Protecting My Empath Trait as an HSP/ADHD Mom

Protecting My Empath Trait as an HSP/ADHD Mom

In this episode, I’m opening up about what it’s really like to navigate daily sensory overload as a highly sensitive person (HSP) and ADHD mom. I’m sharing my exhausting habit of absorbing everyone else’s stress just to make the frantic energy in the room stop. By untangling my own childhood history alongside the science of Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD) and ADHD emotional dysregulation, I look back at why my neurodivergent nervous system treats a loved one's bad mood like a code-red survival emergency—and how I'm actively working to break that old cycle. I’m walking you through four personal ADHD coping strategies I’m using right now to stop giving my peace away, inspired by Dr. Judith Orloff’s The Empath’s Survival Guide, a recent breakthrough in my parent support group, and a tough question from my therapist about the stories I create in my own head. From learning the vital distinction between co-regulating with my kids versus physically absorbing their big feelings, to fighting the urge to be a literal "mind-reader," I'm learning how to quiet the loud internal noise. Join me in my closet as I share my messy, real-life journey toward managing overwhelm, setting boundaries, and keeping myself grounded. Connect with Me: * Facebook Page: Highly Sensitive ADHD Mom https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572056403306 * Review the Show: If this episode resonated with you, please take a moment to leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Your reviews help other neurodivergent moms find our community! Resources mentioned: * Book: The Empath’s Survival Guide: Life Strategies for Sensitive People by Dr. Judith Orloff * ADHD Clinical Research: Learn more about Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD) and emotional dysregulation from the pioneering work of psychiatrist Dr. William Dodson. * Parent Support: Sending a huge thank you to ADHD parent coach Barbara Pestien, RN, MSN, for emphasizing the deep importance of allowing our children to borrow our calm nervous system to co-regulate. https://www.wildfloweradhd.com/ * Movie: Follow That Bird (The 1985 Sesame Street Movie).

Grieving for my Younger Self as a Late-Diagnosed HSP/ADHD Mom

Have you ever looked at an old childhood photo of yourself and felt a sudden wave of sadness instead of a smile? In this milestone 10th episode, I’m sitting right here in my closet, diving into a heavy but completely necessary topic: the grief we feel for our younger selves as late-diagnosed moms. It is a strange, heartbreaking thing to stand between two generations of ADHD—watching my 7-year-old daughter grow up validated and supported, while mourning the anxious, daydreamy little girl I used to be, who had to white-knuckle her way through a chaotic childhood. But as I unpack everything from generational trauma to pop culture moments like Firefly Lane, I’m learning that while we can't rewrite our pasts, we can heal our presents. I’m peeling back the layers of parenting perfectionism, embracing the concept of the "good enough mom," and learning how to protect my sensitive nervous system. This episode is a raw, honest look at how we can honor our grief, give ourselves the grace we never received, and recognize that our high sensitivity is a gift worth fiercely protecting. Connect & Support: * Community: Join my Facebook Page Highly Sensitive ADHD Mom  * Review: Leave a quick review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to help other moms find us Resources mentioned in this episode: * TV Show: Firefly Lane (The series finale on Netflix) * Movie: Follow That Bird (The 1985 Sesame Street movie) * Movie: As Good as it Gets  * Book: Nowhere Girl: Life as a Member of ADHD's Lost Generation by Carla Ciccone * Book: Master the Mundane: How to Manage Life, Home, and Family as a Mom by Amy Marie Hann * Psychological Concept: The "Good Enough Mother" theory (1953) by Dr. Donald Winnicott.  * Podcast: Neurodiversity Podcast with host Emily Kircher-Morris  * ADHD Parent Coaching: Barbara Pestien (Wildflower ADHD) https://www.wildfloweradhd.com/

