DBT for ADHD

ADHD isn’t about a deficiency in attention; instead, it involves an interest-based nervous system, where attention is activated by interest, novelty, passion, challenge, or urgency. This can lead to inconsistent focus, which is often misunderstood.

 

Mindfulness skills can help you strengthen attention, manage distractions, and improve your overall mental performance by training your focus on tasks that matter.

For many with ADHD, emotions can feel intense and unpredictable, leading to “high highs” and “low lows”—a characteristic also called emotional dysregulation.

 

Emotional Regulation skills module helps you understand and name your emotions, reduce emotional vulnerability, and gain control over your emotional responses. By learning these skills, you can lessen the impact of emotional ups and downs on your daily life.

Those with ADHD often experience Rejection Sensitivity—a heightened emotional response to real or perceived criticism or rejection. This can be deeply painful, making it challenging to navigate social situations.

 

Distress Tolerance skills can help you cope with these intense feelings, manage the urge to react impulsively, and make decisions from a place of calm rather than hurt.

Living with ADHD can strain relationships with friends, family, partners, and others. People may not always understand how ADHD influences your behaviors and moods, which can leave you feeling isolated.

 

Interpersonal Effectiveness skills provide tools to communicate openly about how ADHD affects you, express your needs, and cultivate healthy, lasting relationships.