ADHD Counselling Hertfordshire
ADHD is a very misunderstood neurodevelopmental condition that affects millions of people globally. The general consensus is that ADHD is about problems with focusing. ADHD is so much more than this. Its symptoms are complex and intricate. Having brought up 2 neurodivergent older children I have had first hand experience coupled with my ADHD counselling practice in Hertfordshire. I am better able to treat and counsel those individuals who have been diagnosed as a child or have been newly diagnosed. Over my 20 years of practice, I have recommended to some of my clients that they seek an initial consultation for ADHD diagnosis. They may have battled with anxiety and depressed mood for years not knowing that they were neurodivergent.
My ADHD counselling in Hertfordshire offers a comprehensive therapeutic approach that’s tailored to my clients’ individual needs based on their particular ADHD traits. A one size fits all approach is not very effective. The areas that I concentrate on are:
Emotional Dysregulation and Interpersonal Relationships
Emotional dysregulation and impulsivity can affect those individuals with ADHD to varying degrees in accordance with their personalities, characteristics and childhood upbringing. People with emotional dysregulation may have difficulty maintaining healthy relationships with friends, family members and romantic partners. Intense emotional reactions, mood swings, and impulsive behaviours can strain relationships and cause conflict. Another aspect of ADHD emotion dysregulation is not always being able to identify how other people might feel or be sensitive to their emotions. If.a loved one is unhappy, a person with ADHD might not always recognise it and therefore may not offer an appropriate emotional response or the support that is needed, leading to relationships feeling one sided. Over time, a seeming lack of emotional awareness can lead to the breakdown of relationships. Additionally, emotional dysregulation can cause issues with trust and intimacy, leading to difficulties in forming and maintaining relationships, particularly romantic ones. My ADHD counselling in Hertfordshire offers a comprehensive and in depth support and exploration. Together, we can work towards a deeper understanding of your individual needs and the needs of significant others in your life. I also offer counselling for neurodivergent couples where a comprehensive and in depth understanding of one another is achieved.
Other factors: Mental Health
During my practice of treating ADHD counselling in Hertfordshire I have noted that people with ADHD are at an increased risk of developing mental health conditions, such as anxiety and depression, as well as conduct disorder and sleep issues. All of these conditions can lead to impaired emotional control. Over time, emotional dysregulation can lead to feelings of hopelessness, low self-esteem and self-doubt which can exacerbate mental health symptoms for conditions such as depression. To help cope with such feelings, people with ADHD may turn to substance abuse. Substance abuse amongst the ADHD population is quite common. Substance abuse can exacerbate emotional dysregulation issues and caused strained personal and professional relationships.
My ADHD counselling practice in Hertfordshire aims to help my clients’ to identify and manage their emotions effectively.
Stress and Overwhelm
Individuals with ADHD often experience high levels of stress which can contribute to emotional dysregulation. Stress as an isolated condition affects the prefrontal cortex area of the brain, and this is the same area that is affected by ADHD. It can heighten ADHD symptoms and cause chemical changes in the brain. When people are stressed, they are more likely to experience intense emotional reactions which can make it difficult to regulate how they feel or to stay calm in certain situations. Stress, combined with ADHD, can lead to problems with emotional dysregulation. My ADHD counselling in Hertfordshire can help you identify and manage the stress factors in your lives. Enabling you to manage stress triggers more efficiently.
Comorbid Disorders
During my many years of practice with ADHD counselling in Hertfordshire, I have become very aware of the comorbid disorders that can affect individuals with ADHD. Comorbid disorders include, anxiety and depression, which can also contribute to emotional dysregulation. It is common for GPs to treat the asymptomatic anxiety and/or depression whilst the ADHD remains undiagnosed.
I am here to help you identify what your comorbid symptoms are and to better manage your day to day lives that will minimalize sources of stress and worry. It’s easy for people with ADHD and emotional dysregulation to feel overwhelmed by lots of different emotions at once, and it can sometimes be difficult to pinpoint exactly what is being felt; however, if you feel that you’re getting to a point where you’ve overwhelmed and likely to have an emotional outburst as a result, I can help you to take a moment to step back and help you to identify your feelings. Once we have identified your individual feelings, it’s easier to come up with a plan to tackle them.