How I'm Learning to Complete the Stress Cycle as a HSP & ADHD Mom

Have you ever noticed that your body still feels tightly wound hours after a stressful moment passes? The morning chaos is over and the problem is fixed, but your nervous system is still stuck in absolute overdrive.  In this episode, I’m sharing a raw, honest look into my daily battles with morning-rush anxiety, sensory overload, late-diagnosis ADHD, and perimenopause. Grounded in the book Burnout by Emily and Amelia Nagoski, we dive into why simply surviving a stressful situation isn't enough to clear trapped stress chemicals from your body. I share how I'm using 7 physical evidence based strategies to complete the stress cycle and move through the emotional tunnel including morning jogs, 20 second hugs, and "lion's breath." Your high sensitivity is a beautiful gift, but we cannot give from an empty cup. This episode is all about learning how to spot your body's warning signs, honor your unique biology, and give yourself and your family the ultimate gift: a regulated mom. Check out the resources below to connect and dive deeper into the tools we discussed today: * Book: Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle [https://www.amazon.com/Burnout-Secret-Unlocking-Stress-Cycle/dp/198481706X] by Emily Nagoski, PhD, and Amelia Nagoski, DMA * Join my Facebook page at Highly Sensitive ADHD Mom https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572056403306 * Support the Show: If this episode validated your experience, please leave a 5-star rating or review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts to help other highly sensitive ADHD moms find this podcast!

I Won't Let RSD Internally Gaslight Me Anymore (HSP & ADHD)

Have you ever felt a shift in the room that no one else noticed, only to tell yourself you’re "just being sensitive"? In this episode, we’re getting real about Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD). For a long time, I rejected the RSD label because I didn't want to believe I was "malfunctioning." But I’ve realized the real danger isn't the diagnosis—it's the way RSD tries to internally gaslight us into doubting our own perceptions. We aren't broken; we are Hyper Attuners. We’re sensing actual shifts in energy and tension that others miss. It’s time to stop feeling like our emotional volume knob is broken when we’re really just plugged into a much larger amplifier. In this episode, we dive into: * Motherhood Earthquakes: Navigating the sting of parental preference and sensing a partner’s unspoken stress. * The "Truth Seer" Reality: Why your "Human Wi-Fi" is actually accurate, even if the story your brain tells about it needs checking. * From "Crunchy" to Medicated: My raw journey of honoring my nervous system and why "natural" doesn’t have to mean suffering in silence. You aren’t "too much." You’re just the one in the room who sees the truth first. It’s time to stop fixing our feelings and start believing our own hearts. Resources Mentioned in This Episode: * Clinical Research: Dr. William Dodson on Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria * The Highly Sensitive Person: Research and resources by Dr. Elaine Aron * Community: Join my Facebook Page, Highly Sensitive ADHD Mom https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572056403306 [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572056403306] * Listener Guide: Revisit Episode 3 for the full "PE Teacher" story. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/my-lifelong-anxiety-about-getting-in-trouble-hsp-adhd-mom/id1888844740?i=1000760281904

How I'm Resetting My Nervous System: An HSP/ADHD Story

Description:  In this episode, I’m talking about moving away from the frantic ADHD hyperfocus of "rushing for answers" and learning to actually sense the shifts in my own nervous system. After three months of diving into every book and podcast out there, I’m realizing that my highly sensitive system just needs a break from the noise. I’m sharing the ways I’m staying regulated from turning my iPhone into a "flip phone" to finding grounding roots right here in my Austin neighborhood. I also dive into those quirky ADHD traits I’m just now realizing are "a thing," like playing the same album on repeat. I want to give us all permission to stop working towards being "productive" and just be. I’m letting the mask come off, embracing middle age, and remembering that we aren't doing this alone. Resources Mentioned * Books: Burnout by Emily & Amelia Nagoski; The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron * Podcasts: Motherhood in ADHD, I Have ADHD, and ADHD Mums * Connect: Join Highly Sensitive ADHD Mom Facebook Page for photos and links to tools https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572056403306 [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572056403306] * ADHD Coach: Barbara Pestien https://www.wildfloweradhd.com/ 7 Strategies for Completing the Stress Cycle (From the book Burnout) 1. Physical Activity: Tell your brain the "threat" is over. 2. Breathing: Slow, deep breaths to reset. 3. Positive Social Interaction: A friendly chat to feel safe. 4. Laughter: Deep belly laughs to release pressure. 5. Affection: A 20-second hug for connection. 6. A Big Cry: Letting the physical energy out. 7. Creative Expression: Processing stress through art or music.