Receiving a diagnosis of ADHD can feel like standing at the edge of a cliff, uncertain whether to step forward into a new world of understanding or to retreat into the familiar but chaotic patterns of life that you’ve always known. The whirlwind of emotions—relief, confusion, fear, and even anger—can leave you questioning everything from your past to your future.

But while the diagnosis might feel overwhelming at first, it’s also a door to understanding yourself better. Therapy can be a powerful ally in this journey, especially when paired with creative, non-verbal methods that allow you to explore your feelings in a way that feels safe, non-judgmental, and deeply personal.

Let’s explore how therapy, coupled with creative tools like objects, cards, and guided exercises, can help you process your ADHD diagnosis and navigate the emotional landscape that comes with it.

The Mixed Emotions of a Diagnosis

When you first hear the words "ADHD," your mind may immediately flash to a jumble of thoughts:

• Relief: So that’s why I’ve always felt different!
• Confusion: Wait, does this mean I’m broken?
• Frustration: I’ve been struggling with this for so long, why wasn’t this diagnosed sooner?
• Fear: Will this change how people see me? Will it change how I see myself?

These emotions can feel overwhelming, and the journey of reconciling them might take some time. You may also find yourself grappling with the idea of “what now?”—now that you have a diagnosis, what steps should you take to understand it, cope with it, and even thrive with it?

That’s where therapy can be a game-changer, providing a supportive, structured space to explore these emotions and make sense of them.

The Role of Therapy in Processing ADHD

Therapy, particularly with a trained therapist who understands ADHD, provides a place to unearth your feelings and make meaning of your experience. But sometimes, words alone aren’t enough. That’s where creative tools come into play.

By incorporating objects, cards, or exercises, you can engage with your diagnosis in a more tangible way. This approach allows you to express feelings that might be hard to verbalize and offers a fresh perspective on what your diagnosis means.

Let’s dive into some creative ways therapy can help you process your ADHD diagnosis and the emotions that come with it.

1. Object Work: Bringing Your Emotions to Life

Objects have a unique ability to represent abstract concepts and emotions. In therapy, using physical items—like small figurines, toys, or even everyday objects—can help you externalize what’s going on inside your mind. For example, if you’re feeling overwhelmed by your ADHD diagnosis, you might be asked to choose an object that represents the chaos in your head. Maybe it’s a pile of tangled strings or a messy stack of books.

I might then ask you to interact with that object—perhaps untangling the string or organising the books—symbolising your attempt to make sense of the ADHD symptoms or create more order in your life.

This process helps you:

• Visualise your internal experience: By working with physical objects, you can see your emotions and struggles from a new angle, helping to make sense of abstract feelings.
• Gain insight: You might discover that the “chaos” you feel isn’t just a source of frustration, but also a sign of your creativity, energy, or ability to think outside the box.
• Externalise the problem: By taking the emotion out of yourself and placing it into an object, it can help you view your ADHD not as a flaw, but as something you can manage and control.

2. Using Card Decks for Reflection and Insight

I often use card decks, such as emotion cards or affirmation decks, to help guide conversations or uncover hidden feelings. These decks can serve as a creative tool to prompt reflection on how you’re feeling about your diagnosis.

For example, you might be given a deck of cards that show different emotions. I might ask you to choose one card that represents your current emotional state regarding your diagnosis. The card you select could help you articulate feelings that are hard to put into words. Maybe you pull a card that says “uncertain” or “overwhelmed,” and this sparks a deeper discussion about your fears or hopes for the future.

This method works because:

• It prompts exploration: Sometimes, naming an emotion helps you explore it in more detail. You may not have considered how your anxiety about the future is tied to the diagnosis, but when you see it on a card, it becomes easier to discuss.
• It offers guidance: Card decks can help you take small steps to reflect on your journey, encouraging you to examine the positives (like strengths or unique traits that come with ADHD) and the challenges.
• It opens up new perspectives: Cards can serve as a mirror to your internal world, revealing thoughts you may not have been consciously aware of.

3. Creative Expression Through Art and Journaling

Sometimes words aren’t enough, and that’s where creative expression becomes invaluable. In therapy, art and journaling can serve as an outlet for exploring and expressing your feelings. Whether it’s through drawing, doodling, or even writing out your thoughts, these creative tools allow you to express things that may be difficult to say aloud.

For example, you might draw what your brain looks like now that you’ve been diagnosed with ADHD. Is it a whirlwind of colors, a puzzle, or something entirely different? This type of creative expression can help you understand how ADHD feels in a visceral way.

Art and journaling also help you:

• Clarify your feelings: When words don’t come easily, drawing, writing, or coloring can give your emotions form and structure.
• Track your progress: Over time, revisiting old journals or sketches can help you see the growth you’ve made in how you understand and cope with ADHD.
• Feel more empowered: Creative expression puts you in the driver’s seat of your emotional journey. You become the creator of your experience, making meaning out of what was once just a diagnosis.

4. Building New Habits and Strategies with Support

I can also help you use creative tools to develop practical strategies for managing ADHD. This might include using visual cues, setting up systems, or practicing mindfulness exercises to improve focus and self-awareness. Having these tools in place, and actively participating in their development, can help transform feelings of chaos into a sense of empowerment.

Working with a me, you can:

• Build self-compassion: Rather than viewing ADHD as a problem to fix, therapy can help you understand it as part of who you are, with both challenges and strengths.
• Create systems that work for you: I can help you create personalised strategies—like using sticky notes, timers, or planners—that cater to your unique brain, helping you stay organised and focused.
• Develop emotional resilience: Through mindfulness exercises and coping strategies, you’ll learn how to deal with moments of overwhelm or distraction in a compassionate, constructive way.

The Bottom Line: Finding Support Through Creative Therapy

Receiving an ADHD diagnosis is not the end—it’s the beginning of a deeper exploration into how your brain works, how you see the world, and how you can move forward with more self-awareness and self-compassion. Therapy, especially when combined with creative tools like objects, cards, and expressive exercises, offers you a way to engage with your emotions in a more profound and personal way.

While the emotions that come with an ADHD diagnosis may be complex, therapy can help you navigate them, turning a chaotic emotional experience into one of growth and understanding. With the right support, you can reframe your diagnosis not as a burden, but as an invitation to explore your full potential.

Are you ready to start this journey?