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:

Why dysfunction can exist even when there was love
How emotional neglect often goes unnoticed
Why guilt shows up when you set boundaries
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.

371 BITESIZE | Quick Organization Tips From Real ADHDers

I Have ADHD Podcast

Outro

The AI-powered Podcast Player