How to Build Self Awareness if you have ADHD
There are many ways to build self-awareness as an ADHD adult. ADHD folks have difficulty in identifying, labeling and managing emotional reactions. This leads to irritable moods and angry outbursts, difficulties with communication, and impacts all of the relationships in their life. Not only that, it creates a significant amount of stress, frustration, and guilt. This is a reason why depression and anxiety occur regularly with ADHD persons.
It does not have to be this way. There are plenty of ways ADHD folks can build the self-awareness that is needed for regularly functioning. Out of the Box Adults are amazingly creative and insightful. Using art, poetry, and other creative methods are fantastic ways to get a good look at what’s going on underneath.
Self Awareness Through Creativity
There needs to be some sort of intentionality if you are trying to gain insight through creativity. Journaling and other creative works are often the relief value for tough emotions. This is great in relieving the pressure but may not give the full picture. I usually recommend journaling prompts for anxiety or journaling prompts for depression as ways to get further insight into certain parts of yourself.
Talk To Yourself, Literally
It may seem odd that a mental health professional is telling you to talk to yourself but hear me out. It can be an awesome way to build self-awareness. One of the difficult things with ADHD is sorting through all of the internal dialogue. So much goes on so quickly that it is nearly impossible to keep up. This is why it’s important to have these conversations out loud. Take an empty chair and put it across from you. Imagine the Part of you that you want to know better is sitting in the chair. Imagine the conversation back and forth. From there see what you might learn about yourself.
Go To Therapy
I am certainly biased as a mental health professional in recommending this. Therapy is not the only way an ADHD adult can build self-awareness. It is a viable option if you are not able to sort through using the creativity I’ve recommended. Therapists are super awesome in finding the insights need to help create change. It may be difficult finding one specifically for ADHD folks, but there are therapists out there.