ADHD Works

As ADHD-ers, our brains are constantly seeking dopamine. 👋 This is the neurotransmitter released when we're anticipating something, like waiting for our food to arrive in a restaurant. After the first hit, we're thinking about dessert. 🫠 This brain wiring can make us especially vulnerable to 'junk food' dopamine hits like: 👉 sugar 👉 caffeine 👉 scrolling 👉 nicotine 👉 alcohol 👉 processed food The executive functioning challenges associated with ADHD can make 'easy' tasks like cooking, cleaning & eating *extremely* hard. So we're super excited to have ADHD Works trained coach & nutritional therapist Emily Fawell sharing her expertise on our blog today: https://lnkd.in/egdXg-uc Does this resonate with you? How do you experience dopamine & diet? #ADHD #dopamine #health #ADHDcoach Become an ADHD Coach in January here: https://lnkd.in/ekHAU6NN

In case you're stuck for gift ideas, this is my one true wish 😘🤞 Illustration by @orangejuicefordinner (on Instagram) #Neurodivergent

What was training with ADHD Works like? I convinced myself that it was going to be terrifying. I already envisioned I would fail. I was certain there was no way I was going to be able to do this. I believed this was all a joke. But, I spoke to other coaches who assured me I was going to enjoy it. They were being truthful, Brain was doing his best to remain undeterred. I'd attended a couple of taster sessions and other LinkedIn live sessions hosted by Leanne Maskell, and had enjoyed them. Past experiences left me guarded. Of course all of these people were going to tell me how marvellous it all is, I continued to tell myself. One mistake I made when the course began was not to contact any of the other members of the cohort earlier. So, the first week felt a little lonely. You get a series of lessons to complete at your own pace, then there's the live session. Along with most of the cohort, I completed the first week on my own, thinking I was the only one that didn't know what they were doing. I've since gone back and encouraged subsequent cohorts to get connected from the start. The first live session swung around, and I remember sitting waiting to be accepted in, nervous as hell. Leanne welcomed us all, calmly. She assured us this was a safe space. She stated it didn't matter if we hadn't completed the work beforehand. We were invited to walk around, cameras off. Even leave and join if we had to. We all were very much the, so, if we interrupt each other, or move things along in respect to time, do not take it personally, nothing personal is intended. There were introductions, but not as painful as the usual corporate way. Most of us rambled and then apologised. But we weren't interrupted, and we weren't told we had been stupid for doing so. Later, we broke out into pairs to practise, and I remember not feeling dread, but genuine excitement for who I may be connected to. RSD kicked in the next day. I convinced myself again that I was being silly. So I gave myself permission to process and accept these feelings. By the time I opened the second course of lessons up, I felt under pressure. I turned up at the live session at the end and everything felt wonderful again. The sense of belonging and being seen and understood and validated was huge. We all supported and championed each other. We all celebrated each others success. And, one by one, we all graduated, and then continued on our own journeys, at different paces, and different directions. And it doesn't stop. I continue to connect with new people, as I maintain the new connections I have already made. I never thought this was possible, but, when the environment is right, anything is. I've set up David Bedford AuDHD Coaching to help. If any of this strikes a chord with you, please feel free to contact with me via: - Email: hello@audhd-coaching.co.uk - Website: https://lnkd.in/eSWuPs4i - Or here on LinkedIn And let's talk, and hopefully begin your journey.

Friendly reminder: standing up for yourself isn't mean/rude/selfish. Asserting your needs doesn't make you a bad person. It's not disrespectful to say "no". Your time and energy belong to YOU - it's your life, nobody else's 🙂↕️ - Apply for ADHD coaching: https://lnkd.in/eKbk2NtE - Become an ADHD Coach (January): https://lnkd.in/e2BiKTU4 #Neurodivergent #ADHDCoach

You're allowed to not feel festive 🩷 It doesn't mean you're a "Scrooge" - you don’t have to pressure yourself to be something you’re not.  Wherever you’re at this Christmas, it’s okay to step back, take a break, and do things *your* way. Your wellbeing matters more than traditions, pressures and expectations 👋

Ever heard of Alexithymia? 👋 (It affects 1 in 10 people - and 1 in 5 autistic people.) 👉 Swipe to find out more. P.S. Here's a free online Alexithymia questionnaire: https://lnkd.in/eer4q52W P.P.S. Our next cohort of ADHD coach training starts soon! Find out more here: https://lnkd.in/e2BiKTU4

What would you add? 🫶 P.S. Browse our (ADHD-friendly) online courses here: https://lnkd.in/eqy48Uxz #Neurodiversity

Feeling different/misunderstood can be a huge source of shame. Which makes sharing our experiences really tricky 🫣 But when people respond with understanding, shame loses its power. That's why it's so important to: - Validate people's feelings without dismissing them - Be patient (it can take time for someone to open up!) - Listen, ask thoughtful questions - Respect boundaries; let people share at their own pace - Stay open-minded and avoid making assumptions - Offer reassurance without offering solutions (unless they're requested) - Be compassionate but not pitying - Celebrate vulnerability as a sign of strength "If we can share our story with someone who responds with empathy and understanding, shame can't survive." - Brené Brown P.S. Apply for ADHD coaching here: https://lnkd.in/eKbk2NtE or take a peek at our Become an ADHD Coach course here: https://lnkd.in/e2BiKTU4 👋 Artwork by @navucko (Instagram) #Neurodiversity #Neurodivergent

6 gentle reminders: 🩷 you don't owe anybody anything, including conversations/justifications about your neurodivergence 🩷 identify people you trust and ask for help (like having non-verbal signals between you) 🩷 plan for specific support around things you find challenging 🩷 limit your social media exposure; focus on your own self-care 🩷 define your own break - do what you *actually* want to do 🩷 boundaries, boundaries, boundaries! You deserve to enjoy this time of year just as much as everybody else does, in the ways that work for you. #Neurodivergent

Congratulations Rhiannon Broomfield 💖