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How integrative EMDR can help ADHD minds find calm in the chaos

Writer: Nick CacuickNick Cacuick

Life with ADHD can sometimes feel like trying to juggle three flaming swords while riding a unicycle. And honestly, even that might sound a little too calm some days.


it doesn’t require you to “fix” your ADHD... it helps you thrive with it. You’re not broken, and there’s nothing to “cure” this integrative approach simply helps you be the best version of yourself, ADHD and all.

For those who live with ADHD, the constant mental chatter, the overdrive, and the endless loops of half-finished tasks are just part of the everyday whirlwind. But what if we could calm that storm? What if there was a way to not only get things done, but also feel better while doing it? Enter: Integrative EMDR with ACT.


What on earth is EMDR?

Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) sounds a bit like something out of

a sci-fi movie, but it’s actually a powerful therapeutic tool that helps people process and heal

from emotional disturbances. Traditionally EMDR has been used to treat trauma, but recent

advances have shown it can also help with the mental overload that comes with ADHD.


ADHD brains can get stuck in repetitive loops of frustration, anxiety, and even old emotional

wounds that we might not even realise are there. EMDR helps break these cycles by working

directly with how your brain stores and processes information.


Think of it like rebooting a computer after too many tabs (and we know ADHD loves a good

47 open tabs). When you clear out the emotional clutter, the mind starts functioning more

smoothly.


Okay, and ACT? What’s that?

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is like your friendly guide to finding calm in

the chaos. Rather than fighting against your ADHD tendencies, ACT helps you accept them.


Yes, that means embracing the occasional tough brain moments (you know, those "Oh, I

forgot to…"; right in the middle of "Wait, what was I doing?".


ACT doesn’t stop there - it goes beyond acceptance by encouraging you to commit to actions

aligned with your values. So instead of just surviving the ADHD rollercoaster, you start

steering it in a direction that feels right for you.



Now, what happens when you blend these two approaches? Magic.


Here’s how it works:

Clearing Emotional Roadblocks with EMDR: ADHD often comes with years of frustration, self-doubt, and emotional baggage. EMDR can help you process those feelings so they’re not holding you back like a giant emotional anchor. Whether it’s social anxiety, the feeling of never being “good enough,” or the shame of missed deadlines, EMDR works to heal and rewire your brain's response to these triggers.


Building Emotional Resilience with ACT: Once EMDR clears some of those emotional hurdles, ACT steps in to help you build resilience. Life with ADHD will always have its ups and downs, but ACT teaches you how to roll with them. You learn to live with your ADHD instead of constantly battling it. You start focusing on what really matters and learn to take purposeful action, even on days when your brain feels like a pinball machine.


Creating a Calm Amid the Chaos: EMDR helps reduce the emotional “noise,” while ACT gives you the tools to cope with whatever remains. The combo allows ADHD minds to focus more clearly, set meaningful goals, and approach challenges with confidence.



Why this approach is gold for ADHD:

In a world designed for neurotypical brains, ADHD minds often feel out of sync, as if we're

living in fast-forward while everyone else is calmly walking. By combining EMDR and ACT,

we’re tackling ADHD from both sides—emotionally and behaviourally. It’s like decluttering

your mind while also upgrading your operating system.


Here’s the best part: it doesn’t require you to “fix” your ADHD. Instead, it helps you thrive

with it. You’re not broken, and there’s nothing to “cure”—this integrative approach simply

helps you be the best version of yourself, ADHD and all.



While ADHD might make life a little wilder, it also brings creativity, spontaneity, and unique

problem-solving skills to the table. By integrating EMDR to clear out the emotional baggage

and using ACT to build emotional resilience, you can harness the best parts of ADHD while

managing the chaos.


If this sounds like something that could help you or someone you love, feel free to reach out. Let’s talk about how Integrative EMDR and ACT can support your ADHD journey!

 
 
 

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