ADHD Parenting Tip - Watch Out For the Identity Crisis That Follows From Being Diagnosed With ADHD

ADHD is not the only diagnosis that can lead toattention or can't make sense of it. Even in the cases
someone questioning who they are. Any time youwhen children are not doing it intentionally or having a
challenge how someone already understandsstrong reaction, their behavior is what we observe the
themselves, it can lead to a major identity crisis. As amost. We can see changes in mood rather quickly
matter of fact, this crisis can directly influencewith children.
behavioral changes for the worse.Narrative theory suggests we make sense of
Have you thought about why that is?ourselves by creating stories about who we are, and
I always start with adults because for the most partwhat we do. The basic idea is that these stories
we are rationale, logical people (yes even if we are anbecome legend and taking on much greater meaning
adult with ADHD). When we are faced with athan we realize. Just look at families and at how
challenge to our identity, we can think about. Maybestories are passed down from generation to
we can think about it too much, but the point here isgeneration.
that an adult mind can typically process these thoughts.Think about this:
Yet, the same crisis can happen to an adult.- We hear something once, we typically ignore it.
Now imagine how a child feels when their entire world- We hear something twice, we pay attention to it.
is turned upside down. Do you think they slow down to- We hear something three times, and we question it.
logically think it through? Or do they respond- We hear it over and over again, and suddenly we
emotionally and behaviorally because that's what theystart to believe it.
know?It's that easy, and it can be rather devastating for a
There are no absolutes in life, but for the most part,child with ADHD.
children will act out behaviorally when they need