Breaking Through ADHD Blocks by Going Deeper

Feeling stuck, shut down, overwhelmed, or emotionally blocked can feel like hitting an invisible wall.

One minute you may know what you need to do… and the next minute your brain says, “Nope. Too much. I can’t.”

For adults with ADHD, that first wave of discomfort — overwhelm, dread, frustration, avoidance, emotional sensitivity, or feeling “triggered” — can stop action fast. But what if that feeling is not the whole story? What if it is actually a signal pointing to something deeper?

In this episode of ADHD Support Talk Radio, co-hosts Tara McGillicuddy and Lynne Edris talk about how to go beneath the surface when ADHD blocks show up. Instead of stopping at “I’m overwhelmed,” “I’m triggered,” “I’m stuck,” or “I can’t,” they explore how adults with ADHD can pause, breathe, step back, and begin asking better questions.

✨ What is really going on here?
✨ What does this feeling mean?
✨ What is the overwhelm actually about?
✨ What would help make this smaller, clearer, or more manageable?

Tara and Lynne discuss why “overwhelm” can become a catch-all word in the ADHD world — and why staying there can keep you from finding real solutions. They also talk about emotional shutdown, avoidance patterns, blame and shame spirals, rejection sensitivity dysphoria, and the overuse of the word “triggered.” Rather than using these words as stopping points, they explain how they can become starting points for deeper awareness and change.

You’ll hear how negative feelings and emotional reactions are often protective patterns your brain has learned over time. Your mind may be trying to keep you safe from discomfort, boredom, fear, criticism, or failure — but those same protective patterns can also keep you stuck, avoiding, scrolling, shutting down, or walking away from what matters.

This conversation is not about judging yourself or forcing yourself to “just get over it.” It is about learning how to become a more neutral observer of your own thoughts, feelings, body cues, and reactions. Tara and Lynne talk about the power of taking a breath, noticing what is happening, naming the feeling without shame, and choosing a next step from a calmer, clearer place.

They also share practical ways to explore what is underneath the block, including asking neutral questions, breaking things into smaller pieces, noticing physical signs of emotional reactions, journaling, using visual cues, voice recording, or talking things through in a more objective way.

💡 This episode is especially helpful if you:

✅ Shut down when something feels too big
✅ Say “I’m overwhelmed” but don’t know what to do next
✅ Get stuck in avoidance or emotional reactions
✅ Struggle with ADHD shame spirals or negative self-talk
✅ Feel triggered, rejected, criticized, or misunderstood
✅ Want to stop repeating the same old patterns
✅ Need help moving from emotional overload into clarity and action

Tara and Lynne also discuss the importance of taking back control and building more agency over your emotional responses. This does not mean the process is easy. It means it is possible to practice new patterns, learn what works for your ADHD brain, and begin responding differently when blocks show up.

If you have ever felt like overwhelm, RSD, emotional sensitivity, or shutdown patterns are running the show, this episode offers a compassionate and empowering reminder: your emotions do not have to rule your next move.

You can pause.
You can breathe.
You can go deeper.
You can begin to break through the block.

🎙️ About ADHD Support Talk Radio

ADHD Support Talk Radio is one of the longest-running podcasts for adults with ADHD. Hosted by Tara McGillicuddy and co-hosted by Lynne Edris, the show focuses on practical strategies, real-life conversations, and support that helps adults with ADHD reduce overwhelm and take action.

Additional ADHD resources, programs, and events are available through ADDClasses.com.

This episode is ideal for adults with ADHD who want to earn why ADHD makes it so hard to get ahead—and what actually helps you start making progress.

Podcast Co-Host Lynne Edris helps overwhelmed professionals take control of their time and tackle their to-dos with ease so they have more time, more energy, and more money for what they love most! As a woman with ADHD herself, she has been where her clients are and come out the other side, so to speak. She’s gone from living in a constant state of chaos and under-performance to a life full of success and fulfillment, and wants to help you achieve your version of success as well! Take Lynne’s quick quiz to get your personalized productivity profile with customized results and recommendations at www.ProductivityBreakthroughQuiz.com.  You can learn more about Lynne and contact her through her website at www.CoachingADDvantages.com. 

Tara McGillicuddy is described by those who know her – clients, fellow leaders, and community – as dedicated to the deep, soulful energetic-level shifts required by life. Whether she’s helping to SEE your life more clearly, identify where you’re stuck, tuning into sacred energies OR she’s helping to build a practical life with tools, structure, physical help and precise action steps, she is committed to giving everything she knows to help you live your best life and to feel fulfilled by it.

Tara has been known and celebrated in the ADHD community for decades of practical and long-lasting shifts in tens of thousands in her communities. The creator of ADDClasses.com, The ADHD Awareness Expo and ADHD Support Talk Radio Tara is one of the longest-standing leaders in the field. Over the years she has also honed her natural skills as an empath.

ADHD Support Talk Radio is an award winning Podcast for Adults with ADD / ADHD. Co-hosts Tara McGillicuddy and Lynne Edris are joined by Adult ADHD experts and they cover important topics related to Adult ADD / ADHD. Podcast guests include Dr. Edward Hallowell, Dr. Stephanie Sarkis, Dr. Ari Tuckman, Laurie Dupar, Terry Matlen and many more.

Tara McGillicuddy is the Producer, Owner and Co-host of the ADHD Support Talk Radio Podcast. You may contact Tara with general questions or feedback about the podcast.

Lynne Edris is the Co-host of the ADHD Support Talk Radio Podcast. You may contact Lynne with feedback about her episodes.

https://adhdsupporttalk.com/about-podcast/