Welcome back to the Innerspace Counseling blog! With the new school year on the horizon, the subject of managing daily life with ADHD is ever relevant. Today, we're focusing on a two interlinked solutions that can help for managing ADHD: A consistent routine and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). Both of these elements are integral parts of our Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP) and Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP), which we’ll clarify for you.
Why Routines Matter
Routines are not just a sequence of activities lined up to keep you busy; they're your personalized blueprint for navigating each day effectively, especially crucial when you're managing ADHD. Picture this: You have an exam to study for, but you find yourself doing laundry instead, almost as if on autopilot. In these situations, having a routine serves as your internal GPS, steering your focus where it needs to go. Knowing that right now is "study time" helps you set aside distractions, making it easier to find the right headspace for what truly matters.
By segmenting your day into specific time blocks dedicated to different activities, you create an internal guideline. For instance, knowing that 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM is "study time" not only minimizes distractions but also mentally primes you for the task. It's like having a personal coach in your head, shouting, "This is what we're doing now; everything else can wait." And that voice can be crucial for individuals with ADHD, where focus can easily drift.
The power of routines extends beyond mere scheduling; it's also about fostering good habits and self-discipline. Over time, consistently following a routine can rewire your brain to perform these activities almost automatically, leaving less room for impulsivity and indecision. It's an incredible tool for self-regulation, turning abstract good intentions into tangible actions.
From Routine to Emotional Resilience: Enter DBT
So you’ve set a routine, but what happens when emotions like anxiety or irritability intrude? That's why we want to talk about Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), a therapy modality that goes hand-in-hand with building a routine, especially in the framework of ADHD management. So, what makes DBT the ideal companion to your routine? The answer lies in emotional resilience.
Let's say your routine is disrupted by an unexpected emotional surge—be it stress, anger, or overwhelming anxiety. These emotional states can derail the best of plans and disrupt routines. DBT offers practical tools to counteract this. Techniques like "opposite action," "mindfulness," and "distress tolerance" equip you to identify emotional triggers and act contrary to impulsive urges. So, when that surge of anxiety tries to pull you away from your study session, you have the skills to acknowledge the emotion without letting it dictate your actions.
With DBT, you're not just managing your time; you're also managing your emotional landscape. It fills in the gaps where routine leaves off, providing a safety net for those times when your emotions threaten to throw you off course. By combining a structured routine with DBT techniques, you're creating a robust framework that allows for both predictability and emotional adaptability. You're not just surviving; you're thriving.
IOP and PHP
IOP and PHP are specialized intensive mental health programs that serve as a highly supportive environment where you can learn new skills and coping strategies, often within a community setting 3-5x a week. Here's how these programs can be tailored to different life stages:
· Child counseling: Suppose you've noticed your child struggles when transitioning from playtime to homework. Child counseling can help discern your child's energy highs and lows and build a routine around those natural rhythms.
· Teen counseling: Between homework, friendships, and extracurricular activities, teens have a lot to manage. Teen counseling programs provide a balanced routine that even includes "buffer times" for unexpected yet important events, like a last-minute get-together or study session.
· Adult counseling: For adults juggling work, family, and potentially school, the challenge is to establish a routine that honors all these responsibilities. Here, adult counseling within an IOP or PHP framework can guide you toward a life-affirming routine that's right for you.
Bringing it All Together
Here's how to put this into action:
· Guidance: There’s no need to do it alone. Therapists in these programs are trained to help you build your routine one step at a time.
· Understanding Your 'Best Times': Different times of day come with different energy levels. These programs can help identify your peak productivity times, so you can align your challenging tasks accordingly.
· Learning DBT Skills: These skills act like shortcuts for emotional regulation and focus, custom-designed to ease your daily navigation.
Navigating life with ADHD can often feel like a rollercoaster. However, with structured routines and the robust support offered by IOP and PHP programs, it's entirely possible to turn that rollercoaster into a more manageable, and even enjoyable, ride. If you or someone you know is struggling with the ADHD, don't hesitate to reach out to our experienced clinical team at Innerspace Counseling in Old Bridge, New Jersey. Our primary mental health child, adolescent or adult IOP and PHP programs may be just what is needed to develop and maintain positive mental health.
Remember, the first step to change is recognizing the need for it. You’re not alone. Here at Innerspace Counseling, we're committed to helping everyone unlock their full potential and thrive. Wishing you a fulfilling and well-organized new school year! As always, we're just a call or message away.
Note: If you or someone you know is in a mental health crisis or emergency, please contact 9-1-1 or go to your local crisis center. The content on this page is for informational purposes only. It does not substitute professional mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your mental health professional or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a mental health condition.