ADHD and Emotional Regulation: Why You React So Fast

For many adults with ADHD, emotional regulation is one of the most misunderstood challenges. It’s not just about being distracted—it’s about reacting intensely, feeling everything all at once, and struggling to return to a baseline.

At our North Sydney therapy space, we help clients understand the emotional sensitivity that often comes with ADHD, and develop tools for navigating life from a more grounded place.

Common Emotional Patterns in ADHD

• Intense emotional reactions to perceived criticism or rejection

• Difficulty letting go of small upsets or perceived slights

• Feeling emotionally overwhelmed by minor changes or stressors

• Shame for "overreacting" or being "too sensitive"

Why This Happens

The ADHD brain often has less access to the regulatory pathways that calm the nervous system. That means emotions tend to spike quickly and fade slowly.

How Therapy Helps

• Naming emotional triggers and tracking patterns

• Using somatic strategies to calm the nervous system

• Practicing relational skills like repair, reflective listening, and pausing before reacting

• Building self-compassion around sensitivity

North Sydney Therapy for Emotional Regulation

If you feel like your emotions are "too much," you’re not alone. Therapy offers space to understand your nervous system and respond with more choice.

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ADHD-informed support available in-person and online.