MissUnderstood: The ADHD in Women Channel

Join health and science journalist Danielle Elliot as she investigates the rise of women recently diagnosed with ADHD. Listen to Climbing the Walls now.In honor of Mother’s Day weekend, we’re sharing an episode of our sibling podcast from Understood.org, ADHD Aha! The episode features our very own Rae Jacobson and, appropriately, it’s a conversation about motherhood. More specifically, it’s about being a mom (and a woman) with ADHD. Hope you enjoy, and see you in two weeks.  What makes being a mom with ADHD so hard? Navigating executive functions and emotional labor, for one. And feeling burned out when burnout isn’t an option — because there’s always something else that needs your very limited attention!Talking about it with someone who just “gets it” is such a relief. In this episode, Laura talks to her friend and colleague Rae Jacobson, also a mom with ADHD. Listen to their conversation and insights on this bonus Mother’s Day episode.Related resourcesRolling with my ADHD Mom BrainBuilding self-compassion skills3 things I’m learning as a new mom with ADHDTo get a transcript of this show and check out more episodes, visit the ADHD Aha! podcast page at Understood.We’d love to hear from you. Email us at hyperfocus@understood.org. Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give

Have you had a bad experience talking about your ADHD with friends or family? Or, are you worried about sharing your ADHD diagnosis with friends and family, out of fear of how they would react? This week on Tips from an ADHD Coach, Jaye talks about sharing our ADHD diagnoses with the people we love and what we can do to make those conversations go better. Related resourcesWhat to do when someone doubts your ADHD diagnosisI’m letting go of the shame I felt about my ADHD and learning disabilitiesTimestamps(00:42) Kirby’s quote(02:51) Unfortunately, it’s common to have a bad experience when sharing that you have ADHD(05:36) Questions to ask yourself before having this conversation(06:59) Setting time aside for this conversation, or asking for their full attention, not just a passing chat(07:58) Front-loading our expectations for their response(12:06) Work through the raw emotions of a diagnosis before having these conversations by doing some practice runs(13:13) You don’t have to share your ADHD with someone if you don’t think they’ll respond well(15:00) RecapFor a transcript and more resources, visit the Tips from an ADHD Coach show page on Understood.org. We love hearing from our listeners! Email us at adhdcoachtips@understood.org. Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give

Join health and science journalist Danielle Elliot as she investigates the rise of women recently diagnosed with ADHD. Listen to Climbing the Walls now.ADHD and kink might seem like an unexpected pairing, but for a lot of people, they go hand in hand. From rituals that help with focus to play that taps into the need for stimulation, BDSM can be more than just fun — it can be a real tool for regulation and connection.In this episode, host Cate Osborn chats with author and forensic sexologist Stefani Goerlich about how BDSM can actually support ADHD brains by offering structure, sensory input, and clear communication. Related resourcesStefani’s website, stefanigeorlich.comStefani’s booksTimestamps(02:46) The broad umbrella of ‘kink’(04:16) Focusing on BDSM in particular, and breaking down the acronym(08:38) Kink is always relational, only sometimes sexual(09:48) Why might someone gravitate towards kink/BDSM?(12:30) Common kink myths(15:44) Power exchange, and consent as foreplay(16:32) The benefits of BDSM/kink(18:24) How kink can help with claiming agency(21:10) How negotiated arrangements can take some of the strain off executive function challenges(23:39) What to do when one partner is kinky, and one is not so muchFor a transcript and more resources, visit the Sorry, I Missed This show page on Understood.org. We love hearing from our listeners! Email us at sorryimissedthis@understood.org. Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give

Join health and science journalist Danielle Elliot as she investigates the rise of women recently diagnosed with ADHD. Listen to Climbing the Walls now.For women with ADHD, asking for help can feel really hard, even when they need it. The pressures to be perfect and the fears of being judged can make staying quiet feel much easier. But reaching out can open the door to real support and relief.Listen as Dr. J breaks down why asking for help is especially tough for women with ADHD. Then get her advice for ways to break the cycle, get the support you need, and how to feel less alone in the process. Related resourcesADHD and: The fear of failureHow ADHD can affect your mental healthMissUnderstood: The ADHD in Women ChannelTimestamps(00:42) Why asking for help is a challenge for women with ADHD(02:58) Strategies for asking for helpWe love hearing from our listeners! Email us at podcast@understood.org.For a transcript and more resources, visit the episode page on Understood.org. Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give

