Shame becomes an integral part of our ADD. It is deep within us and starts deep in our childhood, when we could not meet the expectations of our parents, then our teachers, then others and ultimately ourselves.
Missing appointments, forgetting to do things or doing them inadequately, losing things, frantically racing around trying to find them or to get somewhere when we’re late, turning in circles trying to find a way to get started on something-all of these experiences continue to build up our sense of inadequacy, failure and shame.
Therapy is probably the fastest and most reliable way to heal the shame. But there are other ways. Good intimate relationships, spiritual paths, accomplishments.
And certainly using strategies to cut down on those shame building experiences. With strategies, we can function better and then begin to see ourselves differently than before.
Bonnie Mincu, ADD coach, has a good blurb on shame on her website. You can find it on the right of this blog.
doug
