Noticing how ADHD can affect energy and task management across the day.
Exploring how unfinished tasks can trigger feelings of shame or self-doubt.
Considering how a spiral of overwhelm might begin and what it feels like from the inside.
Thinking about the difference between needing support and needing to be fixed.
Recognising that frustration and embarrassment are valid emotional responses to daily challenges.
Exploring how self-understanding can shape the way a person talks about their own experience.
Henry, a tour guide in central London, shares a short personal film about living with ADHD. Henry describes feeling overwhelmed when several tasks build up at the same time. He explains how one missed or unfinished task can lead to a spiral of shame and frustration. He reflects that frustration and embarrassment are a frequent part of his daily experience. Henry ends the segment by saying that ADHD is part of who he is and he does not need fixing.
• What did you notice about the way Henry described his experience of ADHD?
• What happened when tasks started to build up for Henry?
• How did Henry describe the feeling of getting caught in a spiral?
• What does it mean to you when Henry says he does not need fixing?
• Is there a situation in your own life where tasks or responsibilities have felt overwhelming?
• What helps you when you are feeling frustrated or behind on something?
• How might someone support a person who is in the middle of an ADHD spiral?
• Is there something Henry said that you would describe differently for yourself?
The questions within this guide are designed to open dialogue and facilitate discussion around the relevant topics. It is up to the user to adapt as needed to best suit the person they are supporting. A neuroaffirming approach was central to the design of these resources and remains essential to their application. This means recognising and respecting the diverse ways people think, communicate, and experience the world, ensuring all conversations are led with curiosity, respect, and without judgement. These resources are a starting point. Trust your knowledge of the person you are supporting to shape the conversation from there.
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