ADHD and Executive Functions: Neuroscience, Struggles, and Coping Skills Pt. 1

In this 2 part journey, Carmen kicks things off by defining “executive functions” — those behind-the-scenes brain processes that help us plan, prioritize, switch tasks, regulate emotions, and hold information in mind. From there, she unpacks the neuroscience: how dopamine signaling in the prefrontal cortex gets knocked off balance in ADHD, why neural connectivity matters, and what current research tells us about “wiring” versus “firing” in our brains.

Segment Breakdown:

* EF 101 – A friendly, jargon-free intro to the key pillars (working memory, cognitive flexibility, inhibitory control) and why they feel like glitchy software on an ADHD brain.

* Neuro-Deep Dive – Carmen shares the latest on dopamine pathways, brain network communication, and what fMRI and EEG studies reveal about ADHD brains in action.

* Real-World Struggles – Listeners recognize themselves in stories about missed deadlines, email overwhelm, time blindness, and emotional hijacks.

* Practical Coping Skills – Learn five science-backed strategies: habit stacking, external scaffolding (timers, checklists, accountability partners), mindfulness micro-breaks, chunking big tasks, and nutritional/hormonal hacks to support dopamine balance.

* Growth Mindset Wrap-Up – A call to celebrate incremental wins, reframe “failures” as data points, and set up a next-step action plan. Carmen closes with encouragement to view executive-function work like training for a marathon—slow and steady builds lasting strength.

Key Takeaways:

* Executive functions are trainable skills, not immutable traits.

* Small environmental tweaks (alarms, visual cues, “if-then” plans) can bridge the gap between intention and action.

* Connecting science to strategy empowers us to rewire habits and reclaim confidence.

Tune in, take notes, and get ready to turn your ADHD “weaknesses” into a toolkit of neuro-friendly strengths. Let’s reprogram our brains together!

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