Jun 28
I’ve wanted to talk about navigating ADHD emotions for a while now, but like many other great topics it has sat untouched on my list, waiting for the perfect guest. When I read the incredible book ‘Your Brain is Not Broken: Strategies for Navigating Your Emotions and Life with ADHD’ by Dr. Tamara Rosier, I not only immediately added it to the ADHD for Smart Ass Women book list, but I also knew I had to have Tamara on the podcast.
Dr. Tamara Rosier is the founder of the ADHD Center of West Michigan, where she leads a team of coaches, therapists, and speech pathologists to help individuals, parents, and families develop an understanding and learn effective skills to live with ADHD effectively. Tamara has gained an impressive amount of knowledge from working with ADHDers and those who support them across a variety of setttings, but just as importantly, she explains complex topics like divergent vs. convergent thinking in a way that sticks in my brain. The analogies she uses in the book and during our conversation are brilliant; among many others, Tamara likens the neurotypical brain to a pleasant butler and the ADHD brain to an angry neighbor. It’s simple and made me laugh and explains in real world language how the prefrontal cortex and limbic system impact our brain’s ability to function.
We’ll also talk about the role anxiety and emotion play in our motivation, and why it’s critical to work on our emotions before introducing executive function strategies!
You won’t want to miss this insightful and laughter-filled conversation.
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"Women in ADHD, we’re expected to have that pre-frontal cortex on and ready, and when people see us using our emotional systems to govern us, we get judged, and we get judged harshly."
- Dr. Tamara Rosier
"Let’s deal with that emotion first, and then make a strategy. Because the emotions will always trump the strategy."
- Dr. Tamara Rosier
"Humor is a way I disarm myself all the time, because if I can laugh at myself, it’s going to be okay."
- Dr. Tamara Rosier
- Dr. Tamara explains that the prefrontal cortex is like a butler, providing rational instructions, but for people with ADHD, it's more like an angry neighbor shouting.
- Dr. Tamara explains how ADHD brains process emotions differently, leading to big emotional responses to everyday situations.
- Dr. Tamara discusses the concept of empathy, stating that people with ADHD tend to have less empathy for groups and more empathy for individuals.
[27:18 - 40:06] ADHD, Anxiety, and Coping Mechanisms
- Dr. Tamara explains the difference between divergent and convergent thinking, using the analogy of a gas pedal and brake in driving a car.
- Dr. Tamara shares her experiences with ADHD and anxiety, discussing how divergent thinking can lead to melodrama and the importance of protecting oneself from haunting content.
- Dr. Tamara explains how most people have low tolerance for anxiety and may shut down or disconnect in response to it.
- Dr. Tamara explains the concept of an "emotional health ladder" for individuals with ADHD, describing different levels of emotional awareness and stability.
- Dr. Tamara discusses her "ladder" metaphor for managing emotions, using self-compassion and humor to move up the ladder when feeling down.
- Dr. Tamara shares a personal story about using humor to disarm herself at the dentist, and encourages listeners to do the same to manage their emotions.
