|
Post by hsmom on Mar 17, 2014 10:07:33 GMT -5
Thomas E. Brown, PhD, Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at the Yale University School of Medicine and Associate Director of the Yale Clinic for Attention and Related Disorders, in a recent webinar and in a new book, Smart but Stuck: Emotions in Teens and Adults with ADHD, talks of the role emotions play in ADHD. He writes on his website:
"Current diagnostic criteria for ADHD do not explicitly include problems with emotions, but many with ADHD have much difficulty with recognizing, responding to, and managing their emotions—both positive and negative. This book explains why many with ADHD struggle so much with emotions and what can be done about it."
And, says the following in the introduction to his book:
"We must recognize the critical role of emotions, both positive and negative, in initiating and prioritizing tasks, sustaining or shifting interest and effort, holding thoughts in active memory, and choosing to engage in or avoid a task or situation."
Dr. Brown highlights the intricate relationship between emotions and executive functions and the role sometimes unconscious emotions have in teens and adults with ADHD.
Here is a link to his website:
www.drthomasebrown.com/
And, here is an excerpt, introduction and chapter one, of his book:
www.drthomasebrown.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Brown_Smart-But-Stuck-Sample.pdf
|
|
|
Post by healthy11 on Mar 17, 2014 10:35:47 GMT -5
Thank you for posting this, hsmom. It describes difficulties that my son has had (and in many ways, continues to have, even as a young adult) so I'll have to put it on my reading list!
|
|
|
Post by hsmom on Mar 23, 2014 19:26:00 GMT -5
You're welcome Healthy. Even just reading the excerpt is very informative.
|
|
|
Post by hsmom on Apr 9, 2014 17:40:51 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by SharonF on Apr 10, 2014 7:24:13 GMT -5
Interesting research. Too often, we assume emotions are 100% controllable by mental effort. Because of that assumption, we often ignore the reality that emotions are fueled by chemical receptors in the brain. In other words, we CAN and SHOULD control our actions. But we cannot control our feelings. I wonder if any correlation can be drawn between Brown's conclusions about ADHDers/emotions and a recent study on athletic coaches who get angry. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/04/140403102124.htmThe Northumbria research indicated that coaches who felt they had to live up to other people's standards were far more likely to get angry. In contrast, coaches who strive to live up to their own high standards are less likely to have temper tantrums. That seems similar to Brown's finding that many ADHDers have "extreme sensitivity to disapproval" and "live almost constantly with exaggerated fears of being seen by others as incompetent, unappealing, or uncool." If an ADHDer, a coach, a manager or anyone thinks they are being judged, especially unfairly, they may be more likely to wallow in fear or explode in anger. Not everyone can simply turn a deaf ear to critics, bullies or naysayers. Some people can. But many people, deep down, cannot. And I think ADHDers are especially prone to this emotional insecurity because they often feel "different." They realize they act or think differently than their peers. Aspects of school or social interaction may be harder for them. If they feel they are being judged, they may be more likely to cope through avoidance, denial and anxiety. And if they do not develop solid coping skills, they may be more likely to develop problems with depression and anger.
|
|