Our Own Worst Enemy (rebroadcast)

This week, we're revisiting a classic episode inspired by a late '90s pop-punk anthem: "My Own Worst Enemy" by Lit.

The title of that song perfectly captures a feeling common to those with ADHD. We often feel like our own greatest obstacle, plagued by an endless supply of self-destructive behaviors stemming directly from the condition.

• Counterproductive manifestations like poor time management, hyper-focusing on low-priority tasks, overcommitting, and procrastination can leave us feeling incredibly frustrated.

• We're talking about our "worst self"—the version of us that emerges in ways we later regret or that seem to actively work against our own interests.

While the internet is full of advice on how to become your best self, the reality is that many of these frustrating behaviors do not reflect our value as people. Instead, they are often a reflection of our unmet needs and coping mechanisms.

In this important rebroadcast, we discuss:

1. How this "worst self" manifests in the context of ADHD.

2. Why we should extend a bit more empathy toward these maladaptive behaviors.

3. Practical ways to work on moving forward—not necessarily toward a flawless best self, but at least toward a better one.

Tune in to explore this internal conflict and learn how to find compassion for the parts of you that struggle.

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Find the show note at HackingYourADHD.com/188

This Episode's Top Tips

1. Approach the idea of your worst self with empathy. Focus on the fact that you developed these maladaptive behaviors for a reason.
2. Pay attention to the situations and emotions that trigger your worst behaviors to anticipate and manage them more effectively.
3. Often, our maladaptive behaviors come out when we're not doing a good job of meeting our basic needs. If we're engaging in numbing behaviors, we can look below the symptoms to try and see what's setting them off.