The ADHD Channel for Women

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Latest Episodes:

ADHD and: Social anxiety Dec 31, 2024

Show notes

Have you ever spent hours getting ready for a social event, only to feel that same knot of anxiety when it’s time to go? Or maybe you avoid social events altogether, worried you’ll say the wrong thing.

For some women, juggling ADHD and social anxiety can feel like an ongoing fight. In this episode, Dr. Monica Johnson dives into the connection between ADHD and social anxiety. Watch as she breaks down ways ADHD can make social situations overwhelming. And get tips on how to better manage social interactions.

Related resources

Timestamps

(01:11) What is social anxiety disorder?

(04:28) What does research say about ADHD and social anxiety?

(07:22) Strategies for managing social anxiety

To get a transcript and check out more episodes, visit the MissUnderstood channel at Understood.

We love to hear from our listeners. Email us at podcast@understood.org.

As kids head back to school, it's a good time to remember: not every student experiences the classroom the same way. Through My Eyes, a free interactive experience from Understood, lets you step into a day in the life of a kid with ADHD, dyslexia, or dyscalculia. See their strengths and challenges in a whole new way. Try it out here.

Understood is a nonprofit where millions of people who are navigating neurodivergence find clear guidance, practical tools, and people who get it. To help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give.

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ADHD, addiction, recovery — a yogi’s story | Hyperfocus Dec 26, 2024

Show notes

If you have ADHD, the science says you’re much more likely to have a substance use disorder in your life than someone who’s neurotypical.

ADHD brains often lack dopamine. Drugs and alcohol can provide a hit of dopamine, albeit a temporary one. That’s why it’s so common for people with untreated ADHD to self-medicate.

Elaine O’Brien used to fit that ADHD archetype to a tee. Eventually, though, she entered recovery and also started practicing Ashtanga yoga, a style that she describes as “very rigorous and very codified.”

She fell for the physicality of the practice and the routine it demands. “It got me in my body and I started to feel good,” she says. “I really started to feel good.”

For years, Elaine had struggled with substance issues and untreated ADHD. She’s been in recovery for almost two decades but recently began to wonder if the ADHD diagnosis she’d rejected in high school might actually be right.

How did her journey take this path? Listen to this week’s Hyperfocus episode to find out.

Related resources

Timestamps

(3:04) Elaine’s diagnosis story

(7:09) ADHD and substance use

(13:52) Exercise and sobriety

(19:28) “Isn’t your job to help people calm down?”

To get a transcript of this show and check out more episodes, visit the Hyperfocus podcast page at Understood.org

We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at hyperfocus@understood.org.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

When life throws you off your routine | Tips from an ADHD Coach Dec 24, 2024

Show notes

People with ADHD can benefit from having routines and systems that help them cope. But, what happens when life comes into play and throws that routine off?

This week on Tips from an ADHD Coach, Jaye talks about what can happen when we get thrown off our game by special life circumstances like getting sick or moving. Listen for some tips that can help get you back on track.

Related resources

ADHD and hormones (Cate Osborn’s story)

Timestamps

(00:51) Cate’s quote

(02:39) ADHD and hormones

(03:58) “Exception moments,” or temporary states when our life is a bit different than usual

(06:15) How can we help ourselves during these periods?

(11:29) Recap

For a transcript and more resources, visit the MissUnderstood page on Understood.org

Have a challenge you’d like Jaye to talk about in an episode? Email or send a voice memo to us at adhdcoachtips@understood.org.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Reddit reactions — ADHD and romantic relationships! | Sorry, I Missed This Dec 19, 2024

Show notes

Have you ever been called a “manic pixie dream girl” by someone you were dating? Is it hard to remember your partner when they’re not with you? ADHD can bring its own set of challenges to dating, and romantic relationships.

Producer Margie visits the podcast to share what she’s found on the ADHD Women subreddit, where women with ADHD ask questions and share their challenges and wins. Listen for Cate’s reactions and a chat about common romantic dilemmas for women with ADHD!

Related resources

Timestamps

(00:00) Women with ADHD communities, and common dating tropes

(03:46) Post #1 “I was too much for him”

(06:37) Post #2 “I did 12 loads of laundry to avoid writing a dating profile”

(11:56) Post #3 “Anyone else chronically feel like they’re not in a place where they’re ready to date?”

(16:27) Post #4 “Having ADHD as a woman and still having to carry the mental load”

(22:20) Post #5 “The ADHD struggle of falling in love after every good date”

(27:04) Post #6 “Does anyone else struggle with accidentally ignoring their partner or friends?”

(34:28) Talking about what gives us shame helps everyone

For a transcript and more resources, visit the Sorry, I Missed This page on Understood.org

We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at sorryimissedthis@understood.org.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

ADHD and: Depression Dec 17, 2024

Show notes

Many women with ADHD face the constant struggle of ADHD combined with depression. It’s a battle that affects every part of their lives. And the weight of these challenges often leaves them feeling drained and discouraged.

In this episode, Dr. Monica Johnson breaks down the connection between ADHD and depression. Listen as she explains how ADHD symptoms might be misinterpreted as depression. And learn ways to manage struggles with depression.

Related resources

Timestamps

(01:33) Common symptoms of ADHD and depression

(06:36) How ADHD and depression affect each other

(09:03) Ways to manage ADHD and depression

To get a transcript and check out more episodes, visit the MissUnderstood channel at Understood.

We love to hear from our listeners. Email us at podcast@understood.org.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The “devastating” findings of a decades-long ADHD study | Hyperfocus Dec 12, 2024

Show notes

Editor's note: This episode includes discussion of suicide and self-harm. Please take care when listening and skip this one if you need to.

