Taking Control: The ADHD Podcast

• How ADHD Shapes Our Connections: A Primer on Love, Friendship, and Communication

  ADHD doesn’t just complicate relationships—it shapes them. From romantic partnerships to friendships, family dynamics, and workplace interactions, the traits of inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity ripple across every connection. Romantic relationships often bear the brunt, with ADHD symptoms leading to miscommunication, frustration, and even intimacy challenges. Couples may struggle with mismatched libidos, impulsive behaviors, or emotional dysregulation, but understanding ADHD’s role can transform these struggles into opportunities for deeper connection.Family and professional relationships, too, are affected. ADHD parents often wrestle with providing structure or consistent discipline, creating chaotic home environments that strain relationships with children and partners. At work, impulsivity, time management issues, and difficulty following through on commitments can complicate team dynamics and career growth. Socially, the ADHD brain’s challenges with focus and emotional regulation can lead to feelings of rejection or isolation, making it harder to build and sustain friendships.The science behind these struggles lies in the ADHD brain itself. Impaired dopamine regulation impacts empathy, social cognition, and emotional recognition, all of which play critical roles in relationships. Comorbid conditions like anxiety, depression, or substance use disorders further complicate matters, while genetic factors often ripple across generations, creating patterns of behavior that shape family and social dynamics. But the good news? With the right diagnosis, treatment, and tools, ADHDers can overcome these challenges and thrive in their relationships.In this episode, Nikki Kinzer and Pete Wright explore the intersection of ADHD and relationships, unpacking the science, the stories, and the strategies that foster connection. From structured communication techniques to empathy-building exercises, they offer actionable advice to help ADHDers and their loved ones navigate challenges and unlock the unique strengths ADHD brings to relationships. Whether you’re navigating romance, family life, or professional interactions, this episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking to better understand ADHD’s role in human connection.Links & NotesSupport the Show on PatreonDig into the podcast Shownotes Database (00:00) - Welcome to Taking Control: The ADHD Podcast (02:29) - ADHD Relationships ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

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• The Hidden Storm of ADHD: Emotional Dysregulation & RSD

  Emotional dysregulation is one of ADHD’s most disruptive yet overlooked symptoms. It’s not just a passing mood or a fleeting frustration. For those with ADHD, emotions can spiral into sudden waves of intensity—anger, hurt, joy, or anxiety—seemingly out of nowhere. This week, Nikki and Pete explore the science and strategies behind this turbulent experience, offering insights to help listeners navigate its challenges.At its core, emotional dysregulation is the brain’s difficulty managing emotions effectively. The overactive amygdala—the emotional alarm center—reacts strongly, while the underactive prefrontal cortex struggles to rein it in. When dopamine levels are low, the prefrontal cortex can’t regulate the amygdala, resulting in overwhelming emotional reactions. These aren’t just limited to anger or sadness; moments of extreme joy, excitement, or frustration can also feel uncontainable.And then we have our dear friend, Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD), a particularly painful form of emotional dysregulation. RSD amplifies the sting of perceived rejection or criticism to an intense, often unbearable level. These emotional wounds, though short-lived, can ripple through relationships, self-esteem, and productivity. Many people find themselves stuck in cycles of avoidance, self-doubt, and shame, all of which undermine their ability to connect with others and move forward in their lives.But there is hope. It turns out there are actually actionable strategies to manage emotional dysregulation, from mindfulness practices and therapy to building awareness of emotional triggers. Simple steps, like labeling emotions, taking deep breaths, or stepping away to reset, can make a real difference. For some, professional help, whether through coaching, medication, or therapy, provides essential tools to regain emotional balance and build resilience.This episode sheds light on a hidden aspect of ADHD that affects everything from relationships to self-esteem. It’s a reminder that while emotional dysregulation is challenging, it’s also manageable with the right tools, support, and understanding.Links & NotesADDitude: Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria and Emotional DysregulationBeyond BookSmart: ADHD and Emotional DysregulationEmotion dysregulation and right pars orbitalis constitute a neuropsychological pathway to attention deficit hyperactivity disorderUncovering the Roots and Evolution of Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria - Neurodivergent InsightsRejection Sensitive Dysphoria and ADHD with Dr. William Dodson — Take Control ADHDSupport the Show on PatreonDig into the podcast Shownotes Database (00:00) - Welcome to Taking Control: The ADHD Podcast (01:16) - Support the Show: Become a Patron at patreon.com/theadhdpodcast (03:07) - Emotional Dysregulation (14:06) - The RSD Connection (19:33) - So... what do you do? ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

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• Decisions, Decisions, Decisions: Why ADHD Turns Choices Into Mazes

