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 to someone questioning who they are. Any time you challenge how someone already understands themselves, it can lead to a major identity crisis. As a matter of fact, this crisis can directly influence behavioral changes for the worse.

Have you thought about why that is?

I always start with adults because for the most part we are rationale, logical people (yes even if we are an adult with ADHD). When we are faced with a challenge to our identity, we can think about. Maybe we can think about it too much, but the point here is that an adult mind can typically process these thoughts. Yet, the same crisis can happen to an adult.

Now imagine how a child feels when their entire world is turned upside down. Do you think they slow down to logically think it through? Or do they respond emotionally and behaviorally because that's what they know?

There are no absolutes in life, but for the most part, children will act out behaviorally when they need attention or can't make sense of it. Even in the cases when children are not doing it intentionally or having a strong reaction, their behavior is what we observe the most. We can see changes in mood rather quickly with children.

Narrative theory suggests we make sense of ourselves by creating stories about who we are, and what we do. The basic idea is that these stories become legend and taking on much greater meaning than we realize. Just look at families and at how stories are passed down from generation to generation.

Think about this:

We hear something once, we typically ignore it.
We hear something twice, we pay attention to it.
We hear something three times, and we question it.
We hear it over and over again, and suddenly we start to believe it.

It's that easy, and it can be rather devastating for a child with ADHD.

Bottom Line? A child with ADHD needs the tools, resources, supports, and understanding to be successful in school and in life. I'd like to help with that! Download your free ADHD Essentials Audio Kit today, and you'll get immediate access to information and strategies that will make a difference.