Therapy in a Nutshell

The Neuroscience of ADHD and Emotional Dysregulation

Why ADHD Makes Emotions So Intense — the brain science behind emotional dysregulation, RSD, and 9 practical skills to regulate big feelings with ADHD Learn the skills to Regulate your Emotions, join the membership: https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/membership Kjrstin Walters' ADHD support group: https://www.familyfocusedadhd.com/ FREE Grounding Skills course: https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/grounding-skills-for-anxiety-stress-and-ptsd Free download, strategies for ADHD: https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/pl/2148737012 If you have ADHD and your emotions feel overwhelming, fast, or hard to control—you’re not broken, lazy, or “too sensitive.” In this episode of Therapy in a Nutshell, I explain the brain science behind ADHD and emotional dysregulation—including delayed prefrontal cortex development, dopamine and norepinephrine differences, rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD), and why emotions can hit before your “brakes” have time to turn on. Up to 70% of people with ADHD struggle with emotional regulation, and there are real neurological reasons why. I’ll break down: Why ADHD emotions feel so intense and reactive How executive dysfunction affects impulse control, frustration tolerance, and emotional recovery What rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD) is and why criticism can feel physically painful Biological triggers that worsen emotional dysregulation (sleep, hunger, sensory overload) ADHD emotional “superpowers” that often get overlooked Most importantly, I’ll share 9 practical, ADHD-friendly skills you can use to regulate emotions—even when your brain is doing ADHD things. These are strategies I use personally and with clients to slow reactions, calm the nervous system, support working memory, and respond instead of react. You don’t need to “try harder.” You need systems that work with your brain. 📌 Topics covered: ADHD emotional dysregulation, emotional impulsivity, executive dysfunction, RSD, ADHD brain science, emotion regulation skills, rejection sensitivity, nervous system regulation. 00:00 – ADHD & Emotional Dysregulation: Why Feelings Hit So Hard 01:27 – ADHD Brain Development & Emotional Maturity Delays 02:27 – Prefrontal Cortex vs Amygdala: Gas Pedal, No Brakes 03:53 – Dopamine, Norepinephrine & Emotional Volatility 04:44 – Executive Dysfunction & Emotional Outbursts Explained 06:41 – Rumination, Hyperfocus & Emotional Stickiness in ADHD 07:55 – Frustration Tolerance, Time Blindness & Working Memory 09:26 – Why Emotion Processing Is Harder With ADHD How executive function deficits impact 11:20 – Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD) & ADHD 13:09 – Biological Triggers That Worsen Emotional Dysregulation 15:06 – ADHD Emotional Strengths & “Superpowers” 16:21 – Stop “Trying Harder”: Build ADHD-Friendly Systems 18:06 – The #1 Skill: Learning to Pause Before Reacting 21:47 – 9 Practical Skills for Emotional Regulation With ADHD 27:02 – You’re Not Broken: Emotional Regulation Is Learnable Looking for affordable online counseling? My sponsor, BetterHelp, connects you to a licensed professional from the comfort of your own home. Try it now for 10% off your first month: https://betterhelp.com/therapyinanutshell FREE Mental Health Resources: https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/free-resources Check out my podcast, Therapy in a Nutshell: https://tinpodcast.podbean.com/ Therapy in a Nutshell and the information provided by Emma McAdam are solely intended for informational and entertainment purposes and are not a substitute for advice, diagnosis, or treatment regarding medical or mental health conditions. Although Emma McAdam is a licensed marriage and family therapist, the views expressed on this site or any related content should not be taken for medical or psychiatric advice. Always consult your physician before making any decisions related to your physical or mental health. In therapy I use a combination of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Systems Theory, positive psychology, and a bio-psycho-social approach to treating mental illness and other challenges we all face in life. The ideas from my videos are frequently adapted from multiple sources. Many of them come from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, especially the work of Steven Hayes, Jason Luoma, and Russ Harris. The sections on stress and the mind-body connection derive from the work of Stephen Porges (the Polyvagal theory), Peter Levine (Somatic Experiencing) Francine Shapiro (EMDR), and Bessel Van Der Kolk. I also rely heavily on the work of the Arbinger institute for my overall understanding of our ability to choose our life's direction. And deeper than all of that, the Gospel of Jesus Christ orients my personal worldview and sense of security, peace, hope, and love https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/comeuntochrist/believe If you are in crisis, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ or 988 or your local emergency services. Copyright Therapy in a Nutshell, LLC