Have you changed careers or academic interests multiple times in your life? Do you find yourself thinking this next job is going to be the one that sticks, only to discover that you’re just as unhappy and unfulfilled in that role as all of the others before?This week on Tips from an ADHD Coach, Jaye talks about how ADHD can nudge many of us to jump from job to job, and career to career. Related resourcesADHD burnout5 ways ADHD can affect you at workTimestamps(00:42) Taylor’s quote(02:45) Why ADHDers might have a long list of past college majors and jobs(05:57) The burnout to quitting cycle(08:58) What can we do about this?(12:57) RecapFor a transcript and more resources, visit the Tips from an ADHD Coach show page on Understood.org. We love hearing from our listeners! Email us at adhdcoachtips@understood.org. Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give

Join health and science journalist Danielle Elliot as she investigates the rise of women recently diagnosed with ADHD. Listen to Climbing the Walls now.In theory, online dating can feel like an easy, low-stakes solution to meeting people. But in practice, there are a few pitfalls that many fall into. With ADHD, dating apps can pose even more challenges and be an additional drag on your attention. Clinical Psychologist Dr. Shauna Pollard visits the show to talk about what she’s noticed while working with ADHDers on online dating. Join this conversation on the dopamine chase that can happen while using dating apps, and setting boundaries with yourself. Related resourcesDr. Pollard’s websiteA dating coach talks ADHD and super-connectingADHD and emotionsTimestamps(01:58) ADHD and online dating challenges(09:17) Hyperfocusing on dating, and how to slow down(11:41) “Marketing yourself” on online dating, and how to show the whole picture of who you are(14:01) Figure out your “filter” for online matches, and include offline dating in addition to online(17:03) Snap judgements, biases, and discrimination(19:02) Feeling overwhelmed? Do what feels best for you(20:02) ADHD disclosure on dating profiles(22:42) Best practices for ADHDers to build meaningful relationshipsFor 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. Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give

Join health and science journalist Danielle Elliot as she investigates the rise of women recently diagnosed with ADHD. Listen to Climbing the Walls now.Many women with ADHD get stuck in a never-ending cycle of burnout. Trying to manage work, family, and social commitments can feel overwhelming, leaving them tired and unable to keep up. This stress can make everyday tasks seem even more difficult and lead to feelings of frustration.In this episode, Dr. J explains what burnout is and the ways it can appear in daily life. Listen as she breaks down the impact it can have on women with ADHD. Plus, get practical tips for recognizing early signs of burnout and how to stop it before it gets worse.Related resourcesADHD burnoutHow ADHD can affect your mental healthMental load: The invisible weight women with ADHD carryTimestamps(00:50) What is burnout?(01:33) How ADHD impacts burnoutFor a transcript and more resources, visit our episode page on Understood.org. We love hearing from our listeners! Email us at podcast@understood.org. Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give

Join health and science journalist Danielle Elliot as she investigates the rise of women recently diagnosed with ADHD. Listen to Climbing the Walls now.If you follow ADHD news, you might’ve heard that diagnosis rates in women nearly doubled during the pandemic. Danielle Elliot was one of them, receiving her diagnosis just before she turned 37.Danielle is also a science and health journalist. So, she did the thing that many reporters are inclined to do — she began investigating this big, new thing in her life and how it fit into the world around her.As she dug in deeper, she landed on two big questions relating to the pandemic diagnosis boom: Why women? And why now? Her answers culminated in a new podcast from Understood.org called Climbing the Walls. It’s a six-episode series, and the first installment is out now.This week on Hyperfocus, Danielle visits the show to talk about her ADHD experience and what it’s like reporting a story where you’re one of the characters.Related resourcesListen to Climbing the WallsI’m a journalist with ADHD. Here’s how I get it done.ADHD and womenTimestamps(1:25) The origins of Danielle’s story (7:50) Surprises during the reporting process(12:05) What it felt like to get a diagnosis (22:14) Danielle’s big takeaways from making the showFor a transcript and more resources, visit the Hyperfocus page on Understood.We’d love to hear from you. Email us at hyperfocus@understood.org. Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give

