24: ADHD Overstimulation vs Dysregulation: How to Tell the Difference
24: ADHD Overstimulation vs Dysregulation: How to Tell the Difference  
Podcast: ADHD with Jenna Free
Published On: Mon Sep 08 2025
Description: If noise and bright lights leave you irritable and desperate to leave, and you can't tell whether you're overstimulated or dysregulated, this episode sorts out the difference. ADHD overstimulation comes from your surroundings and eases when you change them, while dysregulation follows you onto the couch during a quiet family movie. This is for the ADHDer who wants to get through the mall or a loud afternoon at home without losing their patience. I talk about how sensory overload and a nervous system stuck in fight-or-flight feed each other, why accepting that you're overstimulated has to come before any tool, and which coping strategies for ADHD overstimulation help in the moment, like earplugs and sunglasses indoors. I also cover how to ask for what you need without waiting for everyone to understand, and why nervous system regulation for ADHD makes you harder to trigger over time. 00:00 – Overstimulation vs. Dysregulation: What's the Difference? 01:10 – Understanding Sensory Overload in ADHD 03:08 – What Is ADHD Dysregulation? Nervous System Explained. 09:29 – Immediate Tools: Coping with ADHD Overstimulation 20:51 – Regulation Work: The Long-Term Solution for ADHD Check out the show notes and other resources at https://jennafree.com/blog/adhd-overstimulation-vs-dysregulation Let's stay connected! You can get your free ADHD Reset Guide here: adhdwithjennafree.com/adhdguide Want to thrive with ADHD? Come hang out with me on Instagram! Get out of paralysis, be more productive, and enjoy your life again! Join an upcoming group!