Episode 267: Clinician's Corner - Can Handle a Crisis, Can't Sit Still

In this month's Clinician's Corner, Molly and Clarissa take a deep dive into the fix response—a lesser-named but incredibly common nervous-system survival strategy that shows up as over-functioning, urgency, problem-solving, and "doing something" to make discomfort go away.

This episode explores why fixing isn't a personality flaw, control issue, or codependency—but a biologically wired, trauma-informed self-preservation response that once helped keep us safe.

Together, we unpack how the fix response shows up in food addiction recovery, relationships, work, parenting, and even helping professions—and why it so often leads to burnout, resentment, and cycles of shame when left unexamined.

In this episode, we discuss:

• What the fix response is (and what it's not)
• Why fixing feels regulating in the moment, but often backfires long-term
• How fixing differs from healthy problem-solving
• Common fix patterns in food addiction recovery (constant plan changes, "starting fresh Monday," adding rules after lapses)
• Over-functioning, hyper-responsibility, and lawn-mowing other people's problems
• Why fixers struggle with rest, delegation, and asking for help
• How ADHD, dopamine, urgency, and novelty-seeking intersect with fixing
• The developmental and trauma roots of the fix response
• How fixing pairs with fawn, hyper-independence, and people-pleasing
• Why optimization culture and biohacking can reinforce dysregulation
• The cost of living in constant "fix mode"—burnout, resentment, disconnection, and relapse risk
• How to recognize fix mode in the body (jaw clenching, shallow breath, tight chest, restless urgency)
• Why the goal isn't to eliminate fixing—but to update it
• How to build awareness, pause, discern responsibility, and bring choice back online

This conversation is especially relevant for clinicians, coaches, caregivers, helpers, parents, and anyone in recovery who feels exhausted from always being the one who "handles things."

📺 Watch on YouTube and please subscribe—it helps us reach more people who need this conversation. 📩 Have a topic you want us to cover? Email us at foodjunkiespodcast@gmail.com

The content of our show is educational only. It does not supplement or supersede your healthcare provider's professional relationship and direction. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified mental health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, substance use disorder, or mental health concern.