ADHD

Research indicates that 7-10% of the population have an ADHD-type mind. It is becoming clear, however, that this number might in fact be higher (now that it has been recognised that females have ADHD as much as males do). ADHD is not a mental health problem - it is simply a different type of mind. However, in a neurotypical world, ADHDers can struggle more than others with:

• stress and anxiety

• low mood and fluctuating emotional states

• sleep difficulties

• procrastination

• getting started on tasks

• planning, organising and managing time

• focus - either too much or not enough

• shame and poor self-image

• addictive behaviours

• relationships and friendships

• and more.

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Janelle has a special interest in working with ADHDers and has found that if you can learn about how your own mind works as well as practical strategies to overcome or manage some of your challenges, you may see a significant improvement to your psychological wellbeing, how you feel about yourself, and how well you navigate your everyday life.

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Anxiety and Stress

So many people have been struggling with anxiety and stress over the past decade or more! And it can take many forms:

• unshakable worry

• panic attacks

• going into or staying in the fight-or-flight, or freeze responses

• persistent sleep difficulties

• inescapable negative thinking about social relationships

• lack of appetite and nausea OR comfort eating OR binge eating

• withdrawing into a safe environment e.g. not going out very much, not trying new things

• and more.

 

Janelle works from a very practical perspective - we work out what is contributing to your very high stress load, we learn about your autonomic nervous system (ANS) and the ways in which it is taking the driver's seat, and we find workable ways of reducing stressors and increasing your capacity to respond to them. The aim is to develop new ways of managing stressors so that you feel calmer, more at ease and more in control of your inner and outer worlds. 

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High Sensitivity Trait (HSPs)

​Approximately 1 in 5 people is born with the high sensitivity trait, otherwise referred to as being a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP). Also referred to as having developmental plasticity. And being an Orchid (versus a Dandelion). What this means, for people with this trait, is that, as well as having some pretty amazing natural capacities, you will be much more susceptible to your environment: in a very positive environment you will thrive more than others but in a stressful or difficult environment, you will be much more negatively affected than people who don't have this trait. Given that the world has become a pretty stressful place for many, people with the High Sensitivity trait commonly struggle with:

• overwhelm (feeling like everything is too much!)

• overthinking

• problematic levels of anxiety, including social anxiety

• low mood

• unhealthy behaviours (to cope with the distressing state of everything feeling too much)

• persistent negative self-talk

• withdrawing from the world

• being stuck in relationships that don't serve you at all.

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In Janelle's experience, people with this trait often develop a self-sacrificing way of being in relationships with others, favouring harmony over seeking to have their needs met. However, the good news is that therapy tends to be a very positive environment and one in which people with this trait often really make the most of. ​​​

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