ADHD Untangled S5 E11 - Tangled In ADHD: Big Feelings, Fight, Flight, Freeze & Fawn With Dr. Miguel Mateas
Jun 2, 2025
Dr. Miguel Mateas, an ADHD expert, dives into the emotional rollercoaster of living with ADHD. He explains the ‘curse and the gift’ of feeling things deeply, showcasing how intense emotions can lead to intuition but also overwhelm. The discussion highlights stress responses like fight, flight, freeze, and the often misunderstood fawn response. They explore Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria, unpacking its physical and emotional impacts. Practical coping strategies, including grounding techniques and embracing authenticity, round out this insightful conversation.
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ADHD's Intense Emotional Sensitivity
- ADHD individuals feel emotions intensely, which brings both powerful intuition and overwhelm.
- This intensity also makes them highly sensitive to others' emotions and environments.
People-Pleasing as Stress Response
- People-pleasing in ADHD often emerges as a stress response called fawning, a self-silencing behavior to feel safe.
- This response can lead to masking needs and unresolved stress, resulting in meltdowns or leaving jobs and relationships.
Lessons From Intense Relationships
- Dr. Miguel reflects on intense past relationships and meltdowns caused by suppressed emotions in ADHD.
- He recognizes learning to have uncomfortable conversations prevents buildup and explosive reactions.