Jan 5
This episode I'm delighted to re-introduce you to Vanessa Garkin. We talked to Vanessa a few months ago about occupational therapy (go back and listen to Episode 198 if you haven’t already!), and as we were wrapping it up, it became very clear to me that in Vanessa we also had an expert in emotional dysregulation, rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD), and dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT). So, at the end of our conversation I asked Vanessa if she would come back and share her expertise on these topics, and lucky for us, she said yes.
During our conversation, Vanessa explains what DBT is, how it differs from CBT, and how she uses it to help her ADHD clients break out of the RSD cycle. We also dive into ADHD and emotional dysregulation, shame and perfectionism, the link between RSD and trauma, and so much more.
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"People with ADHD are not broken people, they are people who have different skills who come to the table bringing something important."
- Vanessa Gorelkin
"I think RSD is very much hidden. I think this is a shame-based thing that often comes up for people with ADHD, the feeling of being so demoralized by a criticism or a correction or a mistake or a rejection. And these things in healthcare terms, they don't turn out to be life and death situations, and so they don't get as much attention, but they certainly affect people's quality of life."
- Vanessa Gorelkin
"Sometimes accomplishments do not have to be enormous things. They could be, ‘I got out of bed all the days of the week,’ or, ‘I went to work on time each day this week,’ anything really. It's really important to acknowledge the things you're good at because that's really protective to people."
- Vanessa Gorelkin
- Vanessa shares her experience with imposter complex and the importance of acknowledging accomplishments to boost self-esteem.
- Vanessa explains that ADHD is not a deliberate behavior, but rather a neurological makeup that can lead to dysregulation and emotional sensitivity.
- Vanessa discusses the benefits of having pets, especially for individuals with ADHD, including reduced stress and improved exercise habits.
[26:10 - 43:01] Neurodiversity in the Workplace and Education
- Vanessa suggests that having ADHD doesn't mean someone is not smart, and there are many careers where hyper focus can be an asset.
- Vanessa discusses the challenges faced by neurodivergent individuals in the workplace and education system, including the need for accommodations and a more inclusive approach to hiring and learning.
- Vanessa emphasizes the importance of recognizing and valuing diverse perspectives, particularly those with ADHD and other neurodiverse conditions, in the workplace.
- Vanessa explains the differences between cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), with DBT focusing on acknowledging and managing emotions beyond just rational thinking.
- Vanessa explains the importance of distress tolerance skills for individuals with ADHD, particularly in managing emotions and behaviors.
- Vanessa shares her personal experience of learning to communicate with her ADHD husband by expressing her own feelings and asking him to describe his, rather than assuming she knows how he feels.
Website: vanessagorelkin.com
Instagram: @humanist_therapist
Episode 198: How to Unlock Your Potential with Occupational Therapist, Vanessa Gorelkin
