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Experience the power of social learning and growth

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9

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9

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9

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9

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9

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Connect using our Treatment Planner

Locations

We have 5 in-person offices around the Bay Area in addition to offering telehealth sessions anywhere in the world. Our providers can also come to your location for sessions, workshops, or educational events.

9

Los Gatos

9

Fremont

9

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ADHD Symptoms or Strengths?

“It’s like having a Ferrari brain with bicycle brakes.”

Even without caffeine, your brain is going a mile a minute and you constantly think outside of the box to solve problems. You’re a high energy individual with passion and drive as well as an engaging conversationalist.

So why is ADHD considered a negative trait to carry with us?

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, the name alone sounds like a package deal of problems. Even when you search the “symptoms” of ADHD, you’ll see lists of problematic characteristics that certainly don’t sound like anything you want to be stuck with.

SVT specializes in working with adults with ADHD. We help people see that their ADHD “symptoms” can — and should — be considered strengths instead.

Our practice tends to label these ADHD characteristics as symptoms rather than strengths. The moment you put the word symptoms next to ADHD, it sounds a whole lot more of a hindrance rather than something that sets you apart from the crowd in a good way.

The more we work with adults with ADHD, the more we appreciate their strengths and problem-solving abilities. Sometimes people with ADHD see themselves as carrying weaknesses because of their “disorder” – rather than recognizing that they have innate strengths that can serve to make a difference in the world.

It’s really just a matter of perspective and seeing the way your brain is wired through a different lens.

So let’s take a brief dive into these basic “symptoms” of ADHD and see how we can change the rhetoric so they are seen as strengths that can be harnessed:

Hyperactivity // High Energy

Hyperactivity could be changed to high energy. If you have ADHD, you have a lot more energy than your peers, which directly contributes to your drive and passion. Energy is certainly contagious, if you’re channeling your energy towards your goals and passion, it can serve as inspiration to those around you.

Quick tip to harness your high energy: Do you find it hard to sit still? If you know that you can’t sit still for more than an hour, set an alarm to walk around for 5 – 10 minutes. Taking frequent, short breaks can sometimes be some of the best “thinking” moments for you. Walking can help calm the mind, which can aid in the brainstorming process. Change up your fitness schedule to workout in the mornings, and can help relieve some of your energy before you head to work. The more familiar you are with how your brain functions, the better it will help you and those around you.

Impulsivity // Spontaneity

Impulsivity could be changed to spontaneity. If you have ADHD, you might tend to think on a whim more than your peers. Yes, you can be impulsive, which could have consequences. Yet there can be benefits to having a spontaneous mindset. You can be more willing to take risks, which has the potential to result in something wonderful. You’re more willing to “live in the moment” and take advantage of what is before you — and perhaps take a chance and jump into the unknown.

Quick tip to harness your spontaneity: Do you struggle with being too spontaneous in the workplace? Perhaps you blurt out too many ideas in a meeting – something that could result in overpromising and under delivering. It’s definitely easier to be spontaneous in our personal lives rather than in the workplace. If you’re in work and are blessed with an abundance of new ideas from your Ferrari-like brain, write them down on a piece of paper before sharing them with anyone. Writting your ideas down and saving them for later will help you to put a pause on it. Then, go through the steps it would take to bring each idea to fruition. This will help to narrow down the top ideas that are worth sharing with the group.

Inattention // Multifaceted Drive

Inattention could be changed to multifaceted drive. If you have ADHD, you might struggle with diverting all attention to just one thing. You probably have multiple projects going on at the same time or you tend to frequently switch from one activity to another. Plus you have the ability to juggle multiple endeavors with your multifaceted drive. There are a lot of entrepreneurs and “hustlers” who don’t put all of their attention to just one job. Instead, they are juggling multiple companies and wearing many hats in their jobs.

Quick tip to harness your multifaceted drive: If you struggle with diverting all attention to one thing, be sure to pick up a hobby, sport, or recreational activity. Having a diverse collection of activities that you engage in will help your brain function better. Not everyone has the ability to focus on multiple activities, but you do. Take advantage of that.

Difficulty Starting Tasks // Hyperfocus

Difficulty starting tasks could be changed to the ability to hyperfocus. If you have ADHD, it might be more difficult for you to start tasks and that’s because once you start something, you channel everything into it. You know that you’ll be completely engaged and you find yourself hyperfocused. Having the ability to channel all of your attention and energy into a task, if in the right mindset, you can focus on what you’re doing for hours on end.

Quick tips to harness your hyperfocus: If you struggle with starting tasks, write down your goal on a piece of paper and break down the goals into simple and doable tasks. Put a timer on for 10 minutes and start the first task. Take a quick break and walk around (with a timer on to keep you in check) and then sit back down to complete the task. Even just mentally starting something for 10 minutes will get you prepared to line up the rest of the task.

Having ADHD isn’t something that should be a burden. Rather, it is something that makes you unique. Yes, there are plenty of challenges that come with having ADHD. Remember–if you have ADHD, you tend to be more resilient. With everything being so much more difficult in your everyday life, you learn to pick yourself up and try, try again.

ADHD Coaching at SVT

The next time you compare yourself to your non-ADHD peers, remember this:

Your ADHD traits are strengths, not symptoms.

It’s time to identify those strengths and use them to change the world. Contact us today for help turn your symptoms into strengths.

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Silicon Valley Therapy does not offer crisis counseling or emergency services. Please use the following resources in the event of a crisis:

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 800.273.TALK (8255)
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Crisis Text Line: Text “Courage” to 741-741
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Silicon Valley Therapy is part of Dr. Thomas Lucking, Ph.D, Marriage And Family Therapist, Professional Corporation
Silicon Valley Therapy's offices are located in Palo Alto, Los Gatos, and Santa Cruz California. Telehealth psychotherapy and coaching is offered through secure video or audio services. Silicon Valley Therapy treats couples and relationship issues, anxiety, panic attacks, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, bi-polar, ADHD, Asperger's, sex difficulties, anger regulation issues, affair fallout, divorce recovery, self-esteem, addiction, co-dependency, trauma, abuse, gender identity, and managing grief and loss. If you search for counseling San Jose, marriage counselor San Jose, couples counselor San Jose, psychotherapy San Jose, psychotherapist San Jose, therapist San Jose, counselor San Jose, couples therapist San Jose, couples counselor San Jose, marriage therapy San Jose, life coach San Jose, career coach San Jose, executive coach San Jose, you can find Silicon Valley Therapy's web site. In addition to serving San Jose, Silicon Valley Therapy serves clients in Campbell, Los Gatos, Saratoga, Willow Glen, Milpitas, Mountain View, Monte Sereno, Cupertino, Scotts Valley, Felton, Sunnyvale, Morgan Hill, Fremont, Los Altos, and Gilroy, California. The recommendations on this website do not constitute professional advice, substitute for professional treatment, or establish a therapeutic or coaching relationship.