Have you ever felt like the traditional DSM criteria overlook some of the most impactful ADHD traits? You're not alone!

In this solo episode, in honor of ADHD Awareness Month, I will be sharing five common ADHD characteristics that aren't included in the DSM, yet affect our daily lives, including some cringe moments from mine!

🔍 Historical Insights:

• Did you know that ADHD was first described by Sir Alan Crichton in 1798?
• From being labeled a "deficit of moral consciousness" by Sir Frederick Still in 1902 to being officially recognized by the American Psychiatric Association in the 1960s, the understanding of ADHD has come a long way.

📈 Recent Trends:

• Increased awareness, driven by social media platforms like TikTok and the challenges posed by the pandemic, has led more individuals to seek an ADHD diagnosis.

🗂️ DSM Focus:

• The DSM emphasizes extreme behaviors, dividing ADHD into three subtypes, each with it’s own criteria
• To get an official diagnosis, you must have not only the behaviors but impairment in 2+ areas of life as a result of them.

💡 Traits Beyond the DSM:

Clumsiness

I’m sharing some personal anecdotes, including my most recent mishap, to illustrate how common clumsiness is among those with ADHD.

Teeth Grinding/Clenching

High mental effort to suppress ADHD impulses and to create a state of focus results in physical manifestations like grinding teeth. Listen for my practical advice to manage this.

Change for the Sake of Change

A low tolerance for boredom means many are quick to change jobs, homes, hobbies, friend groups and even hair colors!

Self-Deprecating Humor

Laughter, despite impulsive mistakes, helps in coping and building resilience. Quite a few comics have ADHD, you know!

Intense Curiosity

This drives many with ADHD towards roles that satisfy their need for novelty and exploration, whether in their careers or personal lives. Where do we think most innovation comes from?

💬 Join the Conversation!

We want to hear from YOU! What are some ADHD traits you've experienced that you don't find in the DSM? Share your unique or quirky traits with us.

The first five submissions will be featured in a future episode, with credits given.

• Email me: diann@diannwingertcoaching.com
• DM me: Instagram or LinkedIn
• Leave a voice message on my SpeakPipe

Remember, being different isn't just okay—it's what makes you extraordinary! And, at least you aren’t BORING!

Mentioned during this episode:

Episode #228 with Becca Groner - she teaches improv!

Episode #230 with Bri Seeley - what radical self acceptance looks like for entrepreneurs

Don’t forget to Follow/ Subscribe to ADHD-ish NOW, so you don’t miss a single episode!

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Hey Boss and welcome to another insightful episode of ADHD-ish! I'm your host, Diann Wingert, and I’m joined by my new biz bestie, Bri Seeley, who opens up about her late realization of ADHD traits just six months ago.

Bri's relationship with her fiancé and the challenges of sharing a work-from-home lifestyle with a neurotypical fiance, after 17 years of entrepreneurship prompted her to question her brain’s functioning.

This led her to "Scattered Minds" by Gabor Maté, which illuminated her experiences and led to a deeper understanding of her unique cognitive processes.

🧠 Bri Seeley shares her experience of coming to terms with her ADHD traits over the past six months in her early 40s and how it's reshaped her approach to work and life. Whether you're officially diagnosed, self-diagnosed, or just curious, this episode offers valuable perspectives and practical insights.

🎧 Here are 3 key takeaways from the episode:

• Self-Discovery and Adaptation: Bri shares the importance of understanding how her brain works and developing systems and processes that align with her natural tendencies.
• Leveraging Strengths: The episode highlights the benefits of engaging in work that fuels your passion and curiosity, demonstrating how ADHD traits can be a strength rather than a limitation in the right environment.
• Navigating Multiple Ventures: With several business ventures underway, Bri’s approach showcases the balance between ambition and practicality, emphasizing the need to choose and focus on the most viable ideas.

Why You Should Tune In:

This episode is packed with wisdom for anyone navigating the complexities of ADHD—as a diagnosed individual, a partner, or simply someone curious about their ADHD-ish tendencies.

Bri's story is a testament to the fact that it’s never too late to understand yourself better and leverage your unique traits to create the life you desire.

Where to find Bri Seeley:

• Website
• Podcast
• Instagram

One of Bri’s most important realizations is that due to her creative impulses and high levels of distractibility, she needs to choose her most viable options to focus on.

This is one of my favorite ways to help multi-talented and neurodivergent people: honing in on their most brilliant ideas that merge passion, purpose & profit. Click here to book a free consultation to see how I can help you.

And don’t forget to Rate and Review ADHD-ish and subscribe/follow on your favorite podcast player!

I’m thrilled to have my client Jennifer Yates join me on ADHD-ish to share the challenges of defining a consulting business as unique as you are.

For multi-talented individuals with varied and diverse backgrounds, it can be overwhelming to talk about what you do. The more gifts and abilities you have, the harder it is.

This is especially true when you want to be able to bring all of your talents into the mix and hate limiting yourself in any way.

If this description resonates with you, this episode is packed with insights you won't want to miss.

Here are just a few:

The Power of Intentional Constraint

Jennifer learned to focus on her core values and strengths, making effective decisions without cognitive overload.

Crafting a Unique Entrepreneurial Identity

Leaning into focusing on the "how" rather than the "what" or "where" of Jennifer’s abilities provided the clarity needed for her to own her space and identity.

Cementing Confidence through Action It's not enough to feel confident - you must see its tangible effects in your business.

This episode explores how confidence, when backed by action and visible impact, propels you forward.

Mentioned during this episode:

• Rochelle Moulton's Soloist Life Podcast where Jennifer first heard me
• Voxer walkie-talkie app for connection between coaching calls
• Woxer - boxers for women, the most comfortable undies
• ThinkUp! app - change your brain with positive affirmations in your own voice
• Clifton Strengths Top 5 Report - how your top 5 strengths make you unique

Want to connect with Jennifer? Here’s how:

Website - LinkedIn - Book a call

Thinking about becoming one of my future Client Success Stories? It starts with a free consultation to talk about our goals and challenges and to see if it makes sense to work together.

No fee, no obligation, and you’re guaranteed to walk away with actionable insights, whether we decide to work together or not. No brainer, right? Book here

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review, and let us know your biggest takeaway from today's conversation! Click here and thank you!