Join health and science journalist Danielle Elliot as she investigates the rise of women recently diagnosed with ADHD. Listen to Climbing the Walls now.Many people with ADHD, especially women, consider themselves people pleasers. It can become a habit to start putting others first without thinking, even when it goes against what we really want. This can lead to some resentment down the line. This week on Tips from an ADHD Coach, Jaye talks about how pleasing others all the time can turn from selfless into self-serving. Listen for tips on what to do if we’ve spent our whole lives trying to please others at a cost to ourselves. Related resourcesADHD and rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD)Setting boundaries in relationships with ADHDCore values exerciseTimestamps(00:39) Laura’s quote(03:08) ADHD and people pleasing(07:49) When people pleasing changes from selfless to self-serving(10:37) What can we do?(13:25) Recap For a transcript and more resources, visit the Tips from an ADHD Coach show page on Understood.org. We love hearing from our listeners! Email us at adhdcoachtips@understood.org. Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give

Join health and science journalist Danielle Elliot as she investigates the rise of women recently diagnosed with ADHD. Listen to Climbing the Walls now.Are ADHD and cheating related? What about weaponized incompetence and ADHD? These are a few questions that surround the ADHD community.Producer Margie visits the podcast for another round of ‘Reddit reactions’ with more posts from the ADHD women subreddit. Listen for host Cate Osborn’s reactions on a few different scenarios related to cheating and weaponized incompetence.Related resourcesThe National Domestic Violence HotlineThe ADHD Women subredditADHD support for Women by Understood.org’s Facebook groupTimestamps(02:00) Post #1 “ADHD and cheating/Adrenaline and dopamine”(09:24) Post #2 “Narcissist cheater and ADHD”(15:30) Post #3 “Does anyone else sometimes identify with those ‘weaponized incompetence’ guys you hear about?”(21:22) Post #4 “I’m so tired of trying to compensate for myself AND my partner”(27:51) ADHD can be challenging, and you’re not aloneFor a transcript and more resources, visit the Sorry, I Missed This page on Understood.We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at sorryimissedthis@understood.org. Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give

Join health and science journalist Danielle Elliot as she investigates the rise of women recently diagnosed with ADHD. Listen to Climbing the Walls now.For some women with ADHD, the fear of failure can feel overwhelming, causing them to second-guess their every move. They might avoid taking risks or stepping out of their comfort zone, even when they have the skills to succeed. It’s a cycle that’s tough to break, but there are ways to face this fear and move forward with confidence. In this episode, Dr. Monica Johnson explores how fear of failure uniquely impacts women with ADHD. Tune in as she shares insights on transforming that fear into growth—and offers practical strategies for breaking free of this cycle.Related resourcesHow ADHD can affect your mental healthThe ADHD failure cycle (Jared Robson’s story)Timestamps(01:27) How ADHD can influence the fear of failure(07:46) How to manage the fear of failureFor a transcript and more resources, visit our episode page on Understood.org. We love hearing from our listeners! Email us at podcast@understood.org. Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give

Join health and science journalist Danielle Elliot as she investigates the rise of women recently diagnosed with ADHD. Listen to Climbing the Walls now.It often seems that the more complex a subject is, the more people tend to oversimplify it.If your social media feeds are anything like mine, that’s definitely the case. Especially when it comes to science. One of those often-oversimplified things is dopamine. This neurotransmitter, or brain chemical, has become a target for catchy headlines promising new ways to “hack your dopamine.” Seriously. If you don’t believe me, type in “dopamine hacks” on YouTube and enjoy the endless scroll.This week on Hyperfocus, we take a deep dopamine dive with psychologist Dr. Ari Tuckman and sort out fact from fiction.Related resourcesHow I beat my social media habit (and how you can too)Tips from an ADHD Coach: Is it love or is it dopamine?Attention: How it’s different from working memoryTimestamps(3:01) What is dopamine? (8:48) How do dopamine and ADHD relate? (16:59) The truth behind dopamine “hacks” (25:25) What a clinician wishes we knewFor a transcript and more resources, visit the Hyperfocus page on Understood.We’d love to hear from you. Email us at hyperfocus@understood.org   Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give

