Living with ADHD, ADD, or a Learning Difference (LD) as an established professional comes with its own set of challenges. Try EMDR for ADHD. Many adults in this situation grapple with a persistent cycle of unhelpful thoughts, which can negatively impact their self-esteem, productivity, and overall mental health. Many people reach out for therapy for ADHD and Jordan hears a familiar story, that people have been living in secrecy and are burnt out from pretending. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy offers a powerful tool to break this cycle and help individuals reclaim their confidence. Jordan Nodelman, LCSW, BCD is an independently licensed Clinical Social Worker and Psychotherapist and Board Certified Diplomate of Clinical Social Work located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. His therapy practice works with established professionals from all backgrounds in Fort Lauderdale and virtually in the State of Florida, Commonwealth of Virginia and District of Columbia (Washington, DC).

Working with professionals living with AD/HD is personal for Jordan. Not only does he struggle with a learning difference (making him particularly appropriate for working with this population), but he has also worked with many others, from ADHDers in the public domain, to ADHDers who have started companies and ADHDers who are established professionals. The common link with all is that they find themselves burned out by the shame and secrecy of just trying to get by and this has cause anxiety, significant unhelpful thoughts and depression.

If these thoughts feel familiar, EMDR for ADHD may benefit you: My hyperactive mind won’t stop; I’m seeking dopamine hits when I should be working; I wish my colleagues knew; I’m burnt out from hiding how hard it is to focus; I really can’t be a good leader; I have mental fatigue; impulsivity is my middle name.

The Unhelpful Thoughts that Hold You Back: More Common Than You Know

People with ADHD often find themselves trapped in a loop of negative thinking patterns that exacerbate their condition:

Self-Doubt: “I’m not capable of doing this.”

• This thought can be paralyzing, causing individuals to question their abilities and avoid taking on new challenges.

Negative Comparisons: “Everyone else is more organized/productive than me.”

• Constantly comparing oneself to others can lead to feelings of inadequacy and frustration, further diminishing self-worth.

Catastrophizing: “If I forget this, everything will fall apart.”

• This type of thinking magnifies the consequences of small mistakes, leading to overwhelming anxiety and stress.

Overgeneralization: “I always mess things up.”

• One mistake can feel like a pattern, reinforcing a negative self-image and discouraging progress.

Fear of Failure: “Why try if I’ll just fail?”

• Fear of failure can prevent individuals from pursuing goals, stifling both personal and professional growth.

Perfectionism: “If it’s not perfect, it’s worthless.”

• The pressure to be perfect can result in procrastination and burnout, as the fear of not meeting impossible standards becomes too great.

These thoughts can create a vicious cycle of anxiety, procrastination, and lowered self-esteem. For professionals already managing the demands of their careers, this cycle can feel impossible to break when you are living with ADHD, ADD or and LD.

EMDR: A Pathway to Breaking the Cycle

EMDR therapy works by helping individuals process and reframe negative thoughts and emotions. It uses bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements, to help the brain reprocess memories and thoughts in a way that reduces their emotional charge. For adults with ADHD, ADD, or learning differences, EMDR can be particularly effective in addressing the deeply ingrained beliefs that fuel their unhelpful thoughts. I find it works well with the ADD and ADHD brain, which naturally likes to multi-task and think of many things at once. EMDR works on the emotional brain and embraces our unique thought process.

Through EMDR, individuals can:

• Challenge and change negative beliefs, Reduce the emotional impact of past experiences, and Develop healthier coping strategies: By breaking down the patterns of negative thinking, EMDR can help individuals develop more adaptive responses to challenges, reducing anxiety and improving productivity.

The Hidden Cost of Shame and Secrecy

Many professionals with ADHD, ADD, or learning differences live in secrecy, ashamed of their diagnosis and fearful of being judged or misunderstood. Sure, its true that social media has brought more attention to neurodiversity, but for those of us who are are 40+ years old, this secrecy can be exhausting, leading to chronic stress and, eventually, burnout. And the other truth is, not everyone wants to publicly advertise their struggles on social media. The effort to hide one’s struggles can drain energy and focus, leaving little room for personal or professional fulfillment. Additionally, it can snowball into issues at home, with family and friends.

EMDR can also help address the shame associated with ADHD, ADD, and learning differences. By processing and releasing the emotional pain tied to these feelings, individuals can move toward greater self-acceptance and reduce the burden of secrecy. This shift can lead to a more authentic, empowered way of living, where individuals feel more confident in sharing their true selves with others.

Moving Forward with EMDR

For adult professionals living with ADHD, ADD, or learning differences, EMDR offers a transformative approach to managing unhelpful thoughts and the emotional weight they carry. By breaking the cycle of negative thinking and addressing the underlying shame, EMDR can help individuals achieve greater emotional resilience, professional success, and personal well-being.

Living with these challenges doesn’t have to mean living in fear, self-doubt, or secrecy. With the right support and tools, it’s possible to not only manage these differences but to thrive in spite of them.

If you are interested in learning more about these services and how EMDR can help you, reach out today.