RECOVERable: Mental Health and Addiction Experts Answer Your Questions

ADHD isn’t laziness; it’s a neurodevelopmental difference that affects attention, executive function and impulse control. In this eye‑opening conversation with child psychologist Dr. Carrie Jackson, we explore what ADHD really is and why many people’s organizational skills lag by about 30%. You’ll learn how inattention and hyperactivity manifest across the lifespan, why it’s not a knowledge problem but a challenge in acting on intentions, and how misunderstood “ADHD paralysis” keeps you stuck on tasks. Learn science‑backed ways to break paralysis – from changing your environment and using body doubling to working in short two‑minute bursts.

Find mental health and addiction treatment near you: https://recovery.com/
Learn more about Dr. Carrie Jackson: https://www.drcarriejackson.com/

Dr. Jackson also debunks myths about stimulant medication: it targets dopamine and norepinephrine, calms impulsivity and even improves emotion regulation and social skills. Untreated ADHD, however, is linked with accidents, health complications and shorter life expectancy, while proper treatment significantly reduces the risk of substance use disorders by about 40%. For parents, she offers executive function tips, visual schedules and time‑blocking strategies—start with just three important tasks and block realistic calendar slots to avoid burnout. We discuss 504 plans, flexible seating and other accommodations that level the playing field at school and work. Finally, we address relationships: how to explain ADHD to your partner, use non‑judgmental language and focus on positive reinforcement. ADHD is a brain difference, not a flaw; with support, self‑awareness and the right tools, you can thrive.

⏱️ Chapters:
00:00 – What Is ADHD? Neurodevelopment & Executive Function
04:12 – ADHD Time Management & Parenting Morning Routines
08:50 – ADHD vs Anxiety: Overlap & Differences
13:30 – Medication Myths: Benefits vs Stimulant Fears
18:20 – Untreated ADHD Risks & Substance Use
22:45 – ADHD Paralysis, Body Doubling & Time Blocking Tips
29:10 – Accommodations, Relationships & Final Takeaways

❓ Questions the Video Answers:

What is ADHD and how does it affect executive functioning?

Why are organizational skills often 30% behind in people with ADHD?

How is ADHD different from anxiety and depression?

What are the signs of ADHD time blindness and how do you manage it?

What is ADHD paralysis and how can you stop procrastination?

How does body doubling help with task initiation and focus?

What are effective time‑blocking and time management tips for adults with ADHD?

Are ADHD medications safe, and what benefits do stimulants provide?

What are the consequences of untreated ADHD on health and lifespan?

Does treating ADHD reduce the risk of substance use disorders?

How can parents create morning routines and visual schedules for ADHD kids?

What accommodations can schools or workplaces provide for ADHD?

How do you explain ADHD to your partner and repair relationships after impulsivity?

Is ADHD a disability or a strength, and how can you embrace both?

How can you focus with ADHD without burning out or feeling overwhelmed?

#ADHD #MentalHealth #TimeManagement

Wonder if your forgetfulness and zoning out is ADHD or just distraction? In this episode of Recovery, child psychologist and ADHD expert Dr. Carrie Jackson explains what ADHD really feels like and why it’s often underdiagnosed in women and BIPOC communities. You’ll learn how to tell the difference between normal distraction and clinically significant ADHD symptoms in women, men and kids and why executive functioning issues – not laziness – drive the forgetfulness, missed deadlines and day‑dreaming.

Find mental health and addiction treatment near you: https://recovery.com/
Learn more about Dr. Carrie Jackson: https://www.drcarriejackson.com/

Dr. Jackson shares her own journey living with ADHD and breaks down the three presentations: inattentive, hyperactive/impulsive and combined. She debunks myths (no, sugar and screen time don’t cause ADHD), explains why girls often present as “quiet daydreamers” while boys are labelled disruptive, and explores the role of hormones and genetics in adult ADHD diagnosis. You’ll hear why there’s no brain scan for ADHD – diagnosis relies on interviews, questionnaires and observing behaviour across settings – and why many adults get diagnosed after childbirth or during major life transitions.