  Why is making a decision sometimes the hardest thing in the world? For those with ADHD, the labyrinth of choices can feel impossibly complex. Each twist and turn demands attention and energy—resources that are already stretched thin. This week Nikki and Pete peel back the layers of decision-making through the ADHD lens, unraveling why such a seemingly simple act can feel like scaling a mountain.At the heart of it lies one of ADHD’s most challenging riddles: the executive functions. These are the mental tools we use to plan, prioritize, organize, and remember, but for those with ADHD, these tools often feel dull or misplaced. Enter the paradox of choice. Too many options? Paralysis. Too much time? Overthinking. Too little time? Impulsivity. Each scenario is riddled with traps.Decision-making with ADHD is an art, not a science. It’s messy, it’s nonlinear, and it requires flexibility and self-compassion. Join Nikki and Pete as they navigate this intricate process, offering insights, stories, and strategies to help you make decisions that feel right—without the second-guessing, the self-doubt, or the endless spiral of overthinking.Links & NotesSupport the Show on PatreonDig into the podcast Shownotes Database (00:00) - Welcome to Taking Control: The ADHD Podcast (01:42) - Become a Patron • Support the Show! (02:44) - Decisions, Decisions, Decisions! (25:40) - This is the How-To Part ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

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  40:33
• Shifting Gears: ADHD-Powered Problem Solving

  What happens when life throws you off course? The meeting runs late, the pipes freeze, or the day crumbles before it even begins. For most people, problem-solving is instinctive. For those with ADHD, however, it’s a far more complex process—one filled with creativity, frustration, and unpredictability.This week, Nikki and Pete explore the unique challenges and strengths of ADHD-powered problem-solving. The ADHD brain can shine in adversity, using creativity and hyperfocus to tackle unconventional problems. But it also struggles with all-or-nothing thinking, freezing under pressure, emotional overwhelm, and the need for more time to process situations.Nikki and Pete offer practical strategies to navigate these challenges. Start by clearly identifying the problem without spiraling into blame or “what-ifs.” Ask yourself: Is this my problem to solve? Often, the stress you carry isn’t yours to fix. Once you know the answer, reframe and readjust—communicate, prioritize, and take action, no matter how small.The episode also emphasizes mindset shifts. Acceptance isn’t giving up; it’s understanding that plans change and perfection is unattainable. Letting go of unnecessary blame and giving yourself grace are keys to moving forward. Nikki and Pete share insights from Dr. Edward Hallowell and discuss the importance of pausing to regulate emotions before tackling problems.Finally, they highlight the power of talking it out. Verbal processing can help you hear your thoughts, shift your perspective, and uncover solutions you didn’t see before.This is just the beginning. Next week, Nikki and Pete will dive into decision-making, showing you how to choose wisely, even in chaos. For now, this episode is your guide to shifting gears, embracing your ADHD brain, and solving problems with creativity and resilience.Links & NotesCrazyBusy by Dr. Edward Hallowell, The ADHD Serenity Prayer, Google BooksSupport the Show on PatreonDig into the podcast Shownotes Database (00:00) - Welcome to Taking Control: The ADHD Podcast (01:06) - Support the Show: Become a Patron! (02:22) - Problem-Solving (21:44) - This quote is from CrazyBusy by Dr. Hallowell. We found it after the fact. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

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• Anthony's Way—The Road to Kindness with Tony and Cassi Bellezza

  WARNING: This episode contains discussions of youth bullying and suicide.What does it mean to transform heartbreak into hope? For Tony and Cassi Bellezza, the loss of their son Anthony was not the end of his story—it was the beginning of a mission. Anthony, a vibrant and compassionate child who lived with ADHD, inspired those around him with his unique ability to see the world through a lens of kindness. But his journey wasn’t without challenges: navigating school accommodations, transitioning between educational systems, facing bullying, and finding outlets for his passions.In this episode of The ADHD Podcast, hosts Nikki Kinzer and Pete Wright sit down with Tony and Cassi to explore the roots of Anthony’s Way - The Road to Kindness, the non-profit they founded to honor their son. They discuss how Anthony’s struggle—and his empathy—became the foundation for a program designed to help children and teens with ADHD not just survive, but thrive.From the challenges of private school 504 plans to the life-changing impact of extracurricular activities, Tony and Cassi share personal stories of advocacy, resilience, and the profound importance of kindness. They also dive into the organization’s innovative Holistic Care Model, their Kindness Scholarship program, and the transformative power of community support.This is a conversation about ADHD, yes—but it’s also about legacy. It’s about how one family took their pain and turned it into a movement. And it’s a reminder that kindness isn’t just a value—it’s a roadmap to something greater.Links & NotesLearn more about Anthony’s Way - The Road to KindnessSign up for the Road to Kindness EventSecond Annual Walk for Kindness: FebruarySupport the organizationSupport the Show on PatreonDig into the podcast Shownotes Database (00:00) - Welcome to Taking Control: The ADHD Podcast (02:31) - Anthony's Way—The Road to Kindness ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

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