the barrier to new awareness. The hosts not only emphasize the importance of gaining awareness, but also recognizing self-criticism and seeking support to navigate these challenges.