COUCH THERAPY

a few resources

COMPLEX PTSD

MUST-READ ARTICLES

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THE DEFAULT MODE NETWORK 

WEBSITES, PODCASTS + GROUPS

WHAT IS EXECUTIVE FUNCTION?

WHY ADHD IS OFTEN MISDIAGNOSED IN WOMEN

ATTACHMENT THEORY

COMMON SYMPTOMS OF ADHD IN WOMEN

ACCORDING TO ATTACHMENT THEORY, CHILDREN DEVELOP A SENSE OF SECURITY WHEN THEIR CAREGIVERS ARE AWARE OF AND RECEPTIVE TO THEIR NEEDS. THIS IMPLIES THAT THE CHILD FEELS SECURE ENOUGH TO CONFIDENTLY EXPLORE THEIR SURROUNDINGS BECAUSE THEY PERCEIVE THEIR CARETAKERS AS CARING AND PROTECTIVE.

RESEARCH HAS SHOWN THAT ADULTS WITH ADHD WERE SUBSTANTIALLY MORE LIKELY THAN THE GENERAL POPULATION TO HAVE AN INSECURE ATTACHMENT STYLE. RESEARCH FURTHER INDICATES THAT CHILDREN ARE MORE LIKELY TO DEVELOP ADHD IF THEIR PRIMARY CAREGIVER HAS INSECURE ATTACHMENTS.

SINCE ATTACHMENT ISSUES AND ADHD ARE CLOSELY RELATED, HAVING AN INSECURE ATTACHMENT STYLE COULD MAKE SYMPTOMS OF ADHD WORSE, EVEN IN ADULTS. THIS LENDS TO THE QUESTION OF HOW MUCH ATTACHMENT THEORY CAN HELP INDIVIDUALS IN THE TREATMENT OF ADHD.  THIS MODEL COULD ASSIST SOME INDIVIDUALS IN MAXIMIZING BENEFICIAL IMPROVEMENTS IN THEIR BEHAVIORS, PERSPECTIVES, AND RELATIONSHIPS.


FATIGUE

FREQUENTLY LOSING ITEMS

POOR TIME MANAGEMENT

FEELING CHRONICALLY OVERWHELMED

DREADING / AVOIDING TASKS

FORGETFULNESS

DISORGANIZED / MESSY

PROBLEMS MANAGING MONEY

LOSING TRAIN OF THOUGHT

PROBLEMS FINISHING TASKS

JUMPING FROM NEW HOBBY TO NEW HOBBY

DIFFICULTY TRANSITIONING BETWEEN TASKS

EXTREME PROCRASTINATION

IMPULSIVE SPENDING

FORGETTING WHAT YOU'RE SAYING MID SENTENCE

CONSTANTLY MISPLACING THINGS (KEYS, PHONE, ETC.)

LATE TO APPOINTMENTS

SENSITIVE TO REJECTION

PERFECTIONISM

COMMON SYMPTOMS OF
ADHD IN WOMEN

COMPLEX PTSD

MUST-READ ARTICLES

TAKE THE TESTS

THE DEFAULT MODE NETWORK 

WEBSITES, PODCASTS + GROUPS

WHAT IS EXECUTIVE FUNCTION?

WHY ADHD IS OFTEN MISDIAGNOSED IN WOMEN

ATTACHMENT THEORY

COMMON SYMPTOMS OF ADHD IN WOMEN

Complex trauma, or complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD), is a type of PTSD caused by repeated or prolonged exposure to interpersonal violence or other forms of abuse. It may develop after someone experiences multiple traumatic events, such as physical or sexual assault, or ongoing emotional neglect or abuse. These events have lasting effects, disrupting the person's sense of safety and trust, their ability to regulate emotions and adapt to change.Over time, these experiences may cause ongoing problems within relationships, daily activities, and even memory.

COMMON SYMPTOMS OF ADHD IN WOMEN

MUST-READ ARTICLES

TAKE THE TESTS

THE DEFAULT MODE NETWORK 

WEBSITES, PODCASTS + GROUPS

WHAT IS EXECUTIVE FUNCTION?

