How EFT Tapping Can Support People With ADHD
- elanedra59
- Dec 10, 2025
- 4 min read
A Calming Tool for a Busy Brain…
If like me you are Neuro Diverse or “Neuro Divine” as I like to call it, and live with ADHD, then you already know that focus, task initiation, time management and emotional overwhelm can make everyday life feel like a never-ending uphill climb.
I’ve spent years trying to calm my little monkey brain, and explored many different complementary tools like meditation to help manage stress and improve mental clarity. I needed to calm and regulate my nervous system, because it was over stimulated most of the time, which meant simple daily tasks were becoming tricky to navigate. The constant need for dopamine is exhausting!
Enter Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), also known as Tapping. EFT is a mind–body practice that combines gentle tapping on acupressure points with simple verbal statements. It’s easy to learn, requires no equipment, and can be done anywhere—in the car, at your desk, or even during a mid-day meltdown.
Studies have shown that regular Tapping can reduce the stress hormone, cortisol by 43%. Just 3-5 Tapping rounds calms me down and brings me to a place of peace in that moment. My body and mind love it.
In this post, we’ll explore how EFT may help support ADHD symptoms, what it can and can’t do, and a simple routine you can try today.
It’s worth mentioning here that working with an advanced EFT therapist like myself is advised when working on deeper issues or trying to find daily coping strategies.
So What Is EFT Tapping?
EFT involves tapping on specific points on the face and upper body while acknowledging a stressful thought or feeling and pairing it with a calming or affirming statement. Think of it as a blend of acupressure, energy work, mindfulness, and cognitive reframing.
Research is still emerging, but many people report that EFT helps them feel grounded, centred, and calmer. States that are especially beneficial for folks with ADHD.
From My Personal Experience – How EFT Helps With ADHD
1. Reducing Stress and Overwhelm
ADHD brains often run hot with fast and intrusive thoughts, intense emotions, and sensory overload. We can often experience emotional dysregulation. EFT stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, which promotes relaxation. When stress comes down, focus often goes up.
2. Calming Task Related Anxiety
Feel frozen before starting a task? You’re not alone. Task initiation is one of the most frustrating ADHD barriers. EFT can help relieve the anxiety, lack of motivation, or mental resistance that builds up before getting started. Tapping may help lower the “activation barrier” by reducing anxiety or frustration about the task.
Example: A Simple Tapping Script could be…
“Even though starting this task feels impossible, I’m okay in this moment.”
3. Supporting Emotional Regulation
We’re often “Big Feelers,” because intense emotions are a common part of living with ADHD. EFT provides a simple way to pause and discharge emotional intensity, whether it’s frustration, shame, or overwhelm. When anxiety or overstimulation decreases, the attention system becomes less overloaded. EFT may help shift from a fight-or-flight state to a calmer, more focused one. Regulating the Nervous System is imperative for people with ADHD, and some people with ADHD report fewer emotional “spikes” (anger, frustration, overwhelm) after Tapping.
4. Breaking Negative Thought Loops
ADHD often comes with internal messages like, “I can’t stay focused,” or “Why can’t I just do this?” EFT encourages awareness and acceptance, helping interrupt those loops and shift them into more supportive beliefs. Reducing these thoughts can also improve motivation and reduce shame.
5. Self-Acceptance
Many people with ADHD may judge themselves for their symptoms, or feel frustrated with themselves. Tapping often incorporates positive affirmations and elements of self-acceptance, which can boost self-esteem and reduce negative self-talk.
When your nervous system is calmer, your attention system isn’t fighting through as much internal noise. Many people report clearer thinking after a Tapping round.
What EFT Can’t Do
EFT is a supportive tool, not a cure or replacement for ADHD treatment. It doesn’t take the place of medication or seeing a therapist like myself. But it can be a helpful add-on—something that supports emotional balance, reduces stress, and creates a bit more internal space for focus.
A Simple Tapping Routine for ADHD
Try this before starting a task or whenever you feel overwhelmed:
Identify the feeling: “I can’t focus,” “I’m stuck,” “I feel overwhelmed.”
Rate it from 0–10.
Tap the side of your hand while saying:“Even though I’m overwhelmed right now, I choose to feel calm and grounded.”
Tap through the 8 points (Eyebrow, Side of Eye, Under Eye, Under Nose, Chin, Collarbone, Under Arm, Top of Head) while repeating short phrases:
“This overwhelmed feeling.”
“This stuck energy.”
“This stress in my body.”
Check your rating again. If needed, do another round with a more positive phrase like:“I’m open to feeling a little more focused.”
Final Thoughts
EFT isn’t magic—but it can be a surprisingly effective tool for calming the mind and easing the emotional load that often comes with ADHD. If you’re curious, try it during your next moment of overwhelm. You might be surprised by how much lighter you feel.
As an advanced, multi-skilled therapist, I have the experience to hold a safe and supportive space while we gently unravel the issues that may be holding you back. During your EFT Tapping session, I often integrate Reiki energy, Visualisations, Inner Child work, and Shadow Work to help you cultivate greater self-love and acceptance as you come to understand your beautifully unique mind. Together, we explore practical coping strategies that empower you to move forward with clarity and confidence.
If you’d like to have a chat to find out if EFT Tapping is right for you, contact me. And if you want to learn more, follow my Tapping Tuesday videos on social media via my Instagram and Tik Tok account @ela_nedra
Love & Light
Emma
Ela Nedra Health
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