Episode 274: The Day My Nervous System Chose Violence (Internally) - Patricia Young

Patricia Young (she/her) explores what happens when big feelings meet medication changes, OCD spirals, and unmet needs. Through a vulnerable personal story about adjusting OCD medication, asking for support, and reacting more intensely than expected, Patricia reflects on autism, relational OCD, RSD, and trauma responses. She also discusses how to hold grief and joy at the same time, how to create meaning when life is profoundly unfair, and why it’s okay to share joy without making yourself smaller. This episode is a compassionate reminder that awareness, baseline tracking, and self-permission are key tools for sensitive and neurodivergent people navigating relationships, mental health, and change.

WHAT YOU’LL HEAR IN THIS EPISODE

Big reactions aren’t character flaws — they’re often signals, especially for autistic and OCD brains
Medication changes can remove protective buffers, even when life circumstances are stable
Asking for what you want can activate PDA, RSD, and old relational wounds
OCD often pulls in “evidence” and tallying to justify emotional pain
Feeling justified doesn’t mean the story is accurate — it means the feelings are loud
You can manage your behavior externally while still experiencing internal emotional chaos
Walking, movement, and problem-solving can help — but they don’t erase vulnerability
A “hard day” doesn’t mean failure — it means data
Knowing your emotional baseline is critical when adjusting meds
It’s okay to decide that you don’t want more days like that
You don’t have to accept injustice to learn how to live alongside it
Two truths can exist at the same time: devastation and joy
Therapy and coaching work best when clients feel safe giving feedback
Neurodivergent-affirming practitioners change the entire therapeutic experience
You don’t have to make yourself small to protect others from discomfort

SOUND BITES

“It wasn’t about the coffee — it was about how big everything felt in my body.”
“The bigger my feelings got, the more justification my brain wanted.”
“This hasn’t been my baseline — and that matters.”
“I don’t think this is something you ever ‘accept,’ but you can still create meaning.”
“I don’t want to live a life where I write people off when I’m overwhelmed.”

SENSITIVITY IS NOTHING TO APOLOGIZE FOR; IT’S HOW YOUR BRAIN IS WIRED

You are not broken. You were shaped by systems that weren’t built for you. You deserve rest, joy, and support exactly as you are.

CHAPTERS (PLEASE ALLOW FOR ADDITION OF INTRO)

00:00 Navigating Big Feelings and Reactions

21:13 Creating Meaning Amidst Unfairness

34:21 Embracing Joy and New Experiences

PODCAST HOST

Patricia Young (she/her) was a Licensed Clinical Social Worker for over 17 years, but she is now exclusively providing coaching. She knows what it’s like to feel like an outcast, misfit, and truthteller. Learning about the trait of being a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP), then learning she is AuDHD with a PDA profile, OCD and RSD, helped Patricia rewrite her history with a deeper understanding, appreciation, and a sense of self-compassion. She created the podcasts Unapologetically Sensitive and Unapologetically AuDHD to help other neurodivergent folks know that they aren’t alone, and that having a brain that is wired differently comes with amazing gifts, and some challenges. Patricia works online globally working individually with people, and she teaches Online Courses for neurodivergent folks that focus on understanding what it means to be a sensitive neurodivergent. Topics covered include: self-care, self-compassion, boundaries, perfectionism, mindfulness, communication, and creating a lifestyle that honors you

Patricia’s website, podcast episodes and more: www.unapologeticallysensitive.com

WHAT YOU’LL HEAR IN THIS EPISODE

SOUND BITES

SENSITIVITY IS NOTHING TO APOLOGIZE FOR; IT’S HOW YOUR BRAIN IS WIRED

CHAPTERS (PLEASE ALLOW FOR ADDITION OF INTRO)

PODCAST HOST

LINKS