WHY ADHD IS OFTEN MISDIAGNOSED IN WOMEN

ATTACHMENT THEORY

COMPLEX PTSD (C-PTSD)

Growing evidence points to a significant association and reciprocal risk factors between ADHD and PTSD. Dysfunction in brain regions involved in learning to overcome fear is linked to PTSD. According to recent research, people with ADHD also have deficient fear circuitry, which may help to explain the connection between the diseases.

COMMON SYMPTOMS OF ADHD IN WOMEN

MUST-READ ARTICLES

COMPLEX PTSD

TAKE THE TESTS

WEBSITES, PODCASTS + GROUPS

WHAT IS EXECUTIVE FUNCTION?

WHY ADHD IS OFTEN MISDIAGNOSED IN WOMEN

ATTACHMENT THEORY

THE DEFAULT MODE NETWORK

IN 2001, MARCUS RAICHLE, M.D. DISCOVERED THAT When the brain was not engaged in a task, discussion, or other activity that required focus, certain parts of the brain lit up ON AN MRI. THIS INDICATED AN increase IN metabolic activities. THIS WAS LABELED THE DEFAULT MODE NETWORK, OR DMN.
ALTERNATIVELY, when the brain WAs focused on a task that demandED conscious attention, DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE BRAIN LIT UP ON AN MRI. THIS WAS LABELED THE TASK POSITIVE NETWORK, OR TPN.
IT WAS observed that the brain is more active while it is "at rest" than when it is concentrated on a task.
TYPICALLY, THESE NETWORKS ARE RECIPROCAL. AS ONE NETWORK INCREASES IN ACTIVITY, THE OTHER NETWORK HAS A DECLINE IN ACTIVITY.  AN ADHD BRAIN DOESN'T EXPERIENCE THE SAME RECIPROCITY. THE DMN CONTINUES TO REMAIN ACTIVE WHILE THE TPN IS ACTIVE, CREATING A NEUROLOGICAL COMPETITION.

COMMON SYMPTOMS OF ADHD IN WOMEN

MUST-READ ARTICLES

COMPLEX PTSD

TAKE THE TESTS

THE DEFAULT MODE NETWORK

websites, podcasts, + Groups

WHY ADHD IS OFTEN MISDIAGNOSED IN WOMEN

ATTACHMENT THEORY

what is executive function?

Executive function is a set of cognitive PROCESSES AND MENTAL skills that are needed for self-control and managing behaviors. THEY help an individual plan, monitor, and successfully execute their goals.

PLANNING + PROBLEM SOLVING

EMOTIONAL SELF-REGULATION

SELF-MOTIVATION

VERBAL WORKING MEMORY

SELF-AWARENESS

INHIBITION

NON-VERBAL WORKING MEMORY

EXECUTIVE FUNCTION IS JUDGED BY THE STRENGTH OF THESE SEVEN SKILLS

Essentially, ADHD is an executive function deficit disorder (EFDD). The umbrella term “ADHD” is simply another way of referring to these issues.

COMMON SYMPTOMS OF ADHD IN WOMEN

MUST-READ ARTICLES

COMPLEX PTSD

TAKE THE TESTS

THE DEFAULT MODE NETWORK

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executive function

ATTACHMENT THEORY

WHY ADHD IS OFTEN MISDIAGNOSED IN WOMEN

Physicians HAVE LITTLE TO NO TRAINING ON HOW TO RECOGNIZE ADHD. THERE ARE NO QUESTIONS ABOUT ADHD ON THE ADULT PSYCHIATRY BOARD CERTIFICATION.

SOCIETAL EXPECTATIONS OF GIRLS CAN CAUSE THEM TO MASK THEIR SYMPTOMS AND LEADS TO SYMPTOMS BEING DISMISSED.

SYMPTOMS ARE OFTEN MORE SUBTLE AND DO NOT FIT THE STEREOTYPE. GIRLS OFTEN INTERNALIZE SYMPTOMS AND FEEL LIKE SYMPTOMS ARE DIFFICULT TO DESCRIBE.

GIRLS WERE NOT INCLUDED IN RESEARCH WHEN DIAGNOSTIC CRITERIA WAS DEVELOPED.

HYPERAROUSAL CAN OFTEN BE MISTAKEN FOR ANXIETY OR HYPOMANIA.

NEEDING STRUCTURE, TENDENCIES FOR ALL-OR-NOTHING THINKING, AND PERFECTIONISM CAN LOOK LIKE OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE DISORDER (OCD).

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