Is anxiety only an emotional or mental response? Anxiety manifests itself physically because there is a mind-body connection;  our body tells a story. We just need to learn how to listen. Anxiety can be a normal response to stress. However, when anxiety becomes a constant or chronic reality in an individual’s life can lead to deeper issues. Anxiety can be a sign your nervous system is stressed or dysregulated, activating the fight or flight response (sympathetic system) due to perceived threats, causing physical symptoms like a racing heart, rapid breathing, sweating, tension, or getting stuck in “on” (hyper-alert) or “off” (shutdown) states, indicating it is trying to protect you but needs help finding calm.

Is depression more than just feeling sad? Depression is constant, persistent, and overwhelming. It impacts energy, sleep, appetite, self-esteem, concentration, relationships, and an ability to feel pleasure. Depression can feel like you are “stuck in a dark tunnel, or “being stuck in a hole,” or “living in a fog.” Depression can impact an individual’s ability to engage with oneself as well as others. Generally, depression does not result from a single event, but from a mix of events and factors.

Trauma is the Greek word for “wound.” Trauma is a person’s experience of emotional distress resulting from an intense event, accident, crime, being in a war zone, or natural disaster that overwhelms the capacity to emotionally process it. There are various types of trauma. Reactions such as shock and denial can be evident. Some individuals will develop symptoms that resolve after a few weeks while others will have more long term effects. With treatment, people can address the root cause of the trauma and implement constructive ways to manage their symptoms.

Are all individuals diagnosed with ADHD hyperactive? No, there are several different types of ADHD, which also includes inattentive or combined types. Neurodivergent individuals often experience the world in unique and meaningful ways. You may have gifts of creativity, hyperfocus, high energy, intuition, or empathy to name a few. I provide a comprehensive ADHD assessment for adolescents 15 years and older as well as adults, along with affirming support that focuses on understanding how neurodivergent brains function beautifully and differently. 

Have you ever been called “lazy” or “like you are not trying hard enough?” Many people with ADHD share experiences of being called both of these names. As children, we internalize this message and believe that the things we struggle with result from our laziness or not living up to “your potential.” Often times anxiety and depression can be recognized or identified initially before an ADHD diagnosis due to these symptoms that can impact daily functioning. ADHD is a beautiful and unique way of looking at and experiencing the world. The ADHD brain is different from a non-ADHD brain, and for example ADHD symptoms can interfere with an individual’s ability to function and do things that come automatically to others. 

“Executive functioning” refers to a set of tasks and skills our brain can carry out, including regulating emotions, holding information in our working memory, monitoring what we are doing and how long it takes, planning, organizing, breaking tasks down into manageable portions, task initiation and task completion. For example, research has shown that individuals with ADHD do not form automatic habits in the same way as those without ADHD. There are different forms of ADHD. Can ADHD look different in men and women? Yes, ADHD can look very different. Sensory sensitivities can also be a strength and a challenge for individuals who are neurodivergent.

Life transitions are a significant change in an individual’s life that alters circumstances or roles. What are examples of life transitions? Some examples include: marriage, parenthood, divorce, job change, retirement, death, or loss. The time it takes to adapt to a new situation, can vary in length and intensity and is known as an adjustment period. During life transitions individuals normally experience an emotional impact. It can be helpful to engage with your social support system as well as learn and practice new coping strategies.