Jenna Free: ADHD, overwhelm, and how to heal your dysregulated nervous system

Episode 209 with Jenna Free

“I think the biggest issue is with the current ADHD narrative. People are confusing ‘fight or flight’ and ADHD; they're putting it in a bundle and calling it ADHD. Then people believe, ‘Well, this is how hard it needs to be.’”

Jenna is a therapist living in Calgary, Alberta, who not only specializes in ADHD but also has ADHD herself. 

Jenna was diagnosed with ADHD at 32 while in grad school with two young children – so yes, she gets the overwhelm. But instead of accepting the standard narrative that ADHD women are just destined to live in a constant state of frantic energy followed by crashes, she started asking a different question: What if the struggle isn't actually inevitable? What if what we're calling "ADHD symptoms" are actually signs of a nervous system stuck in chronic fight-or-flight?

In this episode, we'll dive into Jenna's journey, her insights on ADHD regulation, and how she helps others through her ADHD regulation groups and certification program. We also chat about her brand new book, “The Simple Guide to ADHD Regulation: The Secret to Finding Balance, Getting Things Done, and Enjoying Your Life.”

Key topics discussed:

• The difference between ADHD traits and fight-or-flight responses
• Internal vs. external regulation strategies
• Why overwhelm is actually a cognitive distortion and sign of dysregulation
• The role of belief work in nervous system regulation
• How regulation can actually increase productivity and capacity
• The power of group work for ADHD healing
• Challenging the narrative that ADHD struggle is inevitable

Website: jennafree.com

Instagram: @adhdwithjennafree

Links & Resources:

Jenna’s book: The Simple Guide to ADHD Regulation: The Secret to Finding Balance, Getting Things Done, and Enjoying Your Life

Jenna’s podcast: ADHD with Jenna Free

Dr. Anita Johnston's The Log

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Episode edited by E Podcast Productions

Find the transcript of this episode at www.womenandadhd.com/transcripts

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Women & ADHD coaching: www.womenandadhd.com/coaching

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Work 1-on-1 with Katy: www.womenandadhd.com/katy

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Order the “Hey, it’s ADHD!” course: www.womenandadhd.com/adhdcourse

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If you are a woman who was diagnosed with ADHD and you’d like to apply to be a guest on this podcast, visit womenandadhd.com/podcastguest.

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