How to talk to ADHD kids about worry, anxiety & rumination

If you have a child or student with ADHD (diagnosed or suspected) who experiences worry or rumination regularly, this episode is for you! And if you're NOT a caregiver, parent or teacher, many of the tools I share about understanding our brains can still apply to adults, especially if we're trying to dismantle a lifetime of negative messages and begin healing our inner child.

 

 

In this episode I talk about:

 

• my personal journey as a parent navigating worry with my 7yo son
• why kids with ADHD are more prone to worry, anxiety & rumination
• the effect of gaslighting: why telling them 'there's nothing to worry about' doesn't help
• how we can empower our kids through self-understanding and simple & fun metacognitive tools that will help them feel less helpless and more in control
• how I talk to my kid about worry (including examples)
• understanding worry as one part of many parts that make up who we are
• activating curiosity (a fantastic 'hack' for ADHD interest-based brains) to stop misplaced fear in its tracks
• the neurology of the limbic system, amygdala and its adaptive evolutionary advantage for human species
• how to make talking about anxiety hilarious and interesting for kids, to keep them engaged and in the driver's seat
• repetition of these tools to embed new beliefs and self-identity in neural pathways
• and more!

 

Resources/books mentioned:

 

1. No Bad Parts, by Richard Schwartz
2. Internal Family Systems Therapy with Children, by Lisa Spiegel
3. Inside Out, a children's animated film by Pixar
4. Hey Warrior (a picture book on Worry for kids) by Karen Young

 

DISCLAIMER: This episode is general information and not intended as therapy or advice for your specific situation. Please seek your own medical advice about mental health matters that concern you or your children.

 

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