Why ADHD Makes Transitions So Hard

If shifting from day mode to sleep mode feels impossible,

That's not resistance,

That's executive functioning.

Hi there,

I'm Carolyn Watkins,

A licensed marriage and family therapist,

And I specialize in working with neurodivergent clients.

What can be so challenging with transition is that it requires three things that our ADHD brains struggle with.

Stopping one task,

Starting another,

And emotionally shifting between them.

Bedtime is a triple transition.

We're asking our brain to completely stop and shift into something different.

So your brain isn't trying to avoid sleep.

It's just overwhelmed by the setting gear change.

So in order to help yourself with that,

One thing that you can do is focus on a micro change that signals to your body and to your brain that we're transitioning to sleep.

Something that you can do on a regular basis.

Brushing your hair or teeth,

Taking a nice warm shower,

Or doing something that signifies it's time for sleep.

Thank you.

So if you would like any more help in this,

My Insight Timer page has a ton of resources for the ADHD and neurodivergent brain,

As well as a course focusing on this entirely.

I wish you all the best.

Thanks so much for stopping in.