26/02/2025
At Spectrum for Change, we recognise and work with the multitude of labels and diagnoses assigned to various behavioural patterns, with ADHD currently being a prevalent one. We understand behaviours and their driving forces and upon exploration of the behavioural symptoms associated with ADHD, it's clear to us that they are traits common to both adults and children alike. In fact, if I reflect on my former self, I would have been well on the spectrum! The question is, did I have ADHD or was I emotional and has ADHD become an umbrella term for just being human?
Whilst receiving a diagnosis often provides individuals with a sense of clarity, explaining their actions and emotions, it can still pose challenges for both the individual and those around them. One significant aspect that remains relatively unexplored, despite existing studies, is the connection to our emotional well-being. Through our work at Spectrum, we have observed these behaviours in many individuals, and at the heart of them were an accumulation of life experiences, which some might refer to as trauma. Have you ever wondered who you would be without some of those experiences? Have you ever stopped to reflect on who you were one year ago, five years ago, ten years ago? Have you ever contemplated the things you have stopped doing or started doing? Less confidence, not going out so much, becoming withdrawn, increased worrying, not sleeping so well......and the list goes on. Of course, people say "well, it has made me who I am today" but we still hold the emotions connected to that journey.
Our behaviours are intricately linked to our emotions, beliefs, conflicts, and barriers, operating as unconscious responses to stimuli. While each person is unique, the fundamental components influencing our behaviour remain consistent. Like any other label or diagnosis, at Spectrum for Change, we prefer to help people identify and change the connection to the events that led to the presenting behavioural symptoms and current state of being. Spectrum's approach was specifically designed by Dr Mick Stott to address these core components, cultivating new behaviours and realities by reducing emotional burdens and transforming internal belief systems and the research supports this.
Below is a link to research by Mills, S & Hulbert‐Williams, L (2012) which was published in Counselling Psychology Quarterly, 25 (3), pg 319‐330.
The paper distinguishes between treatment efficacy and effectiveness in the treatment of Post‐Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Implications for contentious therapies.
https://www.spectrumforchange.co.uk/_files/ugd/605736_45a0406d9a70428fba1ec9d22d702438.pdf
If we continue to do what we have always done, we can only ever expect to get what we have always got. So whatever it is you want to create more of or let go of, we are here to help so that you can become the best version of you, navigating life's challenges with less internal chatter, less reactions, greater resilience and internal happiness.
