Why can a small stressor like a confusing email or a last-minute change suddenly feel like the floor just dropped out from under you? One minute you’re fine. The next, you’re overwhelmed, avoiding, and stuck in a loop of guilt and overthinking.

Dr. J walks through what’s actually happening in your brain and nervous system during an ADHD mood spiral and how avoidance becomes “relief with hidden fees.”

You’ll leave with simple, science-backed ways to regulate, start small, and recover faster when your brain gets loud.

For more on this topic

• Try: ADHD Unstuck (a free self-guided activity)
• Listen: ADHD and emotional dysregulation
• Read: ADHD and mood swings

For a transcript and more resources, visit MissUnderstood on Understood.org. You can also email us at podcast@understood.org

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ADHD Unstuck is a free, self-guided activity from Understood.org and Northwestern University designed to help women with ADHD boost their mood and take small, practical steps to get unstuck. In about 10 minutes, learn why mood spirals happen and get a personalized action plan of quick wins and science-backed strategies that work with your brain. Give it a try at Understood.org/GetUnstuck.

Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give

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