Emotions and Adult ADHD. Emotional Overload & Managing It

Topic: How to deal with your emotions for adults with ADHD. See the other Adult ADHD Issues.

Facilitator: Pete Quily

Thanks to Patrick for taking these notes.

February 22nd, 2015 Meeting Notes for the Vancouver Adult ADD Support Group

Remember ADHD is not just a cognitive condition, it effects your emotions too.

Triggers/Warning Signs of emotional overload:

Authority
Boring
Edgy
Frustrated
High background noise levels
Intense people
Jittery
Not Open Up
Patience
Territorial
Too much stimulation
Trying to escape with the internet, TV, video games, food, booze, drugs, drama, conflict etc
Voice rises/shakes
Warm
Wound Up
Zombie Zone

Possible ways to deal with highly charged emotional situations/ Emotional control:

Arts, Painting, Pottery (throw a few pots)
Breathing exercises (Andrew Wiel has a good tape on this)
Candles/Aroma therapy
Chores
Communicate feelings
Defer situation
Detach
Feel the emotions vs suppress or puke them out on others
Get someone to reflect/ Monitor and Paraphrase you
Ground yourself by breathing, feeling your feet on the ground etc
Humour
Leaving situation
Maintain Health
Music – Play/Listen to
Own space to relax in
Pets
Progressive Relaxation
Reading
Reduce booze consumption
Respect Space
Self Care/ Eat/ Sleep well
Sex
Shift Focus
Walk / Run/ Exercise
Write down/ Journal and reflect
Yoga / Martial Arts