Dr. Stephen Hinshaw is one of the leading voices when it comes to ADHD in women and girls.

That’s in large part due to his work on The Berkeley Girls Study. (Its full name is The Berkeley Girls with ADHD Longitudinal Study, but most people know it by that shorthand or acronym: The BGALs Study.)

Under Steve’s leadership, researchers began studying 140 girls with ADHD and a control group of nearly 90 girls without it. They’ve been following these girls into their adulthood, producing a reams of information that has helped shape current understanding of ADHD in women and girls.

That said, Rae Jacobson had plenty of questions for Steve: Why did you want to study ADHD in girls at a time when it was typically seen as a boys’ disorder? Why is it that one type of ADHD seems to lead to such negative outcomes? What do we do about the stigma that still surrounds the disorder?

Related resources

Timestamps

(2:20) The beginnings of The Berkeley Girls study

(4:26) Combined-type ADHD and negative outcomes

(9:18) Self-esteem, ADHD, and girlhood

(16:20) ADHD as a “trend”

(20:40) What to do about ADHD stigma

To get a transcript of this show and check out more episodes, visit the Hyperfocus podcast page at Understood.org

We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at hyperfocus@understood.org.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The myth of ADHD laziness | Tips from an ADHD Coach Dec 10, 2024

Show notes

Do you wait until the last minute to write a paper, or complete something until it absolutely has to be done? Do you find it almost impossible to start any sooner? Does it make you feel guilty?

This week on Tips from an ADHD Coach, Jaye talks about how the pressure and shame that comes with waiting until the last minute can push us across the finish line… until it doesn’t. Listen for some tips that can help.

Related resources

Timestamps

(00:43) Rebecca’s quote

(02:22) Using pressure and shame to motivate ourselves

(08:30) What can we do instead?

(11:22) Recap

For a transcript and more resources, visit the MissUnderstood page on Understood.org

Have a challenge you’d like Jaye to talk about in an episode? Email or send a voice memo to us at adhdcoachtips@understood.org

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Oh, Baby! It’s an ADHD pregnancy! | Sorry, I Missed This Dec 05, 2024

Show notes

ADHD can impact pregnancy in a number of ways: Higher rate of postpartum depression, hormone surges that affect the brain’s functioning, increased demands on our executive function, and so much more.

Our guest this week, Dusty Chipura, is an ADHD and pregnancy expert, ADHD coach, and doula in training. Dusty takes us through pregnancy with ADHD, what you might expect, and what conversations are important to have with your support network ahead of welcoming a baby.

Related resources

A guide to hormones and ADHD
ADHD and pregnancy workbook by Alix Bacon and Dusty Chipura
Dusty’s website, vancouveradhdcoaching.com

Timestamps

(01:27) Some ways ADHD affects pregnancy

(02:25) How did Dusty become an expert in ADHD and pregnancy?

(04:21) First trimester/early pregnancy and ADHD

(05:57) Sensory sensitivities and pregnancy

(08:44) Second trimester

(13:23) What conversations should we be having with our support system during this time?

(17:20) Third trimester

(20:04) What happens after the baby is born?

(22:33) ADHD and the postpartum period

(25:55) Best practices and tools

(28:41) Dusty’s top tips

(30:35) Dealing with parental guilt

(31:59) Where you can find Dusty

For a transcript and more resources visit the Sorry, I Missed This page on Understood.org

We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at sorryimissedthis@understood.org.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

ADHD and: The holiday hustle Dec 03, 2024

Show notes

Many women feel pressure to create the “perfect” holiday season. From decorating and hosting to gift-giving, all while staying cheerful and calm. But for some women with ADHD, these expectations can make the holidays feel more stressful than joyful.

In this episode, Dr. Monica Johnson shares how common ADHD symptoms like trouble focusing and managing time can make the holidays feel overwhelming. Hear why some women have a hard time managing tasks and their emotions during what should be a season filled with joy. And learn practical ways to tackle holiday stress.

Related resources

Timestamps

(00:33) How holiday pressures affect women with ADHD

(01:09) What holiday stress can look like in women

(02:10) Ways having ADHD can impact holiday stress

(03:04) How sensory overload plays a role

(04:48) Effective strategies for reducing holiday stress

To get a transcript and check out more episodes, visit the MissUnderstood channel at Understood.

We love to hear from our listeners. Email us at podcast@understood.org.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Neurodiversity initiatives — Branded lip service or real progress? | Hyperfocus Nov 28, 2024

Show notes

At work, neurodivergent people face a bunch of different hurdles — stigma, burnout, firings, higher unemployment rates, and more.

In recent years, all kinds of businesses have begun various types of neurodiversity initiatives. On the surface, these initiatives are supposed to foster inclusion and make working better for everyone.

But host Rae Jacobson wondered: Do these initiatives actually do anything, or are they just good marketing?

She put the question to Rachel Lowenstein, a brand consultant and content creator whose job involves working with business leaders to make workplaces more inclusive.

Rachel explains how these efforts can create positive change and aren’t just neurowashing (think greenwashing, but for neurodiversity inclusion). And she also shares why these efforts are personal for her as a woman with autism.

Related resources

Timestamps

(4:11) How to make people relate to neurodiversity

(11:18) The curb-cut effect: What helps me can help everyone

(14:50) What does a neuroinclusive retail job look like?

(20:39) Why a larger community is a stronger one

To get a transcript of this show and check out more episodes, visit the Hyperfocus podcast page at Understood.org

We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at hyperfocus@understood.org.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.