Overcoming Fear with ADHD: How to unlock your full potential

Impact of Fear In Personal Growth

Fear can act as a major roadblock in achieving life goals and having a fulfilled life. It is a universal experience—whether we identify it or not, it entirely influences our decisions, actions, and confidence.

My Personal Journey with Fear

Like many other people, I also have some fears which try to pull me away from my goals. Among all the fears, the one that impacted my personality and life decisions wholly is the fear of public speaking.

Years ago, I struggled with an intense fear of public speaking. Social anxiety made me dread any moment where the spotlight was on me. The mere thought of speaking in front of others was overwhelming.

That fear was put to the test when I moved to Kuwait and became an early-years English teacher. I was asked to address an audience of 300 parents—something I had never done before. It was daunting and challenging, but I knew I had to push through.

Determined to succeed, I turned to self-talk and visualization. Every day, I imagined myself standing confidently, speaking clearly, and engaging the audience. I practiced positive affirmations, reinforcing the belief that I can do it. Two weeks later, I delivered my speech. While the fear didn’t disappear overnight, I proved to myself that I was capable.

Understanding the Nature of Fear

Fear is a powerful, natural emotion which lies within everyone. None of the people is living his/her life without fear of anything. Fear is designed to keep us safe. It activates the body’s fight-or-flight response, preparing us to react to perceived threats. However, it is not wrong to say that most dear act as a road block and pull us back from reaching our full potential according to our capabilities.

Here are the five primal fears that have shaped human evolution:

-  Fear of Dangerous Animals: Instinctual fear of predators from ancient times.

-  Fear of Hostile Humans: Fear of conflict and potential danger from others.

- Fear of Invisible Pathogens: Fear of bacteria and viruses, developed for survival.

- Fear of Social Exclusion: Fear of rejection or judgment, once critical for survival in tight-knit communities.

- Fear of Environmental Threats: Fear of natural disasters, scarcity, and physical dangers.

Conscious vs. Subconscious Fear 

Fear can have 2 categories; The conscious ones and the unconscious ones.

- Conscious Fears: These include fear of failure, rejection, and the unknown, which leads to hesitation and self-doubt.

- Subconscious Fears: Often rooted in past experiences and deep-seated beliefs, these fears influence our behaviour without us realizing it.

Recognizing and understanding the fear a person have really helps in overcoming the emotion of fear.

Fear and ADHD

For those with ADHD, fear can manifest as:

- Perfectionism: Fear of making mistakes leads to procrastination.

- Social Anxiety: Fear of judgment can make interactions stressful.

- Rejection Sensitivity: Fear of criticism can hinder confidence.

Recognizing these patterns helps in developing strategies to work through them.

Overcoming Fear

A very important question arises here i.e. How do we overcome fear?

Here are some strategies:

• Shift Your Mindset: Embrace a growth mindset. See challenges and failures as opportunities for learning and growth.

• Visualisation: Use visualisation to desensitise yourself to fear. Imagine successfully doing the thing you fear.

• Hypnosis: Hypnosis can reprogram your brain to change your perception of fear, turning it into a positive experience.

• Intuition: Lean into your intuition to guide you. Trusting your inner guidance can help calm your fears.

• Meditation, Affirmations, and Journaling: These practices can help reduce fear and anxiety.

• Intention: Setting powerful intentions daily can align your energy with your desires, helping to overcome fear.

My Experience with Hypnosis

Hypnosis was a game-changer for me. It changed my perception of public speaking from something really terrifying to an exciting opportunity. After using rapid transformational therapy, I spoke on stage at the Marriott Hotel about self-esteem and felt amazing. It was such a transformative experience that it almost shifted my career focus to that of being a speaker!

Final Thoughts

Fear is a part of all our lives, but we don’t have to let it control us.

By becoming aware of our fears and using strategies to overcome them, we can achieve our goals and manifest our dreams. Remember, you have the power to change your perception of fear and turn it into a force for growth.

Thanks for reading, and I hope this was valuable to you.

Stay tuned for more blog posts and listen to the podcast ADHD & Alchemy if you would like to

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