Understood.org Unveils ADHD Unstuck: A New Tool for Women to Combat Winter Blues
In a groundbreaking initiative, Understood.org has launched "ADHD Unstuck," a free, self-guided activity tailored specifically for women with ADHD. This innovative tool seeks to support individuals in regulating their mood during the challenging winter months. For many women, the holiday season and the subsequent New Year can amplify feelings of isolation and overwhelm, particularly for those with ADHD. Recent research released by Understood.org underscores this phenomenon, revealing that 81% of women with ADHD reported greater mental struggles during winter compared to 58% of all women.
The relationship between winter and fluctuating moods can be particularly challenging. The survey conducted by The Harris Poll shows that 55% of women frequently experience the "winter blues," while 71% of those diagnosed with ADHD feel an intensified sense of loneliness during this period. As the weight of expectations and self-imposed resolutions loom, women find themselves grappling with feelings of inadequacy and burnout. Surprisingly, while 46% of women set New Year's resolutions, 58% abandon goals, reflecting widespread frustration that escalates during winter.
In her insights, Sarah Greenberg, the vice president of expertise and strategic design at Understood.org, emphasized the stressors unique to women: "The start of the year brings enormous pressure to reset, perform and 'get it together'—especially for women." This stress, combined with the natural changes of winter, can result in dissatisfaction and emotional distress, particularly among the ADHD population. Recognizing the need for resources, ADHD Unstuck offers a one-stop solution designed in collaboration with Northwestern University's Lab for Scalable Mental Health, grounding its strategies in scientific research for efficacy.
ADHD Unstuck is structured around three pivotal steps within its single-session framework: First, participants learn about emotional regulation and how ADHD impacts stress responses. This psychoeducation aspect plays a crucial role in enhancing self-awareness. Following this, users engage in an experimental mood task designed to illustrate how simple daily actions can shift emotional states. Finally, users create tailored action plans, selecting mood-boosting activities and positive affirmations to combat negative thought patterns.
The evidence behind ADHD Unstuck speaks volumes to the need for practical strategies. According to the Harris Poll survey, 68% of women, including 82% of those with ADHD, desire better approaches to help them feel "unstuck." The challenges of balancing work, family commitments, and personal expectations often hinder their pursuit of assistance and the implementation of positive actions. The stakes are high: an astonishing 86% of women identify procrastination as a result of feeling overwhelmed. This highlights the importance of quickly deliverable solutions, such as ADHD Unstuck.
Dr. Jessica Schleider, who leads the Lab for Scalable Mental Health, stated, "We often think of change as requiring extensive time and effort, yet our findings illustrate the transformative potential of unique, concise interventions." By engaging with material that is inclusive and designed with the lived experiences of women with ADHD in mind, ADHD Unstuck aims to break down barriers to positive change. Greenberg concludes by asserting that "women with ADHD should have access to practical tools tailored to their unique experiences for real-life applicability."
For those seeking support, ADHD Unstuck is readily available at understood.org/ADHD-women. By harnessing the power of community, knowledge, and scientifically-backed resources, Understood.org continues its mission of empowering individuals with learning differences to thrive in any season, especially the challenging winter months.
The relationship between winter and fluctuating moods can be particularly challenging. The survey conducted by The Harris Poll shows that 55% of women frequently experience the "winter blues," while 71% of those diagnosed with ADHD feel an intensified sense of loneliness during this period. As the weight of expectations and self-imposed resolutions loom, women find themselves grappling with feelings of inadequacy and burnout. Surprisingly, while 46% of women set New Year's resolutions, 58% abandon goals, reflecting widespread frustration that escalates during winter.
In her insights, Sarah Greenberg, the vice president of expertise and strategic design at Understood.org, emphasized the stressors unique to women: "The start of the year brings enormous pressure to reset, perform and 'get it together'—especially for women." This stress, combined with the natural changes of winter, can result in dissatisfaction and emotional distress, particularly among the ADHD population. Recognizing the need for resources, ADHD Unstuck offers a one-stop solution designed in collaboration with Northwestern University's Lab for Scalable Mental Health, grounding its strategies in scientific research for efficacy.
ADHD Unstuck is structured around three pivotal steps within its single-session framework: First, participants learn about emotional regulation and how ADHD impacts stress responses. This psychoeducation aspect plays a crucial role in enhancing self-awareness. Following this, users engage in an experimental mood task designed to illustrate how simple daily actions can shift emotional states. Finally, users create tailored action plans, selecting mood-boosting activities and positive affirmations to combat negative thought patterns.
The evidence behind ADHD Unstuck speaks volumes to the need for practical strategies. According to the Harris Poll survey, 68% of women, including 82% of those with ADHD, desire better approaches to help them feel "unstuck." The challenges of balancing work, family commitments, and personal expectations often hinder their pursuit of assistance and the implementation of positive actions. The stakes are high: an astonishing 86% of women identify procrastination as a result of feeling overwhelmed. This highlights the importance of quickly deliverable solutions, such as ADHD Unstuck.
Dr. Jessica Schleider, who leads the Lab for Scalable Mental Health, stated, "We often think of change as requiring extensive time and effort, yet our findings illustrate the transformative potential of unique, concise interventions." By engaging with material that is inclusive and designed with the lived experiences of women with ADHD in mind, ADHD Unstuck aims to break down barriers to positive change. Greenberg concludes by asserting that "women with ADHD should have access to practical tools tailored to their unique experiences for real-life applicability."
For those seeking support, ADHD Unstuck is readily available at understood.org/ADHD-women. By harnessing the power of community, knowledge, and scientifically-backed resources, Understood.org continues its mission of empowering individuals with learning differences to thrive in any season, especially the challenging winter months.
Topics Health）
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