Episode 93: FLASHBACK — ADHD Interest-Based Nervous Systems

Divergent Conversations

Navigating the world with ADHD can present unique challenges, particularly when it comes to motivation and productivity. Whether it's the difficulty of getting started on mundane tasks or the complexities of staying engaged over time, the rollercoaster of emotional ups and downs can be hard to manage.

In this flashback episode, Patrick Casale and Dr. Megan Anna Neff, two AuDHD mental health professionals, discuss the intricacies of the ADHD interest-based nervous system, how it impacts daily life, and practical ways to enhance motivation and productivity.

Top 3 reasons to listen to the entire episode:

1. Discover effective techniques to manage your interest-based nervous system, from creating engaging environments to the use of dopamine stacking.
2. Gain insights into different approaches for handling mundane tasks like household chores, including the concept of body doubling and competition.
3. Learn how the 5 motivators encapsulated in the acronym P.I.N.C.H. (Passion [discussed in terms of Play for this episode], Interest, Novelty, Competition/Collaboration/Connection, and Hurry Up) can influence your actions and help overcome procrastination and anxiety.

Try exploring ways to incorporate the 5 motivators for the ADHD system into your environment and approach to tasks. Understanding your unique nervous system is a step toward having more engagement and productivity, even when facing understimulating tasks.

Resources:

• Visit vs. Force-Based Approach to ADHD: neurodivergentinsights.com/blog/power-of-a-visit
• Interest-Based Nervous System Article: neurodivergentinsights.com/blog/interest-based-nervous-system
• Interest-Based Nervous System And ADHD Workbook: neurodivergentinsights.com/neurodivergentstore/interest-based-nervous-system

***This episode is the 3rd of 10 episodes that Divergent Conversations is re-releasing for 2025. Please enjoy, and we'll be back with new content, resources, and guests in a couple of months.

• ANNOUNCEMENT: We’re extending our break a few additional episodes. If you want more information on what is happening with Dr. Neff and Neurodivergent Insights, you can read about it using the following link, as well as learn how to connect with and support their work: notion.so/neurodivergentinsights/Thank-You-For-Supporting-Our-Work-1aaa17a4bb8b80c790abfa4a08231b7a

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Mentioned in this episode:

Landmark College

Landmark College is the world's first accredited college designed exclusively for students who learn differently. Landmark, located in Putney, Vermont, offers courses in person and online, awarding associate and bachelor's degrees, and offering pre-college, gap year, and professional development programs. With a student-to-faculty ratio of just 7 to 1, and the renowned Landmark College Institute for Research and Training, Landmark offers personalized and research-informed support for neurodivergent students that is not available at traditional colleges. Learn more about this opportunity at landmark.edu.

Neurodivergent Insights' Autistic Burnout Resources

If you’d like to supplement your learning on burnout, you can check out Neurodivergent Insights' resources on burnout. We have articles, an Autistic Burnout course, workbooks, and print books! Visit: https://neurodivergentinsights.com/burnout-resources