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Do you have ADHD or are you just OVERWHELMED? Expert Dr. Ari Tuckman Explains the Difference | Clutterbug Podcast # 273

18 snips

May 12, 2025

In this discussion, Dr. Ari Tuckman, a psychologist and leading expert on adult ADHD, reveals how ADHD can impact focus and self-esteem. He shares insights from his book, highlighting the connection between clutter and overwhelm. Dr. Tuckman debunks medication myths, emphasizing it's a helpful tool, but not a cure. He encourages listeners to celebrate small wins and cultivate self-compassion. Whether diagnosed or just feeling lost in adulthood, this conversation offers validation, laughter, and practical strategies for navigating life's challenges.

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ANECDOTE

Cas's ADHD Medication Anecdote

Cas shares how forgetting medication led to distraction despite having a tidy home.
This subtle difficulty highlighted her brain working differently due to undiagnosed ADHD.

INSIGHT

ADHD's Lifelong Psychological Impact

ADHD children face persistent correction that affects self-esteem and social relations.
These experiences shape adult ADHD identity and emotional challenges even with treatment.

INSIGHT

ADHD Is Not Exaggerated by Anxiety

Anxiety and depression exaggerate struggles but untreated ADHD shows a consistent pattern of real difficulties.
ADHD causes repeated challenges despite effort, so optimism alone isn’t sufficient for change.

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If you’ve ever felt like you’re constantly messing up — forgetting things, zoning out, missing steps, or just trying to keep your head above water — you’re not alone. Maybe you’ve wondered if you have ADHD… or maybe you’re just chronically overwhelmed and tired of feeling like you’re failing at “being an adult.”

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Ari Tuckman — psychologist, speaker, and leading expert on adult ADHD — to talk about what it really means to be productive when your brain works differently.

We dive deep into how ADHD affects not just your focus, but your self-esteem, your past experiences, and your ability to trust yourself. Ari shares science-backed, shame-free strategies from his new book The ADHD Productivity Manual — and gives us permission to stop striving for perfection and start creating a life that works for us.

Whether you’ve been diagnosed, suspect you might have ADHD, or just want to finally feel a little less behind all the time… this episode is packed with validation, laughter, and practical advice that will leave you feeling seen and supported.

✨ We chat about:

How ADHD shows up in adults (and why so many go undiagnosed)
Why your messy past doesn’t mean you’re broken — or doomed
The powerful link between clutter, distraction, and overwhelm
Medication myths (and why it’s just one helpful tool, not a cure-all)
Small shifts that make a big difference in productivity and self-worth
The importance of compassion — for yourself and others

🧠 Learn more from Dr. Tuckman:
→ Website: https://adultadhdbook.com
→ New book: The ADHD Productivity Manual — available everywhere books are sold

👇 What’s one ADHD-friendly strategy that works for you? Let us know in the comments!

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