Values clarification — identifying what matters most to you at the deepest level — is a cornerstone of ACT therapy for adhd and provides direction when adhd removes other navigational tools.
Why Values Matter for ADHD
ADHD often disconnects us from our values through avoidance, withdrawal, and reduced capacity. Reconnecting with values provides:
- Direction when adhd has eliminated other motivation
- Meaning that persists even through difficult adhd periods
- A basis for action independent of how adhd makes you feel
Clarifying Your Values with ADHD
Ask yourself: 'If my adhd were less present, what would I be doing more of? What kind of person would I be?'
Values are not goals (achievable and done) but ongoing directions: being a present parent, creating beauty, contributing to others.
Values-Based Action in ADHD
ACT therapy teaches: act according to values even when adhd is present. Small values-aligned actions, despite adhd, are more sustainable than waiting for adhd to lift first.