The Jefferson Fisher Podcast
The Jefferson Fisher Podcast

ADHD Expert: Why You Feel Motivated But Can't Do Anything

September 25, 2026

AI Summary

5 min read

“Just do it” is not helpful advice for an ADHD brain. Dr. Sasha Hamdani, a psychiatrist who has ADHD herself, explains that when someone with ADHD hears “just calm down” or “just make a list,” it implies the problem is a lack of effort. In reality, the issue is neurological: the brain is flooded with alarm chemicals, and the person may be applying all of their effort but still cannot get started because of dysregulation in attention, emotion, motivation, and energy.

ADHD as a Regulation Disorder, Not Just an Attention Problem

The clinical definition of ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition impacting inattentiveness, hyperactivity, and executive function. Dr. Hamdani argues this definition is too narrow. She reframes ADHD as a regulation disorder that affects not only attention but also emotion, motivation, energy, sleep, and appetite. This is not just her opinion—in Europe, diagnostic criteria were changed in 2019 to include emotional regulation as part of ADHD.

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What you'll learn

  • 1 (00:30) **Redefining ADHD: From Attention Deficit to Regulation Disorder** - The guest challenges the traditional view, arguing ADHD is primarily a regulation disorder affecting emotion, motivation, energy, and sleep, not just attention.
  • 2 (05:09) **The Implication of Reframing: Hope and Better Diagnosis** - Reframing ADHD as a regulation condition opens the door to better treatment and avoids misdiagnosing emotional symptoms as separate anxiety or depression.
  • 3 (06:51) **Is ADHD an Epidemic? The "Better Telescope" Theory** - The guest suggests that the perceived rise in ADHD is likely due to increased awareness and better detection, not a true increase in the population.
  • 4 (10:41) **Born With It or Developed? The Late Diagnosis Phenomenon** - Many adults are discovering they have ADHD after their children are diagnosed, as the condition is often present from birth but missed in childhood, especially in girls.
  • 5 (13:42) **When to Get a Child Assessed** - If a parent is concerned about focus or emotional regulation issues in their child, there is no harm in seeking a professional evaluation, and it doesn't have to lead to medication.
  • 6 (14:49) **The Three Types of ADHD: A Spectrum of Presentation** - ADHD is broken into three types (inattentive, hyperactive, combined), and its severity exists on a spectrum of functionality, not a single set of behaviors.
  • 7 (17:04) **The Overdiagnosis Trap: Socioeconomic and Racial Bias** - The guest argues that ADHD is overdiagnosed in some populations and underdiagnosed in others, with significant racial and socioeconomic disparities in the US.

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Guests on this episode

Show Notes

If you’ve ever wondered why a simple conversation can feel so overwhelming with ADHD, this episode is for you. Dr. Sasha Hamdani joins me to explain what’s really happening inside the ADHD brain—and how it impacts emotions, rejection, relationships, and communication.

We talk about why everything can feel “louder,” why feedback can hit so hard, and practical ways to communicate without shutting down, spiraling, or becoming overwhelmed.

Buy Dr. Hamdani’s new book: Too Sensitive – Rejection, Resilience, and the Science of Feeling Deeply – http://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250423764/toosensitive/ 

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