ADHD - Choice Points - Jim Livingstone

ADHD - Choice Points

What are Choice Points?

Choice points are moments when we face decisions or take action that can impact our mood, behaviour, and overall quality of life. These moments occur regularly and can range from minor choices, like what to have for breakfast, to major decisions, such as changing jobs or relationships.

The way we respond to these choice points can have a major impact on our mental health and daily outcomes. Understanding and managing these choice points can be crucial for navigating everyday life and making positive behavioural lifestyle changes.

Some Daily Challenges Faced by ADHD Adults.

Impulsivity is one of the hallmark symptoms of ADHD is difficulty in controlling impulses. This can lead to hasty decisions that you might regret later

Prioritising Many adults with ADHD find it challenging to prioritise tasks or make decisions based on long-term benefits rather than immediate gratification. This can lead to choosing less productive options during choice points.

Overwhelm comes with the abundance of choices available in modern life, we may feel overwhelmed and paralysed by options, leading to indecision or avoidance of making choices altogether.

Emotions can also complicate decision-making. If we are experiencing anxiety or frustration, we may not make choices that align with our values or goals.

Strategies to Navigate Choice Points 

1. Identify Triggers: Becoming aware of situations that typically lead to challenge choice points can help you prepare better responses. Keeping a record or journal of these moments can reveal patterns that you can change.

2. Define Values and Long-term Goals: Clearly defining your values and long-term goals can be a compass for making decisions. When faced with a choice point, you can ask yourself which option aligns best with your personal objectives.

3. Limit Options: Reducing the number of choices can reduce feelings of overwhelm. Setting boundaries on how many options to consider can help streamline decision-making.

4. Use Visualization: Before reaching a choice point, visualizing potential outcomes and weighing pros and cons can guide more thoughtful decisions. This can create a plan of action that balances impulsivity with reasoned choices.

5. Practice Mindfulness: Techniques such as mindfulness, meditation, or deep-breathing exercises can help adults with ADHD centre their thoughts and emotions before making decisions, helping to reduce impulsive reactions.

6. Seek Support: Sometimes, discussing choices with a trusted friend or therapist can provide insights and perspectives that help clarify decisions. External support can also hold you accountable for the choices you make.

7. Accept Mistakes: Accepting that not all choices will lead to your desired outcomes can reduce the pressure associated with decision-making.

Conclusion

Choice points are an intrinsic part of life, carrying the potential for growth, change, and improvement.

By cultivating self-awareness, you can use choice points to make better choices that align with your true self and goals.

Grab a copy of the CHOICE POINT template here.

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This site is not intended to provide and does not constitute medical, legal, or other professional advice. The content in this newsletter is designed to support, not replace, medical or psychiatric treatment. Please seek professional help if you believe you may have Mental Health Issues.