David Baxter PhD
Late Founder
ADHD - Breaking the Cycle of Shame
Elisha Goldstein, Ph.D., MentalHelpNet
October 17, 2009
In a way, it's really amazing that we call ourselves a developed culture. Why do I say that? The shame in our society that comes from having a mental health challenge is enormous and immature. People who struggle with bipolar disorder, major depression, ADHD and other brain related issues are often, at least initially, hidden in a cloud of shame. Why? Because the ignorance in our society is pervasive and because that which we don't understand we fear, and that which we fear we oppress.
Having any of these issues is difficult enough and adding shame on top of it only makes it more difficult for the person and as a result, that person doesn't feel confident to show his or her talents out in the world and lives life just trying to hide or cover up their issue.
So what's in a label? While labeling for some people can feel like they are being put in a box, for others it can be a huge relief. Finally, this issue they've been struggling with their whole lives where people have told them they are irresponsible, stupid, lazy, etc... is named and now that is named, they can work on working with it.
Working with anything starts with awareness, that is the ground from which change can happen.
As an example, if someone is struggling with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), it may really be helpful to show them that this is ADHD because there are millions of people who struggle with this and there is a feeling of belonging instead of being so alone.
In addition, at times it is helpful to show a model of what is going on in their brain. Showing this helps the person recognize that the issue is not their fault and begins to untie this cycle of shame which only pours kerosene on the fire.
As a generalization, Neurologists and neuropsychologists are finding that people with ADHD seem to show deficits in the frontal cortex of the brain which is involved in problem solving, attention, reasoning and planning.
Many researchers are starting to believe that because the brain has been found to have plasticity - or that it can change - it is possible to work with ADHD, helping people become better able to regulate their moods and pay attention to what is most important. Often times this may be supported with medication.
What's important to know about all of this is that there is no magic bullet. While one approach might work for one, it may be another approach that works better for another.
More than anything, we must educate ourselves that we're all on a spectrum of disorder and adding oppression and shame to it only breeds disconnection which leads to imbalance, individually and culturally.
Elisha Goldstein, Ph.D., MentalHelpNet
October 17, 2009
In a way, it's really amazing that we call ourselves a developed culture. Why do I say that? The shame in our society that comes from having a mental health challenge is enormous and immature. People who struggle with bipolar disorder, major depression, ADHD and other brain related issues are often, at least initially, hidden in a cloud of shame. Why? Because the ignorance in our society is pervasive and because that which we don't understand we fear, and that which we fear we oppress.
Having any of these issues is difficult enough and adding shame on top of it only makes it more difficult for the person and as a result, that person doesn't feel confident to show his or her talents out in the world and lives life just trying to hide or cover up their issue.
So what's in a label? While labeling for some people can feel like they are being put in a box, for others it can be a huge relief. Finally, this issue they've been struggling with their whole lives where people have told them they are irresponsible, stupid, lazy, etc... is named and now that is named, they can work on working with it.
Working with anything starts with awareness, that is the ground from which change can happen.
As an example, if someone is struggling with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), it may really be helpful to show them that this is ADHD because there are millions of people who struggle with this and there is a feeling of belonging instead of being so alone.
In addition, at times it is helpful to show a model of what is going on in their brain. Showing this helps the person recognize that the issue is not their fault and begins to untie this cycle of shame which only pours kerosene on the fire.
As a generalization, Neurologists and neuropsychologists are finding that people with ADHD seem to show deficits in the frontal cortex of the brain which is involved in problem solving, attention, reasoning and planning.
Many researchers are starting to believe that because the brain has been found to have plasticity - or that it can change - it is possible to work with ADHD, helping people become better able to regulate their moods and pay attention to what is most important. Often times this may be supported with medication.
What's important to know about all of this is that there is no magic bullet. While one approach might work for one, it may be another approach that works better for another.
More than anything, we must educate ourselves that we're all on a spectrum of disorder and adding oppression and shame to it only breeds disconnection which leads to imbalance, individually and culturally.
