The Overlooked Struggles – Emotional Well-being of ADHD Moms
Let’s talk about something that doesn’t get enough airtime: the emotional toll of being a mom with ADHD. Sure, we hear a lot about managing chores, routines, and to-do lists, but what about the deep stuff—the guilt, the overwhelm, the constant sense of falling short?
The Hidden Weight ADHD Moms Carry: Being a mom is already a full-time mental load, but add ADHD into the mix, and it becomes a whirlwind of emotional highs and lows. According to a 2022 study published in Journal of Attention Disorders, women with ADHD are more prone to anxiety, depression, and emotional dysregulation, especially during motherhood.
You’re not just trying to manage your own life—you’re managing little humans, expectations, and all the invisible work of motherhood with a brain that resists structure. That’s a LOT.
Emotional Struggles We Don’t Talk About Enough
Guilt: For forgetting appointments, for snapping at the kids, for not having it all together.
Shame: For comparing yourself to the “organized moms” and constantly coming up short.
Overwhelm: The mental noise is never-ending. It’s not just the mess—it’s the emotional chaos that comes with it.
Imposter Syndrome: Feeling like you’re faking this whole motherhood thing and someone’s about to expose you.
Coping Strategies That Actually Help
1. Reframe the Narrative: You’re not a “bad” mom—you have a different brain. Period. Repeat that until it sticks. Use affirmations like, “I’m doing my best, and that’s enough,” or “Progress over perfection.”
2. Therapy Is Not a Luxury—It’s a Lifeline: Consider ADHD-informed therapy or coaching. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) has shown strong results for emotional regulation in adults with ADHD. Coaching can also offer practical, non-judgmental support.
3. Mindfulness, But ADHD-Friendly: Let's not do 60-minute quiet meditations here. Give this a try:
Five-minute guided meditations (check out Insight Timer)
Walking meditations
Doodling or journaling with some tunes playing
4. Join Your Tribe Community is key: Get in touch with other ADHD moms (online or locally). Begin with communities like the Chatterbrain Mommy Podcast community—we keep it real, unfiltered, and judgment-free.
Expert Opinion: Dr. Kathleen Nadeau (clinical psychologist, ADHD) states, "When women feel understood and supported emotionally, their executive functioning improves. Connection reduces shame and motivation."
Netta's Point from Chatterbrain Mommy Podcast "I used to cry in the bathroom just to have five minutes of peace. As soon as I quit pretending to do it all and started getting help, life lightened up. Not perfect—just lighter.".
If you're nodding your head, then I wrote for you. Get my ADHD mom survival eBook, Focus, Energize, and Thrive. It's half pep talk, half toolkit, and all heart.
Also, check out my Amazon list of emotional wellness goodies—from weighted blankets to fidget rings. Because soothing your nervous system is a form of self-love.
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