⏱️ Chapters:
00:00 – Introduction & why ADHD is often underdiagnosed
00:24 – Do I have ADHD or am I just distracted?
01:04 – Regulating attention: hyperfocus vs distractibility
03:22 – Interest‑based attention & urgency (video games vs tasks)
04:12 – How ADHD is diagnosed & who can diagnose it
05:49 – No brain scans: interviews, questionnaires & criteria
07:28 – Recognizing symptoms across school, work & home
08:42 – Forgetting homework: performance vs intelligence
10:03 – Misconceptions: laziness, discipline & executive function
11:16 – Gender differences: ADHD in girls vs boys
13:14 – Types of ADHD & how symptoms change with age
15:07 – Inattentive signs: zoning out, random thoughts & losing things
17:09 – Why ADHD is missed: hidden symptoms & doing well in school
18:59 – The emotional toll: shame, self‑esteem & feeling “lazy”
20:43 – Underdiagnosed or overdiagnosed? Changing criteria & awareness
22:05 – Genetics, parental age & environmental factors
23:29 – Key symptoms: attention, organization & impulsivity
26:03 – Causes vs myths: sugar, screen time & diet
27:29 – Does ADHD get worse with age? Hormones & adult life
31:24 – Suspect ADHD? Finding qualified help & next steps
32:45 – Diagnosing young kids & parent‑focused interventions
34:32 – What’s next: medications, parenting strategies & support

❓ Questions the Video Answers:

How can I tell if I have ADHD or if I’m just distracted?

What are the most common ADHD symptoms in women and girls?

How does ADHD differ from normal forgetfulness or laziness?

What’s the difference between inattentive and hyperactive/impulsive ADHD?

How is ADHD diagnosed in adults without a brain scan?

Why are so many women and BIPOC individuals underdiagnosed?

Can you have ADHD and still hyperfocus on video games or work?

Does ADHD get worse with age, or can it improve over time?

Is ADHD genetic, and what environmental factors play a role?

What are the myths about sugar, screen time and diet causing ADHD?

How do hormones and pregnancy impact ADHD symptoms in women?

What’s the difference between ADD and ADHD presentations?

At what age can children be reliably diagnosed with ADHD?

What help is available if my child shows signs but doesn’t meet the criteria?

What should be my first step if I suspect ADHD for myself or my child?

#ADHD #MentalHealth #Neurodiversity

Struggling to manage emotions, stress or relationships? Discover how DBT skills like mindfulness, radical acceptance and validation can transform your life. In this episode, psychologist Dr. Kiki Felling breaks down Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and shows you how to apply these powerful tools in everyday situations.

Find mental health and addiction treatment near you: https://recovery.com/

Learn more about Kiki: https://www.kikifehling.com/

Dr. Felling explains the four core DBT modules—mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance and interpersonal effectiveness—and why they matter. She defines mindfulness as being fully present without judgement, paying attention to sensations, thoughts and feelings to tap into your inner wisdom. You’ll learn that distress tolerance skills aren’t about fixing problems but surviving the toughest moments; radical acceptance allows you to acknowledge reality so pain doesn’t turn into suffering. She demonstrates crisis‑survival techniques like grounding with cold water, self‑soothing objects and personalized coping kits. In the emotion‑regulation section, Dr. Felling shows how to understand, use or change feelings and build resilience by accumulating positive experiences. The video also covers interpersonal effectiveness—assertiveness, boundaries, and validation. Validation, she says, is the superpower that reduces conflict and deepens relationships. Throughout the conversation she reminds us that mindfulness is the foundation of every skill and that the ultimate goal is to create a “life worth living” defined by your own values.

If you’re ready to stop reacting and start responding, this episode offers practical DBT strategies you can use right away. Like, comment and share your own experiences with these skills, subscribe for more mental‑health insights, and check out our related videos on emotion regulation and distress tolerance.

⏱️ Chapters:
00:00 – What Is DBT & Who Is It For?
02:25 – Mindfulness Skills Beyond Meditation
05:45 – Distress Tolerance & Radical Acceptance
09:30 – Pain vs. Suffering: Accepting Reality
13:00 – Crisis Survival Skills & The Coping Kit
17:40 – Regulating Your Nervous System (TIP Skills)
22:30 – Emotion Regulation & ABC PLEASE Skills
27:15 – Naming Your Emotions & The Emotion Dictionary
31:50 – Interpersonal Effectiveness & Boundaries
35:20 – The Power of Validation
39:00 – Mindfulness: The Foundation of All Skills
41:30 – Creating a Life Worth Living & Final Thoughts

❓ Questions the Video Answers:

What is Dialectical Behavior Therapy and how does it help with emotion regulation?

What are the four core DBT skills modules?

How does mindfulness differ from meditation in DBT?

What are the “observe” and “describe” mindfulness skills?

What is radical acceptance and why is it crucial for distress tolerance?

How can accepting pain prevent it from turning into suffering?

What are crisis survival skills and how can they help during intense urges?

What should be in a distress tolerance kit?

How does the “tip your temperature” ice‑water technique reset your nervous system?

What are ABC PLEASE skills and how do they build emotional resilience?

How can someone learn to identify and name their emotions?

What are interpersonal effectiveness skills and why are they important?

Why is validation considered a relationship superpower?

