Do I Have Bipolar Disorder? The Symptom to Watch For

November 30, 2017 at 01:50PM Julie A. Fast
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November 30, 2017 at 10:00AM

I first heard the term “perseveration” in a lecture by psychologist Russell Barkley about attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and hyperfocus. People with ADHD struggle with boredom, but they can often focus on things they enjoy. In fact, they can focus too much, obsessing over one thing and ignoring other subjects and tasks. Barkley suggests that ADHDers do not hyperfocus, as people with autism do, but perseverate. He defines perseveration as the inability to stop doing an activity at an appropriate time. 

ADHD, Perseveration, and Hyperfocus

Many ADHDers describe their ability to “hyperfocus” as a superpower, but Barkley states that perseveration in ADHD is never an asset. I do not necessarily agree with him because people with ADHD can create, accomplish, and discover great things due to their obsessions. However, it is true that hyperfocusing can create burnout and make people less productive than if they were able to approach tasks in a more balanced manner.

Video of Noelle Matteson Discussing Perseveration and ADHD 

Barkley’s comment got me thinking about what perseveration actually is and how it applies to those with and without ADHD. In the video, I talk about the definition of perseveration and some of its symptoms. 

Sources

1. Merriam-Webster. Definition of Perseverance.
2. Merriam-Webster. Definition of Perseveration.
3. Russell Barkley. Dr. Russell Barkley and ADHD Hyperfocus.
4. Snagglebox: Autism Resources and Support. Bec Oakley. What’s the Deal with Perseveration?

by Noelle Matteson
via Living with Adult ADHD – HealthyPlace

How to Make a Spending Plan When You Have Bipolar Disorder

November 30, 2017 at 08:53AM Lynn Rae
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Hope & Harmony Headlines: The Holidays—Alcohol & the Decision to Drink

November 30, 2017 at 08:50AM bp Magazine
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November 30, 2017 at 01:02AM
Anxiety jabbers incessantly, creating maddening and anxious running commentary in our heads. To make it worse, anxiety acts as a translator and interprets what we hear and see, twisting things into its own warped ideas. With anxiety translating messages we receive, we often misinterpret the world around us. Anxiety’s untrustworthy thoughts lead to self-doubt, faulty … Continue reading "Stop the Anxious Running Commentary in Your Head"

Read the rest of this article at the link provided...
by Tanya J. Peterson, MS, NCC
via Anxiety-Schmanxiety – HealthyPlace

by Carol L. Rickard

Sometimes an old habit or “survival tool” can help in dealing with stressful situations, such as a holiday meal away from family; however, they are not always perfect.

By Carol Rickard

 

It has been more than 35 years since I had this old ‘survival tool’ come in to existence.

In case you are not familiar with the term ‘survival tool’—these are the opposite of LifeTOOLS.

They are the things we find ourselves doing to survive the moment, an experience, or a feeling BUT can make more problems in the long term.

I originally had the title of this post “What to Do When Old Habits Show Up Again” and realized as I started to write, I needed to change it.

You see, I have yet to DO something about it!

The one rule I live by: “Live what I teach.” So I couldn’t write about WHAT TO DO when I haven’t done it yet!

So back to the old ‘survival tool’ that showed up…

When I was in college, since I was 2,000 miles away from home, I didn’t get to go back for Thanksgiving.

The first year I went with a roommate to their house and joined in with the 20+ relatives! That felt weird to me—they weren’t my family.

So the next year I decided I wasn’t going to go with anyone.

In order to ‘survive’ that Thanksgiving, I just went on with the day as if it were a regular, normal day.

I even showed up at the laundromat to do my clothes only to find it“Closed for Thanksgiving”.

The survival tool worked!

I got through that Thanksgiving & many more without any meltdowns.

Turns out, this is what happened for me THIS Thanksgiving… I ended up once again ‘going on as if it were just another day.’

I went across the street and had a marvelous dinner with my neighbor!

But there were only 5 of us & even this had the feel like it was just anther time I was over for dinner.

I wasn’t aware this old habit had showed up again until a few days later, when I realized I hadn’t called a couple of my sisters to wish them a Happy Thanksgiving.

My hope in sharing this experience is to show it doesn’t matter how many tools we have or even how healthy we may be…

We are all a work in process!

The key is we keep on learning & growing…

~ To Living Well TODAY! ~

via Esperanza – Hope To Cope
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