E278: How ADHD Women Are Vulnerable to Toxic Partners

E278: How ADHD Women Are Vulnerable to Toxic Partners

Author: Patricia Sung | ADHD Coach for Moms with ADHD November 20, 2025 Duration: 20:42

Ever wonder why so many women with ADHD end up in relationships that drain them? You're not alone -- and it's not a coincidence.

After hosting another magical ADHD moms' retreat, I couldn't shake the conversations we had around partners -- some amazing, others... deeply painful. In this episode, I'm sharing the patterns I've seen over and over: women with ADHD stuck in emotionally abusive relationships, often with narcissistic partners. And honestly, it makes me furious.

We're digging into why this happens, how low self-esteem and a lifetime of gaslighting make us vulnerable, and how abusers prey on our empathy and longing for stability. I'm not a narcissism expert (yet), but I've got a stack of library books and a brain buzzing with questions. If you've ever doubted your gut or felt like your relationship was slowly chipping away at your sense of self, this one's for you.

Plus, I give a life and book update, talk about the whirlwind of writing with ADHD, and how I'm navigating deadlines, stomach flu, identity theft, and everything in between.

Want to be part of the book's beta reading team? Sign up at patriciasung.com/book

Add your name to the 2026 Retreat Waitlist: https://www.patriciasung.com/retreat-waitlist

Feeling overwhelmed? Grab my free reset video at patriciasung.com/calm

Big hugs, Successful Mama. You're not crazy – and you're not alone either.

Find links to everything mentioned in this episode & read the transcript here: https://www.patriciasung.com/podcast/episode-278-adhd-women-and-narcissists

Looking for support on how to treat your ADHD beyond medicine? Grab my free list of strategies and ADHD treatments at patriciasung.com/beyond-meds


Ever feel like you're running a marathon with no finish line in sight, while everyone else seems to be on a leisurely stroll? That mental clutter, the constant search for your keys, the guilt over forgotten appointments-it's not a personal failing. It's often the lived experience of motherhood when you're also navigating adult ADHD. Motherhood in ADHD is a space created specifically for that reality. Hosted by Patricia Sung, an ADHD coach who gets it because she lives it, this podcast digs into the intersection of a neurodivergent brain and the demands of raising a family. You'll find conversations that move beyond simple tips, offering brain-based science and practical strategies tailored for moms whose minds work differently. Episodes explore how to structure your days in a way that works with your ADHD, not against it, and rethink parenting approaches to reduce overwhelm for both you and your kids. It’s about education that leads to self-compassion, replacing shame with understanding. Tune in for honest talk about productivity that actually sticks, managing mental health, and building systems that acknowledge your unique wiring. This is more than just a podcast; it’s a companion for redefining what success looks like in your home and in your mind, helping you move from barely coping to truly thriving.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Motherhood in ADHD – Parenting with ADHD, Productivity Tips, Brain based Science, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Education to Help Moms with Adult ADHD
Podcast Episodes
E267: Constantly Feel Like You're Behind? 4 Reasons Why [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:45
What "should" you have done already? Finish your degree? Pass your driver's license test? Make that doctor's appt? Left the house for school pickup? If you're constantly thinking "I'm behind!", this episode is for you. O…
E266: No Perfect Plan: Letting Good Enough Be Good Enough [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:24
But I want to do everything... well. Ever find yourself trying so hard to get it just right… only to realize that you're missing the whole point?!? This week, I'm sharing some very real behind-the-scenes of my life right…
E265: How Do You Keep Up with Everything as a Mom with ADHD? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:31
How do moms do ALL.THE.THINGS in a methodical, consistent manner? My client asked me this earlier this month. She wanted to see how someone else "does it all" in order to get a better grasp on what it looks like. Plus sh…
E264: 5 ADHD Hacks that Make Mom Life Easier [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:14
Today's episode is inspired by a friend's surprise at how many ADHD-friendly hacks I use on a daily basis throughout my home. You have enough to do as a mom. You don't need to reinvent the wheel on problems you've alread…
E262: How to Ask for Help When You Have ADHD [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:04
How can you ask for help? When you have ADHD, you may not ask for help. Maybe you feel like you have to figure it out on your own. You may not want others to know you're struggling or working this hard to keep up. Or may…
E261: What If Everyone Hates Me? Book Update #3 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:11
What if everyone hates me? What if no one reads my book? No one told me that writing a book came with an existential crisis. Wrestling with how to write the book that moms need, while also showing up fully as myself, and…
E260: Are You Lazy and Procrastinating or Prioritizing for Later? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:39
HOT TAKE: I don't believe people with ADHD are lazy. There is a reason that they don't want to or can't do the thing, and when you untangle that obstacle, voila! It's easier to get things done. How do you know the differ…
E259: Juggling Big Goals and Parenting with ADHD: Book Update #2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:37
Ditch the quest for Pinterest perfection and actually get stuff done. In this episode, I'm getting real about how my book proposal is going amidst juggling the whirlwind of parenting and work projects. The highs and lows…
E258: Reset After a Meltdown or Total Shutdown [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:30
When you're hiding in the bathroom in a puddle of tears on the floor, what do you do next? When you've yelled at your family and said things you regret during a grownup temper tantrum and wish you could hide under a rock…