ADHD and people-pleasing: Why can’t you stop?
ADHD and people-pleasing: Why can’t you stop?  
Podcast: MissUnderstood: The ADHD in Women Channel
Published On: Tue Sep 09 2025
Description: For some women with ADHD, people-pleasing is more than just being nice. It’s a way to cope with feeling overwhelmed or misunderstood.In this episode, Dr. Monica Johnson breaks down what people-pleasing looks like in women with ADHD. Find out how this coping mechanism can impact your life. And learn helpful strategies to stop people-pleasing and live a healthier life.For more on this topicADHD and: Imposter syndromeTips from an ADHD Coach: People-pleasing everyone but ourselvesADHD and: Setting boundariesTimestamps(00:00) Intro(00:39) What does people-pleasing look like in ADHD?(2:48) Why ADHD leads to people-pleasing(4:31)The hidden costs of people-pleasing (7:10) Tips for managing people-pleasing For a transcript and more resources, visit the MissUnderstood: ADHD in Women page on Understood.org. We love hearing from our listeners! Email us at podcasts@understood.org. ADHD Unstuck is a free, self-guided activity from Understood.org and Northwestern University designed to help women with ADHD boost their mood and take small, practical steps to get unstuck. In about 10 minutes, learn why mood spirals happen and get a personalized action plan of quick wins and science-backed strategies that work with your brain. Give it a try at Understood.org/GetUnstuck.Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.