Self-sabotage refers when a women with ADHD has a certain behavior that cause harm and is self-destructive. While this behavior is typically apparent the motivation behind the behavior is most likely from your unconscious part of the ADHD brain. Ultimately, this form of behavior can lead women with ADHD further away from your goals and desires. Some examples of self-sabotaging behavior in women with ADHD are procrastination, frequent latenes, inability to finish what is started, impulsivity, putting yourself down, overly concerned about what others think of you, people pleasing. You may be asking yourself why would someone sabotage their own success. The answer varies from women to women. However it is possible to work through self-sabotaging behavior when a women with ADHD is away of the behavior. The following are some techniques to work through self-sabotaging behavior.
-Become aware of negative thoughts of yourself. Unchecked negative thinking is usually the start of self-defeating behavior.
-Be honest with yourself. Often times there is secondary gain to self-defeating behavior such as when the class clown receives negative attention. The gain is the attention the individual receives although it is negative.
-Ask a trusted friend or relative to help by gently giving you feedback when you are engaging in self-sabotaging behavior.
-Become aware of your individual behavior patterns and consider the list of examples of self-sabotaging behavior mentioned above
-Take responsibility for your actions and stop blaming others. You are in the perfect position to be the instrument of change in your life.
-Give yourself permission to move out of the victim role
-Give yourself permission to stop suffering. Haven’t you suffered long enough
-Give yourself permission to succeed as well as fail. Fear of success is closely related to fear of failure.
***If you continue to struggle, seek out a qualified therapist to come alongside you and help you to change, and give yourself permission to overcome self-sabotaging behavior.