Words have incredible power. They shape our thoughts, give voice to our experiences, and connect us to others who can relate. When it comes to ADHD, finding the right words is especially important. Having the language to describe what you're going through doesn't just help you communicate - it helps you understand yourself on a deeper level.

That's what this email series is all about. Over the next seven days, we'll explore some key concepts related to ADHD, giving you the vocabulary to make sense of the unique way your brain works. From executive functions to emotional dysregulation, we'll dig in and offer some helpful tools along the way.

Before we get into this series, it’s important that get something straight - ADHD is so much more than just hyper little boys bouncing off the walls. That's an outdated and narrow stereotype that doesn't even come close to capturing the full experience. ADHD is a neurological condition that affects people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds in complex ways.

At its core, ADHD involves challenges with executive functioning - things like focusing attention, regulating emotions, and managing tasks/time. But here's the kicker: it's not just a bunch of deficits or shortcomings. Instead I would encourage you to reframe ADHD as a different mode of thinking. It’s like your brain is running a different operating system, if you will, with its own unique strengths and advantages.

People with ADHD often have incredible creativity, passion, and ability to hyperfocus on things that truly interest them. They tend to be highly perceptive and able to think outside the box. The key is learning to harness and channel those intense brain powers in productive ways.

Of course, that's easier said than done. ADHD brains can be distractible, impulsive, and prone to overwhelm. But there's a whole toolkit of strategies and accommodations that can help manage those challenges, from medication to cognitive behavioral therapy to organizational hacks. And perhaps most importantly, there's a vibrant ADHD community out there to provide support, understanding and camaraderie.

The path to accepting and embracing your ADHD brain is a journey, not a destination. There will be ups and downs, triumphs and frustrations. But surrounding yourself with the right mindset, resources and people can make a huge difference. Instead of seeing ADHD as a disorder or deficit, try reframing it as a different operating system with its own awesome features (and quirks to troubleshoot).

I know this is just scratching the surface, so I want to leave you with a few resources and some useful context as you continue exploring what ADHD means for you.

Tomorrow I’ll be sending you another email and we’ll break down the role of Dopamine in ADHD.

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Words give you a framework for conceptualizing ideas. The vocabulary you have shapes how you mentally categorize and make sense of your experiences, perceptions, and knowledge. Expanding your vocabulary related to a topic provides a richer, more nuanced framework for thinking about it.

https://www.shimmer.care/blog/embace-your-weird-self

https://www.shimmer.care/blog/adhd-self-love

https://www.shimmer.care/blog/adhd-motivation-overcoming-executive-dysfunction

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