We’re running a survey to see how podcasts help women with ADHD learn about mental health and health-related topics. Make your voice heard today.A lot of adults with a late ADHD diagnosis can look back on their childhood and see clear signs that they had ADHD. But, it just didn’t get noticed at the time. It can be painful to think about where we would be if we’d had the diagnosis earlier.This week on Tips from an ADHD Coach, Jaye talks about how it can be common for late-diagnosed adults, especially women, to feel overlooked, misunderstood, and somewhat cheated out of the life they could have had. Listen for some tips to help you through this grief.  Related resourcesHow do I emotionally prepare for ADHD diagnosis?ADHD in girlsThe 3 types of ADHDTimestamps(00:35) Alexis’ quote(03:06) Why do women so often have their ADHD missed in childhood?(07:15) What about the people whose siblings were diagnosed in childhood, but they were not?(10:44) What can we do?(14:01) RecapFor a transcript and more resources, visit the MissUnderstood page on Understood.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. Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give

We’re running a survey to see how podcasts help women with ADHD learn about mental health and health-related topics. Make your voice heard today.People with ADHD can often get a bad rap for being “bad listeners.” So, instead of actually listening, we’re often focusing on: Do they know I'm listening? Am I making enough eye contact? Do I look engaged?Host Cate Osborn chats with Understood.org Vice President of Expertise and licensed therapist Sarah Greenberg about  the listening strengths and weaknesses that can come with ADHD. They also unpack different modes of listening like listening to understand, listening to solve, and listening to connect.Related resourcesHow attention worksFrom the ADHD Aha! podcast, “Why don’t you listen?” Paying attention vs. hearing (Peter’s story)Timestamps(00:41) Feeling self-conscious about our ability to listen with ADHD(05:56) Different modes of listening(07:40) Figuring out our listening strengths and weaknesses(14:32) Anecdotal communication(16:48) Asking what a person needs out of a conversation(21:47) What can we do?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. Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give

We’re running a survey to see how podcasts help women with ADHD learn about mental health and health-related topics. Make your voice heard today.Hormonal changes during menopause can make managing ADHD symptoms more challenging, and their impact can vary from woman to woman.In this episode, Dr. Monica Johnson breaks down the connection between ADHD and menopause. Hear how these two factors interact and influence each other. And get practical strategies for how to manage this life change. To get a transcript and check out more episodes, visit the MissUnderstood episode page at Understood.We love to hear from our listeners. Email us at podcast@understood.org.Related resourcesA guide to hormones and ADHDADHD and: HormonesTimestamps(00:38) What is menopause?(06:59) How to manage menopause and ADHD Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give

We’re running a survey to see how podcasts help women with ADHD learn about mental health and health-related topics. Make your voice heard today.We’re back with another episode from our Hyperfocus field trip to San Diego. While we were at the APSARD (American Professional Society of ADHD and Related Disorders) conference, one of the talks that really piqued our interest was on genetics and neurodevelopmental disorders, including ADHD. Genetic science is tough to understand. And, as you’ll hear in this interview, we had a lot to learn and a lot of questions. Is ADHD genetic? And if it is, what does that mean for people who have it? What does it mean for treatment? Luckily, Dr. Anne Arnett, a scientist at Boston Children’s Hospital and assistant professor of pediatrics at Harvard Medical school, was kind enough to brave a chilly, windy outdoor recording. In this conversation, she help us understand more about what we know (and what we don’t) about ADHD and genetics. Related resourcesVideo: Dyscalculia, dyslexia, and geneticsCan genetic testing help me find the right ADHD medication?Is ADHD hereditary?ADHD runs in the family (Michelle’s story)The Arnett Lab at Boston Children’s HospitalTimestamps(2:01) Is ADHD genetic?(8:28) Genetic vs. environmental factors and ADHD co-morbidities(11:50) What does the latest research mean for people with ADHD?(13:55) Is there genetic testing for ADHD?(18:56) Why bother with early detection?  (21:44) Anne’s goals for her researchFor a transcript and more resources, visit the Hyperfocus page on Understood.We’d love to hear from you. Email us at hyperfocus@understood.org. Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give

