Is it ADHD or is it trauma?
In this episode of Organizing an ADHD Brain, Megs sits down with licensed psychotherapist Deserae Kofoed aka “Des” to unpack the fascinating overlap between ADHD symptoms and trauma responses.
Des shares her own surprising journey of suspecting she had ADHD, getting a QEEG brain scan, and discovering the truth about what's actually happening in her nervous system.
Together, they break down the science of the prefrontal cortex and the amygdala, explain what nervous system regulation really means, and dive deep into the difference between "big T" and "little T" trauma.
If you've ever wondered why you're so reactive, why emotional dysregulation shows up alongside ADHD, or how childhood experiences shape your adult coping skills, this conversation offers clarity, compassion, and real tools for healing. This episode is essential listening for anyone navigating ADHD, trauma recovery, nervous system regulation, or perimenopause-related brain fog.
Mentioned in this episode:
- How ADHD vs. trauma show up differently in the brain
- An explanation of nervous system regulation
- The difference between "big T" and "little T" trauma
- Practical, real-life stories of co-regulating with children, breaking cycles of people-pleasing, and building new coping skills that last
Connect with Des:
🌐 Website: https://www.deseraekofoed.com
Resources on ADHD and Executive Function:
00:00 She Thought She Had ADHD but she didn't!
12:31 What is Nervous System Regulation?
22:15 What is Trauma?
24:47 Emotional Disregulation and ADHD
30:13 Big T vs Little T Trauma
33:29 How Older Generations Dealt with Trauma
39:46 Healing Trauma
44:49 Fire Alarm Story
49:46 Coping Skills the Good and Bad
56:39 The Magic of the Parasympathetic Nervous System
58:42 Where to Connect with Des
Website: https://www.organizinganadhdbrain.com/
Blog: https://www.organizinganadhdbrain.com/blog
Events: https://www.organizinganadhdbrain.com/adhd-events
CONNECT
🔗 Instagram: https://www.linkedin.com/in/megscrawford/
🔗 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@Organizing.an.adhd.brain
🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/MegsCrawford
🔗 Pintrest: https://www.pinterest.com/OrganizingAnADHDBrain/
Editing done by Ian Gilliam at Sabr Media LLC: https://www.iangilliam.com/sabr-media-llc
#ADHD #Trauma #NervousSystemRegulation #MentalHealth #Neurodivergent #Perimenopause #EmotionalRegulation #Psychotherapy #SelfRegulation
Share your thoughts with Megs!
Would you like to learn more about hiring Megs as your ADHD coach? Start here> The Perfect Place to Start
The Community is OPEN! Join right here: Organizing an ADHD Brain
You can also learn more about the community HERE> OrganizinganADHDBrain.com
