It’s Not Defiance — It’s Stress Overload in the Nervous System #stressresponseinchildren

Added: 2026-05-17

When children with ADHD, neurodivergence, anxiety, or depression exhibit challenging behaviors, these are not intentional acts of defiance but rather symptoms of stress overload in their nervous system; parents should shift from asking 'why won't they do this' to understanding what might be filling up their stress cup, recognizing that these behaviors stem from dysregulation rather than willful disobedience.