ADHD and CranioSacral Therapy
Greetings to all of the splendidly creative, sensitive, and sometimes chaotic ADHD & AuDHD people out there! ADHD carries a lot of outdated negative connotations and baggage, but what is it? It's funny how the words making up the label known as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are all misleading:
1. Attention Deficit: There isn't really a "deficit" of attention at all- just a chronic lack of consistency in being able to control when and where the attention is directed.
2. Hyperactivity: There are subtypes, and not all of us with ADHD exhibit outward "hyperactivity" or impulsivity.
3. Disorder: Compared to neurotypical individuals, there is a different wiring of the brain and a different use of neurotransmitters that basically translates into nonlinear thinking patterns. Nonlinear and big-picture thinking can actually be a creative gift to the world, and it's only a "disorder" relative to the productivity demands and linear rules of our society.
Life can be very stressful for all people, and I don't think people with ADHD necessarily have more stress than neurotypical people. However, it has been my observation that many people with ADHD seem to accumulate a certain quality of stress in their energy fields on top of whatever their baseline is. I couldn't possibly know why exactly, but some possibilities might include:
Facing constant internal and external friction when our brains are simply a mismatch for work, school, or social demands. There is nothing wrong with our brains, but it's a bit of a round peg in a square hole situation
It is not for lack of intelligence or effort- but we spend more time on the "struggle bus" than most (and then beat ourselves up about it if we don't understand how our brains work; or how our chemistry impacts executive function, etc.)
Almost everyone feels forgetful, unfocused, bored, burnt out, or scattered at times, but people with ADHD may experience this to a degree that can interfere with quality of life and self-esteem
Racing thoughts and worries
A never-ending backlog of unfinished tasks
Having a high degree of sensitivity and a different way of processing stimuli. Sensitivity is also a true gift to the world, but a downside may be absorbing even more stuff into an already cluttered mind
My opinion is that AuDHD (Autism + ADHD simultaneously) ultimately creates its own balancing effect on a person’s life…while simultaneously making for a constant internal tug-of-war, and generating its own unique friction
So how can CranioSacral Therapy (CST) help with all of that? CST is one of the best ways that I know of for all people (ADHD or not) to enter that elusive state of deep relaxation. It allows for self-healing to take place a little bit easier. It frees up physical restrictions around the brain and spinal cord. It supports your nervous system and helps to connect you with inner resources that know way more about your healing process than I ever could!
Does CST have any measurable impact on Dopamine or Serotonin, or create a physical change in the Prefrontal Cortex of your brain? I have no idea! However, I have noticed that many people report a sensation of more space when they are able to shed a layer of stress and mental "background noise." More space is powerful for everyone, and it might be particularly impactful for an ADHDer who has a lot going on.
I do not view CST as a substitute for medical treatment, therapy, or coaching- there are many fabulous tools available to make life easier. CST may not be everyone's cup of tea, but I have witnessed unique and amazing benefits for a lot of people over the years, including people with atypical brain wiring.
On a personal note, I love receiving CST and energy work on a regular basis. I don't believe that CST could "fix my brain" even if I thought it was broken, but I usually notice an improvement in clarity and ease because I am more relaxed and grounded. Does that mean that CST solves all of my organization struggles and makes me prepare the food I keep buying before it expires? No, it does not. However, I enjoy freeing up some precious workspace in my brain by periodically flushing away stress residue that no longer serves me. It helps me enter a state where I can tap into my Inner Wisdom for resources and put things in perspective. And perhaps most importantly, it holds space to rest and "just be" for a while. As your CranioSacral Therapist, I get the bonus privilege of entering that state of deep presence to hold space for all of you every day! To be perfectly honest, I don't understand how or why my busy mind can get so quiet during our sessions, but it does and I love it. A little bit of magic for sure.
