Dr. Gabor Maté: The Shocking Link Between ADHD, Addiction, Autoimmune Diseases, & Trauma

ℹ️ EPISODE INFO

Released

November 21, 2024

Duration

1h 3m

Channel

The Mel Robbins Podcast

Watch on YouTube

▶ Open ↗

📝 EPISODE DESCRIPTION

Order your copy of The Let Them Theory 👉 https://melrob.co/let-them-theory 👈 The #1 Best Selling Book of 2025 🔥 Discover how much power you truly have. It all begins with two simple words. Let Them. — Today, Mel’s dream guest joins her in the Boston studios: Dr. Gabor Maté, MD. Dr. Maté is a world-renowned trauma expert, and shares things today unlike he has ever shared before. This wide-ranging conversation covers ADHD, autoimmune diseases, anxiety, addiction, people pleasing, and trauma. Dr. Maté will take you on a deep dive into how your early life experiences can shape the way you feel and function today, both mentally and physically. This episode is about unlocking real healing and finding hope. Dr. Maté’s compassionate insights will show you how understanding your past can free you to make healthier choices right now. You’re about to discover powerful, science-backed ways to understand and care for yourself in ways you never have before. So, whether you’re on this journey for yourself or to help someone you love, this episode is for you. Get Dr. Maté’s book The Myth of Normal: https://drgabormate.com/book/the-myth-of-normal/ For more resources related to today’s episode, click here for the podcast episode page: http://www.melrobbins.com/podcasts/episode-235 Follow The Mel Robbins Podcast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themelrobbinspodcast I’m just your friend. I am not a licensed therapist, and this podcast is NOT intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician, professional coach, psychotherapist, or other qualified professional. Got it? Good. I’ll see you in the next episode. In this episode: 0:00 Introduction 2:24 What world-renowned trauma expert, Dr. Gabor Maté, says about your childhood 5:56 The shocking things that are impacting every child’s brain development 10:22 Do you feel constantly stressed? Well, it’s rewiring your brain 14:22 Do you have a “sensitive kid” in your life? 18:40 So what’s actually happening when your kids act out? 20:12 Mel’s ADHD revelation at 46 that changed her life 23:36 Everything you thought you knew about addiction is wrong, here’s why 26:02 Turns out the attempt to escape from pain is what creates more pain 32:40 Healing requires help! You don’t have to do it alone 38:40 Maté shares his own struggles with addiction, and what you can do to break the cycle 43:48 The 4 shocking traits driving autoimmune disorders in women 48:50 When was the last time you felt truly connected to yourself? 53:07 The 6 questions to ask yourself if you have a hard time saying “no” 59:53 You can heal! The actionable steps you need to take for lasting change — Follow Mel: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melrobbins/ TikTok: http://tiktok.com/@melrobbins Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melrobbins LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melrobbins Website: http://melrobbins.com​ — Sign up for Mel’s newsletter: https://melrob.co/sign-up-newsletter A note from Mel to you, twice a week, sharing simple, practical ways to build the life you want. — Subscribe to Mel’s channel here: https://www.youtube.com/melrobbins​?sub_confirmation=1 — Listen to The Mel Robbins Podcast 🎧 New episodes drop every Monday & Thursday! https://melrob.co/spotify https://melrob.co/applepodcasts https://melrob.co/amazonmusic — Looking for Mel’s books on Amazon? Find them here: The Let Them Theory: https://amzn.to/3IQ21Oe The Let Them Theory Audiobook: https://amzn.to/413SObp The High 5 Habit: https://amzn.to/3fMvfPQ The 5 Second Rule: https://amzn.to/4l54fah

🎤 SPEAKERS

• Mel Robbins

  host

• Dr. Gabor Maté

  guest

🧾 EPISODE SUMMARY

In this episode of The Mel Robbins Podcast, featuring Mel Robbins and Dr. Gabor Maté, Dr. Gabor Maté: The Shocking Link Between ADHD, Addiction, Autoimmune Diseases, & Trauma explores how Childhood Stress Hardwires ADHD, Addiction, Autoimmunity—and How To Heal Dr. Gabor Maté explains that conditions like ADHD, addiction, and many autoimmune diseases are not fixed genetic defects but adaptations to early-life stress and trauma. He argues that the developing brain is a social organ shaped by emotional environments from the womb onward, especially in sensitive children. ADHD traits (tuning out, poor impulse control, hyperactivity) and addictions are framed as coping mechanisms for unprocessed pain, not standalone diseases, while people‑pleasing and repressed anger are linked to autoimmune illness, particularly in women. Throughout, he emphasizes that understanding these roots reduces shame and opens pathways to healing by changing environments, relationships, and internal patterns rather than relying solely on medication or labels.

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