Do you ever feel like your brain is unpredictable? Whether you’re starting a business, a new workout, or finishing a paper, you just don’t know what level of motivation you’re going to get. As an adult with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), you may have been told that improving motivation is a matter of better organizing your to-do list or simply getting on the right medication. This may help in some cases, but you may be finding that these things are only taking you part of the way. Somewhere you wonder: what if I’m still not meeting my potential? Improving motivation with ADHD is also a matter of emotional regulation. Why? Because the ADHD brain has difficulty processing and regulating feelings. That’s where ADHD and emotional regulation therapy in Columbus, Ohio comes in. If you can learn to regulate your emotions, you’ll learn to take charge of your goals.
The Emotional Brain
Until recently, evidence for emotional instability as a symptom of ADHD has been largely anecdotal. However, current research has demonstrated that emotional dysregulation is a core feature of ADHD. In fact, Dr. Thomas Brown, explains that people with ADHD usually report that “momentary emotion gobbles up space in their head,” blocking them things prioritizing or staying on track. 
You see, ADHD impacts the brain’s executive functions (memory, self-regulation, planning ahead, etc.), so we tend to think of ADHD as a “dashboard problem.” The icons aren’t always responsive and getting things done just takes longer. But emotions also play a bigger role in executive functioning than many realize.
Unlike neurotypical brains, executive functions in ADHD brains are not in constant communication with the emotional part of the brain.
For most ADHD people, the emotions they are feeling aren’t always obvious. While the ADHD brain already has issues regulating emotions, it also has difficulty with mindfulness of emotions. As a result, the unconscious emotional mind makes efforts out of step with intention. “I think I want to get started, but really this task is making me nervous because I’ve failed at something similar in the past, but I’m not really aware of the fact that I feel that way…” If it sounds messy, it is. If only these thoughts were conscious. But alas, with both awareness and self-regulation issues, emotions have gone rogue in the ADHD brain.
Avoidance
One way we all cope with big emotions is to avoid the stressor. If Jake has a class on Tuesdays that makes him feel ashamed because it’s more advanced than he bargained for, well Jake might just find himself with an attendance issue.
Fear of conflict also tends to trigger avoidance. If a person with ADHD fears rejection or criticism, well, they likely aren’t asking for a promotion.
Consider Joe, the executive with the title but not the self-esteem. Because of Joe’s imposter syndrome, he was often avoiding giving his staff feedback, leading to all sorts of issues with staff being late to work and missing key parts of their job. Joe ultimately was the one in trouble with his boss due to his team’s performance issues. The fear of conflict stopped Joe from being assertive, which led to a backlog of unaddressed staff performance issues.
Emotional-Regulation Therapy
For most folks with ADHD, life is an emotional rollercoaster. Complete with big feelings that cause you to get easily overwhelmed one day or so guilt ridden you can’t sleep the next.
Emotional-regulation therapy can help you understand and regulate emotions. Meaning, you can stop, think, locate how you feel, and modify an emotional response in order to take steps toward a goal-oriented behavior (rather than being consumed by an emotion). For example, feeling guilty that you didn’t start a project sooner than the night before. 
Emotional-regulation therapy can give you the tools to manage and process guilt, clearing you up to attend to the task at hand. Change is not always easy, but learning to manage emotions is the key to unlocking motivation and achieving your goals.
Begin Adult ADHD Treatment in Columbus, Ohio
Looking for more individualized support? You don’t have to feel stuck forever. ADHD-focused therapy can help you build momentum toward your goals. Our counseling practice in Columbus, Ohio has caring therapists who specialize in ADHD testing and ADHD treatment. To start your counseling journey with Focused Mind ADHD Counseling, follow these simple steps:
- Fill out the contact form to schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation.
- Meet with one of our caring therapists.
- Stop feeling stuck. Start finding finding your spark.
Other ADHD Services Offered at Focused Mind ADHD Counseling
Adult ADHD treatment is not the only service we offer at our Columbus, OH counseling practice. At Focused Mind ADHD Counseling, we offer a variety of mental health services, including ADHD testing. As an adult with ADHD, we know you may also benefit from anxiety treatment for ADHD, counseling for men with ADHD, ADHD-focused couples counseling, or depression counseling for ADHD. You can also view our blog for more resources!
