18: Why ADHD Negative Self-Talk Feels Like Safety

If you spiral after a small mistake and can't figure out why your brain won't let it go, this episode is for you. I'm breaking down why ADHD brains lean so hard on negative self-talk, and it's not because you're lazy or not trying hard enough. This is for the ADHDer who's tired of the constant self-criticism and wants to know what's actually driving it.

I walk through why negative self-talk is a defense mechanism your brain built to keep you motivated through fear, guilt, and shame, and why it backfires by keeping you dysregulated instead. I cover how to shift from judgment to a neutral statement of what actually happened, why reflection only works once you're calm, and what it means to let yourself off the hook without letting things slide.

00:00 – Understanding Negative Self-Talk in ADHD

04:08 – How Negative Self-Talk Dysregulates the Brain

07:09 – Shifting ADHD Self-Talk from Negative to Neutral

15:22 – What Self-Criticism Really Does for ADHD

16:00 – You Deserve an Easier, More Joyful Life

Check out the show notes and other resources at https://jennafree.com/blog/adhd-negative-self-talk-safety

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