Navigating ADHD Challenges and Ageism in Women

Episode 179 with Dr. Kathleen Nadeau.

“One of the best ways to help women with ADHD is in groups. We heal each other by understanding each other, laughing together, and not expecting the same perfection we feel the outside world expects of us.”

Dr. Nadeau is a clinical psychologist and founder of The Chesapeake Center, as well as an internationally recognized authority on ADHD.

She is the author or co-author of over a dozen books related to ADHD across the lifespan, from her best-selling book for children, “Learning to Slow Down and Pay Attention”, to her latest book “Still Distracted After All These Years,” which addresses the many factors of growing older with ADHD (because as we all know, you do not outgrow ADHD).

We discuss some of the strategies laid out in Dr. Nadeau’s latest book, such as the importance of maintaining structure, connection, and support as we age. We also address some of the myths and misconceptions about stimulant medications for the over-60 population, and the need for better understanding and treatment of ADHD in older adults, as many healthcare professionals dismiss or minimize the struggles faced by this population.

And we talk about “failure to launch” in younger adults and how difficulties with early adulting skills might lead to a lot of anxiety around aging with ADHD.

Finally, we discuss her upcoming book, “A Clinician's Guide to Women with ADHD: Diagnosis and Treatment” which she is co-writing with Dr. Patricia Quinn, MD, and Dr. Michael Morse, MD. Although there are many books for and about women with ADHD, there is a great need for a clinician's guide to diagnosis and treatment. Women continue to have great difficulty finding knowledgeable physicians and therapists to treat them. This long-overdue book due to be published in 2025 will provide a very straightforward treatment guide for medical and mental health providers. 

Website: thechesapeakecenter.com

Instagram: @thechesapeakecenter

Links & Resources:

Still Distracted After All These Years: Help and Support for Older Adults with ADHD by Dr. Kathleen Nadeau

The Unmade Bed: The Messy Truth about Men and Women in the 21st Century by Stephen Marche

https://www.tiktok.com/@retirementhouse

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Episode edited by E Podcast Productions

Find the transcript of this episode at www.womenandadhd.com/transcripts

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Work 1-on-1 with Katy: www.womenandadhd.com/coaching

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Order the “Hey, it’s ADHD!” course: www.womenandadhd.com/adhdcourse

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