Dopamine-Seeking Behavior Map

What’s the feeling behind the doing?

The Dopamine-Seeking Behavior Map is a neurodivergent-affirming worksheet designed to help clients explore the function behind impulsive, stimulating, or energy-seeking behaviors such as spending, snacking, scrolling, collecting, or novelty seeking.

Using a simple three-step process, clients are guided to notice the trigger, behavior, and short-term effect; identify the underlying need the behavior may be meeting; and explore alternative responses that honor that need while creating more choice.

Rather than framing dopamine-seeking behaviors as something to eliminate, this resource encourages curiosity, self-understanding, and intentional choice.

Great for exploring:

• ADHD and dopamine-seeking patterns
• Impulsive spending or online shopping
• Scrolling and novelty seeking
• Snacking and sensory seeking
• Executive functioning
• Emotional regulation
• Behavior patterns and unmet needs
• Values-aligned alternatives
• Includes: 2-page printable PDF with examples, behavior-mapping prompts, underlying-needs exploration, and alternative response ideas.