I'm Busy Being Awesome Episode 324: ADHD Overwhelm Types - 4 Patterns and How to Manage Them
11 snips
Oct 13, 2025 Explore the four overwhelm types that can affect those with ADHD: the driven Lion, the fast-moving Gazelle, the planning Turtle, and the empathetic Chameleon. Each type has unique triggers and coping patterns that can lead to burnout or avoidance. Discover how these patterns form over time and why they're not flaws but natural responses. Listeners can take a quiz to identify their type and learn strategies tailored to their needs, promoting personal growth and effective action.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Control-Driven Grad School Burnout
- Paula recounts her grad-school pattern of responding to overwhelm by trying to control everything.
- She overplanned, pushed harder, and burned out from intensity and perfectionism.
Classmates' Varied Overwhelm Reactions
- Paula describes classmates who scattered, shut down, or helped others when overwhelmed.
- Examples include bouncing between projects, freezing up for days, and prioritizing others' needs over their own work.
Overwhelm Signals Capacity, Not Failure
- Overwhelm is a patterned brain response, not laziness or lack of willpower.
- It signals our nervous system is flooded and we've reached capacity.