How can mindfulness be practiced in everyday life beyond sitting meditation?

What does it mean to create a life worth living and how does DBT help you define it?

#MentalHealth #DBTskills #EmotionalRegulation

📝 Description:
Discover how dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) transforms insight into action and helps you ride out emotional storms. Clinical psychologist Dr. Kiki Fehling shares her personal journey—from using DBT skills to recover after a heart attack to teaching them to clients—and explains why understanding yourself isn’t enough. DBT combines proven cognitive‑behavioral techniques with mindfulness, radical acceptance and coping skills. It teaches you to recognize, regulate and work with your emotions rather than be controlled by them.

Find mental health and addiction treatment near you: https://recovery.com/

Learn more about Kiki: https://www.kikifehling.com/

In this conversation you’ll learn what “dialectics” means (hint: embracing both acceptance and change) and how the Wise Mind helps balance your rational and emotional sides. Dr. Fehling explains that DBT was created for people with borderline personality disorder but research now shows it helps PTSD, anxiety, depression, substance use disorders and eating disorders. You’ll hear how DBT tackles anxiety through exposure and opposite‑action techniques that teach you to face fears while soothing your body and mind. For depression, the therapy reconnects you to activities and relationships that bring joy, and for addiction it provides healthier ways to cope with pain.

Unlike traditional talk therapy, DBT is collaborative and directive—your therapist actively tracks behaviors, teaches life skills and offers coaching between sessions. A comprehensive DBT program includes weekly individual therapy, weekly skills groups and 24/7 phone coaching, and therapists consult with one another to ensure quality care. Even if you can’t commit to the full program, learning DBT skills through books or online groups can still make a difference. Ready to build a more stable, fulfilling life? Watch until the end, subscribe for part two (where we dive into the skills themselves), share your story in the comments and pass this along to someone who could use a little DBT wisdom.

⏱️ Chapters:
00:00 – Dr. Kiki’s DBT Journey & Why Insight Isn’t Enough
02:13 – What Is Dialectical Behavior Therapy? DBT Explained
03:07 – Dialectics: Balancing Acceptance and Change
07:55 – Who Benefits: BPD, PTSD, Anxiety, Depression & Addiction
08:58 – DBT Skills for Anxiety: Exposure & Opposite Action
10:00 – DBT for Depression: Reconnecting With Life & Joy
11:02 – Addiction & DBT: Coping Without Substances
16:21 – Talk Therapy vs DBT: Collaborative Skill‑Based Healing
27:26 – Inside a Comprehensive DBT Program: Individual, Group & Coaching
33:14 – DBT‑Informed Options & Learning Life Skills

❓ Questions the Video Answers:

1. What is dialectical behavior therapy and how does it work?
2. Who can benefit from DBT therapy?
3. How does DBT help with emotional regulation and distress tolerance?
4. What DBT skills can reduce anxiety and worry?
5. How can DBT help someone struggling with depression?
6. Is DBT effective for substance use disorders and addiction?
7. What is the Wise Mind in DBT and how do you access it?
8. How do dialectics balance acceptance and change?
9. How is DBT different from traditional talk therapy or CBT?
10. What does a comprehensive DBT program involve?
11. How long does DBT therapy typically take?
12. Can I learn DBT skills on my own through books or online groups?
13. What are distress tolerance and opposite‑action skills?
14. Does DBT work for borderline personality disorder and PTSD?
15. How do DBT skills improve relationships and build a life worth living?

#DBT #MentalHealth #EmotionalRegulation

Ever wonder why you keep repeating the same painful patterns even when you know better? Trauma therapist Laurel Vander Torn reveals that trauma is more than a single event – it’s a disconnect between what your mind knows and what your body feels. This disconnect can leave you stuck in a constant state of hyper‑vigilance, poor sleep, appetite changes and messy relationships. She introduces the “window of tolerance,” the sweet spot where you can think, feel and act without dissociating or feeling like you’re vibrating out of your skin. You’ll also learn why people‑pleasing and other complex trauma responses were once survival strategies but can become maladaptive in adulthood.

Find mental health and addiction treatment near you: https://recovery.com/

Learn more about Laurel: https://www.laureltherapy.net/laurel-van-der-toorn

Laurel explains that trauma literally rewires your brain by making you more sensitive to threats, but neuroplasticity means you can change it back. By practicing new behaviors and experiencing positive reactions, clients gradually take up space and discover freedom. She shifts the focus from shame to curiosity and self‑compassion, and she stresses the importance of a strong, trusting relationship with a trauma‑informed therapist who can guide you through modalities like EMDR, cognitive‑behavioral therapy, somatic techniques and internal family systems.

⏱️ Chapters:

00:00 – Introduction & What Is Trauma?

