Thu Sep 12 01:12:53 UTC 2024: ## Adult ADHD and Autism Diagnosis Brings Relief, But Also Challenges: How To Heal Yourself and Your Children

**By Donna Jackson Nakazawa**

An increasing number of adults are being diagnosed with conditions like ADHD or autism, bringing a sense of relief but also a wave of questions. While these diagnoses can be helpful, they often highlight the impact of past experiences on present well-being.

**Healing Yourself, Healing Your Children:**

Donna Jackson Nakazawa, author and science journalist, emphasizes that healing oneself is essential for healing one’s children and future generations. She argues that dysregulation, high reactivity, and a lack of self-compassion are often passed down through families until someone breaks the cycle.

**Parents Under Pressure:**

The U.S. Surgeon General recently issued an advisory highlighting the stress experienced by parents today. Forty-one percent report feeling overwhelmed most days, impacting their ability to function effectively. This stress can negatively impact children as well.

**Breaking The Cycle:**

Parents often feel overwhelmed by their own stress, making it difficult to be the calm and supportive parents they want to be for their children. This is especially challenging when facing tough times with their kids.

Nakazawa emphasizes the importance of understanding one’s own story and the connection between past experiences and current responses to stress. She stresses that early trauma can affect our nervous system, making us more anxious and reactive. These negative experiences can resurface during emotionally charged moments, especially in parenting.

**The Power of Understanding:**

By acknowledging the impact of past experiences and working to understand our own story, we can break the cycle of stress and reactivity, becoming more present and supportive parents.

Nakazawa encourages readers to consider her new book, *Adverse Childhood Experiences Guided Journal*, which can be a helpful tool for processing and healing. She reminds readers that help is available from therapists and other mental health professionals.

**This article is part of a series exploring the increasing prevalence of adult diagnoses of conditions like ADHD and autism, the impact of past trauma on current well-being, and the importance of self-care for parents.**

Read More