Transitions

TRANSITION STRESS

Change is stressful. People facing new environments - jobs, school, living situation, marital or relationship status - are challenged with transitioning to the new situation or environment. This can be very stressful, especially for people with ADHD who may struggle with prioritization, time management and staying on task. Transition stress is a form of anxiety that, like all anxiety, stems from fear. In this case it is the fear of the unknown.

This is particularly true for people who suffer with ADHD who have trouble staying on task  anyway. When the task is to proceed into the unknown, the fear related to this can be absolutely disabling.

So how can we deal with a stress of transitions to a new situation? All humans feel the evolutionary need to reduce the chaos of living in the real world - to add order to a universe that is naturally disordered. This is, for most, impossible without some help. The first essential step to moving forward despite the disabling anxiety, is to recognize eat emotion as a manifestation of fear, and remain mindful of the emotional you experience.

See if you can identify the outcome you fear most, Rationally consider the likelihood of negative outcomes you fear. and honestly assess if they are Truly negative or just based on irrational fears.

If it is a new job, a new project, a big move, or even a relationship transition you fear, be sure your expectations are reasonable and rational. Try to break it down into smaller components that are more easily faced, gaining the confidence to deal with the entire entity courageously.

And remember that courage is not avoiding fearful situations, it is recognizing they are scary, and doing them anyway. Imagine the confidence you will gain!?! And possible the joy as well!

In health,

Dr. John Monaco

MONACO Wellness

www.monacowellness.org

(813) 541-6440