TEXT OF GROUP WORKBOOK

Introduction to Flourish

Welcome to Flourish!

This is a weekly group specifically for women with ADHD. I’m thrilled you’re here and ready to embark on this supportive journey together.

What is Flourish?

Flourish is a mutual self-help coaching group designed to empower ADHD women through emotional, psychological, and moral support. While not a therapy group, it provides education, skills, and tools for navigating life with ADHD.

Participation Guidelines:

• Treat others with respect and kindness, as you would like to be treated.
• Confidentiality is essential: Please do not share the names or personal details of group members outside of this space.

What to Expect:

• A message board, video modules, and group meetings to discuss each week’s topic.
• A focus on reflection and conversation to better understand how growing up in a neurotypical world has shaped your experiences.
• Skills development in self-advocacy, self-accommodation, self-awareness, self-compassion, and self-care.

By the end of this program, you will feel more confident and develop self-trust, something many neurodivergent women lack due to societal marginalization.

Understanding ADHD

What is ADHD?

ADHD is a genetic, chronic, neurodevelopmental condition that affects brain function. It impacts women differently than men due to social expectations and hormonal influences.

What ADHD is NOT:

• ADHD is not caused by poor parenting, diet, childhood experiences, or trauma.
• It is highly heritable. ADHD expert Russell Barkley highlights that ADHD is more inheritable than height. If you have it, it’s likely someone in your family does, too.

ADHD and the Brain

What We Know About ADHD Brains:

Research identifies key differences in ADHD brains:

• Structural differences in the cortex, parietal regions, cerebellum, and basal ganglia.
• Cortical thickness variations and unique patterns in white matter tracts and functional connectivity.

These differences can create challenges in environments not designed for neurodivergent people but may also contribute to creativity, emotional depth, and unique perspectives.

Neurotransmitters and ADHD:

• Neurotransmitters like dopamine are essential for brain communication.
• In ADHD, issues occur at the synapse, where neurons send and receive messages.
• Some ADHD brains may not produce or regulate dopamine efficiently, leading to challenges with focus and reward processing.
• ADHD medications stabilize this process, improving brain communication.

Genetics and ADHD

• ADHD is linked to several genes that influence dopamine and serotonin systems.
• Key genes include DRD4, DRD5, DAT1, and 5-HTT.
• Ongoing research continues to uncover the complex genetic landscape of ADHD.

Executive Functioning and ADHD

What is Executive Functioning?

Executive functioning includes:

• Organizing and prioritizing tasks.
• Setting and achieving goals.
• Regulating emotions and impulses.
• Transitioning between tasks.

How it Impacts Women:

Women often feel societal pressure to meet the "Gold Standard Woman" ideal—effortlessly organized, emotionally steady, and capable. For ADHD women, this unrealistic standard leads to:

• Shame and stigma.
• Anxiety, burnout, and self-doubt.

Reflection Question:

How does it feel to realize that the "Gold Standard Woman" is not real?

Coping Skills and Flourish’s Support

Old Coping Skills:

Many ADHD women develop coping strategies such as:

• Masking their symptoms.
• Perfectionism, self-criticism, and pleasing others.

These strategies often lead to burnout, anxiety, and depression as they drain emotional and mental resources.

Flourish’s Goal:

This group introduces healthier coping skills tailored to ADHD women’s unique needs. Together, we will:

1. Learn new strategies that consider your history and neurodivergence.
2. Reconnect with your authentic self.
3. Support and strengthen executive functioning in ways that work for you.

Flourish Framework

Flourish uses five pillars to build self-trust and confidence:

1. Self-Compassion:
• Acknowledge your struggles with kindness, not criticism.
• Take actionable steps to make your life easier.
2. Self-Accommodation:
• Modify your environment to reduce stress.
• Support your sensory and executive functioning needs.
3. Self-Advocacy:
• Know your rights and boundaries.
• Communicate assertively when it feels safe.
4. Self-Awareness:
• Understand your thoughts, emotions, and body signals.
• Respond with curiosity, not judgment, to meet your needs.
5. Self-Care:
• Prioritize your well-being so you can show up fully for yourself and others.

These new skills help replace outdated, draining strategies with empowering alternatives.

Setting Goals for Flourish

Choose one or two goals to focus on:

Group Activities

Group Activity: Deconstructing the "Gold Standard Woman"

Discuss:

1. What qualities define the "Gold Standard Woman"?
2. Have you felt pressure to mask your ADHD to fit this mold?
3. How has masking helped or hurt you?

Reflection Questions

• Gold Standard Reflection:

What comes to mind when you think about the "Gold Standard Woman"?

How does it feel to know she’s not real?

• Coping Skills Reflection:

Which coping skills resonate most with you (e.g., hiding, silencing, perfectionism)?

How does it feel to realize you were doing your best and that better strategies are available?

Conclusion: Flourish’s Vision

Flourish is designed to build your confidence and self-trust, enabling you to navigate life with ADHD authentically and powerfully. Each step of this journey respects your unique needs, offering a safe space for growth, reflection, and connection.

Sometimes, barriers arise as a form of self-protection. Honor your pace and respect where you are. Together, we will flourish.

Journal Space

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