ADHD Crash Course

Ep 114. How to Stop Reacting and Start Choosing: ADHD & Emotional Regulation and The Bee vs. The SUV

Sep 23, 2025
Navigating emotional regulation can be challenging, especially with ADHD. Discover how perceived threats, not just physical ones, affect your decision-making. Learn about the story of a bee and an SUV, illustrating the difference between reacting and choosing. Understand why we say 'yes' out of fear and identify core issues versus long-term consequences. Plus, delve into how even lying can be a nervous system response. Strategies for calming your mind and making better choices are also explored, making for insightful listening.
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ANECDOTE

Bee Versus SUV Story

  • Danae describes her daughter running into traffic to escape a bee, illustrating a non-logical, fear-driven reaction.
  • The story shows how high nervous-system activation prevents rational decision-making and causes immediate reactions.
INSIGHT

Expand What Counts As A Threat

  • Danae expands 'threat' beyond physical danger to include social and emotional risks like rejection and failure.
  • ADHD often amplifies threat-scanning, making reactive responses more intense and frequent.
ADVICE

Recognize And Pause Before Reacting

  • Recognize your brain is scanning for threats and avoid self-judgment; use that awareness to work with your wiring.
  • Pause and use tools to lower activation so you can return to decision-making rather than reacting impulsively.
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