#164 ADHD & People Pleasing: Why It’s So Hard to Say No Artwork

Navigating Adult ADHD

Education, Support and Coaching for Adults with ADHD.

Combing science backed research and evidence based coaching tools to help you understand and work with your ADHD brain.

With a no BS approach, this Podcast will help you better understand your unique ADHD brain and how you can work with it to feel better, increase your self-confidence, improve your relationships and achieve your goals.

Empowering adults with ADHD to thrive.

**Xena Jones is not a medical professional. This podcast is not a substitute for medical advice.**

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Navigating Adult ADHD

#164 ADHD & People Pleasing: Why It’s So Hard to Say No

May 05, 2026 • Xena Jones • Episode 164

0:00 | 22:47

Are you a people-pleaser… or just terrified of letting people down?

Hi! I’m Xena & I am a recovering people-pleaser.
I cared so much about what other people thought of me & would prioritise the needs & desires of my friends, family or colleagues, above my own.

And by doing this I was telling myself that my needs & what I wanted weren’t as important... Further adding to my insecurities & lack of self-worth.

Overtime I became a chameleon - I didn’t know who I was or what I really liked because I was always going along with everyone else.

People pleasing is a pattern of thinking & doing things that prioritise what other people think over what we think - Sacrificing pleasing yourself in order to please others.

In this episode you'll learn:

Why ADHDers people please
How this pattern of behaviour impacts our ADHD symptoms
How we've got the idea of "people pleasing" all wrong
Where people pleasing comes from in our brain & how to change it

LINKS TO MORE SUPPORT & OTHER GOOD SH*T:

*Join Adulting with ADHD your ADHD toolbox & everything you need to work with your brain

*Get our ADHD Coach in your pocket! + the ADHD Goal Setting Workbook (life planner tool)