
The Emotions Behind ADHD (& Why It Doesn't Mean Your Brain is Broken - It's Just Wired Differently)
From Connection Codes by Connection Codes
March 3, 2026 · 54 min
About this episode
This episode explores the emotional aspects of ADHD and how it affects relationships, featuring insights from expert Martha Hoffman.
What if the biggest relationship challenge in your home isn't a communication problem — it's an ADHD brain that nobody ever explained to you? In this eye-opening episode, Tera sits down with ADHD expert, educator, and coach Martha Hoffman (host of ADHD in the Real World podcast) to unpack what ADHD actually looks like in real families, real marriages, and real emotional lives — and why compassion might be the most powerful tool you have. Whether you're a parent who suspects your child might have ADHD, a partner frustrated by what feels like chaos, or someone who scrolled through a "signs of ADHD" reel and thought "wait... that's me" — this conversation will change how you see the people you love most. In This Episode You'll Learn: The 3 types of ADHD and why it looks completely different in women vs. men Why emotional dysregulation is now considered CORE to ADHD — not just a side effect The dopamine deficit connection — and why your ADHD brain might be wired for addiction How to build a "Dopamine Menu" to replace cheap hits with lasting satisfaction What Fair Play facilitation does for ADHD couples — and why the trash is never just "taking out…
People in this episode
Host: Tera
Guest: Martha Hoffman
Topics covered
- ADHD
- emotional dysregulation
- relationships
- parenting
- compassion
- dopamine
Keywords
- ADHD
- emotional dysregulation
- relationships
- dopamine deficit
- Core Emotion Wheel
- parenting
- compassion
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: ADHD in the Real World, Connection Codes
Products: Core Emotion Wheel
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