02:30 – People‑Pleaser Survival Strategies & Complex Trauma

05:45 – Breaking the Pattern & Closing the Loop

09:50 – Trauma Changes the Brain & Neuroplasticity

13:40 – From Shame to Curiosity & Self‑Compassion

16:50 – Trauma Therapy & Treatment Modalities

20:30 – Trauma, Mental Health & Addiction Recovery

24:50 – Self‑Healing Tools: Positive Memories, Movement & Breathing

33:40 – Holding Hope & Moving Forward

❓ Questions the Video Answers:

What is trauma and why does it feel like your body and mind are living in different realities?

How can you tell if you’re having a trauma response or just reacting to current stress?

Why do people‑pleasing and other survival strategies persist long after childhood?

What is the “window of tolerance,” and how can you stay within it?

How does complex trauma affect relationships and make familiar patterns hard to break?

Does trauma really change your brain, and can neuroplasticity help you heal?

How do you shift from shame and self‑blame to curiosity and self‑compassion?

What should you look for in a trauma therapist, and what are the main treatment modalities like EMDR and somatic therapy?

How are trauma, anxiety, depression and addiction interconnected, and what’s the order of operations for healing?

Can healing trauma reduce the symptoms of anxiety, depression or substance‑use disorders?

What are some simple trauma release exercises and somatic practices you can use at home?

How can movement, such as cardio or strength training, help process trauma stored in the body?

What are the best coping strategies for managing trauma triggers in public, like box breathing or the dive technique?

How can you rebuild safe, healthy relationships after childhood trauma?

Is there hope for a better life after complex trauma, and how do you hold onto that hope?

#traumahealing #mentalhealth #addictionrecovery

Is trauma only for combat veterans? Or could it be shaping your life without you even realizing it? In this powerful episode of Recoverable, licensed family therapist Laurel van der Toorn joins Terry to unpack the internet’s most searched questions about trauma — what it is, how it shows up in your body, and how to truly heal.

Find treatment near you: https://recovery.com/condition/trauma/
Learn more about Laurel: https://www.laureltherapy.net/laurel-van-der-toorn

You’ll learn how two people can live through the same event yet have completely different experiences, why trauma isn’t “what happened to you” but what happened inside you, and how to recognize the subtle signs that your past might still be affecting your relationships, sleep, or stress responses.

Laurel breaks down complex psychology into everyday language, explaining concepts like the window of tolerance, PTSD vs. CPTSD, and EMDR therapy — a groundbreaking trauma treatment proven to rewire the brain and restore emotional balance.

If you’ve ever wondered:
👉 “How do I know if I’ve experienced trauma?”
👉 “Can childhood trauma really affect me as an adult?”
👉 “Can trauma actually be healed?”
…this episode is your roadmap.

⏱️ Chapters:
00:00 – Intro: What We Get Wrong About Trauma
01:00 – Why Trauma Is More Common Than We Think
02:30 – What Is Trauma, Really?
04:30 – The Difference Between Hardship and Trauma
06:00 – Who Gets to Define a Traumatic Experience?
08:00 – Why Two People Experience the Same Event Differently
10:00 – How Resilience and Resources Shape Recovery
12:00 – PTSD vs. Complex PTSD Explained
13:00 – How to Know If You Have Trauma
15:00 – Understanding the “Window of Tolerance”
17:00 – Signs and Red Flags of Unhealed Trauma
18:30 – Trauma’s Link to Anxiety, Depression & Addiction
20:00 – The Power of Curiosity in Self-Healing
22:00 – How Childhood Trauma Shapes Adult Relationships
25:00 – Why Old Patterns Reappear When Life Gets Better
27:00 – Inner Child & Internal Family Systems Work
29:00 – Can Trauma Be Healed?
32:00 – EMDR Therapy Explained
38:00 – What an EMDR Session Looks Like
45:00 – Trauma and the Body: Why It Feels Physical
50:00 – A Simple Calming Exercise You Can Use Anytime

❓ Questions the Video Answers:
What exactly is trauma?
How can two people experience the same event but be affected differently?
How do I know if I’ve experienced trauma?
What’s the difference between trauma and a tough life event?
Who decides if something was traumatic?
How does trauma affect the brain and body?
What is the “window of tolerance” and why does it matter?
What are the signs of unhealed trauma in adults?
How does childhood trauma show up in adult relationships?
What’s the difference between PTSD and complex PTSD?
Can trauma cause anxiety, depression, or addiction?
What are the most effective trauma therapies?
How does EMDR therapy work?
Can trauma really be healed — or just managed?
What are simple grounding exercises to calm your body?

#trauma #ptsd #mentalhealth