ADHD, Shame & The Brain

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Do you ever find that your everyday ADHD behaviours, such as forgetfulness and emotional reactivity, are misinterpreted as ‘moral failings’ rather than neurological traits? Misunderstandings of ADHD behaviours often lead to peer rejection, stigma and internalised shame. Shame may even be a stronger cause of mental health issues for people with ADHD than the core symptoms themselves. It is one of the most corrosive, yet least acknowledged burdens experienced by adults with ADHD. 

In this workshop, discover how internalised shame affects confidence, relationships, and willingness to ask for what is needed. Unlike guilt, which focuses on what we’ve done, shame tells us we are the problem: broken, lazy, unworthy. But shame can often be tackled with empathy and self-compassion.

Workshop highlights

• Led by Professor James Brown, science communicator, ADHD Coach and Co-founder of ADHDadultUK
• Understand the ‘Shame Cycle’: Discover how ADHD symptoms are often misread as laziness, selfishness, or irresponsibility and how that fuels internalised shame
• Learn the impact: Explore how shame doesn’t just hurt; it amplifies anxiety, depression, and avoidance
• Develop evidence-based strategies: Including identifying and reframing shame-based thoughts, building a ‘self-compassionate’ voice rooted in neuroscience, and tapping into the power of ‘opposite action’

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About the facilitator:

Professor James Brown is an academic researcher and science communicator. James was diagnosed with ADHD in 2021. Subsequently, James co-founded and is Chair for the registered UK charity ADHDadultUK, set up the evidence-based online ADHD magazine focusmag.uk and is a co-founder and co-host of The ADHD Adults Podcast. James is also an ADHD Coach and Mentor and provides training, guidance and assistance to organisations around adult ADHD for his company JBHD Ltd.

Testimonials

⭐ Brilliant well paced talks for us ND folks. - Christine K.

⭐ It felt like a really great session with well rounded knowledge and it felt like a safe space with a safe speaker who genuinely cared and understood the shared experience. - Anon.

⭐ A big thank you to James [...] You explain things so well and I LOVE that it’s coming from someone who has first hand experience with ADHD and is still learning about themselves every day too, and so open about their own struggles, it really helps. I have learned a lot from this talk and I really think it could help us both in our relationship. Big thanks for a great talk, I’ll be looking forward to more. - Anon.