Episode
E 354: Tammy's Takes #37: Why Trauma Hijacks Your Attention (And How to Reclaim It)
- Podcast
- Adult Child of Dysfunction
- Published
- Aug 4, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 604
- Processing state
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Summary
Have you ever wondered why your mind won't slow down? Why you replay conversations... Doom scroll... Jump from one task to another... Or constantly worry about what might happen next? What if your attention isn't broken at all? In this week's Tammy's Takes , Tammy Vincent builds on her conversation with Kira Shishkin , CEO of Informed Now , to explore a deeper question: What is your attention trying to protect you from? While Kira introduces the idea of an Attention Audit , Tammy expands on the concept by showing how our attention often follows old survival patterns created in childhood. If you grew up in a dysfunctional home, your nervous system may have learned to constantly scan for danger, criticism, rejection, or conflict. Those patterns don't simply disappear when we become adults—they often continue directing our attention without us even realizing it. In this episode, you'll discover: • Why attention is actually information from your nervous system • How childhood trauma shapes where your focus naturally goes • The connection between hypervigilance and distraction • Why overthinking is often a survival strategy—not a personal weakness • How to recognize the hidden patterns behind your attention • Tammy's original Attention Breadcrumb Exercise to uncover where those patterns began • Practical steps to begin rebuilding self-trust and retraining your nervous system If you've ever felt frustrated with your inability to focus, stay present, or quiet your mind, this episode will help you look beyond the symptom and begin understanding the story your attention has been trying to tell. Mentioned in this Episode Kira Shishkin, CEO of Informed Now Learn more: LinkedIn: https://l.informed.now/kira TikTok: https://l.informed.now/tiktok Facebook: https://l.informed.now/fb I…