The Podcast

We don’t outgrow ADHD, we simply change with it. Join hosts Jami and Justin as we explore the intersection of ADHD and seniors.

Episode 98 – Why Rejection Hurts So Much with ADHD

Why does one small criticism stick with us for days? Why do our emotions sometimes feel so much bigger than everyone else’s? And what does ADHD have to do with it?

In this episode of Grandma Has ADHD, Jami Shapiro sits down with licensed marriage and family therapist Emma McAdam, founder of Therapy in a Nutshell, to unpack one of the most misunderstood aspects of ADHD: emotional dysregulation.

Emma shares her own journey to recognizing ADHD in herself while raising four daughters, including navigating ADHD within her own family. Together, she and Jami explore why rejection sensitivity can feel so overwhelming, how executive function affects emotional regulation, and why anxiety and ADHD are so often intertwined.

Most importantly, Emma offers practical, research-backed strategies that can help you better understand and work with your emotions instead of feeling controlled by them.

What You’ll Learn

  • Why rejection can feel so much more painful for people with ADHD
  • The connection between ADHD, anxiety, and emotional dysregulation
  • How executive function affects your ability to process emotions
  • Why emotions often feel bigger, louder, and last longer with ADHD
  • The role masking and shame can play in rejection sensitivity
  • Why so many women are first diagnosed after their children
  • Practical tools for calming your nervous system and managing overwhelming emotions
  • How small, consistent changes can lead to meaningful improvements over time

Why This Matters

Many adults with ADHD spend years believing they’re “too sensitive,” overly emotional, or simply not resilient enough.

The truth is that emotional regulation is part of executive functioning. Understanding how your ADHD brain processes emotions can replace shame with self-compassion—and give you practical tools to navigate life’s challenges with greater confidence and calm.

The ADHD Button Question

Jami asks every guest the same question:

If there were a button that could take away your ADHD forever, would you press it?

Emma’s answer is a thoughtful no.

While ADHD has brought real challenges, especially in relationships and parenting. She also credits it with her creativity, curiosity, and the hyperfocus that helped build Therapy in a Nutshell into a resource that has reached millions of people.

About the Guest

Emma McAdam is a licensed marriage and family therapist and the founder of Therapy in a Nutshell, a popular YouTube channel and online learning platform dedicated to making quality mental health education accessible to everyone. With nearly 20 years of clinical experience, Emma specializes in teaching practical, evidence-based skills for managing anxiety, emotional regulation, and overall mental wellness. Her videos have helped millions of people better understand their minds and build healthier emotional habits.

About the Host

Jami Shapiro is an ADHD coach, speaker, author, and founder of Silver Linings Transitions. Through Grandma Has ADHD, she helps adults, especially women diagnosed later in life, understand their ADHD, reduce shame, and build lives that work with their brains instead of against them.

Resources

  • Therapy in a Nutshell YouTube Channel
  • Free courses:
    • How to Process Your Emotions
    • How to Break the Anxiety Cycle
  • This Explains So Much by Jami Shapiro

Links & Support

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