A Brief View of the NLP Meta-Model and ADHD

In NLP, there is a presupposition that says, "The map is not the territory."  This means that a person's view of reality isn't the totality of that reality. For example, the above map is of the world, but it is just a representation, it isn't actually THE world. Everyone has their unique map of not only their world, but various aspects of their life.

Those with ADHD can often have MULTIPLE maps for a particular aspect, and also juggle many maps of various aspects at the same time in their minds.  

Now, with this foundation laid out, let's explore language.  When someone says something, NLP evaluates it using something called the Meta-Model.  The Meta-Model is a framework used to evaluate what a person says in terms of surface meaning (often "fluff" language) and deep meaning (what their map actually is). The Meta-Model is broken into three main areas, Generalization, Distortions, and Deletions.  These have various layers to explore as well. Going deeper into this is for another blog post.

So, what does all of this have to do with someone with ADHD?  Well, it can be VERY useful to help get to the deeper structures, and gain a better understanding of their map. THAT is very powerful.

For example, let's say someone with ADHD says, "I can't organize my work." (organizational issues are often a manifestation of ADHD symptoms).  Some may think to ask, "What work?" or "What do you mean by organize?"   A better question would be, "Is it only work you have trouble organizing?"  Why ask this?  Who knows, maybe it IS restricted just to work, yet he/she has the neatest, most organized desk or drawers on the planet.  If it is just work, then their map starts to be revealed.  Then you can start to look at what they believe about organizing things at work, is it only particular projects, etc.  What is happening in mind to exhibit the ADHD symptoms in this circumstance?  It goes on from there.  

Once you begin to get a clear representation of their map, (their internal processes), and you get down to specifics, you can then utilize such technologies as EFT or more NLP to help guide them to re-arrange their map so they can accomplish what they wish.  In the end, it's all about giving people with ADHD the capability to control their experience of ADHD, so they may better use its gifts, while controlling those aspects that arent so useful, depending on the circumstance.  

A Stress-Creating Voice

     Stress, whether regarding academics or with personal issues, can very quickly get to the point of shutting us down.  Most of the ways we are told to deal with stress usually come into play when we are already stressed.  At that point, it is much more difficult.  Even using such effective techniques as EFT, Emotional Freedom Technique, there has to be a wise use of it.

     One aspect I have come to realize, in working with clients, as well as myself, is there is often an overlooked trigger that gets the stress train moving. That is, the internal voice, asking the crippling questions that start with, "What if....?"

     "What if something happens and I can't handle it?"  "What if there is something on this test that I dont know?  "What if I fail this test again?"  And so it goes. The problem with such internal questions is, the mind is wired to find an answer to the question. Usually, the answer is to start the stress program running. Before you know it, there is an abundance of worst case scenario answers poring into mind.

     A great solution, then, is to use EFT to tap on those very questions.  By doing so, many times the root cause of the questioning comes to mind.  It may have been a time a student was embarrassed about failing a test, or severely disciplined at home for doing so.  Maybe it was a time when something happened that the person wasn't prepared for, and the result wasn't the best.  Whatever it may be, by tapping on the "what if..?" questions will more often than not start to bring these unconscious connections to the light of consciousness.  Of course, once the aspects DO come to mind, then you will need to tap on those as well.

     The next time there is an upcoming event that is stressing you out, try to listen in to that internal voice, and listen for which "what if...?" question you are asking yourself, and start tapping!

Until next time....