This book argues mainly that attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and related autistic spectrum conditions reflect states of impaired self-regulation and of enhanced need for regulatory assistance from other people. It is useful and helpful for those who personally struggle with ADHD.

Autorentext

Mollon, Phil

Zusammenfassung
Many psychotherapy clients have (undiagnosed) traits within the ADHD and autistic spectrums - two constellations of the "mistuned brain" that often overlap. The essence of ADHD is emotional dysregulation, and the sufferer displays enhanced needs for egosupportive responses from others, as he or she struggles with storms of affect, especially rage and anxiety, impulsivity, deficits in executive functioning, and attentional problems. It is often a hidden core within what is otherwise perceived as borderline or emotionally unstable personality disorder. This is a brain-based disorder - which certainly gives rise to psychodynamics but is not caused by psychodynamics. Autistic spectrum traits, which often coexist with ADHD, are similarly brain-based, associated with intense but unintegrated experience, inflexibility, and a range of efforts to cope with potentially overwhelming emotions and anxieties. Phil Mollon, a psychoanalyst and psychotherapist with forty years clinical experience, presents a wide-ranging discussion of these disorders, exploring psychoanalytic, neurobiological and psycho-energetic perspectives. He describes how the classical Freudian model, combined with Kohut's self-psychology, provides a sound basis for effective therapy with clients whose self is under continual threat of disintegration.

Inhalt

Introduction: Notes to the reader -- Why this book was written-and why ADHD and autistic spectrum conditions are of interest to a psychotherapist -- Some features of ADHD -- Experiencing ADHD -- Some helpful and less helpful ways of viewing people with ADHD and autistic spectrum conditions -- What is going on in the brain in ADHD? -- Principles of psychotherapy with ADHD -- The porous personality (and the "apparently normal" persona) -- The psychology and neurobiology of the autistic spectrum -- Psychotherapy with people on the autistic spectrum -- Subtle energetic aspects of ADHD: reversed and scrambled energy fields and yin-yang imbalance -- Somato-psychic fragility syndromes -- Concluding comments -- Notes on medication for ADHD -- Assessments for ADHD and autistic spectrum (Asperger's) conditions -- Energy psychology methods for ADHD