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Taking Control: The ADHD Podcast

ADHD Duos • Break Free from Shame Spirals with James Ochoa, LPC & Dr. Nachi Felt

Apr 10, 2025
James Ochoa, an ADHD pathfinder and author, joins Dr. Nachi Felt, a Columbia University ADHD specialist, to tackle the formidable force of shame in the context of ADHD. They explore how shame spirals can disrupt mental clarity and resilience, emphasizing the need for self-awareness and acceptance. With a blend of humor and expertise, they discuss the neurological underpinnings of shame and share strategies for emotional empowerment, making this conversation both enlightening and a call for self-compassion.
48:16

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Shame spirals for individuals with ADHD can amplify feelings of powerlessness, often requiring external support to move forward and regain control.
  • The practice of resourcing empowers individuals by identifying personal strategies and external tools to foster emotional balance and break free from shame.

Deep dives

Understanding Shame Spirals

Shame spirals are intense emotional experiences characterized by feelings of powerlessness and hopelessness. Individuals trapped in a shame spiral often find themselves overwhelmed by a sense of disruption and pain, akin to being caught in a tornado with no apparent escape route. The discussion highlights that these spirals can be particularly burdensome for those with ADHD, as the condition amplifies negative feelings and contributes to cycles of self-blame. Such spirals can form due to both internal and external judgments, with ADHD complicating the ability to recover from them, often requiring external support to regain control.

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