We’re running a survey to see how podcasts help women with ADHD learn about mental health and health-related topics. Make your voice heard today.People with ADHD have likely had to apologize for their ADHD traits more than once. So, it can be easy to fall into a habit of saying sorry all the time out of shame. Even before someone has brought up that we’ve done anything wrong.This week on Tips from an ADHD Coach, Jaye talks about how people with ADHD, especially women, can fall into the habit of apologizing too much. Listen for some tips on how to turn these knee-jerk “sorries” into positive statements that explain what we really mean to say.Related resourcesADHD and feelings of remorseADHD and shameTimestamps(00:34) Jordan’s quote(02:46) Apologizing for how we show up in the world with ADHD(04:48) Protecting ourselves by saying sorry before confronted(07:25) What can we do to avoid saying sorry all the time?(11:33) RecapFor a transcript and more resources, visit the MissUnderstood page on Understood.orgHave a challenge you’d like Jaye to talk about in an episode? Email or send a voice memo to us at adhdcoachtips@understood.org. Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give

We’re running a survey to see how podcasts help women with ADHD learn about mental health and health-related topics. Make your voice heard today.Without community, ADHD can feel isolating and shameful. Like you’re the only one facing these challenges and “can’t get it together.” Community provides a space to share the wins and the embarrassing moments. And it can be especially helpful for women processing late diagnoses.Host of the ADHDAF podcast and UK ADHD community builder, Laura Mears-Reynolds, visits the show to talk about how sharing experiences with others can ease shame, and create support. Related resourcesadhdasfemales.comThe ADHD Women subredditADHD Support for Women by Understood.org’s Facebook groupTimestamps(00:57) How do we find value in a community with ADHD?(03:58) How did Laura get started building the ADHDAF community?(09:39) Feeling alone in what you’re facing without community(14:36) Being compassionate with others helps us be compassionate with ourselves(18:14) Feeling isolated with ADHD(19:56) How do I find community? How do I build it myself?For a transcript and more resources, visit the MissUnderstood page on Understood.orgWe love hearing from our listeners. Email us at sorryimissedthis@understood.org. Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give

We’re running a survey to see how podcasts help women with ADHD learn about mental health and health-related topics. Make your voice heard today.As women get older, they often notice changes in their body and mind that can be difficult to adjust to. And for women with ADHD, these changes can be even more challenging.In this episode, Dr. Monica Johnson breaks down how ADHD uniquely impacts women as they age. Listen as she offers valuable insights on how to thrive with ADHD at any stage of life. And find out how small changes can lead to big improvements in daily well-being.Related resources ADHD and menopauseA guide to hormones and ADHDADHD and: HormonesTimestamps(00:41) What happens to the ADHD brain as you age? (03:35) How ADHD impacts aging in women(06:53) How to manage challenges of agingFor a transcript of this episode and more resources, visit the MissUnderstood episode page on Understood.org.We love to hear from our listeners. Email us at podcast@understood.org. Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give

We’re running a survey to see how podcasts help women with ADHD learn about mental health and health-related topics. Make your voice heard today.Earlier this year, Hyperfocus took a field trip to San Diego for an ADHD conference called APSARD, which stands for the American Professional Society of ADHD and Related Disorders (quite a mouthful).A conference of ADHD professionals might not sound fascinating, but it was — and we learned a ton. But there was one person and one talk I really wanted to find: A keynote speech about how ADHD affects women’s bodies by Dr. Sandra Kooij. What Sandra is doing is something so sensible and radical: Looking at ADHD as a whole-body issue. Digging into how it can affect women’s hormones, our health, and especially our hearts. I find Sandra’s research fascinating and was thrilled when she agreed to sit down for a conversation with me. We didn’t waste any time and quickly set up a makeshift studio for this week’s episode of Hyperfocus. Also, a quick note on the audio this week: We had to record this episode outside the conference hotel, on a bustling patio full of ADHD professionals and some noisy birds. So, please forgive the extraneous sounds. Related resourcesMissUnderstood: The ADHD in Women ChannelDid my ADHD make me more likely to have postpartum depression?ADHD Powerbank: Sandra’s video platformThe Head, Heart, Hormones foundation (in dutch with translations) Prevalence of hormone-related mood disorder symptoms in women with ADHD The heart health and ADHD connectionTimestamps(4:07) Swedish registry study data on diseases in people with ADHD(7:06) ADHD and hormones  (13:56) Cardiovascular disease in women(20:21) Talking to your doctor about diseases related to ADHDFor a transcript of this episode and more resources, visit the Hyperfocus page on Understood.org.We’d love to hear from you. Email us at hyperfocus@understood.org Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give