Why Is My ADHD Brain So Inconsistent!?

In todays 3 minute metaphor I'm explaining how the executive function challenges that come with ADHD are only an issue in certain situations, and how I experience that in my own mind.
It's one of the most infuriating parts of having an ADHD brain that can make it really difficult to understand and explain. But I know that if we start to work out which keys unlock our inner brain box, we are on the road to living in a way that supports us to thrive!

Additude Articles on this topic...

*Wanna hear from me?*

*Wanna work with me?*

*Who am I? Here's my fancy pants bio...*
Rachel is an ADHD Coach & Educator on a relentless quest to help people with ADHD believe in themselves. A learner at heart, Rachel built her career in teaching, learning and development, and coaching but despite the apparent ‘success’ found herself aged 30 with her self-esteem in the pits. A diagnosis of inattentive type ADHD was the answer to an agonizing puzzle, and now she's obsessed with helping others put together the pieces of their own colourful chaotic jigsaw.

#adhd #adhdtips #motivation #adhdbrain #adhdwomen

[KMcL]

Shame - yes! I was talking to a friend about how I am motivated by not feeling like I'm doing well enough at a particular project/task at work. She was saddened by this. Then it occurred to me....that's not how everybody operates. Ha! I also recently identified the point in my cycle where the hormone shift directly impacts executive functioning, which helps me give myself grace during those days. The cycle will continue and I can navigate the highs and lows - ride the waves and rest in between!

[trudymeans]

As someone from the American South, I tend to speak slowly. Listening to you talk at a million miles a minute replicates the thoughts in my ADHD brain. LOL!

[AndrewDavies-bk]

You made the video and THEN suddenly felt the urge to make another video about executive function didn't you haha.

*new idea enters the room*

MUST ACT NOW

[cathewings]

Another great video Rachel, I was diagnosed at the age 31 and have been on concerta for two weeks. It feels like I am understanding myself for the first time and it's definitely right what you've said. We have to find what works for us, not everyone else. Also I love that you talk fast, every other youtuber I have to speed up 🤣 X X

[emmaopaline]

First, I love your analogy with keys.
I need to stop relying on hyper focus.
For too long, my motivation has been bases on more or less last-minute hyper focus and cofee. A bad habit that started during my law studies.
During my communication studies we work regulary for oral in team work so I was used to have feedback on my work regulary and it motivated me.
So now I try to do something similar during my work to pass a civil servant competive examination.
Once a week, I create visual small tests of my knowledge with kind comments on my progress to avoid hyper focus burn out 😊

[ADHDForever]

Keys are a fantastic metaphor in so many ways Rachel. Be they the physical type that I lose many times every single day or the ones you’ve described for unlocking certain parts of the cognitive dysfunction. I’m 48 and was diagnosed 2 months ago. It is only now in the past few weeks / months that I’ve finally been able to start figuring this out. Still losing keys often though or finding that they aren’t working. Lots of rusty padlocks I guess that possibly need cutting with bolt cutters. Oh wait maybe thats what vyvanse is for me. Actually meds I’m finding are a bit like WD40;)

[juneau]

love this. can definitely relate to the shame key starting to lose its effectiveness since diagnosis and as I've been working on self-acceptance. I'm getting fewer things done quickly but I think it's a process of discovering how to operate other keys right now. Do you find that being on meds makes the other peoples'/neurotypical keys work better?

[Klaudia.Sosnica]

Finding the right keys that fit the box sounds like a fun escape room game, but the reality is much less fun 😅 great metaphor, though

[dpmslrap]

As Simone said …DEFINITELY Perfectly said

[Mulnader]

1:40 We got a million different ways to engage

[pixelmotte]

One thing I have noticed is that a lot of people in general, but also people with ADHD don't have a lot of introspection and self awareness.
I wouldn't blame anyone for this, most people were not taught to think for themself and figure things out, but to listen and follow.
This can be especially hard to learn for people with ADHD, because it's a skill, that needs time to develope and doesn't always bring satisfying results right from the start, so it can feel not worth the efford.

With a lock and a key, you can't see which key is the right one from looking at the lock, but in reality, you can learn to figure out what the problem is and what would help with that problem.
You can ask yourself, why something doesn't work, what keeps you from getting something done and then work on that.

There is usually just a small number of reasons that keep you from getting something done.
Those reasons include ADHD Innertia, overwhelm, inner barriers/task inhibitions/"motivation gaps", being distracted by overstimulation or stimulation seeking behavior from understimulation), "executive exhaustion"(or just exhaustion in general), ....(not a complete list)

[michelleryan]

Absolutely amazing metaphor! Relate 100%!

[vanderalm]

Thanks, Rachel, that (and your other videos, too) was spot-on! Not knowing if my strengths will be available when I need them is causing so much anxiety. And that, in return, makes it even harder to get stuff done. I hear other people's voices that I should be easier on myself but somehow that advice just misses the point completely. Being more forgiving would just mean ignoring my dysfunctional behaviour instead of working towards a solution.
Unfortunately, I don't have any suggestions for keys that might give better access. Let us know when you've found them!

[Karla_Finch-Cluff]

This is the best explanation of what we go through, thank you for the words to describe this!!

[vulgartrendkill]

I feel so seen right now 🤣🤣🤣🤣 Seriously speaking, I get so frustrated with myself for not being able to function in a more consistent way. As I have said before, I do have a system that now works a tiny bit better. How did you find the Chimp Paradox by the way? I couldnt get on with it..