008. In this back-to-basics episode of The Daily Distracted, we’re doing a real-deal ADHD 101 — minus the medical jargon and late-night Google spirals. Whether you’re newly diagnosed, “neuro-curious”, or you just keep seeing yourself in ADHD content and thinking “wait… that’s me”, this episode is your compassionate crash course in what ADHD actually is (and what it absolutely is not).
Kristy breaks down ADHD as a brain style, not a character flaw, and explains why it’s less “deficit of attention” and more “interest-based attention.” We’ll talk about the different ADHD “flavors”, why hyperactivity in adults (especially women) is often invisible, and how things like emotional intensity, procrastination, late fees, and 58 open tabs are all connected to the same operating system — not you being lazy or irresponsible.
In this episode, we cover:
What ADHD really means (and why the name kind of sucks)
The three ADHD presentations and how they can shift over your life
Interest-based attention, novelty, urgency, and why deadlines weirdly “work”
What adult hyperactivity can look like when it’s internal, not bouncy
Executive function as the “understaffed CEO” of your brain
Emotional dysregulation, rumination, and RSD (rejection sensitivity dysphoria)
The difference between true ADHD and “technology-induced” distraction
Why ADHD isn’t “overdiagnosed” — we’re finally finding the missed kids & adults
How ADHD shows up in real life: lost keys, late fees, 6 hobbies, 58 tabs, and big hearts
First steps if you’re considering an ADHD assessment or exploring support
Tune in if…
You’ve ever thought, “Why can’t I just start?”, “Why did I overshare… again?” or “Is everyone this exhausted by their own brain?” This episode will help you put language to your lived experience, drop the self-blame, and see your ADHD traits as both real challenges and real strengths.
Next Step:
If something clicked for you in this conversation, you’re so welcome here — whether you’re diagnosed, exploring, or just ADHD-adjacent. Share this episode with a friend who might see themselves in it, and if you got something done while listening, celebrate it — that’s the body double effect doing its thing. 💛
Remember: your distraction isn’t the problem, it’s the doorway.