Love this clip? Check out the full episode: Episode #338: From “Leaf in the Wind” to Coach: Sarah’s ADHD Glow-Up

Listen to the full conversation in the original episode HERE.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

BUCKLE UP! The next hour is going to be a little wild—in the best way.

In today’s episode, I’m answering a couple of your voicemails, diving into emerging research on the link between ADHD and early perimenopause, and responding to a very fear-heavy Wall Street Journal reel about ADHD medication.

We’re talking about:

• The idea of a “drug cascade” and why extreme cases don’t equal common outcomes

• ADHD comorbidities (because ADHD rarely travels alone)

• What responsible journalism should look like

• Why treating ADHD is often the beginning of understanding someone’s full mental health picture—not the start of doom

• The reality of diagnosing very young kids (and the privilege conversation around that)

• What effective ADHD therapy would actually need to include (hint: the whole family)

If you’ve felt confused, scared, frustrated, or just exhausted by the ADHD discourse online lately… this episode will help you take a breath.

As always, nuance > panic.

Reel from WSJ that I break down in this episode

Watch this episode on YouTube

Want help with your ADHD? Join FOCUSED!

Have questions for Kristen? Call 1.833.281.2343

Hang out with Kristen on Instagram and TikTok

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Love this clip? Check out the full episode: Episode #333: Want to Stay Behind Forever? Keep Ignoring Your Capacity

Listen to the full conversation in the original episode HERE.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In today’s episode, we’re talking about ADHD that looks like overwhelmed and under-functioning: when your brain gets so flooded that it can’t prioritize, and instead of choosing a next step… it shuts down.

You’ll learn what overwhelm really is in the context of ADHD (total cognitive, emotional, and/or sensory flooding), why “freeze” can be a very real nervous system response, and how this pattern often develops especially for those who grew up criticized, emotionally unsafe, unsupported, or chronically overwhelmed. If you’ve ever thought, “I’m not hyper—I’m stuck,” this episode is for you.

We’ll break down the common pattern: Overwhelm → Freeze → Underfunctioning

Not because you don’t care, but because your system can’t handle the load.

Then we move into gentle, practical ways to “thaw” without bullying yourself:

1. Name it and accept it (without shame)
2. Use safe, doable movement to activate your system
3. Shrink the cognitive load (two essentials, tiny timers, one-minute starts)
4. Borrow someone else’s brain (ask for help, then obey)
5. Reduce decisions wherever possible
6. Practice deep self-compassion as the pathway to change

Finally, we talk about when to get extra support—especially trauma-informed therapy and nervous-system-based approaches like EMDR or somatic work.

Watch this episode on YouTube

Want help with your ADHD? Join FOCUSED!

Have questions for Kristen? Call 1.833.281.2343

Hang out with Kristen on Instagram and TikTok

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Love this clip? Check out the full episode: Episode #332: Stop Adding to the Planner Graveyard: One Tool to Improve ADHD Time Blindness NOW

Listen to the full conversation in the original episode HERE.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This is part two of our series on dysfunctional families and ADHD.

If last week’s episode felt heavy, emotional, or disorienting, that makes sense. Episode one was about naming reality—and naming reality can stir grief, anger, relief, or all three. But we can’t change what we’re not willing to name.

Today, we answer the next (and crucial) question:

If that’s dysfunction… what does health actually look like?

Because knowing what you don’t want isn’t enough. You also need a clear picture of what you’re moving toward.

In this episode, I walk you through 10 signs of a healthy, functional family—not perfect families, not calm-all-the-time families, but regulated-enough, repair-focused, emotionally safe-enough families. Yes, even with ADHD.

We talk about:

1. Why repair—not perfection—is the real difference between healthy and dysfunctional families
2. What direct communication, emotional attunement, boundaries, and accountability actually look like in real life
3. How to end parentification and create age-appropriate roles
4. Why unconditional love, safety, and reliable care matter more than appearances
5. Small, realistic shifts you can make without shame or perfectionism

This isn’t a pass/fail checklist. It’s about direction, not perfection.

If you’re pausing, noticing, repairing, and setting boundaries—you are already changing the pattern. And that’s how generational cycles end.

Your family can be marked by safety, honesty, connection, and repair. Even with ADHD. Especially with ADHD.

Resources mentioned:

@codependencykate

@timfletcherco

@sitwithwhit

@benvbennett

Watch this episode on YouTube

Want help with your ADHD? Join FOCUSED!

Have questions for Kristen? Call 1.833.281.2343

Hang out with Kristen on Instagram and TikTok

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Love this clip? Check out the full episode: Episode #331: ADHD Medications: What’s Fact, What’s Fiction, and Why They’re Not “Basically Meth”

Listen to the full conversation in the original episode HERE.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today’s episode is part one of a two-part series on dysfunctional families and ADHD.

I’m sharing this from a very real place. The last few weeks have been heavy with extended family drama, and when things feel overwhelming, I name it and bring it into the light. As someone writing a book on healthy relationships for adults with ADHD, I want you to know I come by this work honestly.

When I look at my own family tree, I see generations shaped by abuse, addiction, emotional neglect, and unaddressed mental health struggles. I refuse to despise my lineage—but I also refuse to continue these patterns. It stops with me.

If you have ADHD, there’s a strong chance your family system shaped how safe it feels to have needs, set boundaries, and regulate emotions. This episode isn’t about blame or shame—it’s about clarity.

You’ll learn:

1. Why dysfunction can exist even when there was love
2. How emotional neglect often goes unnoticed
3. Why guilt shows up when you set boundaries
4. 10 common signs of a dysfunctional family system

Awareness is how cycles are interrupted. In Part Two, we’ll explore what healthy families actually look like and how to move toward that—without burning it all down.

Episode Resources:

Toxic Family Test

Patrick Teahan YouTube

Watch this episode on YouTube

Want help with your ADHD? Join FOCUSED!

Have questions for Kristen? Call 1.833.281.2343

Hang out with Kristen on Instagram and TikTok

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.