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Shame, emotional withdrawal, and burnout can quietly erode our well-being and sense of connection. These experiences often leave people feeling isolated and exhausted, especially those navigating the unique challenges of neurodivergence. Yet, there is a powerful antidote that can help break this cycle: self-compassion. Understanding and practicing self-compassion can transform how we relate to ourselves and others, reducing shame, easing emotional withdrawal, and protecting a

A Series: Understanding the ADHD & OCD Comorbidity by Sarah Jurrens, LPC, LMHC, ADHD-CCSP, CCTP A message for anyone who has lived in the space between chaos and control. If you are reading this and recognizing yourself for the first time, I want you to know this: You are not broken. You are not dramatic. You are not “too much.” You are not imagining the intensity of what you feel. You are living with two disorders that amplify each other in ways most people — including cli

A Series Understanding the ADHD & OCD Comorbidity by Sarah Jurrens, LPC, LMHC, ADHD-CCSP, CCTP Tools that help without triggering shame or rigidity. 1. Create External Structure Without Perfectionism ADHD needs scaffolding. OCD needs flexibility. The goal is to create a “good enough structure” that supports functioning without triggering compulsive rigidity. Examples: visual schedules micro‑tasking body doubling timers with soft endings “good enough” templates These approache

A Series: Understanding the ADHD & OCD Comorbidity by Sarah Jurrens, LPC, LMHC, ADHD-CCSP, CCTP How to support someone whose brain is fighting two battles at once. ❤️ Their Reactions Are Not Personal — They Are Protective When someone with ADHD + OCD freezes, withdraws, or becomes overwhelmed, it is not a rejection of you. It is a neurobiological survival response triggered by executive overload and intrusive threat signals. You may shrink away from others even when you need